Kallis grinds down Australian bowlers

South Africa 3 for 357 (Kallis 137*, Amla 104) v Australia

By lunch, Jacques Kallis' century had become his highest Test score in Australia © Getty Images

Hashim Amla reached a century and Jacques Kallis sailed well past one as South Africa's batsmen ground Australia's bowlers to 3 for 357 at lunch on day three of the first Test in Brisbane.

Losing only Amla's wicket in a session extended by half an hour, the visitors progressed calmly in the face of an improved bowling effort by the Australians, which began with the second new ball and ended with a neat display from Nathan Lyon. Peter Siddle defeated Amla on 104 though South Africa's No. 3 would have been reprieved had he reviewed the dismissal.

Kallis found another determined ally in AB de Villiers, and eased to his highest Test score in Australia. Given the full day lost to rain, South Africa may be expected to push on a little more aggressively for runs after the break, though they may also choose to influence the outcome of the series by wearing down Australia's three pacemen.

Facing up to a second new ball that had been due since Friday evening, Amla and Kallis began carefully, as Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson found a far better length than they had on the first morning. Amla was particularly reserved, but on 99 lashed out at Pattinson and the boundary sliced through gully had him saluting a third hundred against Australia in as many Tests.

Amla's celebration was muted, his intent to go well beyond the century mark, but on 104 Siddle pinned him on the crease with a delivery seaming back. Australia's appeal was beseeching, Asad Rauf's finger was raised, and Amla exited without calling for a review. Had he done so, the decision would have been reversed, as ball tracking showed a path going over the stumps after Amla was struck on the knee roll.

De Villiers announced his arrival by punching his first ball down the ground, and with Kallis he set about establishing another partnership of deliberate intent. Kallis reached his century by pushing Hilfenhaus through midwicket, and continued to bat with unhurried insouciance. At one point he shaped to avoid a Pattinson bouncer before waving his bat at it as he crouched, but it was a rare lapse.

Nathan Lyon delivered a teasing spell in the 45 minutes up to lunch, finding turn as well as bounce, and encouraged Michael Clarke to bring himself on before the interval, coaxing a couple of airy shots from Kallis though no wicket. Australia had bowled far better than they had done on day one, but only one wicket for the session left them with another long afternoon ahead against South Africa's imposing bats.

Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here

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