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Sports commentary on major events from the timesonline.co.uk

Monday, July 21, 2008

Close: South Africa 528 & 9-0 beat England by ten wickets

It's all over. Smith and McKenzie scamper a quick single off Pattinson to seal a comprehensive win and give the England selectors plenty to think about for Edgbaston. Few plusses for the home side bar the return of Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad's batting but South Africa, who have won virtually every session in this match, have thoroughly deserved their win.

Thanks for your company. Join us again on July 30th to see if England have the will to fight back.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 06:31 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

South Africa 8-0 (Smith 3, McKenzie 5)

Broad doesn't get any respite and opens up against Smith who takes an easy three after some poor fielding by the sub on for James Anderson. McKenzie then finds the boundary from a short one and a tickle to Monty brings the scores level, but Smith can't find the winning run off the final ball.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 06:25 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Pattinson b Morkel 13 England 327 all out

Pattinson has one ball against Morkel to survive but can't do it and is bowled comprehensively through the gate. A great effort from Stuart Broad who is unbeaten on 67 and from Pattinson with whom he put together a last wicket partnership of 61. South Africa need just nine runs to win.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 06:15 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 326-9 (Broad 66 Pattinson 13)

Smith rather oddly persists with Harris and Pattinson joins the fun, smacking two successive fours to ensure that South Africa have to bat again

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 06:08 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 318-9 (Broad 66 Pattinson 5)

There's maybe a case for Broad coming in a little earlier as he delivers an almost languid drive through midwicket and to make him England's top scorer with 66 and bring up the fifty partnership. Extraordinary stuff. England now one run behind.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 06:05 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 309-9 (Broad 58 Pattinson 5)

Harris is having very little effect and Pattinson plays him almost casually. Two leg byes off the over.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:59 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 307-9 (Broad 58 Pattinson 5)

Another superb wristy shot off his legs brings another four for Broad off Ntini. Why on earth couldn't the rest of the team play like this? England only 12 runs behind now and South Africa are in severe danger of having to bat again.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:58 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 301-9 (Broad 52 Pattinson 5)

Well done Stuart Broad. Two huge hooks bring successive fours through square before an elegant drive brings up his fifty. A small crumb of comfort in two woeful batting displays by England.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:52 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 290-9 (Broad 41 Pattinson 5)

Broad185x185 Pattinson successfully negotiates Kallis before Broad unexpectedly takes an early run off Harris leaving the number 11 to bat-pad away the rest of the over.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:49 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 289-9 (Broad 40 Pattinson 5)

Graeme Smith rather strangely turns to Harris for only his twelfth over of the match. Broad can't rotate the strike so Pattinson to face Kallis next.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:41 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 283-9 (Broad 36 Pattinson 2)

Kallis tries some short stuff at Pattinson who prods him away successfully before chancing his arm with a loose shot over the top for two. England are 34 runs behind now - what price South Africa batting again?

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:38 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 283-9 (Broad 36 Pattinson 2)

Broad continues to play his shots, with another fine four off his legs. Pattinson doesn't look the rabbit you'd expect to come in after Panesar that you'd expect either.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:35 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 276-9 (Broad 30 Pattinson 2)

At least Broad is enjoying himself as South Africa bring the field in and he smacks Kalllis confidently for two fours, one off the legs, the second a belter through cover. Pattinson on strike against Steyn and the pressure is on.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Panesar b Steyn 10

Steyn keeps one fast and straight and it's too good for Panesar, smacking into his off stump. By my reckoning Pattinson would probably have to score a century to keep himself in the squad for the 3rd Test. Here's hoping....

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:23 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 265-8 (Broad 21 Panesar 10)

England will announce their side to play the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday. I wonder what odds you'd get on Darren Pattinson being involved? Meanwhile, the tail continues to wag - and Monty comes to the party with a nicely driven four throught the covers. Time for drinks.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:19 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 258-8 (Broad 18 Panesar 6)

Monty's playing with some assurance. A delicate tickle off the pads takes him to six and the partnership with Broad up to 20.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:14 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 254-8 (Broad 17 Panesar 3)

Morkel closes in for the kill but Monty manages to get himself off strike with a push for three and Broad flashes an uppish delivery past an unseeing Ashwell Prince for four, before hitting another down the ground. Two superb shots from a player who is getting better and better with the bat.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:09 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 242-8 (Broad 9 Panesar 0)

Well it was fun while it lasted. Still time for Broad to enjoy himself however and he steers a clearly annoyed Steyn for four through backward point. The end is nigh.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:03 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Flintoff c Kallis b Morkel 38

Flintoff gets caught in two minds and succeeds only in steering a ball from Morkel to Kallis at second slip and taking any lingering hopes of England saving the game with him.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:58 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 237-7 (Flintoff 38 Broad 5)

That's more like it. Flintoff starts to take the game to South Africa after all that blocking before tea. Steyn gets the treatment with two booming drives for four - the bowler responds with a useful block-hole ball followed by a stare and some chat to which Freddie remains completely unflustered.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:55 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 225-7 (Flintoff 27 Broad 4)

Broad gets off the mark with a tidy three off Steyn. It's 27 years to the day since Ian Botham's heroics on the same ground beat the Aussies. Come on Freddie - take some inspiration!

