Kirsten anchors South Africa

DURBAN, DEC. 26. Opener Gary Kirsten anchored a solid South African performance, with an unbeaten 112 (250 balls, 15 x 4, 1 x 6) on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead on Tuesday. South Africa was 230 for three when bad light brought play to a close before scheduled time. The other batsman at the crease was Neil McKenzie with 5.

Earlier Kirsten and Daryll Cullinan (59) put on a 108 partnership for the third wicket after fast bowler Dilhara Fernando took both the opening 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 two for 52 at stumps. 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 off-spinner who is Sri Lanka'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 Africa's all-time leading Test run scorer notched his 23 rd fifty, to go with ten centuries, off 112 balls when he cut Muralitharan for his eighth four. - AFP

South African opener Gary Kirsten plays a square drive, as Mahela Jayawardena takes evasive action, during the course of his unebaten 112 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Durban on Tuesday.

- Reuters

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