November 9, 2002	Saturday	Ramazan 3,1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 8: All-rounder Jacques Kallis took three wickets in quick succession as South Africa moved into a dominant position on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka here Friday.

After winning the toss on a lively pitch at the Wanderers, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 192.

South Africa survived 12 overs to reach 51 without loss at the close, with Gary Kirsten, who became the first South African to pass 6,000 Test runs, on 21 and Graeme Smith 15.

Kallis tore the heart out of the Sri Lankan middle order with three wickets in just six balls.

He produced a superb outswinger to Mahele Jayawardena, which took the edge through to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher. Jayawardena made 39 in an entertaining partnership of 51 for the fourth wicket with captain Sanath Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya (32) followed in the next over from Kallis, only able to fend a bouncer to Smith at third slip, and debutant Hasantha Fernando lasted just three balls before he top-edged an injudicious pull and was caught by Kirsten running back from short leg.

Tea was taken after the fall of the wicket of Chaminda Vaas the following over, the left-hander on one when he offered Kallis a routine chance at slip off the bowling of Andrew Hall.

Shaun Pollock ended the defiance of Dilhara Fernando when he bowled the right hander for seven but then saw his next delivery pulled for six by new batsman Muttiah Muralitharan.

The off-spinner then smashed his next ball from Hall for four before holing out to fine leg.

The innings was brought to a close when Hashan Tillekeratne was run out attempting a second run, beaten by Makhaya Ntini’s throw from the deep. Tillekeratne and Ruchira Perera added 27 for the 10th wicket, a new Sri Lankan record against South Africa.

Earlier, Pollock claimed the first wicket to fall after lunch, opener Marvan Atapattu wasting a patient start when he drove expansively and edged on to his stumps for 34.

Sri Lanka had reached lunch on 68 for two after a probing morning session from the South African bowlers looking to make the most of a pitch offering substantial bounce and seam movement.

The first wicket fell as early as the second over when Russel Arnold edged Ntini to Smith who took a sharp chance moving to his right at third slip.

Kumar Sangakkara struck five boundaries in his 26 before he too fell to a catch by Smith, the 37 year-old Steve Elworthy, recalled for his third cap, inducing the edge which was superbly pocketed by the youngster diving full length to his right.

Earlier, South Africa were forced to make a late team change when opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs injured his back during the morning warm up.

Northerns’ batsman Martin van Jaarsveld, who made his debut against Bangladesh last month, was called up from his provincial team only half an hour before play and took the field at the morning drinks break.