By Richard Sydenham
LONDON, July 21 – Graeme Smith scored a century in his 100th
test before he was dismissed for 131 to leave South Africa
cruising on 277 for two at tea against England on day three of
the first test at The Oval on Saturday.
Hashim Amla also had a century to his name and was looking
imperious on 131 not out, with Jacques Kallis on 10, as the
tourists reduced England’s first innings lead to 108 runs.
Smith’s landmark innings, his 25th test hundred and only the
seventh time a player had scored a century in his 100th test,
ended when he played on to Tim Bresnan.
The South Africa captain got an inside edge to Bresnan that
deflected on to his back leg and then against the stumps.
It was an unlucky way to go but he had still done enough to
mark his own special occasion while placing his team in a strong
position after an inauspicious first day.
With a flat pitch and sunshine making perfect batting
conditions Smith and Amla cashed in to leave England rueing the
dropped chance that skipper Andrew Strauss made at first slip
the previous evening when Amla was on 40.
Amla’s innings has otherwise been faultless and the ease
with which his runs came said much about his ability to
penetrate the field against quality bowling as much as the
conditions.
This was his 15th test century and has so far spanned 261
balls. But for the occasion, Smith’s six-hour innings will be
remembered more, as he shared in a potentially match-defining
partnership of 259 with the right-handed Amla.
Continued…
