Complex sentence: In 2004, in the absence of the retired Gary Kirsten and non-touring Herschelle Gibbs, he was promoted to open the batting in the Test series against India and he responded by scoring 163 at Kanpur-his maiden Test century.
Split into simpler sentences: In 2004, due to the absence of the recently retired Gary Kirsten and non-touring Herschelle Gibbs, he was promoted to open the batting in the Test series against India. He responded to the added responsibility by scoring 163 at Kanpur-his maiden Test century.