Steady Jamaica start reply to South Africa

Jamaica made a steady start to their reply to South Africa's 199-9 declared, closing on 60-2 on day one of two at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay on Sunday.

After losing two early wickets, Leon Garrick (28 not out) and Marlon Samuels (20 not out) rallied strongly to ensure honours were shared on a competitive first day.

Allan Donald continued his encouraging return from injury with the wickets of both test openers, Chris Gayle playing on for nine and Wavell Hinds leg-before after making just two.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, South Africa declared their first innings on the fall of Lance Klusener for 41, the left-hander allowed time in the middle to work his way back into form. There were glimpses of it too, including a massive six out of the ground off Gayle's occasional off-spin.

Boeta Dippenaar (13) was the one man to be dismissed in a curtailed morning session, the start of play delayed by thirty minutes because of a damp patch on the pitch.

Opening partner Gary Kirsten (21) fell shortly after lunch and it was just reward for fast-bowler Franklyn Rose, who bowled with pace and aggression from the start. Rose got one to snort past Kirsten and take the outside edge as it rose through to wicketkeeper Keith Hibbert.

Jacques Kallis (30) set out to dominate spinners Gareth Breese and Nehemiah Perry after the lunch interval, but was a victim of his own attacking intent, top-edging a pull-sweep to be well caught by Audley Sanson making good ground as he ran backwards from square-leg.

Daryll Cullinan looked in magnificent form again as he thumped three fours and another six clean out of the ground off Breese, the ball disappearing into a building site, never to be seen again. Despite his rousing start, Cullinan offered Hibbert some challenging catching practice on 21 and was well caught one-handed to his right by the 'keeper.

Neil McKenzie also launched a big six, this time off Perry, but was trapped leg-before by Sanson on 17 and the bowler struck again in his next over, captain Mark Boucher also leg-before for a duck.

Paul Adams (15) and Donald (12) kept Klusener company towards the end, but it was a distinctly low-key batting display from the South Africans.