Pietersen falls as England falter
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
HEADINGLEY, July 21 (Cricinfo): South Africa were made to work hard on the fourth morning at Headingley before removing James Anderson and Kevin Pietersen in quick succession, putting them firmly on course for a 1-0 series lead. Alastair Cook remained not out on 46 at lunch having put on a courageous third-wicket partnership of 59 with Anderson, who batted bravely for a career-best 34.
Anderson played with impressive composure and no shortage of class, though South Africa passed the edge of his bat on numerous occasions. Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini opened the bowling and Anderson, mostly playing off the back foot, was beaten twice by Morkel as the fourth-day pitch began to show worrying variable bounce. Balls shot through; the occasional one from Morkel, with his extra height, spat up, but it was a concern for South Africa that they extracted so little lateral movement.
Cook showed excellent judgement outside his off stump all morning, capitalising on anything wide by calmly pushing through cover. After half an hour, there was a belief by England that while the pair were at the crease, they might as well score some runs, and they did so with impish running. If anything, it caught South Africa off-guard. Graeme Smith's side are eager in the field, but only AB de Villiers really threatens. Anderson nudged singles out to cover and to midwicket, taking on the fielders, and although they were decidedly dangerous runs, South Africa's wild throws missed the stumps repeatedly. England were beginning to frustrate them.
A languid cut by Anderson demonstrated his growing confidence, and he bettered it with two excellent fours off Paul Harris - the first, punched off the back foot and threaded through cover, before he came onto the front foot to dispatch one of fuller length.
England 203 and 220 for 6 trail South Africa 522 by 99 runs.
Anderson played with impressive composure and no shortage of class, though South Africa passed the edge of his bat on numerous occasions. Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini opened the bowling and Anderson, mostly playing off the back foot, was beaten twice by Morkel as the fourth-day pitch began to show worrying variable bounce. Balls shot through; the occasional one from Morkel, with his extra height, spat up, but it was a concern for South Africa that they extracted so little lateral movement.
Cook showed excellent judgement outside his off stump all morning, capitalising on anything wide by calmly pushing through cover. After half an hour, there was a belief by England that while the pair were at the crease, they might as well score some runs, and they did so with impish running. If anything, it caught South Africa off-guard. Graeme Smith's side are eager in the field, but only AB de Villiers really threatens. Anderson nudged singles out to cover and to midwicket, taking on the fielders, and although they were decidedly dangerous runs, South Africa's wild throws missed the stumps repeatedly. England were beginning to frustrate them.
A languid cut by Anderson demonstrated his growing confidence, and he bettered it with two excellent fours off Paul Harris - the first, punched off the back foot and threaded through cover, before he came onto the front foot to dispatch one of fuller length.
England 203 and 220 for 6 trail South Africa 522 by 99 runs.