Vaughan keeps England on top

Rain meant that Day 2 of this test match only saw 38 overs bowled, but that was enough time for the game to swing first towards South Africa and then back towards England before bad light brought an end to the day. The home bowlers made full use of the conditions to bring their side right back into contention before England grabbed the initiative again with a thrilling assault in the last hour. Unsurprisingly, this featured significant contributions with the bat from Ashley Giles and Stephen Harmison. Rather more surprisingly, given his recent form, the man to lead the revival was Michael Vaughan who, for the first time in this series, looked the class act that he really is.


After rain had wiped out the entire morning session, Pollock and Ntini made short work of most of the remaining batsmen. Conditions were not easy for batting, and, apart from a couple of streaky fours through third man, runs were hard to come by. Any hopes that Hoggard would block off the new ball were dashed when Ntini had him caught by De Villers for 5, fending to the gulley. Flintoff is having a miserable series with the bat, and this continued when he departed for 2, playing a woeful shot at Ntini with his bat miles away from his body. Perhaps, in the circumstances, he had considered playing himself in before taking the attack to the bowlers, but it was probably easier just to give Smith some catching practice. Jones also came and went quickly, also caught by Smith for 2, this time off the bowling of Pollock. By now England, having once been 227 for 1, had subsided to 278 for 7 and not many observers would have put money on them reaching 300.


All the while, Michael Vaughan had somehow survived. Exactly how, he probably could not tell you, and it was painful to watch such a talented player struggle to lay bat on ball in any meaningful way. Two years ago, he looked like he could bat with a stick of rhubarb in his hand. Yesterday, he had looked like he was having to do exactly that. However, he does have some previous when it comes to surviving carnage at the Wanderers, and maybe that inspired him, even if the scorecard was not in the same league as the 2 runs for 4 wickets that England had managed when he launched his test career at this ground five years ago. He found a willing ally in Ashley Giles, who, as is his wont nowadays, started to push the ball around confidently. At the same time, Vaughan began to find runs easier to come by and two chums added a precious 51 before Giles, having reached 26, picked out Gibbs, attempting something a little too ambitious against Steyn.


Not so long ago, the arrival of Steve Harmison at the crease would have had the fielders edging towards the changing room in expectation of his stumps being splayed by whoever was lucky enough to have the ball in his hand. Not now though. England’s top scorer in their previous innings was again in terrific form and, with Vaughan also catching fire, the SA bowlers were put to the sword in a hugely entertaining last hour. The two added 82 runs in 15 overs, with Harmison (30*) once again dispatching the ball to all parts and Vaughan (82*) joining in the fun and throwing caution to the wind. Incredibly, the 400 mark was passed in a flurry of boundaries as an Ntini over went for 16. This time, it was the fielding side who were grateful to be offered the light, and we can only guess quite how this session has left the hosts psychologically. England, if they can find their line and length tomorrow, must now fancy their chances in these conditions. However, whether the rain will allow a result in this match is another matter.


England 411 for 8
Strauss 147, Key 83, Vaughan 82*, Harmison 30*, Ntini 4 for 111

Posted by David