AB De Villiers has yet to make his mark on the Test series against England. -AFP File Photo

LONDON: AB de Villiers blasted a quick-fire 97 as South Africa warmed up for next week's third Test against England at Lord's with a dominant start to their tour match at Derbyshire on Friday.

De Villiers smashed his imperious innings of 97 from just 96 balls before retiring out and JP Duminy also got some good practice time with 69 before the tourists declared on 365 for four.

There was good news for South Africa off the field as well, ahead of the final Test of a series they lead 1-0, as captain Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis were passed fit after injury scares in the second Test at Headingley and were included in a 15-man team.

Alviro Petersen is also expected to recover from a hamstring strain in time for Lord's.

Smith's declaration gave his bowlers 90 minutes before the close and Vernon Philander picked up the wicket of Matt Lineker as Derbyshire replied with 75 for one from 22 overs.

The only South African to miss out after Derbyshire won the toss and put the tourists in was Jacques Rudolph who was lbw for 15 in the fourth over after he played across a full length ball from Ally Evans.

Hashim Amla faced 19 balls from Evans without scoring before changing gear to take 16 off the pace bowler's next five. But Amla's innings was ended on 42 by a good ball from Ross Whiteley who moved one away to knock out his off-stump.

De Villiers has yet to make his mark on the Test series but he looked in ominous form, even against an inexperienced attack, as he cruised to his half century, which included eight fours and a six, off only 46 balls.

Duminy also hit Wainwright for two sixes as he and De Villiers enjoyed themselves in the sunshine and a century for the 28-year-old looked a formality until he pulled out after hitting 16 fours and two sixes.

Wainwright took a stinging return catch to remove Duminy but Faf du Plessis and Albie Morkel plundered 123 in 17 overs either side of tea.

Du Plessis reached his fifty by pulling Evans for six and Morkel was on 49 when the declaration came after an over from Mark Footitt which cost 28.

Opinion

Editorial

Exceptional Assembly
01 Mar, 2025

Exceptional Assembly

WHAT an exceptional legislature we have for these extraordinary times. At least that is the impression one gets from...
Blood and drugs
01 Mar, 2025

Blood and drugs

FREQUENT news stories about bone-chilling murders show that the face of crime is changing — there is a marked rise...
Haqqania bombing
01 Mar, 2025

Haqqania bombing

THE bombing of Darul Uloom Haqqania in KP’s Nowshera district on Friday marks a departure from the recent trend of...
No remorse
Updated 28 Feb, 2025

No remorse

Disturbingly, the regime seems to grow bolder in its defiance of its obligations with each passing day.
Affordable Ramazan
28 Feb, 2025

Affordable Ramazan

WITH the month of Ramazan commencing in a day or two, a price spiral peculiar to the fasting month has kicked off....
Grotesque vision
28 Feb, 2025

Grotesque vision

THE Trump administration has sunk to a new low in its cavalier approach to the Gaza crisis. It seems all sense has...