Mckenzie, Amla put SA in control

Thursday March 27, 01:12 AM

Chennai, March 26: Feasting on traditional Indian hospitality laid out on a placid M.A. Chidambaram pitch, South Africa batted themselves into a position of some strength on the opening day of the first Future Cup Test. The attack, led by intelligent variations from Anil Kumble who received support in patches from Harbhajan Singh, found some purchase only late from the first day wicket.

The visitors ran up an impressive 304/4 without being too ambitious about collaring the bowling to build on of a century opening stand from world record holders Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie. Compiling a patient unbeaten 85, Hashim Amla carried South Africa still further on the day after losing the company of Kallis and Prince who fell cheaply.

Smith and McKenzie laid the base for a competitive total that may test the Indians. McKenzie was unlucky to miss his first hundred against India by six runs. The first wicket partnership briefly threatened the record partnership at this venue between England’s Graeme Fowler and Mike Gatting before Kumble lured Smith into an airy drive that was pouched neatly by Laxman at short mid-on. The stand was worth 132 in 33.3 overs.

Batting first on this track was the sole option for Smith who did his side a favour by winning the toss. Sreesanth and R.P. Singh got the ball to bounce only when they hit the seam hard as there was little in terms of lateral movement. The ball went past the bat on a few occasions but that had more to do with faulty reading of line. McKenzie essayed some delightful shots through covers but there were also occasions where he was not sure of his footwork.

Kumble was forced to bring himself on in the 11th over but Smith and his partner continued their march quite serenely. McKenzie also took the aerial route against Harbhajan whenever the off-spinner tossed it up.

Kumble and Harbhajan sowed doubts but were denied the break for long. The 100 came in 23.2 overs and the signs were ominous for India under the March sun that beat relentlessly. There were 19 boundary hits before lunch and four were added in an over from Sreesanth after the break.

One can sense danger when Kumble pushes the batsman back with pace rather than length. Smith was content to go across and defend off the back foot. Lulled into that mode for a while, Smith could not resist when Kumble floated one up and he pushed tamely into the fielder.

The skipper’s second spell was a miserly 11 overs for 18 runs. This was one period where India pulled things back.

Amla who looked at home from the start kept the innings going without undue risks. It was precise footwork from the bearded number three as he parked himself on a batting beauty.

McKenzie had some trouble against Harbhajan, unable as he was to pick the ones that held their line. At 196, he fell poking his bat forward and Dravid held a smart catch at first slip. The Sardar was finally paid for his perseverance.

Jacques Kallis could not have hoped for a better position to come in. The setting was ideal for him to grind the attack into submission. Kumble rang in a few bowling changes but nothing seemed to work with seam and spin seemed the only option.

After spending assessment time on the pitch, Kallis still played across the line to R.P. who showed a big heart in trying conditions. Just when Kallis looked set for another of his customary long vigils, his tentative defensive push off Harbhajan was taken by Wasim Jaffer at short leg. To his credit Kallis walked when Asad Rauf seemed set not to uphold the appeal.

Setting interesting fields for Kallis with three men near the bat and three in the outer ring, Kumble tied Kallis down. This is where the skipper fought back in a potentially hopeless position for his team. His catch to dismiss Prince belied the age of one of Test cricket’s longest serving practitioners. South Africa may have had the better of the day but Kumble ensured they did not get far ahead,with his bowling and that astounding return catch.

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