Kallis finds his form early

Jacques Kallis thrashed 160 from 157 balls against Somerset before retiring hurt after being struck on the elbow.

Tourists unconcerned despite star's injury

Tour Match
Taunton
South Africa 455-3 (H M Amla 172, J H Kallis 160, J P Duminy 64) v Somerset Jacques Kallis thrashed 160 from 157 balls against Somerset before retiring hurt after being struck on the elbow. The all-rounder had reached an impressive 152 in the Proteas tour opener when he was hit attempting to hook a delivery from former England paceman Andrew Caddick. He looked in pain and received lengthy treatment out in the middle from South African physio Shane Jabaar. Kallis briefly continued his innings and flayed the next two short-pitched balls from Caddick for four before retiring hurt.

Not worried

But a South Africa spokesman said: "There is bruising around the elbow and Jacques has an ice-pack on it but we are not worried and there is no structural damage." Kallis and opener Hashim Amla had entertained a near capacity crowd at Taunton with some aggressive batting. Opener Amla achieved the highest individual score for the Proteas in 13 meetings with the LV County Championsip Division One leaders - 172 - as he surpassed the 157 by Sibley Snooke at Bath in 1907. Then Kallis continued in the same vein during a partnership of 216 in 43 overs with 25-year-old Amla as South Africa reached 455-3 from 90 overs by the close. Amla, who is on his first senior tour of this country, had been circumspect during the early part of his innings, taking 19 balls to get off the mark.

Flourished

But he then flourished against an attack lacking first team bowlers Charl Willoughby, Ben Phillips, Alfonso Thomas and Ian Blackwell. He reached his century with an onslaught shortly after lunch against spinner Michael Munday. Amla lofted him over wide long on for six and then picked up boundaries from the next three deliveries to go to his 100. Kallis has often been a major thorn in England's side and he was also looking in ominous form before being forced out of the action by Caddick.