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:51 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Ambrose c Boucher b Steyn 36

England's good fortune comes to an end as Ambrose wafts at a wide one and Boucher snaffles his ninth catch of the match. A great breakthrough for South Africa after a partnership of 68 and they're into the tail with England 99 behind.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:44 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 220-6 (Ambrose 36 Flintoff 26)

Freddie's getting in the mood now. A lovely hook shot off Ntini deservedly gets four before a mistimed drive also manages to reach the boundary ropes through the covers.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:39 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 212-6 (Ambrose 36 Flintoff 18)

Good little battle between Steyn amd Ambrose emerging. Ambrose straight bats nicely past the bowler who manages to get half a hand on the ball to prevent it going for four. England fighting hard.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:35 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 208-6 (Ambrose 33 Flintoff 18)

Ambrose at least is using this situation to get some useful crease time under his belt, edging Ntini who got him out in the first innings through third man for four. England now 111 runs behind. Where's David Shepherd when you need him?

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:32 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 201-6 (Ambrose 26 Flintoff 18)

Steyn is not a happy bunny despite getting a fair amount of swing from the new ball. Flintoff manages to find the gap and strokes one through midwicket to bring up 200 for England at last. What a struggle it has been.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:25 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 195-6 (Ambrose 24, Flintoff 12)

Ambrose clips Ntini through midwicket with sweet timing which only serves to rile the South African quick who responds with two nasty rearing deliveries which the England man does well to fend off.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:21 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 190-6 (Ambrose 22, Flintoff 11)

Steyn gets first dibs with the shiny new red one. Ambrose has to deal with some uncertain bounce but otherwise no major alarms until Steyn fires in a beauty that beats the England batsman all ends up.  Ambrose has the last laught, edges a wide one past a diving McKenzie at gully for four.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:16 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 186-6 (Ambrose 16, Flintoff 11)

Harris throws down another maiden before the new ball is taken. Amla tries a ludicrous appeal for a bat-pad catch off Flintoff in a vain attempt to keep himself and the crowd awake.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:10 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 186-6 (Ambrose 18, Flintoff 11)

Kallis, South Africa's leading wicket-taker in this innings is back on and Ambrose punches off the back foot for a handy two. A handy diving stop from Amla prevents the England keeper from adding more. Still 133 runs behind.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:07 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 184-6 (Ambrose 16, Flintoff 11)

We're making up overs lost from previous days so tonight's scheduled close of play is 6.16pm but could go on later if South Africa have a scent of victory.

Flintoff goes for a huge heave off Harris but mistimes it and the ball drops agonisingly wide of a onrushing Graeme Smith. Maybe we'll see a more positive Freddie now.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:03 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Tea: England 182-6 (Ambrose 16, Flintoff 9)

Short and skiddy Steyn is replaced by large and frightening Morkel to bang some in short of a length at Ambrose who ducks with aplomb before hooking a no ball in front of square which dribbles through to the boundary. "Let's have some cake," says Billy Bowden and we're off for a bit of tea. Back in twenty minutes.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:42 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 176-6 (Ambrose 12, Flintoff 8)

It's not really happening out there for Paul Harris who may have borrowed Shane Warne's old hair but can't get anywhere near the same amount of spin. One off the over.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:36 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 175-6 (Ambrose 12, Flintoff 7)

It's like pulling teeth out there. England's cautious approach is understandable but surely padding up and nicking the occasional single will only delay the inevitable.

