Klusener saves South from total collapse

Klusener saves South from total collapse
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

KANDY, JULY 30: All-rounder Lance Klusener saved South Africa from total collapse with an unbeaten century on the first day of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka played here on Sunday.

Klusener smashed two sixes and 13 fours as he rescued South Africa from a disastrous 34 for five to 253 all out, after Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya had won the toss for the fifth consecutive occasion.

Jayasuriya put South Africa to bat at the Asgiriya International Stadium, under overcast conditions.

The 28-year-old left-hand Klusener held the South African innings together in partnership with vice-captain Mark Boucher, who helped him in a sixth wicket stand of 124, and then with the tailenders with whom he raised a further 80 runs to raise the total to some respectability.

By the close, Sri Lanka who lead 1-0 in the three-match series, had replied with 15 for no loss.

Klusener was harsh on the spinners, hitting Muttiah Muralitharan and Upul Chandana for a six apiece, as he mixed caution with aggression to break the stranglehold the slow bowlers had on the batting.

The partnership was brought ended when Klusener called non-striker Boucher for a sharp single after playing the ball wide of bowler Muralitharan, who pounced on it.

In a flash he sent a return to wicket-keeper KumarSangakkara leaving Boucher with no chance to get to the other end.

SOUTH AFRICA Ist Innings
Gary Kirsten lbw b Vaas 0, Neil Mckenzie c Jayawardene b Zoysa 0, Jacques Kallis lbw b Muralitharan 16, Darryl Cullinan b Dharmasena 2, Jonty Rhodes b Dharmasena 12, Lance Klusener Not Out 118, Mark Boucher run out 60, Shaun Pollock c Jayawardene b Chandana 5, Nicky Boje lbw b Chandana 0, Paul Adams c Jayawardene b Dharmasena 6, Nantie Hayward b Muralitharan 13 Extras: (b-9, lb-6, nb-6) 21 TOTAL: 253
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-4, 3-16, 4-34, 5-34, 6-158, 7-173, 8-173, 9-210
Bowling: Vaas 8-5-11-1, Zoysa 6-2-16-1, Dharmasena 20-3-58-3, Muralitharan 30.5-3-95-2 (6nb), Chandana 20-2-58-2

SRI LANKA Ist Innings
Marvan Atapattu batting 1, Sananth Jayasuriya batting 10 Extras: (lb-1, nb-3) 4 TOTAL: (for no wicket) 15To bat: Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Arjuna Ranatunga, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Nuwan Zoysa.
Bowling: Pollock 4-1-12-0 (2nb), Hayward 3-2-2-0 (1nb)