Anderson, Sidebottom keep lead to 83
Saturday, 2 August 2008
EDGBASTON, Aug 1 (Cricinfo): Mark Boucher played a typically feisty innings to lift South Africa to a useful lead of 83 on the third morning at Edgbaston. Following the adrenalin-fuelled action of yesterday evening England did a reasonably efficient job of mopping up the lower order, but the meaty blows of Boucher means the visitors still have their noses in front. Andrew Flintoff couldn't add to his four wickets as Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson collected the remaining wickets, but England didn't have a chance to start erasing the deficit as showers caused an early lunch.
The electric atmosphere from the second evening when Flintoff tore into Jacques Kallis created a sense of anticipation this morning. Ashwell Prince was a pivotal figure, an in-form batsman who was also capable of batting well with the lower order. But he didn't last long, playing a rare loose drive at Sidebottom and feathered an edge through to Tim Ambrose. The tail was exposed and England were armed with a new ball.
Morne Morkel provided solid resistance for half-an-hour, showing some of his batting potential which was evident in the opening two Tests. The pick of his shots was a thumping straight drive off Flintoff, but his stay was ended by Anderson - who replaced Flintoff - and trapped him in front of middle stump.
Andre Nel didn't hold England up for very long, completely worked over by Sidebottom's late swing before one snaked back between bat and pad to demolish the stumps. Sidebottom still wasn't at his best, drifting down the leg side on a regular occasions, but managed to massage his figures. He should have claimed the final wicket, but Monty Panesar dropped a simple chance at long leg after Boucher - who had already clubbed three boundaries in the over - hooked straight towards him on the boundary.
Lunch South Africa 314 (McKenzie 72, Kallis 64, Flintoff 4-89) lead England 231 by 83 runs
The electric atmosphere from the second evening when Flintoff tore into Jacques Kallis created a sense of anticipation this morning. Ashwell Prince was a pivotal figure, an in-form batsman who was also capable of batting well with the lower order. But he didn't last long, playing a rare loose drive at Sidebottom and feathered an edge through to Tim Ambrose. The tail was exposed and England were armed with a new ball.
Morne Morkel provided solid resistance for half-an-hour, showing some of his batting potential which was evident in the opening two Tests. The pick of his shots was a thumping straight drive off Flintoff, but his stay was ended by Anderson - who replaced Flintoff - and trapped him in front of middle stump.
Andre Nel didn't hold England up for very long, completely worked over by Sidebottom's late swing before one snaked back between bat and pad to demolish the stumps. Sidebottom still wasn't at his best, drifting down the leg side on a regular occasions, but managed to massage his figures. He should have claimed the final wicket, but Monty Panesar dropped a simple chance at long leg after Boucher - who had already clubbed three boundaries in the over - hooked straight towards him on the boundary.
Lunch South Africa 314 (McKenzie 72, Kallis 64, Flintoff 4-89) lead England 231 by 83 runs