Liebenberg, Kallis start series with a bang

Worcestershire lost opener Vikram Solanki for a duck to finish the day on 31 for one, although acting captain Graeme Hick looked in ominous mood with 23 not out from 23 balls.

South Africa’s captain Hansie Cronje bravely elected to bat despite a green pitch and leaden, overcast skies which offered the seam bowlers lavish movement on a two-paced surface.

Left-handed opener Gary Kirsten (1) was an early casualty when the vice-captain popped a simple catch to short leg off an impressive delivery from opener England seamer Phil Newport that nipped back appreciably.

But Liebenberg and Kallis rode their luck through numerous playing-and-missing, growing in stature and confidence asthe attack tired and the sun belatedly broke through after lunch. Kallis required 23 deliveries to score his first run but was batting in full cry when he drove expansively at an inswinger from left-arm paceman Alamgir Sheriyar and was bowled for 75. He faced 184 balls and hit 10 fours.

Liebenberg was on the verge of his 14th first-class century when he swept impatiently at the part-time off spin of Hick and top-edged a simple catch to square leg. His 98 came from 202 balls and contained 14 fours.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa (1st innings): 287-4 decl (G Liebenberg 98, J Kallis 75, D Cullinan not out 67) vs Worcestershire 31-1