Georgetown, Guyana, CANA:OPENER Gary Kirsten led a strong South Africa reply to the West Indies' respectable total with a fluent unbeaten knock of 80 on the second day of the first Cable and Wireless Test at Bourda yesterday.
At the close, South Africa, replying to the West Indies' first innings of 304, which was beefed up significantly by captain Carl Hooper's responsible knock of 69, were 130 for one with Kallis partnering Kirsten on 39 not out.
Apart from a couple of near misses, Kirsten batted solidly and with authority, punishing a number of half-volleys with firm drives through the covers.
The experienced 33-year-old left-hander also used the cut shot to good effect in dispatching several short balls outside the off-stump as he lashed nine fours and a six off 174 balls in 212 minutes at the crease.
After losing his opening partner Herschelle Gibbs - bowled by Mervyn Dillon for eight - at 25, Kirsten and Kallis featured in an unbroken second-wicket stand of 105 in 160 minutes.
Kallis also batted solidly, striking four fours off the 127 balls he has faced while giving Kirsten essential support.
Earlier, the Windies, resuming from their overnight total of 232 for seven, added a further 72 runs before losing their last three wickets to surpass their previous highest total against South Africa of 283 in the one-off 1992 Test in Barbados.
The 34-year-old Hooper marked his return to international cricket after retiring in 1999, with a classy and responsible innings, which was embellished with seven fours off 156 balls in 206 minutes.
Hooper's 19th Test half-century, his highest score in six matches on his home ground, was adorned with some vintage drives and cuts, and bolstered the West Indies innings as he made 57 of the 72 runs added.
Starting the day on 12, Hooper stamped his authority on the morning session while receiving admirable support from Dillon.
Dillon came to the crease at 238 for eight after Dinanath Ramnarine was run out by Gibbs for five following a mix-up with his captain over a quick single.
The tall Trinidadian, playing with a straight bat and hardly attempting any rash shots, helping to build a seventh wicket stand of 62 against South Africa. Dillon, despite scoring only nine runs, batted intelligently, occupying the crease for 116 minutes and defying the South Africans for 88 balls while allowing Hooper to do the bulk of the scoring.
The ice-cool Hooper ended the first session by sweeping left-arm spinner Nicky Boje for his seventh four and then got a single in the final over to post the Windies' 300.
On resumption, South Africa swiftly polished off the Windies' innings in 4.1 overs with pacer Makhaya Ntini inducing Dillon to edge a lifting delivery to Darryl Cullinan at first slip.
Hooper's knock finally came to an end when he tried to swing Boje out of the ground and was easily caught in front the square-leg fence by Klusener.
Donald, with two for 43 and Boje and Klusener, who had the identical figures of two for 56, were South Africa's most successful bowlers.
