Amla, Kallis put SA in driver's seat

[1]

Hashim Amla raised 5,000 Test runs as he combined with Jacques Kallis to put South Africa well on the way to a big score on the opening day of the first Gabba Test against Australia here today.

Amla, the number one-ranked Test batsman, brought up his 24th Test half-century to put the Proteas in a commanding position after winning the toss.

At tea, Amla was unbeaten on 69 with Kallis providing support on 37 to put South Africa at 186 for two after 55 overs.

Amla unfurled his signature drives and cuts to put the Australian bowlers under pressure with the tourists reaching tea with only the loss of opening batsmen Graeme Smith (10) and Alviro Petersen (64). Petersen had a controversial let-off when he appeared out lbw to a Ben Hilfenhaus inswinging yorker when on 51.

The Australians went for their third referral but the TV umpire ruled "umpire's call" despite replays showing the ball first hitting Petersen's leading foot and projected by Hawkeye technology to be heading for middle and off-stump.

It left Australia with no more reviews left for the rest of the South African innings. But Petersen threw away his wicket when he hit Nathan Lyon straight to Michael Hussey at mid-on in the 39th over.

He angrily swooshed his bat in the air having passed up a good chance of his fifth century after spending 168 minutes at the crease.

Smith was out after a referral to the third umpire in the 11th over. James Pattinson's lbw appeal was turned down by umpire Billy Bowden and the young paceman urged his skipper Michael Clarke to go to the third umpire after an earlier referral on Smith failed.

Television replays clearly showed the ball hitting Smith's back pad in front of the wicket and he was given out, with Pattinson enthusiastically celebrating the verdict.

Australia earlier left out paceman Mitchell Starc and went with the spin of Lyon while the Proteas gave Rory Kleinveldt his Test debut in a four-strong pace attack.