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South Africa put Somerset to the sword

29/06/2008

Big hundreds from Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis got South Africa's tour of England off to an excellent start, with the tourists finishing day one against Somerset on 455-3.

An undefeated 160 from Kallis was marred by his exit, however. He was forced to retire hurt after a ball from former England bowler Andrew Caddick hit him on the elbow. The injury is currently under assessment.

Stand-in skipper Ashwell Prince's decision to bat at Taunton looked a bad one after the very first ball, which saw Caddick trap Neil McKenzie in front for a golden duck.

But Jean-Paul Duminy (64) and Amla dug in for a 146-run stand, before Caddick – who took 2-105 in his 23 overs today – took his second.

Amla was joined by Kallis at the crease and the pair dominated, hitting three sixes between them. They batted for nearly five hours and put on 216 for the third wicket, before Amla was needlessly run out on 172.

Kallis batted on for a short while after being hit on the elbow but was forced to retire shortly afterwards, leaving Prince (34 not out) and AB de Villiers (17 not out) to see the Proteas home at stumps.

The good day for South Africa is ominous for England's Test team, who will need to raise their game in the recent 2-0 victory over New Zealand for the second half of the season.

South Africa will play another three-day game against Middlesex before the first Test against England at Lord's begins on July 10th.