Replay controversy mars Kallis century
South African batsman Jacques Kallis hit a Test-best 153 not out on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand at Springbok Park on Friday but his innings was overshadowed by a controversy over the failure of television replay equipment.
South Africa reached 270 for three when bad light stopped play 6.2 overs early on a day dominated by Kallis, who was involved in successive partnerships of 97 with Gary Kirsten, 67 with Daryll Cullinan and an unbeaten 106 with Neil McKenzie.
New Zealand coach David Trist said he was disappointed that no pictures could be provided to the third umpire when his players were confident Kallis had been run out for 76 when the total was 131 for two.
The New Zealand players celebrated as a drive from Cullinan was deflected into the stumps at the non-strikers end by bowler Shayne OConnor. Kallis was backing up and seemed to be out of his crease but it was close enough for umpire Dave Orchard to ask television umpire Rudi Koertzen to make the decision.
No conclusive replay of the incident could be produced and after a delay of several minutes Kallis was given not out.
The incident sparked a controversy, with Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, summoning the head of the production team to a meeting during the tea break to explain the breakdown.
Ironically, at the close of play, executive producer Vince Gibbons said the replay had been generated after a search of more than an hour which showed Kallis had made his ground.
An independent television station is covering cricket for the first time and put together a new crew with what Gibbons admitted was a limited budget.
Instead of four fixed cameras covering the creases, only two were in place in Bloemfontein, one opposite each crease. Gibbons said the videotape machine developed a fault as an operator tried to find the key frames.
Trist said: "It was disappointing that they didn't have the technology available to the third umpire when he required it."
Trist pointed out that it was the second time such an incident had occurred during the tour. New Zealand's Roger Twose seemed to have been run-out for nought in a one-day international in Kimberley and went on to make 89. A power failure in the television van was blamed for that incident.
Kallis was in magnificent form. He reached his century off 174 balls with 16 fours, playing shots to all parts of the ground. By the close of play he had hit 25 boundaries off 265 balls.
Kallis previous highest Test score was 148 not out against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1998/99. He went to the wicket after Boeta Dippenaar was caught at second slip off the second ball of the match from Shayne OConnor without a run scored.
Kirsten (31) played a watchful innings before being caught at second slip off an edged drive, giving new cap Chris Martin his first Test wicket, while Cullinan (29) fell to another new Test player, legspinner Brooke Walker, when he was bowled off an inside edge.
McKenzie then played a succession of crisp strokes, hitting nine boundaries in reaching 42 not out at the close, the highest score of his four-Test career.
Trist said his bowlers had failed to take full advantage of early life in the pitch after South African captain Shaun Pollock won the toss and decided to bat.
"We didnt create enough pressure. Kallis played superbly well but we gave him too much width."
Mail Cricket Editor