Ambrose finally seizes on a rare wide one from Steyn and clips one to the ropes. More of that please.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:33 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 171-6 (Ambrose 8, Flintoff 7)

Loud appeal from Harris for lbw against Ambrose but the England wicketkeeper is saved by an inside edge. Still painful progress. Three byes equals yet another maiden for South Africa.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:29 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 168-6 (Ambrose 8, Flintoff 7)

Has it suddenly turned into Twenty20? After scoring just nine runs in the last hour, England somehow cobble seven off this skiddy over from Steyn, Flintoff displaying a lack of touch with a particularly scruffy mishit off the bottom of the bat.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:26 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 161-6 (Ambrose 4, Flintoff 4)

Smith tries to tempt Flintoff into something rash by keeping Harris on but the big Lancastrian is having none of it and spends the over practising his forward defensive. It's four runs off 44 balls for England's all-rounder.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:22 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 161-6 (Ambrose 4, Flintoff 4)

Dale Steyn is back into the attack but can't intimidate Freddie like he did poor James Anderson. Freddie tickles one on the off side to a host of ironic cheers, while Ambrose ups his scoring rate by 100 per cent by scampering through for a single before Flintoff snaffles the strike.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:19 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 158-6 (Ambrose 3, Flintoff 2)

Paul Harris, the South African left-arm spinner, comes back into the attack...the plan is clearly to tempt the England batsmen into taking a more expansive approach. But Ambrose isn't biting, he's happy to defend all six deliveries and that's a maiden for Harris.

The new ball is just ten overs away.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:13 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 158-6 (Ambrose 3, Flintoff 2)

The Headingley crowd go wild as Ambrose scrampers through for the first run off the bat for five overs. There's plenty of variable bounce from Ntini, who is continuing to attack from wide of the crease.

Flintoff is showing some real discipline, as he attempts to feel his way back into Test cricket, but you can't help feeling he would be better off trying to lay some bat on ball before the tourists take the new ball. 

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:10 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 157-6 (Ambrose 2, Flintoff 2)

It's quiet to say the least in the middle. So quiet that Beefy and Bumble have resorted to talking about security at Headingley, with the latter telling the story of how he had a security dog, a Labrador to be precise, in his car this morning and was sniffing out his Berty, which we assume...hope...is his dog.

That's another maiden over from Steyn...and it appears that England are attempting to bore South Africa into submission.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:07 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 157-6 (Ambrose 2, Flintoff 2)

Hooray! England have a run...a no-ball as Ntini oversteps the mark, that's about as exciting as that over got. Runs are proving hard to come by, this partnership is worth five from 42 deliveries.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 03:03 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 156-6 (Ambrose 2, Flintoff 2)

Dale Steyn comes back into the attack and that's yet another maiden...14 overs until the new ball is due.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:58 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 156-6 (Ambrose 2, Flintoff 2)

That's a maiden over from Ntini, he's continuing to come wide of the crease to angle the ball back into the right-handers. England are stuck at the moment they need to at least attempt to keep the runs ticking over.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:54 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 156-6 (Ambrose 2, Flintoff 2)

Beefy and Bumble are reflecting on the miracle of 1981 at Headingly some 27 years on.

Back then England trailed Australia by 122 runs and were five wickets down. They trail by 164 and they're six down here - Freddie's at the crease...and the bookies after offering 500-1 in an England win...wonder if Graeme Smith fancies a flutter.

Beefy's verdict: "You've got to try and put the opposition under pressure, maiden after maiden isn't going to do that, is it?"

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:50 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 153-6 (Ambrose 0, Flintoff 1)

That's a maiden over from Ntini. Freddie looks very happy to bed in here, but how long he can keep his patience and go against his natural attacking instinct?

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:44 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 153-6 (Ambrose 0, Flintoff 1)

Freddie gets off the mark, with a clip to the leg-side off Kallis.

There is an air of inevitability at Headingley at the moment, it appears to be a matter of time before South Africa complete victory, difficult to stay optimistic, but we will...

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:42 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 152-6 (Ambrose 0, Flintoff 0)

Sensing a quick kill, Smith calls Ntini into the attack in a bid to finish off England and that's a maiden from the South African seamer.

After these two there is only Broad, Pattinson and Monty to come. I think it's fair to say that a repeat of the Headingley miracle of 1981 looks unlikely...

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:36 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Cook 60 c Amla b Kallis

That's another key wicket for Kallis, he's got 2-23 and Alastair Cook has gone.

Kallis just gets the ball to straighten on the England batsman and he's through the shot too quickly. The ball loops up off the leading edge and Hashim Amla does the rest. We're into the all-rounders and the tail now. Mind you that brings one Freddie Flintoff to the crease.

England trail by 167 and have four wickets in hand.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:30 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 152-5 (Cook 60, Ambrose 0)

It's a bit of a strange over from Morkel. Play is stopped for a minute or two, after a complaint from the umpire that someone in the crowd is using a mirror to reflect light into the batsmen's eyes.

A pair of willing stewards are dispatched into the Yorkshire crowd to solve the mystery but they emerge none the wiser...nor are we unfortunately. Two no-balls in that Morkel over as the big South African struggles to find his rhythm.

