Proteas slow off the mark

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 01, Graeme Smith of South Africa makes his 1st single in his 100th test as captain during day 1 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on February 01, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 01, Graeme Smith of South Africa makes his 1st single in his 100th test as captain during day 1 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on February 01, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Published Feb 1, 2013

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Johannesburg – South Africa lost two quick wickets before lunch after making a slow start in the first Test against Pakistan in Johannesburg on Friday.

The Pakistani pace bowlers were able to find some swing and movement off the pitch and asked plenty of questions of openers, Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen, particularly in the first six overs.

Opting to bat first, the hosts scored just 27 runs in the first hour while Junaid Khan enjoyed an excellent opening spell of 6-3-4-0.

After seeing off the shine and starting to settle, Petersen, looking to play Junaid Khan towards the leg side, got a leading edge to third slip and was gone for 24.

Four balls later, Smith, hoping for a big innings on his big day – not only was it his 32nd birthday but also his 100th Test match in charge – was on 24 when he got an outside edge to Umar Gul which went straight through to the keeper.

Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis were not out on seven and 15 respectively, as South Africa went into the lunch break on 68 for two. – Sapa

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