October 19 Saturday 2002
Kirsten sets record, Smith hits double-century

EAST LONDON, South Africa: Gary Kirsten became the first batsman to hit centuries against nine different opponents and Graeme Smith hit a double-century as South Africa mauled the Bangladesh bowlers on the first day of the first Test on Friday.

EAST LONDON: South African batsman Graeme Smith in action during the first day's play in the first Test against angladesh on Friday, Oct 18, 2002

South Africa made 369 for 2 by the close of play after being sent in, with Smith scoring 200 and Kirsten not out on 113. Although they had first use of a well-grassed pitch at Buffalo Park, the Bangladesh bowlers seldom posed any threat as left-handers Smith and Kirsten reached personal landmarks in the first Test between the two countries and the first Test played in East London.

Smith, 21, hit his maiden Test century in his third match and went on to become South Africa's youngest double-centurion. Kirsten completed a full house of centuries against all possible Test opponents, beating Steve Waugh, of Australia, and Sachin Tendulkar, of India, who've both hit hundreds against eight countries. Waugh has made centuries against every country he has faced. Australia have yet to meet Bangladesh, the newest Test nation.

Tendulkar played for India in Bangladesh's first Test match, in Dhaka in 2000-01, but was out for 18 in his only innings against them.

Kirsten, 34, reached his 15th Test century in 226 minutes off 160 balls. Normally an opening batsman, he went in at number three after an opening stand of 87 between Smith and Herschelle Gibbs. It was an innings of contrasts by Kirsten, who hurried to a fluent half-century off 58 balls with eight fours but then needed another 102 balls to reach his century without adding another boundary.

Smith was untroubled by a weak bowling attack but he suffered a painful blow on the right thumb when he was struck by a throw from Alok Kapali, fielding at square leg, as he ran for a quick single shortly after lunch when his score was on 43. Smith needed treatment on the field and called for further treatment midway through the afternoon.

Playing in his third Test, Smith took 96 balls to reach his second Test half-century before accelerating to notch up his hundred off 165 balls with 12 fours. Run-scoring became easier as the day went on, and Bangladesh were reduced to employing defensive field placings, with a sweeper in place on the cover boundary.

Smith drove powerfully on both sides of the pitch as he went to his double-century off 287 balls with 25 fours. Having kept the ball on the ground almost throughout his innings, he went down the pitch to off-spinner Sanwar Hossain two balls later and was caught at mid-on.

The match is the first in a two-Test series.