Kallis boosts S. Africa in India cricket Test

Jacques Kallis hit his 34th century to guide South Africa to 193-2 at tea on the opening day of the first Test against India on Saturday.

The dashing right-hander hit 11 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 120-run knock to pull the tourists out of early trouble at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur.

Kallis, 34, dominated a 187-run partnership for the unbroken third wicket with Hashim Amla, who was batting on 60 with five fours off 147 balls.

Kallis, who hit two centuries in the recent drawn Test series against England at home, reached the 100-run mark with a single in the slips off Harbhajan Singh.

The South African is now joint third on the all-time list of top century getters, along with former batsmen Sunil Gavaskar of India and West Indian Brian Lara.

India's Sachin Tendulkar heads the list with 45 centuries, followed by Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on 39.

India's bowlers struggled for a breakthrough in the second session after tasting early success when pace spearhead Zaheer Khan (2-30) sent back openers Ashwell Prince and Graeme Smith in a fiery opening spell.

Prince was out for a duck, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the fifth over when he failed to fend off a bouncer from Zaheer.

The pacer struck again in his next over to remove Smith (six) with a ball that moved through the gap between bat and pad, cleaning up the stumps in spectacular fashion.

Kallis and Amla then steadied the innings, putting on 103 runs off 33 overs in the post-lunch session.

Kallis looked confident against the spinners, slog-sweeping Harbhajan twice for a huge six and a four in an over to race to his 53rd Test half-century off 75 balls.

Amla took 132 balls to complete his 17th Test half-century with the help of four fours.

The second and final Test of the series between the world's top two teams begins in Kolkata on February 14.

South Africa can snatch back the number one Test ranking from India if they win the series while the hosts need just a draw to remain on top.