Kirsten records a classic double

DURBAN DECEMBER30: Gary Kirsten played the second-longest innings in Test history to earn South Africa a draw in the third cricket Test ag...

DURBAN DECEMBER30: Gary Kirsten played the second-longest innings in Test history to earn South Africa a draw in the third cricket Test against England at Kingsmead here on Thursday. Kirsten made 275, equalling the South African Test record, and batted for 878 minutes as South Africa stayed 1-0 ahead in the five-match series despite being forced to follow on 210 runs behind.

South Africa scored 572 for seven, their highest total against England, as the tourists were made to spend their third successive day toiling in the field under a hot sun.

The match ended in anti-climax when Kirsten, level with the South African record score held by teammate Darryl Cullinan, overbalanced slightly and was bowled around his legs by part-time off-spinner Mark Butcher.

Only Hanif Mohammad, who batted for 970 minutes when he made 337 for Pakistan against West Indies at Bridgetown in 1957-58, has played a longer innings in Test cricket.

Kirsten8217;s marathon innings started today after South Africa had been shot out for 156 in their first innings and for England it was a case of deja vu as he hit 210 against the tourists at Old Trafford in almost 11 hours last year.

Hanif8217;s innings was also played after his side had been made to follow on.

Kirsten, 32, had been out of form and some critics had called for him to be dropped but, in a crisis for his side, the left-handed opening batsman found reserves of endurance and concentration in a chanceless innings.

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Kirsten faced 642 balls and hit 26 boundaries, and said afterwards he was not disappointed to miss sole ownership of the record. 8220;It doesn8217;t really matter what happened at the end,8221; he said.

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher shared a record South African fifth wicket stand of 192 with Kirsten and made his second successive century as a nightwatchman in Test cricket.

The partnership made the game safe for South Africa, who started the final day only 41 runs ahead with six wickets standing.

It was Boucher8217;s third Test century, following his 125, a world record for a nightwatchman, against Zimbabwe earlier this season.

Scoreboard

England 1st innings: 366-9 decl
South Africa 1st innings: 156

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South Africa 2nd innings; overnight 251-4: G Kirsten b Butcher 275, H Gibbs c Maddy b Caddick 26, J Kallis c Stewart b Gough 69, D Cullinan c Stewart b Flintoff 16, H Cronje c Stewart b Flintoff 1, M Boucher c Stewart b Adams 108, L Klusener b Butcher 45, S Pollock not out 7; Extras: b5, lb13, w2, nb5 25. Total: 7 wkts, 209.2 overs 572
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-193, 3-242, 4-244, 5-436, 6-537, 7-572
Bowling: Caddick 36-12-70-1, Silverwood 30-6-89-0, Gough 28-5-82-1, Flintoff 30-9-67-2, Tufnell 45-6-117-0, Adams 13-3-42-1, Maddy 14-1-40-0, Butcher 8.2-0-32-2, Hussain 5-1-15-0.

Result: Match Drawn
Men of the Match: Gary Kirsten amp; Andrew Caddick.