Proteas in strong position, Amla slams unbeaten ton

Chennai, Mar 27 (UNI) South Africa stuck to their task on hand of running up a fighting first innings score and went in for lunch at 404 for five wickets on the second day of the first test against India here today.

Hashim Amla (124, 218 bals, 348 minutes) and Mark Boucher (26, 82 minutes, 47 balls) were at the wicket having added 100 runs in an unbroken stand for the sixth wicket. Sreeshant 1-90 in 22 overs picked up the lone South African wicket that fell today.

Overnight batsman Hashim Amla, playing the role of the anchorman to perfection, combining caution an aggression to steer the Proteas hitting his first century against India in style driving Shreeshant to the fence. Three overs after Kumble took the second new ball Amla's 100, the fourth in his career, came off 173 balls, with the help of 14 fours and in 23 tests.

However, the Springboks suffered a set back when the temperamental Kerala pace bowler struck a vital blow when overnight batsman A B Devilliers, who resumed on 10 and went on to make 44, fellmistiming a drive into Dhonis gloves. The Indians who had to force early breakthrough had somethig to cheer about.

Devilliers added 66 runs for the fifth wicket.

South Africa were 357 for five in 98 overs at that juncture.

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