Close South Africa 250 for 5 (Kallis 104*, Kirsten 56)
Scorecard

The first day of the first Test at Kingsmead ended with honours just about even, although it took a resolute hundred from Jacques Kallis to prevent Pakistan fully exploiting their decision to put South Africa in on a damp and overcast Durban day.

Kallis, who completed his 11th Test century shortly before bad light brought a premature end to play, was at his stubborn best, treating every ball on its merit yet showing occasional flashes of aggressive brilliance.

The first hour justified Waqar Younis's gamble of bowling first in damp, seamer-friendly conditions, even though Pakistan went into the match with just four frontline bowlers. Mohammad Sami broke through in the sixth over when Graeme Smith, who had opted to try and hit his way out of trouble when caution was called for, ran out of luck after two edges through the slips. There was a feeling of inevitability when he edged Sami to the sprawling wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for 16 (27 for 1).

Three overs later, Herschelle Gibbs, who had looked more in control and content to wait for the short ball for runs, tried to force a loose delivery from Waqar - but his footwork was poor and he cracked a straightforward catch to Faisal Iqbal at backward point. Gibbs made 11, and South Africa were 33 for 2.

Gary Kirsten and Kallis showed the necessary application, mixing solid defence with aggression when the opportunity arose. They added 122 for the third wicket in 36 overs and looked untroubled until Saqlain Mushtaq broke through in strange circumstances. Kirsten was reprieved when he edged Saqlain to Younis Khan at first slip only for the umpire to call a no-ball. The next ball pitched in the same place, again took the edge and again Younis took the catch. This time the delivery was legitimate and Kirsten was out for 56 (155 for 3).

Boeta Dippenaar had a brief stay, snicking an extravagant attempted cut off Saqlain to Kamran for 1 (159 for 4), and staright away Saqlain thought he had a third wicket but Neil McKenzie got the benefit of the doubt following a vociferous bat-pad appeal.

It wasn't a costly let-off as McKenzie, who had looked all at sea against Saqlain, had his middle stump ripped out by Waqar for 24 (214 for 5) soon after tea.

But the unflappable Kallis continued on remorselessly to his first Test hundred on this ground, and his first against any of the big boys from the subcontinent (he had one against Bangladesh, but, prior to today, none against Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka) and with Mark Boucher kept Pakistan at bay until the close. South Africa have the tail to keep Kallis company for as long as it takes, and much will depend on how long he remains at the crease on the second day. If South Africa are batting after lunch then Waqar's gamble will have failed, and Pakistan's ever-erratic batting line-up will be under pressure.

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