Bell, Cook fall but Pietersen solid
Saturday, 9 August 2008
THE OVAL, Aug 8 (Cricinfo): South Africa took the early wicket of Ian Bell on the second morning at The Oval and that of Alastair Cook 10 minutes before lunch, but England's new captain, Kevin Pietersen, was unbeaten on a confident 42 as the fourth Test was left intriguingly poised.
Bell has yet to make a hundred at No.3, and he'll have to wait until the second innings at the earliest in order to rectify that. After a thirty-minute delay for rain, Makhaya Ntini found one to hold its line on Bell, who was defending to extra cover, and it took a thick outside edge to Graeme Smith at first slip who held it smartly, low to his right.
Bounding down the steps, and met with warm but subdued applause by the crowd, came Pietersen and he was soon beaten by a shorter delivery from Ntini which held its line.
Lunch England 116 for 3 (Pietersen 42*, Collingwood 1*) trail South Africa 194 by 78 runs.
Bell has yet to make a hundred at No.3, and he'll have to wait until the second innings at the earliest in order to rectify that. After a thirty-minute delay for rain, Makhaya Ntini found one to hold its line on Bell, who was defending to extra cover, and it took a thick outside edge to Graeme Smith at first slip who held it smartly, low to his right.
Bounding down the steps, and met with warm but subdued applause by the crowd, came Pietersen and he was soon beaten by a shorter delivery from Ntini which held its line.
Lunch England 116 for 3 (Pietersen 42*, Collingwood 1*) trail South Africa 194 by 78 runs.