Kallis Steers SA Through Testing Opening Day

The third and final Test between South and India ended the first day evenly poised as the host’s batsmen were tested by seam and swing on a stop-start day dominated by drizzle and murky light.

By the final session however, South African had lost only four wickets and had denied India the rewards that appeared imminent during the morning and afternoon sessions.

South Africa's innings was rocked early on when losing both of their openers.

Graeme Smith went first shortly before the first rain interruption and Alviro Petersen soon after.

Zaheer Khan had cleverly sent a series of deliveries swinging away from the left-hander when one went straight on to trap Smith on the back pad, the 11th time he has fallen to the left-arm seamer in 23 innings- somewhat of a bunny perhaps?

However, all that this did was bring together one of the most feared top order pairings in world cricket- namely Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, who went on to record their third consecutive half-century partnership

Earlier on in the day a delighted MS Dhoni won his first toss in the New Year, having lost all but one of his previous 14.

There were no surprises that he put South Africa in to bat on a damp pitch that offered the bowlers assistance from the get-go, forcing the batsmen to be alert to any lower ball that might cut back in, while at the same time equally aware of any away movement.

Hashim Amla hit nine fours and a six in his innings of 59, where soon after recording his 19th Test fifty he attempted a risky aggressive hook resulting in a top-edge straight to deep mid-wicket.

As the sun came out at Newlands, Kallis registered his ninth fifty at Newlands with a 169-ball vigil, sharing an unbroken 68 with Ashwell Prince, who the selectors will be watching closely on the back of a resurgent JP Duminy in the wings.

Sreesanth did have an lbw shout against Kallis, on 54, but his appeal wasn't convincing enough even though replays indicated that the ball would have hit the top of leg stump.

Sreesanth ensured that he got in on the action when he produced a fine delivery with away movement that caught the edge of AB de Villiers as he drove, giving a simple catch to Dhoni behind the stumps.

This was to prove the final success of the day for India, however, as the pitch flattened out in brighter conditions and Kallis dug in with the equally immovable left-hander Prince.

Kallis, playing in his 145th Test, has now made 55 half centuries and is within 19 runs of a 39th Test hundred- which would put him level with Ricky Ponting as second on the all-time list.

There was a noticeable lack of aggression by the Indian attack on the opening day, in comparison to their performance in Durban, and they were slower in pace too.

If they are going to attempt to take the advantage on the second morning, a lot more is going to be needed of them-especially against a pairing that know the Cape conditions as well as that of Kallis and Prince.

This Test is evenly poised heading into the second day and the bookies are of this opinion too.

A draw is the preferred option, however you can bet your life that a South African pace attack will be licking their lips at the opportunity to get bowling on a pitch with as much life as this one.