SA openers make solid start in first test

Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen combined for a century stand as South Africa reached 101 without loss at lunch on the first day of the first test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today.

Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen combined for a century stand as South Africa reached 101 without loss at lunch on the first day of the first test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

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Petersen reached the break unbeaten on 51, after having raised his second test fifty off 69 balls, while Smith weighed in with 48 not out.

On a pitch which offered very little assistance to Pakistan's bowlers, Smith and Petersen overcame a testing opening spell from swing bowler Umar Gul as the duo brought up their first century partnership in a test.

Petersen survived a confident caught behind appeal off the bowling of Gul when he had scored just nine but the right-handed batsman grew in confidence during his knock as he scored eight boundaries during his 82 ball knock.

Smith was also troubled by Gul, with the left-hander playing and missing on a number of occasions at the start of his innings, but South Africa's captain eventually settled in to make full use of his decision to bat after he had won the toss.