Hansie Cronje ended a run of 31 tests without a century by scoring 113 not out to steer South Africa to 302 for seven wickets at the close on the first day of the fourth test against England at Trent Bridge yesterday. The South African captain, equalling Johnny Waite's national record of 50 caps, epitomised controlled aggression from the moment he came to the crease with the total on 68 for three wickets.

He stamped his authority on the match with a hooked boundary off Dominic Cork before turning his attention to leg spinner Ian Salisbury. Cork bowled three successive overs of short pitched deliveries to Cronje, who used to be susceptible to such bowling, but they were despatched for 21 runs as Cronje appeared to duck, sway or hook at will.

He then launched a savage attack on leg spinner Ian Salisbury who was driven over mid-off and past mid-on by Cronje for three fours before being pulled over deep mid-wicket for six. Cronje's 50 came from 75 balls with seven fours and a six.

His century followed in even time from 169 deliveries with 13 fours and a six. It was his sixth test century but his first as captain after scoring the others under the captaincy of Kepler Wessels in his first 18 matches.

Only Angus Fraser, with 4 for 42, bowled with discipline on a green wicket offering some movement while Cork bowled too short, Darren Gough inconsistently and debutant Andrew Flintoff largely innocuously.

Daryll Cullinan's breezy innings of 30 ended in the second over after lunch when he clipped Fraser to square leg but Jacques Kallis played a valuable anchor role in adding 79 for the fourth wicket before debutant Flintoff claimed his first international wicket with a good off-cutter.

Fraser claimed three more wickets before the close of play to prevent the home side from being completely dominated.