England trail by 167 runs.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:25 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 150-5 (Cook 60, Ambrose 0)

A fine shot from Cook brings up the 150 for England, as he forces a shortish Kallis delivery away through point for four.

Kallis is also coming round the wicket to Cook, but he seems to be able to control his follow through so that he doesn't run down the pitch. It's been a fine knock from Cook, who has shown plenty of stickability in this innings.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:19 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 146-5 (Cook 55, Ambrose 0)

Morkel switches to come round the wicket to the left hander but Billy Bowden pulls him up for running down the pitch on his follow through. Those foot marks might come in handy for the spinner a bit later on...he's got an official warning for that.

Cook picks up a single from the final delivery of the over with a flick of his heels to fine leg. 

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:15 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 144-5 (Cook 51, Ambrose 0)

That's a good over for England. Kallis drops one short and Cook is onto it in a flash, crashing a pull away to the deep mid-wicket boundary. But in the final ball of the over, there's just a hint of reverse swing there for Kallis.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:12 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Bell 4 c de Villiers b Morkel

Ian Bell has gone.

He's had a dart as a widish delivery from Morkel and it flashes to gully where AB de Villiers produces a breathtaking diving catch going to his right. No doubts about whether he caught that one.

That's a wonderful catch and a massive moment for South Africa. England's chances of surviving the day look bleaker than ever - in comes Tim Ambrose who has scored just 26 runs in his last seven innings for England.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:07 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 140-4 (Cook 51, Bell 4)

Kallis decides to come round the wicket to Cook, the South African all-rounder is ploughing a furrow outside off stump, but not attracting much interest from the England batsmen as yet.

That's a maiden from Kallis.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 02:01 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 140-4 (Cook 51, Bell 4)

Morkel continues from the Kirkstall Lane End and Ian Bell continues to plod along picking up two runs with a flick that he clips firmly to deep midwicket.

Here's how Alastair Cook made his 50.

Cookewagonwheel

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 01:58 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 137-4 (Cook 51, Bell 2)

Just one from that over from Kallis as Ian Bell tucks the ball round the corner to backward square off his pads. Kallis is an unspectacular bowler but he isn't the easiest to get away.

England remain 182 runs behind.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 01:53 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 136-4 (Cook 51, Bell 1)

Morne Morkel comes into the attack from the Kirkstall Lane End. But it matters not to Alastair Cook who rocks onto the back foot and cuts Morkel away to the boundary to bring up his 50 from 148 balls - that's his first four of the day.

It's been a battling innings, with 33 of his 50, some 65 per cent, of his runs coming off the back-foot.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 01:49 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 131-4 (Cook 48, Bell 1)

We're back after lunch and it's Kallis who gets us underway. It's a quiet over as everyone let their cucumber sandwiches settle down, with Cook stealing a single by forcing the ball of his hips.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 01:45 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Lunch: England 130-4 (Cook 46, Bell 1)

Cook and Bell pick up a single each at the start of another over from Steyn. Cook moves to within four of his 50 by dropping the ball at his toes and scampering through for the single. Four leg-byes come off the penultimate ball of the over as England reach lunch.

The whole complexion of the morning has changed following the dismissals of Pietersen and Anderson. After Cook and Anderson's brave resistance, Pietersen has come and gone and England are four down and, with five sessions still remaining, are in dire straits.

England trail by 189 runs.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 01:01 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Pietersen 13 c Boucher b Kallis

Kallis comes on and makes an immediate impact.

Pietersen hit another boundary from the first ball of the over but Kallis gets the ball to drift away from the England batsmen who, once again, can't help but have a nibble outside off-stump. He feathers the ball through to Boucher and he's gone.

Surely he needed to show a bit of restraint because England are really up against it now. Ian Bell comes to the crease.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 12:54 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

England 119-3 (Cook 44, Pietersen 9)

Great stuff from Pietersen he picks up nine runs in the final three balls of that Steyn over. He flicks his first ball away to the boundary through fine leg, the next one races to the mid-on boundary and he collects a single at the end of the over to keep the strike.

It's breathless stuff.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 12:50 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post

Wicket! Anderson 34 lbw b Steyn

It's all over for Anderson, but he gets a standing ovation as he leaves the Headingley pitch.

After surviving a barrage of short stuff, it's rather predictably the full length delivery that catches him in his crease. Steyn clatters Anderson on the pads and that one would have ripped middle stump out of the ground. That brings Kevin Pietersen to the crease.

Posted by Times Online on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 12:48 PM in Cricket | Permalink | Comments (0)