HARARE (Reuters)
Gary Kirsten became the first South African to reach 5,000 Test runs as he inspired the visitors to 414 for 1 at the close on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe. Kirsten, who went into the match needing 194 more runs to reach the milestone, was 202 not out at stumps after facing 254 balls and hitting 31 fours and a six. Jacques Kallis, 56 not out, and Kirsten added 158 for the unbroken second wicket after South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. Kallis passed 3,000 runs when he reached 48. Kirsten's century, his 13th and his third double ton, saw him join India's Sachin Tendulkar and Australia's Steve Waugh as the only players to score centuries against eight countries. Bangladesh, newcomers to the Test arena, are the trio's only remaining target. Wicketkeeper Andy Flower dropped a legside chance offered by Kirsten on 110 off fast bowler Travis Friend, before paceman Heath Streak spilled a difficult caught-and-bowled chance to dismiss Kirsten when he was on 130. South Africa's total fell 14 runs short of their record of 428 for a day's play. The world record is the 503 for 2 England made against South Africa at Lord's in 1924, while the most runs scored by both teams in a match on a single day is the 588 for six shared by England (398 for six) and India (190 without loss) in Manchester in 1936. The bulk of South Africa's runs were scored in an opening stand of 256 between Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs, who made 147 before chopping a delivery from fast bowler Travis Friend on to his stumps. The partnership was the biggest for the first wicket by any team against Zimbabwe. South Africa dominated from the outset, with Gibbs and Kirsten sharing 142 runs in the first session, 144 between lunch and tea, and 128 more in the final session. Zimbabwe bowled poorly all day, and their cause was not helped by a sound batting pitch and a lightning quick outfield. Captain Streak bowled better than his figures suggest in conceding 90 runs in 22 overs. The only other bowler who looked up to Test standard was left-arm spinner Ray Price, who managed slow turn but little bounce in giving up 121 runs in 29 overs.

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