Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis hit centuries as South Africa moved into a commanding position on the second day of the third Test against Australia at Newlands on Friday.
South Africa were 404 for three at the close, an imposing 195 runs ahead of Australia’s first innings total of 209.
Prince, opening the batting for the first time in Test matches, made 150, while Kallis ended an 11-month century drought with 102 not out. It put South Africa on track to secure a consolation win. Australia clinched the series by winning the first two Tests.
PHOTO: EPA
Controversy surrounded Prince’s return to the South Africa side, but the little left-hander seemed unruffled as he moved to his 11th Test century.
His ton came up off 152 balls when he slammed leg-spinner Bryce McGain to the mid-off boundary. He exchanged handshakes with batting partner Kallis, who was named South Africa captain after Prince had initially been given the job.
Kallis leapt in the air to celebrate the shot that took him to his 31st Test century, but his first in 22 innings spread over 11 months. His joy turned to consternation when umpire Asad Rauf signaled a leg bye.
Then there was confusion when Rauf reversed his decision after television replays showed the ball had hit his bat. Australian captain Ricky Ponting protested, but the run stood.
Prince’s selection was conditional on him opening the batting instead of slotting into his normal position in the middle order.
If he was upset by the move, he didn’t show it. His innings had several phases.
He made a brisk start, scoring 37 off 36 balls before the close on the first day, then had to grind his way to a half-century off another 40 deliveries against tight bowling in the first hour on Friday.
His fluency returned as the intensity of the bowling eased and his century came in the middle of a flurry of three boundaries off successive balls from McGain.
After reaching his century, Prince again scored slowly before picking up the pace again in a 160-run third wicket stand with Kallis that came off 231 balls.
He fell to a leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off his glove against Ben Hilfenfaus. He was initially given not out by umpire Steve Bucknor, but the decision was reversed after the Australians asked for a referral. Prince faced 249 balls and hit 19 fours and two sixes.
Australian debutant McGain was a major contributor to South Africa’s rapid scoring rate, conceding 102 runs off 11 overs, with Kallis taking particular relish to his bowling.
By contrast, fast bowler Peter Siddle bowled superbly, taking the wicket of Imraan Khan and conceding only 35 runs off 23 overs.
Kallis made an awkward start, being struck twice on the body by Mitchell Johnson and on the helmet by Hilfenhaus in scoring his first two runs. He labored to 4 off 39 balls before taking advantage of some loose bowling by McGain.
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