South Africa in the runs

Neil McKenzie walks off six short of a ton © Getty Images

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South Africa’s top order laid the foundations for a large first-innings total on the first day of the opening Test against India in Chennai.

After openers Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie both posted half-centuries, Hashim Amla remained unbeaten on 85 at the close to help guide the tourists to 304 for four.

India grabbed two wickets during the evening session to rein in the Proteas’ early charge with Jacques Kallis (13) and Ashwell Prince (23) failing to capitalise on the top order’s earlier efforts.

AB de Villiers (10 not out) finished the day at the crease alongside Amla, who struck 10 fours in his patient innings.

The India bowlers were made to toil in hot conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where they have lost just one Test in the last 23 years, with spin duo Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble claiming two wickets apiece.

Earlier, after Smith had won the toss and elected to bat, he and opening partner McKenzie took up where they left off against Bangladesh earlier this month when they set a world record opening stand of 415 to help clinch that series.

Hashim Amla was unbeaten on 85 at the close © Getty Images

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The pair reached their half-centuries in guiding the Proteas to lunch at 109 without loss.

Their stand should have been brought to an end soon after the break, but for a clumsy piece of keeping from Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Smith drove loosely at a wide delivery from Sri Sreesanth, and after diving to his right, Dhoni spilled the ball as he began to rise to his feet.

Umpire Asad Rauf adjudged he had not held the ball long enough, to allow Smith an unlikely reprieve.

The Proteas captain, however, failed to cash in on his good fortune and fell for 73 soon after when he mistimed a drive to VVS Laxman at short mid-on off the bowling of Kumble with the score on 132.

Amla then joined McKenzie at the crease and the pair looked set to guide the tourists to the break without further loss until McKenzie’s knock was ended 10 minutes before tea.

The 32-year-old right-hander, who scored a career-best 226 during the record-breaking Test against Bangladesh, fell six runs short of recording back-to-back centuries when he pushed at a Harbhajan delivery only to offer a simple catch to Rahul Dravid at first slip.

Harbhajan then claimed the prize scalp of Kallis during the evening session, with Wasim Jaffer completing a comfortable catch at short leg.

The hosts got further reward for their efforts when Kumble dived to his left to claim a one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss Prince.