Cricket: Kirsten warms up for Test series

By Myles Hodgson at Bristol

South Africa 416-8 dec & 200-3 Gloucestershire 403-9 dec

RIVAL captain Mark Alleyne yesterday warned England about the impressive form which Gary Kirsten will carry into this week's first Test after witnessing his second century in three days against Gloucestershire in Bristol.

Gloucestershire captain Alleyne, who claimed the 14th first-class century of his career earlier in the day, watched helplessly as Kirsten picked up where he left off from his first-innings 125 to reach an unbeaten 104 at the close of the third day.

Kirsten's innings, which spanned two-and-a-half hours and included 10 boundaries, enabled the tourists to begin tomorrow's final day 213 ahead on 200 for three after Gloucestershire declared 13 adrift of South Africa on 403 for nine after a disciplined batting display from both Alleyne and reserve wicketkeeper Reggie Williams, who made 67.

But with the opening exchange in the five-Test Cornhill series just four days away, the return of Kirsten's fluency and consistency after a disappointing Texaco Trophy series will be of greater concern to England than the failure of South Africa's second-string attack to finish off Gloucestershire after they resumed on 265 for six.

"Gary Kirsten has stood out as their best batsman in this match," said Alleyne. "He started pretty gingerly but has gone from strength to strength and I'm sure the South Africans will be very happy with the way he's progressed during this match.

"Jonty (Rhodes) has also played very well even though he is playing a much different role. He has gone out to attack us from the start, take us on and he's done it very effectively.

"That's obviously what England didn't want, having those two playing well just before the First Test, but on the other hand they have a number of their other batsmen who have struggled to get runs on a good batting wicket."

Kirsten's determination enabled South Africa to avert an early crisis in their second innings with opener Gerhardus Liebenberg, the favourite to partner Kirsten at the top of the order in Birmingham, falling for just one after being caught by Alleyne at square leg off Jon Lewis.

Brian McMillan, promoted up the order to number three also failed to impress and fell for 21 to leave the tourists at 80 for two.

Veteran all-rounder McMillan also showed the signs of strain, confronting Mike Smith after the former England seamer hit him on the leg attempting a shy at the stumps - a confrontation which was only resolved after the umpires spoke to both players and each captain.

McMillan's concern was well justified as rival Rhodes, arriving at the crease after Darryl Cullinan was caught at point when driving Tim Hancock, hit a magnificent half-century which almost overshadowed Kirsten's marathon efforts.

Rhodes arrived at the crease with Kirsten unbeaten on 77 but so ferocious was his strokeplay that his partner could add only 17 more runs before he reached his half-century having hit eight fours and two sixes off just 36 balls.