Cricket: Kallis' records boost South Africa

ANTIGUA - Jacques Kallis broke major records as he guided South Africa to a commanding position on the second day of the fourth test against West Indies on Saturday.

Kallis scored an undefeated 127 as South Africa, who won the toss and chose to bat, reached the close on 525 for four.

It was Kallis' 22nd century, breaking the record of 21 he held with Gary Kirsten for the most test hundreds scored by a South African.

The innings also pushed Kallis past Kirsten's career aggregate of 7289 runs, which was the South African record.

Kallis has scored 7317 career runs.

"As a youngster I never thought I would do something like this but it's also sad in a way because Gary Kirsten contributed such a lot to South African cricket," he told a news conference.

"I'll try and call Gary tonight, it will be 3am in South Africa but I don't care," added Kallis.

Ashwell Prince was 114 not out, his second century, in an unbroken stand of 230, a record for South Africa's fifth wicket against all opposition.

The previous best was the 192 that Kirsten and Jonty Rhodes shared against England in Durban in 1999-00.

AB de Villiers' 114 and Graeme Smith's 126 also meant it was the first time four South Africans had scored centuries in one test innings.

Prince, who faced 230 balls and hit 12 fours and a six, lived dangerously in the first half of his innings.

He did not offer a chance but played several false strokes and was beaten occasionally before he dug in for the long haul.

The more disciplined Kallis played a restrained innings, which featured 12 fours and a six, and came off 256 balls.

De Villiers and Smith became the ninth opening pair and the third for South Africa to share century stands in three consecutive tests.

They are also the first pair of openers to both score centuries in consecutive test innings.

Smith scored 104 and De Villiers made a career best 178 in the third test in Bridgetown, which South Africa won by an innings and 86 runs to clinch the series.

Sixth-placed South Africa will climb at least one rung on the test ladder if they win the fourth test to claim the series 3-0.

"We were near the top of the rankings (in second place), and it has hurt us to drop down like we have," Kallis said.

Prince said his previous two innings in the series, in which he scored 23 and 45, had spurred him on.

"I was frustrated because I got out after getting in the second and third tests, so I was determined to do well here," he said.

South Africa needed Kallis' and Prince's intervention after they lost four wickets -- three of them for six runs -- in the morning session.

- REUTERS