Kallis saves 1st day after early losses

04 January 2010 - 02:00
By Bruce Fraser

IT WAS always going to be backs-to-the-wall stuff for the Proteas coming into the third Test against England at Newlands, Cape Town, yesterday.

IT WAS always going to be backs-to-the-wall stuff for the Proteas coming into the third Test against England at Newlands, Cape Town, yesterday.

After being out-thought and outplayed by the English side in the Boxing Day Test in Durban a week ago, the local boys were always going to be on the back foot, something England exploited so well.

With play starting half-an-hour late due to inclement weather, the Proteas were quickly looking for answers when opener Ashwell Prince was sent packing for a duck.

Fellow opener Graeme Smith hung around for a little longer. Dropped on one with a dolly of a catch by second slip Graeme Swann, the Proteas captain went on to notch up 30.

The first day though will be remembered for 101-Test hero Makhaya Ntini, who is reported to have signed a pre-contract with London club Middlesex.

For Jacques Kallis it was century no 33. Going into the second day, SA are on 279/6 with Kallis on 108 and Dale Steyn on 26.