SA vs Eng Test day 3 Report

After South Africa won day three’s first two sessions with ease, Graeme Swann and James Anderson put together what could well prove to be a match-saving ninth-wicket partnership of 106 runs in the evening session to help England up to 356 all out, 62 runs behind the Proteas batting effort.

England had earlier collapsed from 98 for one to a worrying 242 for 8, still some 176 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 418 all out. Like Swann for England, Paul Harris spun his way to a five wicket haul, returning figures of five for 123 from 37 overs. Makhaya Ntini took two for 78 in his 100th Test match and Morkel, de Wet and Duminy shared the remaining three scalps.

The top five English batsmen all got starts but none managed more than 50 runs. Then Bell left a straight Harris delivery and Prior was caught off the same bowler, both for single figures. England would have been praying for rain after tea, but they now have a chance to win or draw this match after Swann (85, 81b, ten fours and two sixes) and Anderson (29, 78b, four fours and his first ever Test match six) saved the day.

Further controversy surrounded the Review system after Pietersen was out bowled to a no-ball from Morkel and Dunimy took 33 seconds to ask for the review which dismissed Broad LBW. Broad seemed to suggest that the South Africans received a signal from the dressing room before asking for the referral, something they are not entitled to have done.

As well as eating into over 100 runs of South Africa’s precious lead, the wonderful effort by Swann and Anderson used up valuable time for England, if indeed South Africa set a target rather than being bowled out cheaply.

The final session gave the Barmy Army plenty to cheer about and not long after their third rendition of Jerusalem, Ashwell Prince was dismissed for a duck when he was bowled by James Anderson in the first over of South Africa’s second dig. Smith and the nightwatchman, Harris, survived the remaining three overs before stumps to leave South Africa 9 for one overnight, a lead of 71 runs going into the fourth day.

Some inclement weather is forecast for the remaining two days with the result that the draw is the most likely result. But the sun-baked wicket is misbehaving increasingly and there is probably still time for anything to happen.