Cape Town: South Africa’s fast bowling pair of Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn scalped three wickets each, as England were kept under a tight leash by the Proteas on the second day of the third test at Newlands.

England were 241 for 7 at the close of play, still 50 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 291.

England, who ripped through the South African batting line-up early on the second day, cleaning up the last four wickets in less than 4 overs, were unable to take control of the game thanks to a spirited bowling effort by Dale Steyn (3 for 64) and Morne Morkel (3 for 57).

Seven wickets fell during a dramatic morning’s play, with South Africa losing their last four wickets for 12 runs in 17 balls at the start of the day. Fast bowler James Anderson took three wickets for one run as South Africa’s remaining batsmen succumbed rapidly to some quality swing bowling.

Anderson finished with five for 63, his eighth five-wicket haul in Tests, but the key breakthrough came from fellow paceman Graham Onions, who dismissed South African centurion Kallis with the second ball of the day without adding to his overnight score of 108.

In reply, England slumped to 64 for three at lunch. Another wicket fell soon after the break when Paul Collingwood was leg before wicket to Morne Morkel for 19. Alastair Cook (65) and Ian Bell (48) put on 60 for the fifth wicket and there were further useful partnerships of 41 between Bell and Matt Prior (52 not out) and 51 between Prior and Stuart Broad (25).

Match Summary:

England 241 for 7 (Prior 52*, Swann 5*) trail South Africa 291 (Kallis 108, Anderson 5-63) by 50 runs

Tagged with: Alaistair Cook, Cape Town, Dale Steyn, England, Ian Bell, James Anderson, Matt Prior, Morne Morkel, South Africa

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