CAPE TOWN, SA (Reuters) - Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis both hit centuries to give South Africa complete control of the third Test against West Indies yesterday.
Gibbs scored 142 and Kallis 130 not out as South Africa closed the penultimate day on 335 for three in their second innings, a lead of 440.
They look sure to declare overnight and attempt to dismiss West Indies in the 105 overs available to them today.
It was the 12th Test century by Gibbs and the 14th for Kallis, the pair sharing a partnership of 251 for the third wicket before Gibbs holed out in the deep.
Although West Indies made a good start to the day, claiming the wickets of captain Graeme Smith (24) and Jacques Rudolph (nought) within the first three overs, Gibbs and Kallis steadied the innings before rain forced the players from the field an hour after lunch.
The pair returned to complete their centuries in the late afternoon, South Africa seeking quick runs in the 26 overs remaining to them in the day.
Their partnership, a record for any wicket by South Africa against West Indies, ended when Gibbs played one exuberant shot too many.
Kallis, who at times has looked immovable in this series, reached his hundred shortly before the close when he tickled Chris Gayle to the third man boundary.
RECORD-EQUALLER
In the process he became only the second South African to score a century in three successive Tests. The only other South African to achieve the feat was Alan Melville, who did so over a 10-year period between 1938 and 1947, the hiatus of World War II.
In a stay of nearly four and a half hours, Kallis faced 191 balls and struck seven fours and five sixes, making merry in the closing overs. His aggregate for the series is 582.
By the time of his dismissal, Gibbs was toying with the bowlers, improvising shots to all parts of the ground after what by his standards had been a measured start.
He was at the crease for just over five hours, facing 223 balls and hitting 15 fours and four sixes.
Gibbs said: ``We had some fun out there after we reached our hundreds. It was fantastic to bat with Jacques - he's the rock.
``We've talked about putting together big partnerships a lot over the past year. Jacques and I have had some big ones and this was another good one.''
Kallis said: ``Graeme (Smith) just told us to get as close to a 400-run lead as possible and anything beyond that would be a bonus.''
In-between the rain, much of yesterday’s action was watched by only a sprinkling of die-hard fans. The home side are already 2-0 up in the four-match series.
SOUTH AFRICA first innings 532 (M.Boucher 122 not out, J.Rudolph 101, N.McKenzie 76, J.Kallis 73; A.Sanford 4-132)
West Indies first innings 427 (C.Gayle 116, B.Lara 115; A.Nel 5-87)