o Cricket

Hashim Amla ensured a productive opening to the South Africans' tour of Australia with an unbeaten hundred against Western Australia, but the tourists received another injury when the fast bowler Morne Morkel hun his ankle. With Graeme Smith (elbow), Dale Steyn (hamstring) and Paul Harris (thumb) not playing at the WACA, Morkel added more concern with a mild sprain that will rule him out of the two-day game starting on Friday.

Morkel is one of the hyped fast-bowling trio along with Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, but he should have enough time to recover before Wednesday's first Test. He was called for the 11th over and did not make it through his first delivery before hobbling off the ground for treatment.

The batting situation was much bener for the South Africans, with Amla and Jacques Kallis spending some quality time familiarising themselves with the pitch. Having won the toss, the visitors were 2 for 41 after JP Duminy (16) edged Brett Dorey to first slip, following Neil McKenzie's nick behind for4.

Treating the innings like it was a Test, Amla and Kallis began cautiously as they found their feet. Kallis expanded after

spending 48 balls posting double figures and was unbeaten on 52, with five fours and two sixes, at the end of their 50 overs. Amla was more aggressive in striking 15 boundaries during his 105 from 118 balls. Ashwell Prince, the stand-in captain, and Mark Boucher did not get a chance as the tourists reached 2 for 185.

For the record, Western Australia finished 20 ahead at the end of the day and sealed a seven-wicket win, but the fixture was more about match practice for the South Africans before their three Tests in three weeks. Ntini delivered 10 overs without a wicket while Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Monde Zondeki also had useful hit-outs. Tsotsobe picked up 1 for 12 off ten overs while Zondeki had 1 for 46 off nine.

Both teams used 12 men. there were no limitations on the number of overs that a bowler could have and no fielding restrictions. Western Australia also continued to bat after passing the visitors’ total finishing with 4 for 215 in their 50 overs. Adam Voges top scored with 87 of 78 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes, and David Bandy was unbeaten on 53.

BRIEF SCORES

SOUTH AFRICANS: 185-2 in 50 overs (Amla 105 not out, Kallis 52 not out)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 215-4 in 50 overs (Voges 87, Bandy 53 notout)

Result: Western Australia won by six wickets.