After 3 days in the 4th test at the Wanderers between South Africa and England, South Africa look to have victory and a series draw in their sights.
Starting the day at 215/2, South Africa started poorly as Hashim Amla added only 2 runs to his overnight total to be dismissed for 75, and Jacques Kallis failed to add to his overnight total to depart for 7. Once again Kallis was dismissed very early upon resuming an innings. It is possibly his biggest weakness and in contrast to someone like Ricky Ponting who recently turned a century into a double hundred in Hobart doing the same thing.
JP Duminy was out cheaply to Graeme Swann once again and South Africa had lost 3 wickets for 20 runs to start the morning session!
AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher then led a fightback with a determined 120 run stand. de Villiers had his share of luck, twice being dismissed and being overturned with the tv review system. de Villiers was eventually out for 58.
Mark Boucher took the attack to England and fell 5 runs short of his century. His 95 had come off just 118 deliveries and importantly gave South Africa the runs and time to take the remaining 10 English wickets.
South Africa declared on 423/7, a lead of 243.
England then made a horror start to their second innings. Morne Morkel made the initial breakthrough, getting step bounce which induced the edge from Alistair Cook to first slip.
Dale Steyn got in on the act removin Jonathan Trott with a delivery that swung away, and debutant Wayne Parnell claimed his first test match wicket with a full delivery that trapped English Captain Andrew Strauss LBW to leave England 48/3, still 195 behind.
Unfortunately rain caused another 20 overs to be lost, but England are unlucky to be saved from the weather. Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood will resume on the 4th morning, and together with Ian Bell they’ll have to bat a long time if England are to save this game.
Unlike test 1 and 3 however, England will be facing a South African attack that appears to be working well as a unit, with plenty of assistance from the wicket and surrounding weather.
If South Africa start well on day 4, this match may not even need have a 5th day even though we have lost about 90 overs already!
