SA save first Test at Lord's
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
LONDON, July 14 (AP): South Africa batted for almost six full sessions to draw the first Test against England Monday. When stumps were drawn midway through the evening session at Lord's, with England employing part-time spinners Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook, South Africa had progressed to 393-3, a lead of 47.
The visitors began their follow-on innings after being dismissed Saturday for 247. Having lost 10 wickets in a single day and needing 346 to make England bat again, South Africa's chances of saving the match seemed remote.
But Neil McKenzie, Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla all scored centuries in the final two days. Their defense and perseverance was aided by a flat pitch and an England attack that lacked penetration. After the match, the England selectors added allrounder Andrew Flintoff to the squad for the second Test starting in Leeds Friday.
After Smith was dismissed late Sunday for 107, McKenzie and Amla put on 125 for the second wicket to take the game away from England, which had made 593-8.
By the time McKenzie was dismissed for 138 and Jacques Kallis for 13 after lunch, it was too late for England to mount a late charge. England captain Michael Vaughan admitted that it was frustrating to finish with a draw after dominating the first three days. "These last two days we gave everything," said Vaughan. "All credit to South Africa, they batted really, really well. I couldn't have asked anything more from the England players."
South Africa 247 and 393 for 3 (Amla 104*, Prince 9*) drew with England 593 for 8 dec.
The visitors began their follow-on innings after being dismissed Saturday for 247. Having lost 10 wickets in a single day and needing 346 to make England bat again, South Africa's chances of saving the match seemed remote.
But Neil McKenzie, Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla all scored centuries in the final two days. Their defense and perseverance was aided by a flat pitch and an England attack that lacked penetration. After the match, the England selectors added allrounder Andrew Flintoff to the squad for the second Test starting in Leeds Friday.
After Smith was dismissed late Sunday for 107, McKenzie and Amla put on 125 for the second wicket to take the game away from England, which had made 593-8.
By the time McKenzie was dismissed for 138 and Jacques Kallis for 13 after lunch, it was too late for England to mount a late charge. England captain Michael Vaughan admitted that it was frustrating to finish with a draw after dominating the first three days. "These last two days we gave everything," said Vaughan. "All credit to South Africa, they batted really, really well. I couldn't have asked anything more from the England players."
South Africa 247 and 393 for 3 (Amla 104*, Prince 9*) drew with England 593 for 8 dec.