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January 15, 2007 (Link to Scorecard)

South Africa have cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the Centurion Test Match to move 1-0 up in the Castle Lager Test Series against Pakistan. The home side got the 130 runs left with lots of easing, losing only the night watchman Paul Harris. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis had steered their side to the victory with their half centuries.

Pakistan were boosted by the early exit of the night watchman. Paul Harris was caught in the covers off Mohammad Asif, the most successful bowler for Pak in this test match with SA slipping at 80 for 3. But that was the only wicket they were going to get with Amla and Kallis getting the remaining runs after the lunch break. Jacques Kallis made up for his first innings failure with an unbeaten 60, his 42nd fifty. Hashim Amla was declared as the Player of the Match for his 71 in the first innings which was followed with an unbeaten 64. The second test match begins from 19th at Port Elizabeth.

Gibbs banned for two tests!

South Africa's dashing cricketer, Herschelle Gibbs has been given a two-test ban by the ICC Match Referee Chris Broad. Gibbs has been found guilty for making racial comments which were picked on the stump microphones during the fourth day's play on Sunday. It is a Level 3 offence that has been charged on the 32-year-old Gibbs and with this two-match ban, he will be missing the series against Pakistan.

It is believed that the South African players were getting provoked by the unruly behaviour of a section of Pakistani supporters. It was learnt that Paul Harris and Herschelle Gibbs, fielding in the deep were the two players who were being abused by few Pakistani fans. Gibbs was heard on the microphones as saying "a bunch of bloody animals" among other offensive comments which was referred to the Pakistani fans, but it was something that he was speaking to his team mates which got heard by TV viewers.

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