September 5, 2003	Friday	Rajab 7, 1424

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LONDON, Sept 4: Herschelle Gibbs’s 183 guided South Africa into a commanding position on the first day of the fifth Test against England at The Oval here Thursday.

At stumps South Africa, 2-1 up and needing only a draw to ensure their first series win in England since 1965, were 362 for four.

Jacques Kallis was 32 not out but Neil McKenzie was out for nine to the last ball of the day, caught by wicket-keeper Alec Stewart, England’s most-capped player, appearing in his 133rd and last Test before international retirement, off James Anderson.

But in every session England’s mediocre attack conceded over 100 runs.

Gibbs’s Test-best score against England came as South Africa took advantage of captain Graeme Smith’s decision to bat first on a typically good Oval pitch.

The Proteas scored 244 runs in boundaries - 67 percent of their total.

Together with Western Province team-mate Gary Kirsten (90), Gibbs put on 227 in 329 balls.

Gibbs, who made 179 in the drawn first Test at Edgbaston, was eventually bowled by Ashley Giles after missing an ugly slog at the left-arm spinner.

Opener Gibbs faced 258 balls with 146 of his runs (35 fours and one six) in his five-and-a-half hour innings coming in boundaries.

South Africa were now 345 for three in the 79th over, Gibbs and Kallis putting on 55 in 56 balls as England’s attack wilted on a sun-drenched day.

Giles, recalled after being dropped for South Africa’s 191 fourth Test win at Headingley, was the only England bowler to take wickets finishing with a respectable two for 75 from 21 overs.

But usually economical pace bowling all-rounder Andrew Flintoff conceded 73 runs from 14 overs.

At tea South Africa were 230 for one with Gibbs 122 not out and Kirsten 71 not out.

Kirsten, whose century set up South Africa’s victory at Headingley, was in sight of his 19th Test hundred when he surprisingly lost concentration.

On 90, he missed a sweep against Giles and was lbw after the ball hit him flush on the boot leaving South Africa 290 for two in the 67th over.

Left-hander Kirsten, who on 29 had seen Australian umpire Simon Taufel turn down a well-merited lbw appeal from Flintoff, faced 156 balls and hit 15 fours.

But the runs kept coming, Kallis lofting Giles for a huge straight six.

Gibbs had already advanced down the pitch to drive Giles for four.

And four balls later again used his feet to loft Giles for a magnificent straight driven six on the biggest Test ground in England.

An on-driven boundary off England captain Michael Vaughan’s occasional off-spin took Gibbs to his hundred.

However, soon afterwards England missed him twice in two balls.

Gibbs had smashed fast bowler James Anderson for fours off the first two balls of the 55th over.

But to the third ball he saw a miscued pull just clear the lumbering Martin Bicknell at mid-on.

Gibbs took two to move to 112 and next ball thrashed Anderson fiercely through cover point where Mark Butcher failed to get a hand to the chance as it hurtled past him on its way to the boundary.

South Africa started briskly after opener Smith won the toss.

Gibbs though appeared fortunate not to fall lbw for 26 to Surrey seamer Bicknell, India umpire Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan unimpressed.

But Gibbs’s reckless attempt to take a single off Giles saw Smith (18) run out after he failed to beat Vaughan’s under-arm throw from cover to Stewart.

Gibbs, in any case, felt no remorse. “There’s nothing I can do if he doesn’t back up,” he smiled.

Asked if he realised his 20 fours and one six out of his first 100 runs had probably never been bettered in tests, he smiled again. “No,” he said. Did it mean anything to him? “No. I just hit it.”

The 29-year-old right-hander’s only lapses came when, shortly after reaching three figures, he slogged James Anderson just over mid-on and just wide of cover off consecutive balls.

Kirsten immediately marched down the wicket and told him not to throw away his good work.

“I got a bit carried away — I obviously took his advice,” Gibbs added.

“It’s a really good wicket, much better than the last two — I think 600 would be a good total,” Gibbs concluded.

Scoreboard

South Africa (1st innings)

G.Smith run out (Vaughan) 18

H.Gibbs b Giles 183

G.Kirsten lbw b Giles 90

J.Kallis not out 32

N.McKenzie c Stewart b Anderson 9

Extras (b-11 lb-10 w-4 nb-5) 30

Total (for four wickets, 89.5 overs) 362

Fall of wkts: 1-63 2-290 3-345 4-362

To bat: J.Rudolph, M.Boucher, S.Pollock, A.Hall, P.Adams, M.Ntini

Bowling (to date): Bicknell 13-2-48-0, Anderson 17.5-4-61-1 (w-1), Harmison 16-6-42-0 (nb-4), Giles 21-2-75-2, Flintoff 14-2-73-0 (w-2), Vaughan 5-0-24-0 (nb-1), Butcher 3-0-18-0 (w-1)

England: M.Trescothick, M.Vaughan, M.Butcher, G.Thorpe, E.Smith, A.Stewart, A.Flintoff, A.Giles, M.Bicknell, S.Harmison, J.Anderson.—Agencies