McKenzie, Amla defy England
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
LORD'S, July 14 (Cricinfo): England's bowlers gave it everything, but Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla continued to defy them with an unbroken partnership of 108 on the fifth morning at Lord's. The home of cricket hasn't witnessed a Test win since Australia's 239-run win in the 2005 Ashes and, barring the most unlikely of collapses by South Africa this afternoon, it is a trend which looks set to continue.
The reason for Lord's staging so many draws is largely due to the pitch. It has offered assistance to the bowlers in early-season, and on opening days of Tests, but Lord's is fast gaining a reputation as a graveyard for bowlers. On a benign surface offering very little to seamer or spinner, England persisted admirably - as they did yesterday - but lacked that vital bit of venom needed to break through McKenzie and Amla's stubborn resolve. The sort of venom Andrew Flintoff might well provide in the second Test at Headingley Friday.
By no means did England simply go through the motions, however. South Africa started with a deficit of 104, and a flurry of early wickets would have set the nerves jangling in the dressing room. There were no wickets, though, and only two hopeful appeals, as England persisted in a war of bouncers against Amla, attacking his supposed weakness. Anderson, in particular, cranked up impressive pace from the Pavilion End, and fired in bumper after bumper to try and unsettle Amla. Yet, not even an extraordinary leg-side field reminiscent of Bodyline could waver Amla's concentration, as he ducked, weaved and evaded all Anderson threw at him. Anything on his legs was duly whipped through midwicket with subcontinental elasticity. With Amla nudging and nurdling on a deadened pitch, this was more Lahore than Lord's.
Lunch South Africa 247 and 312 for 1 (McKenzie 131*, Amla 57*) trail England 593 for 8 dec by 34 runs
The reason for Lord's staging so many draws is largely due to the pitch. It has offered assistance to the bowlers in early-season, and on opening days of Tests, but Lord's is fast gaining a reputation as a graveyard for bowlers. On a benign surface offering very little to seamer or spinner, England persisted admirably - as they did yesterday - but lacked that vital bit of venom needed to break through McKenzie and Amla's stubborn resolve. The sort of venom Andrew Flintoff might well provide in the second Test at Headingley Friday.
By no means did England simply go through the motions, however. South Africa started with a deficit of 104, and a flurry of early wickets would have set the nerves jangling in the dressing room. There were no wickets, though, and only two hopeful appeals, as England persisted in a war of bouncers against Amla, attacking his supposed weakness. Anderson, in particular, cranked up impressive pace from the Pavilion End, and fired in bumper after bumper to try and unsettle Amla. Yet, not even an extraordinary leg-side field reminiscent of Bodyline could waver Amla's concentration, as he ducked, weaved and evaded all Anderson threw at him. Anything on his legs was duly whipped through midwicket with subcontinental elasticity. With Amla nudging and nurdling on a deadened pitch, this was more Lahore than Lord's.
Lunch South Africa 247 and 312 for 1 (McKenzie 131*, Amla 57*) trail England 593 for 8 dec by 34 runs