East London (South Africa): South African batsmen Gary Kirsten and Graeme Smith savoured personal landmarks after they took full advantage of a weak Bangladesh attack on the first day of the first Test at Buffalo Park on Friday.

Kirsten became the first batsman to hit centuries against nine different opponents and Smith, playing in his third Test, hit a double century as South Africa mauled the Bangladesh bowlers, reaching 369 for two by close of play. Smith made 200 and Kirsten was on 113 not out.

Both batsmen acknowledged the bowling was poor by Test standards but, Kirsten admitted he had been affected by nerves as he got closer to completing a full house of centuries.

"Its probably the most tentative I've been in any of my 15 Test centuries," he said as he explained the contrast between a fluent first half-century and a laboured second 50.

Kirsten, 34, raced to 50 off 58 balls with eight fours. He did not hit another boundary as he took 102 more balls to get to his century. "I was thinking I probably won't get another crack at this one."

Dropped from South Africa's One-day side, Kirsten said he was grateful to have been in the Test team.

"I was hoping to be picked because I thought it would be nice to get a hundred here to complete (the set)."

Kirsten told Smith, "You will play enough hard Test cricket. When there's an opportunity to cash in, you've got to go big." Smith, 21, did just that.

The tall left-hander hit some powerful drives on both sides of the wicket in a 287- ball innings before he was caught at mid-on trying a rare lofted shot. He became the youngest South African to hit a Test double century.

"It was a special day for me. I was also nervous to begin with and it took me a while to get going," Smith said. He said Western Province provincial teammate Kirsten had helped him keep his focus as he approached his first Test century.

Smith was untroubled by the bowling but suffered a painful blow on the base of his right thumb when he was struck by a throw from Alok Kapali, fielding at square leg, as he ran for a quick single shortly after lunch when his score was on 43.

He needed treatment on the field and called for painkillers midway through the afternoon. He said the injury was painful but he said he believed it was no more than bruising. He expected to take the field when Bangladesh bat. He said he had been determined to go on after reaching his century.

"As you go past 100 you say to yourself that you want to start again, not just for yourself but to get the team in a good position. In Test cricket you're under pressure if you get a few low scores, so if you get the chance you have to cash in."

Kirsten's full house of centuries beat Steve Waugh of Australia and Sachin Tendulkar of India, who have both hit hundreds against eight countries. Waugh has made centuries against every country he has played against. Australia is yet to meet Bangladesh, the newest Test nation.

Tendulkar played for India in Bangladesh's first Test match, in Dhaka in 2000-01, but was out for 18 in his only innings against it.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Kirsten 1st to hit centuries against 9 Test opponents