Kallis’ 41st ton completes set

JACQUES Kallis marked his 150th Test by joining the elite band of players to have made centuries against every Test-playing nation as South Africa took control against Sri Lanka.

The Proteas were put in to bat in the series-deciding third Test in Cape Town but a stand of 205 runs between Kallis and the recalled Alviro Petersen led them to 347 for three by the close.

Touring captain Tillakaratne Dilshan would have been frustrated by his bowlers’ unthreatening display on a batsman-friendly surface, and they will have to show a vast improvement today to prevent South Africa building an impenetrable lead. Home captain Graeme Smith set the tone early on with three boundaries but Dhammika Prasad bowled him and then trapped Hashim Amla lbw, both for 16, to leave South Africa in slight trouble on 56 for two.

But Petersen and Kallis brought up their century partnership in just 113 balls and the pair soon passed their country’s third-wicket record against Sri Lanka of 140. Kallis reached a 114-ball century – his 41st in Tests – and Petersen reached his century just after tea before falling to a loose shot outside off stump for 109. At the close, Kallis was still at the crease on 159, 42 runs short of his highest Test score.