Chennai Test: Amla century guides SA to 404/5

Chennai Test: Amla century guides SA to 404/5

Agencies

Posted online: Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 1035 hrs IST

Chennai, March 27:
Hashim Amla struck an unbeaten 124 as South Africa swelled their tally to 404 for five wickets at lunch on day two of the first cricket Test against India in Chennai on Thursday.

At the break, Amla had Mark Boucher (26) for company and the duo would resume hoping to inch closer to the 500-run mark.

Amla's flawless 124 came off 218 balls and included 15 sweetly timed boundaries.

The hapless Indian bowlers tasted success just once in this session when S Sreesanth had AB de Villiers (44) caught behind in the eighth over of the day.

Sreesanth proved unlucky as he trapped Boucher, then on 10, plumb in front but umpire Tony Hill felt otherwise and turned down the appeal.

Resuming on 304 for four, both Amla and de Villiers went after the Indian bowlers and scored at a brisk pace.

Realising the futility of pace, India skipper Anil Kumble began with spin attacks from both ends but neither he nor Harbhajan Singh could make a dent as both the batsmen looked rock solid.

Amla chose Sreesanth for special treatment and hit the Kerala speedster for three successive boundaries to breeze to his first century against India and there was no let up even after he achieved the milestone.

At the other end, de Villiers too showed scant respect for the hosts and played his natural strokes.

He looked set for a half century before the right hander chased a ball outside the off-stump and Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a smart catch behind the stumps.

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Chennai Test: Amla century guides SA to 404/5 Agencies Posted online: Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 1035 hrs IST Chennai, March 27: Hashim Amla struck an unbeaten 124 as South Africa swelled their tally to 404 for five wickets at lunch on day two of the first cricket Test against India in Chennai on Thursday. At the break, Amla had Mark Boucher (26) for company and the duo would resume hoping to inch closer to the 500-run mark. Amla's flawless 124 came off 218 balls and included 15 sweetly timed boundaries. The hapless Indian bowlers tasted success just once in this session when S Sreesanth had AB de Villiers (44) caught behind in the eighth over of the day. Sreesanth proved unlucky as he trapped Boucher, then on 10, plumb in front but umpire Tony Hill felt otherwise and turned down the appeal. Resuming on 304 for four, both Amla and de Villiers went after the Indian bowlers and scored at a brisk pace. Realising the futility of pace, India skipper Anil Kumble began with spin attacks from both ends but neither he nor Harbhajan Singh could make a dent as both the batsmen looked rock solid. Amla chose Sreesanth for special treatment and hit the Kerala speedster for three successive boundaries to breeze to his first century against India and there was no let up even after he achieved the milestone. At the other end, de Villiers too showed scant respect for the hosts and played his natural strokes. He looked set for a half century before the right hander chased a ball outside the off-stump and Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a smart catch behind the stumps.