Gibbs, Kallis spearhead South African reply

Opener Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis both struck unbeaten half centuries as South Africa made a bold response to Sri Lanka's first innings on day two of the second Test at Centurion on Saturday.

Replying to Sri Lanka's first innings 323, South Africa were 183 for two wickets at the close, with Gibbs 76 not out and Kallis unbeaten on 69. Their unbroken partnership for the third wicket was worth 112.

After a positive start, Gibbs was unusually subdued in posting his 11th Test fifty, spending nearly five hours at the crease, facing 186 balls and striking ten fours.

Kallis was more aggressive, although he too never totally dominated the Sri Lankan attack. Kallis's 25th half century came off 160 balls in a little under three hours.

There was a hint of controversy about both breakthroughs by the Sri Lankans.

Opener Graeme Smith (15) was first to go, at the wrong end of a borderline lbw decision to the first ball bowled by Dilhara Fernando.

Gary Kirsten appeared even less happy with the decision he received, the left hander splicing a delivery from Dilhara Fernando to gulley where Hasantha Fernando dived to take the catch. Kirsten (11) stood his ground, but after consultation between umpires Russell Tiffin and Daryl Harper, he was given out.

In the morning session Hashan Tillakaratne finished unbeaten on 104 as Sri Lanka were bowled out. The day started on a bright note for Tillakaratne when he brought up 4,000 runs in Test cricket with a four. The milestone coming in his 73rd Test.

But wickets fell quickly at the other end as Makhaya Ntini struck three times. First Chaminda Vaas (7) got a good delivery from Ntini which angled across him and took the edge through to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Ntini then struck with successive deliveries, Chamila Gamage brilliantly caught at the third attempt by Kirsten at short leg for two and Dilhara Fernando followed the next ball, caught down the leg side by Boucher.

Muttiah Muralitharan frustrated the South Africans with some unorthodox shots and ensured he saw Tillakaratne to his century, the first by a Sri Lankan in South Africa, which was reached with a single to third man. The 35 year-old was at the crease for five and half hours in total, facing 231 balls and striking 17 fours.

Kallis eventually ended the innings, clean bowling Muralitharan for 27. The tenth wicket stand of 42 was a record for Sri Lanka against South Africa.

Day 1 report: Tillakaratne shines as Sri Lanka fight back

Mail Cricket Editor