Smith, McKenzie break 52-year-old record

CHITTAGONG: South African skipper Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie rewrote history books here on Saturday when they broke a long-standing world record for the best opening stand ever.

The duo surpassed the 413-run partnership between India's Pankaj Roy and Vinoo Mankad set in Chennai in 1956 against New Zealand, on the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

The skipper celebrated the milestone, reached when he took a single off Shakib Al Hasan, by shaking hands with his opening partner in the middle.

he pair also received a standing ovation from the South African dressing room and the home crowd.

Their stand however came to an end just two runs later when Smith was bowled by left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq for 232 that came off 277 balls and included 33 fours and a six.

Leading first wicket stands in Test matches (partners, score, teams, venue, year)
N McKenzie, G Smith 415 South Africa v Bangladesh Chittagong 2008
M  Mankad, P Roy 413  India v New Zealand Chennai 1956
V Sehwag, R Dravid 410  India v Pakistan Lahore  2006
G Turner, T Jarvis 387  New Zealand v West Indies  Georgetown 1972
W Lawry, R Simpson 382  Australia v West Indies  Bridgetown 1965
G Smith, H Gibbs 368  South Africa v Pakistan Cape Town 2003
L Hutton, C Washbrook 359 England v S A Johannesburg 1948
G Smith, H Gibbs 338 South Africa v England Birmingham 2003
M Atapattu, S Jayasuriya 335  Sri Lanka v Pakistan Kandy 2000
G Marsh, M Taylor 329  Australia v England Nottingham 1989.