Colombo: South African opener Herschelle Gibbs flayed a mediocre Kenyan attack with a stroke-filled 116 in the Champions Trophy One-day tournament on Friday. The 28-year-old hit three sixes and 13 fours in his eighth century as South Africa posted 316-5 after electing to bat in a day-night game at the Premedasa Stadium. Gibbs put on 159 for the opening wicket with left-handed Graeme Smithto set the stage for the closing-overs onslaught. Jacques Kallis then hammered a 53-ball 60 with one six and five fours in pressure-free conditions, as South Africa became the first team to cross the 300-mark in the tournament. South Africa is now strongly placed to qualify for the semi-finals from the three- team group, having already clinched a last-ball thriller with two wickets to spare against the West Indies in its previous match. The West Indies completed its league engagements with one win and one defeat, while Kenya was winless after one game. Gibbs made a deceptive start, scoring just six runs in the opening 10 overs before dominating a seven-man Kenyan attack with a wide range of attacking shots during his 126-ball knock. Kenyan wicket-keeper David Obuya also caught the eye with four dismissals, including three stumpings. Gibbs soon outscored Smith and was the first to reach his half- century when he cut off spinner Maurice Odumbe for his ninth four. He took 51 more balls to reach his hundred, glancing spinner Steve Tikolo for a boundary. Gibbs's best came in the 37th over as he plundered 16 in three balls off spinner Jimmy Kamande, pulling the bowler for a six and following it up with a four and a straight six. He was caught behind off the next delivery while trying to steer the spinner to third-man. Gibbs overshadowed Smith, who did the bulk of scoring in the initial overs. Smith did not hesitate to hit over the top and offered two chances in his third half century. The left-hander was on 31 when dropped by Ravindu Shah at short mid-wicket off paceman Martin Suji and then on 61 when let off by Brijal Patel off leg spinner Collins Obuya. Smith struck six fours in his 77-ball knock before being adjudged stumped off Odumbe by TV umpire David Shepherd of England. South Africa made three changes from the team that beat the West Indies by two wickets, including Dale Benkenstein, Makhaya Ntini and Justin Ontong in place of paceman Allan Donald, batsman Jonty Rhodes and spinner Nicky Boje. Extras:
Pollock wins toss, elects to bat against Kenya
Tags: cricket, colombo, south african opener herschelle gibbs, kenyan, champions trophy, premedasa stadium, graeme smith, jacques kallis, west indies, kenyan wicket-keeper david obuya, maurice odumbe, steve tikolo, jimmy kamande, ravindu shah, martin suji, brijal patel, collins obuya, tv umpire david shepherd of england, dale benkenstein, makhaya ntini, justin ontong, allan donald, jonty rhodes, nicky boje.
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