Kallis century frustrates England

Jacques Kallis made a patient, polished century and sapped the energy from England's bowlers on the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park here on Wednesday.

Jacques Kallis made a patient, polished century and sapped the energy from England's bowlers on the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park here on Wednesday.

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South Africa, who had been in trouble earlier after being sent in, were 262 for four at the close with Kallis unbeaten on 112. It was a position that the South Africans could hardly dared to have hoped for after a poor start to the day.

The host nation were rocked by the withdrawal shortly before play of strike bowler Dale Steyn because of a tight left hamstring. He was replaced by new cap Friedel de Wet.

Then captain and batting mainstay Graeme Smith was out for nought. South Africa slipped to 93 for three and 159 for four before Kallis and JP Duminy (38 not out) put on an unbeaten 103 for the fifth wicket.

England's bowlers, who had the ascendancy early on, lost their edge as the pitch, initially responsive, flattened out.

As the tide slowly turned against them, England were without Graham Onions, one of only four specialist bowlers, for much of the afternoon because of a calf strain, while they used up both their television umpire reviews with unsuccessful attempts to overturn not-out decisions against Kallis and AB de Villiers.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann was England's most successful bowler, taking two for 61 in an unbroken spell of 24 overs.

Kallis went to his 32nd Test century off 177 balls. He hit 13 fours and a six off Swann.