Kirsten puts SA in command

DEC 26: Opener Gary Kirsten anchored a solid South African performance on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead t...

DEC 26: Opener Gary Kirsten anchored a solid South African performance on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead today. South Africa were 168 for two at tea, with Kirsten 78 not out.

Kirsten and Daryll Cullinan batting 43 put on an unbeaten 82 for the third wicket after fast bowler Dilhara Fernando took both wickets.

Fernando, 21, playing in his second Test, made the first breakthrough with his fifth delivery of the match when he had Boeta Dippenaar caught behind for 11 when the total was on 31.

Fernando then broke a promising 55-run stand between Kirsten and Jacques Kallis when Kallis misjudged a hook and spooned a catch to Muttiah Muralitharan at square leg. Fernando, who built up a lively pace, had taken two for 30 off 13 overs at tea.

Cullinan, whose place in the team was under threat after a string of sub-standard performances, looked in good form from the start of his innings.

His first scoring shot was a handsome cover drive for four off Fernando and he played several sumptuous strokes, including a swept six off Muralitharan, the offspinner who is Sri Lanka8217;s main dangerman.

The left-handed Kirsten played a typical innings, working the ball off his toes on the legside and punching square through the point area. South Africa8217;s all-time leading Test run scorer notched his 23rd fifty, to go with ten centuries, off 112 balls when he cut Muralitharan for his eighth four.

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The pitch proved easy-paced, with the conditions appearing to justify the decision by South African captain Shaun Pollock to bat first.

Rain fell steadily yesterday and it was expected there would be some early life when the match started under overcast skies. Offspinner Muralitharan, needing nine wickets to reach 300 in Tests, was brought into the attack after 20 overs and bowled 17 consecutive overs from the Old Fort Road End before switching ends shortly before tea.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ist innings B Dippenaar c Kaluwitharana b Fernando 11, G Kirsten not out 78, J Kallis c Muralitharan b Fernando 21, D Cullinan not out 43; Extras b-4, lb-1, nb-10 15. Total for two wickets, 59 overs 168

Fall of wickets: 1-31 2-86

Bowling: Vaas 14-0-49-0 nb-4, Zoysa 13-2-46-0, Fernando 13-1-30-2 nb-6, Muralitharan 19-4-38-0