Kallis’ career-best 224 puts South Africa in control

Kallis, having achieved the feat of scoring centuries against every Test-playing nation by reaching three figures on Tuesday, finally fell for 224, while AB de Villiers contributed an unbeaten 160 as South Africa made a daunting 580 for four declared.

Sri Lanka then continued the run-fest by racing to 149 for two in reply by stumps, with captain Tillakaratne Dilshan scoring a quickfire 78 at the top of the order.

That still left the tourists 431 runs adrift, though, and they will be hoping veteran duo Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who finished the day unbeaten on 35 and seven respectively, can take a significant chunk out of that deficit today.

For the second successive day the bowlers were made to toil as both the South African and Sri Lanka batsmen enjoyed their time in the middle at Newlands.

All-rounder Kallis resumed yesterday on 159 opposite De Villiers, who was on 45 not out, with the hosts in a commanding position on 347 for three. Kallis, who got a pair in the second Test defeat, built on his sublime showing on the opening day to rack up his double century, but fell victim to Rangana Herath when his attempted smash to long-on could only find the hands of Angelo Mathews.

Departing on 224, from 325 balls and boasting 31 fours and a six, Kallis was given a standing ovation as he returned to the pavilion.

His dismissal brought about the break for lunch before De Villiers motored from 84 to reach 160 off 205 balls and featuring 19 fours and two sixes, while Jacques Rudolph (51) also collected a half-century before the declaration came.

The three-Test series is level at 1-1.