Cricket-Amla and Kallis keep South Africa in control

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 10 (Reuters) Centuries from Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla helped South Africa to 378 for three in their second innings, for a lead of 486 at tea on the third day of the first test against New Zealand today.

Kallis made 186 and became the eighth player to score 9,000 test runs while Amla was unbeaten on a career-best 154.

Their third-wicket partnership of 330 was the biggest for South Africa in tests against New Zealand, surpassing the 183 from Gary Kirsten and Daryll Cullinan in Auckland in 1998-99.

South Africa resumed on 179-2, and Amla and Kallis added 108 runs in the wicketless morning session.

New Zealand squandered a chance to dismiss Kallis for 108 when substitute fielder Michael Mason at mid-off dropped a catch off the bowling of left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori.

The pair were separated an hour after lunch when Kallis played a tired drive to a delivery from medium pacer Jacob Oram and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum. He faced 262 balls and hit 25 fours and three sixes.

The New Zealanders wilted in the heat and went to tea with four substitute fielders on the ground.

Oram, Shane Bond, Michael Papps and Stephen Fleming were all off the field.

REUTERS RAR KP2001