Smith, Amla lead South African charge
Source: Agencies |
January 6, 2010, Wednesday
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GRAEME Smith and Hashim Amla consolidated the South Africa second innings yesterday by taking their side to 165 for one at tea on the third day of the third test against England in Cape Town.
At the interval, South Africa had extended its overall lead to 183 with captain Smith and his partner both scoring unbeaten half-centuries on a pitch flattening out under a baking hot sun. The pair had shared a second-wicket stand of 134 and had no trouble scoring freely off England's seamers or spinners as the visiting attack wilted in the heat.
Smith was on 65 not out off 126 balls and was happy to accumulate runs through his favoured leg side, collecting six fours. Amla handled the pressure with aplomb and moved fluently to 73 not out with England unable to stop him scoring square on the off through a stubborn refusal to place a third man.
The only wicket to fall was that of the out-of-form Ashwell Prince, who fell leg before wicket to offspinner Graeme Swann for 15.
Morne Morkel claimed two wickets in the opening over of the day after England, replying to South Africa's 291, resumed on 241 for seven.
Swann gloved a superb lifter angled into the body to Smith at first slip and was caught for five and Jimmy Anderson (0) steered the next delivery to the same fielder.
England was still trailing by 50 runs and the situation called for some brave stroke play, which wicketkeeper Matt Prior provided with a punchy 76 off 118 balls.
He managed to protect last man Graham Onions (4 not out) for nearly half an hour as 32 runs were added, leaving just an 18-run gap between the two sides on the first innings as England was dismissed for 273.
Prior's run spree was eventually stopped six overs into the day when he tried to get a Dale Steyn bouncer away for a single but could only bottom-edge the ball on to his stumps. Steyn took four for 74 in 22 overs but Morkel was even more effective with five for 75 from his 22 overs.
At the interval, South Africa had extended its overall lead to 183 with captain Smith and his partner both scoring unbeaten half-centuries on a pitch flattening out under a baking hot sun. The pair had shared a second-wicket stand of 134 and had no trouble scoring freely off England's seamers or spinners as the visiting attack wilted in the heat.
Smith was on 65 not out off 126 balls and was happy to accumulate runs through his favoured leg side, collecting six fours. Amla handled the pressure with aplomb and moved fluently to 73 not out with England unable to stop him scoring square on the off through a stubborn refusal to place a third man.
The only wicket to fall was that of the out-of-form Ashwell Prince, who fell leg before wicket to offspinner Graeme Swann for 15.
Morne Morkel claimed two wickets in the opening over of the day after England, replying to South Africa's 291, resumed on 241 for seven.
Swann gloved a superb lifter angled into the body to Smith at first slip and was caught for five and Jimmy Anderson (0) steered the next delivery to the same fielder.
England was still trailing by 50 runs and the situation called for some brave stroke play, which wicketkeeper Matt Prior provided with a punchy 76 off 118 balls.
He managed to protect last man Graham Onions (4 not out) for nearly half an hour as 32 runs were added, leaving just an 18-run gap between the two sides on the first innings as England was dismissed for 273.
Prior's run spree was eventually stopped six overs into the day when he tried to get a Dale Steyn bouncer away for a single but could only bottom-edge the ball on to his stumps. Steyn took four for 74 in 22 overs but Morkel was even more effective with five for 75 from his 22 overs.
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