Sam Robson and Adam Lyth made the perfect start to the England Lions tour of South Africa, each hitting a century against the Gauteng Invitational XI in Soweto.
Robson made an increasingly authoritative 109 from 152 balls in an opening stand of 176 before retiring to give the other Lions batsmen a hit, and Lyth then picked up the pace to reach three figures from 168 balls, with his second 50 coming from only 39 deliveries as the Gauteng bowlers tired in the warm sunshine.
Lyth also returned to the pavilion at the University of Johannesburg's campus adjoining the Chris Hani Road that runs through Soweto, leaving his Yorkshire team-mate Alex Lees to continue the run glut with an unbeaten 82 from 136 balls including two powerful sixes.
He added an unbroken 86 with Jonny Bairstow in the evening sun, and the Lions closed on 361 for four, including the two retirees.
Much tougher tests lie ahead on this tour, with the South Africa selectors expected to name a strong A-team for two four-day matches against the Lions later this week.
The openers still had to show patience and discipline on a slow first-day pitch, and they were both able to play more expansively later in their innings.
Robson had 62 from 85 balls at lunch and added a clean straight six off the experienced Gauteng spinner Dale Deeb after the interval, ending with 12 fours as he cut impressively through the off side.
Lyth also hit a six, launched over mid-wicket and over the fence surrounding the ground, in addition to 15 fours, and Lees was typically positive from the start of his innings, clearing the rope from only his 13th delivery.
Jonathan Trott missed out in his first innings as Lions captain, falling caught behind for six having earlier lost the toss, and James Vince also went in single figures chipping a catch to cover as he was undone by the lack of pace in the pitch.
But Bairstow joined Lees to step up the pace late in the day, benefiting from the extra pace and bounce after Gauteng took the new ball available after 80 overs.
The three-day game does not have first-class status, with both teams able to draft in players from outside their original named XIs in the second innings.
Robson and Lyth back up and running after lunch - Sam just hit a straight 6 to move to 72 #englions 115-0 pic.twitter.com/SPr1JKXnAd
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) January 5, 2015