Smith leads the way

Graeme Smith brings up his 17th Test match hundred

South Africa captain Graeme Smith took charge of a rain-shortened first day against Bangladesh in Bloemfontein, on his way to his 17th Test century out of a stumps total of 299 for one.

Smith’s unbeaten 138 came from 222 balls and contained 14 fours and a six, and he shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 197 with his fellow centurion Hashim Amla (103no) as fast bowler Shahadat Hossain struck the only blow for the tourists on the opening day of the series.

After being put in, Smith began relatively cautiously in his first Test innings since surgery on his elbow following last summer’s series victory over England.

The left-hander was the mainstay in a century stand with opener Neil McKenzie and then with Amla - all watched by a notable spectator, in Duncan Fletcher.

The Zimbabwe-born former England coach this week accepted a consultancy role with South Africa - his first official involvement in cricket since the 2007 World Cup.

Number three Amla was already in situ when rain interrupted for the first time to bring an early tea - and he and Smith closed out the day either side of a second spell of bad weather which helped to restrict the overs to 81.

Amla’s share was 10 fours from 154 balls - although on a day when Bangladesh did not help themselves in the field, he was dropped on 93 by Mashrafe Mortaza diving to his left after the batsman pushed forward and edged slow left-armer Mehrab Hossain Jnr.

The Proteas, who beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the recent three-match one-day international series, managed just 61 by lunch.

McKenzie was eventually caught at backward point by Mehrab off Shahadat Hossain.

Rain forced the players off the field after 46.4 overs, with the total on 154 for one and Smith with 73 to his name.

But thereafter, South Africa’s second-wicket pair dodged the rain and dealt with a wilting attack effectively as both Smith and Amla completed their hundreds to keep the hosts on course for a match-controlling first-innings total.