England’s fightback derailed by late wickets

By Rahul Bajaj
for Cricketain.com

Published: January 7, 2010

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Cape Town: England’s opening pair of Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss led a spirited fight back by England as they put together a century opening stand but South Africa came back with wickets late in the day to stay on course for a series-leveling win on the fourth day of the third test at Newlands.

Chasing 466 to win or bat out a minimum of 146 overs for a draw, England were 132 for 3 at stumps on Day 4. Strauss (45) and Cook (55) led the reply with a 101-runs opening stand before Cook was dismissed with just over an hour’s play remaining in the day. Cook top-edged a pull against Friedel de Wet as wicketkeeper Mark Boucher completed an easy catch.

Skipper Andrew Strauss followed three overs later when he was caught at short leg off left-arm spinner Paul Harris.

But England’s hopes of saving the match suffered the biggest jolt shortly before the close of play when Kevin Pietersen was leg before wicket to Dale Steyn, two balls into the fast bowler’s last spell of the day. Pietersen had been lucky earlier as after being given out leg before to De Wet, he sought a review of umpire Daryl Harper’s decision and the decision was changed when it was clear he had edged the ball into his pad.

Earlier, South Africa added 135 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 31.2 overs on the fourth day before Smith declared the innings at 447 for 7 giving England a target of 466 to win.

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith took his overnight score of 162 to 183 as he and Jacques Kallis batted comfortably against the second new ball, which was taken at the start of play. Smith was eventually caught on the fine leg boundary when he top-edged a hook against Graham Onions. He made his 183 off 272 balls with 25 fours.

Kallis followed up his first innings hundred with a 46 in the second innings before he edged an attempted square cut against James Anderson and was caught behind. South Africa went into attacking mode after lunch when 50 runs were added in 7.2 overs, with all three batsmen who were dismissed falling in a chase for quick runs, including JP Duminy, who played a cameo of 36 off 41 balls.

Anderson took three for 98 and Graeme Swann three for 127.

Match Summary:

England 273 (Prior 76, Morkel 5-75) and 132 for 3 (Trott 24*, Anderson 8*) need another 334 runs to beat South Africa 291 (Kallis 108, Anderson 5-63) and 447 for 7 declared (Smith 180, Amla 95)

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