South Africa reveled in good batting conditions to pile up 304-4 on the opening day of the first cricket Test against India here Wednesday. Neil McKenzie (94), skipper Graeme Smith (73) and Hashim Amla (85 not out) laid the foundations for a big total as the Indian bowlers toiled in oppressive weather and on an unresponsive wicket at the Chidambaram Stadium. McKenzie and Smith provided the momentum with an opening stand of 132 in their first outing since compiling a world record partnership of 415 against Bangladesh in Chittagong earlier this month. The duo batted through the morning session to put on 109 by lunch after Smith won the toss and took first strike on a placid wicket. Smith had made 73 when he lost his wicket midway through the post-lunch session, on-driving Anil Kumble to short mid-wicket where Venkatsai Laxman moved to his right to take a smart catch. But then McKenzie and Amla put on 64 for the second wicket to further frustrate the Indians. McKenzie, who was recalled to the South African side in January after three years in the wilderness, missed a fourth Test century when he edged off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to Rahul Dravid in the slips just before tea. Harbhajan struck again on the resumption, having Jacques Kallis caught at forward short-leg by Wasim Jaffer for 13 to leave South Africa 244-3. Amla and Ashwell Prince carried the total to 291 when 37-year-old Kumble, the Indian captain, dived to his left to pick up a low return catch off Prince. The umpires agreed to have two drinks breaks every session, instead of the mandatory one, as on-field temperatures touched 38 degrees Celsius with 75 percent humidity. “It is disappointing to miss a Test century but if anyone had told me in the morning that I will make 94, I would have taken it happily,” said McKenzie. “We have a lot of batting left and hope to add another 250 runs.” Harbhajan was confident India can restrict South Africa on the second day. “It is a matter of getting a few wickets tomorrow,” the off-spinner said. “The target is not to give them more than 80 runs.” England's tour England will play two Tests and seven one-day internationals on their tour of India in November and December, the Indian board (BCCI) said on Wednesday. The venues and the dates for these matches, however, have yet to be finalized as the BCCI announced a packed itinerary for the period spanning June to April 2009. India will play a tri-series in Bangladesh in June, also involving Pakistan.ScoreboardSouth Africa (1st innings) Smith c Laxman b Kumble 73 McKenzie c Dravid b Harbhajan 94 Amla not out 85 Kallis c Jaffer b Harbhajan 13 Prince c and b Kumble 23 De Villiers not out 10 Extras: (b1, lb4, w1) 06 Total (4 wickets) 304 Falls: 1-132 (Smith), 2-196 (McKenzie), 3-244 (Kallis), 4-291 (Prince). Bowling: Rudra Pratap 14-1-68-0, Sreesanth 15-3-60-0 (w1), Kumble 29-8-61-2, Harbhajan 26-2-92-2, Sehwag 6-1-18
