October 19, 2002	Saturday	Sha'aban 12, 1423

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EAST LONDON (South Africa), Oct 18: South Africa’s Gary Kirsten became the first man to score a century against all nine of the other Test-playing nations when he reached three figures against Bangladesh on the opening day of the first Test here Friday.

Kirsten was 113 not out at the close as South Africa, boosted also by an excellent 200 from opener Graeme Smith, reached 369 for two.

They had been sent in to bat in the inaugural Test between the countries. It is also the first Test to be played in East London with Buffalo Park becoming the 85th venue.

Kirsten has been at the crease for more than four hours, facing 174 balls and hitting 10 fours.

Australian captain Steve Waugh is the only other player to have made centuries against eight countries. Bangladesh, who gained Test status in 2000, have yet to play against the current world champions.

India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored hundreds against seven countries, was dismissed for 18 in his only Test innings to date against Bangladesh.

Smith and Kirsten put on 272 for the second wicket before Smith slogged a ball from off spinner Sanwar Hossain to Manjural Islam at mid-on five overs before the close.

It was Smith’s maiden Test century and double century. He batted for six and a half hours, scored his runs off 287 deliveries and stroked 25 boundaries.

The only other success for Bangladesh on the day came 30 minutes before lunch, when Herschelle Gibbs drove at a delivery from medium pacer Tapash Baisya to be caught in the covers by Tushar Imran for 41.

The five hours between the two dismissals belonged entirely to South Africa as Smith and Kirsten scored runs freely against Bangladesh’s modest attack.

The bowlers were unable to make use of the swing and movement off the seam made available by the humid morning and green pitch and batting conditions soon eased.

Smith’s century was on the board after almost four hours, 164 balls faced and 12 fours. Kirsten went to his 15th hundred after four hours at the wicket.

Smith, 21, also went on to become South Africa’s youngest double centurion.

Another long day in the field looked to await suffering Bangladesh on Saturday.

South Africa included a new cap in 28-year-old batsman Martin van Jaarsveld.

With Shaun Pollock resting because of a strained left knee ligament, wicket-keeper Mark Boucher captained South Africa for the fourth time.

The match is the first in a two-Test series.