Records tumble in heaps

South Africa8217;s Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith became the first opening pair in Test history to put on 300 runs twice as they destroyed England8217;s attack on the first day of the series on Thursday.

The two, who made 368 against Pakistan six months ago, recorded big centuries in a stand of 338. The mis-match ended when Gibbs, on 179 and having batting a fraction over five hours, swept at Michael Vaughan8217;s occasional off-spin and holed out to Mark Butcher at deep midwicket.

Captain Smith had made 178 not out 8212; the third time he has passed 150 in 15 innings 8212; as South Africa closed on 398 for one. Gary Kirsten was 26 not out.