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England vs SA, Day 2

Saturday, August 23 2003

Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick put England back on top with a 142 run second wicket stand against a South African bowling attacking lacking variation and patience. Both lefthanders dominated square of the wicket with punishing cuts and drives until a lunging reflex return catch by Jacques Kallis dismissed Trescothick for 59 and checked England's progression towards South Africa's first innings total.

Gary Kirsten and Monde Zondeki returned to the crease this morning looking to continue where they finished last night. England appeared to have rallied over-night and Zondeki only managed to add a few more runs to his overnight score before attempting another spanking cover drive and edged a James Anderson away-swinger to Butcher at a wide third slip. Skipper Michael Vaughan would have been hoping that his bowlers could quickly wrap up the innings but Makhaya Ntini proved adequate support for Kirsten as the pair added 24 runs and pushed South Africa's total over the 300 mark.

With the loss of Zondeki and the end of a 150 run eighth wicket partnership , Kirsten looked to expand his strokeplay and take advantage of England's attacking field placings. Kirsten took his total to 130 until attempting a leg side heave and only managed to spoon a catch to Martin Bicknell at mid-on. It was an end to a determined innings, his 18th career test match century and the foundation, walls and backbone to South Africa's first innings.

More was to come as last man in Dewald Pretorius stuck around long enough for Ntini to strike a few boundaries and carry South Africa to a competitive total of 342. While this would have been encouraging for South Africa and seemingly leave them in a good position to attack with the new ball, South Africa's late order push would have given England's batting order an indication as to how the pitch had improved for stroke-play.

England started with a flourish as Pretorius struggled to find any rhythm, continually overstepping and unable to settle. It was much to everyone's surprise when Vaughan pushed forward to Ntini, seemingly confidently until the ball spun backwards under Vaughan's bat and clipped the leg stump, dislodging a single bail. The in-form Butcher joined Trescothick at the crease and looked to dominate the bowling.

As the South African bowlers tired, the new ball lost its shine and the sun shone down on the Headingly wicket, the second wicket pairing pushed on into the afternoon, Butcher cracking Andrew Hall for two boundaries in three balls and brought up his half century (74 balls) with a emphatic square cut in Hall's next over. Trescothick was soon following suite as he cut yet another Ntini delivery to the boundry. While not as free flowing as Butcher, Trescothick showed patience to bring up his half century off 116 balls.

Just as England were stroking the South African bowling to all parts of Headingly the umpires decided to bring out their light meters and the England batsmen surprisingly accepted the offer to leave the field. The light improved enough for the players to return but the momentum had been lost as Kallis threw himself against his follow through to dismiss Trescothick for 59. Nasser Hussain again looked in good form, placing the ball well and striking three boundaries. With the score on 193 Butcher attempted a rather flat footed drive to a swinging Kallis delivery and edged behind where Mark Boucher gladly accepted and ended his dashing innings of 77.

It wasn’t long again before light deteriorated enough for the umpires to offer the light and this time Hussain and Ed Smith accepted without a backward glance. This brought to an end a day which England could call their own apart from minor hiccups this morning and then again this evening. England do find themselves in a very strong position, 145 runs behind South Africa, with the wicket easing and the ball wearing. Tomorrow morning will be crucial for South Africa if they are to remain competitive in this match and the series. Kallis has shown glimpses of returning to bowling form after his stunning return catch. Andrew Hall has again been steady but lacks Shaun Pollock's nagging accuracy.

The real test tomorrow will be how Pretorius responds to his expensive opening spell and if Zondeki is fit enough to bowl after sustaining a side strain and only being able to complete one over. With Hussain again looking determined not to give his wicket away South Africa will need to work as a effective bowling unit and bowl themselves back into a potential match winning situation.


Posted by Rupert