Openers stun SA in 2nd test

An exceptional partnership of 273 between Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss has put England in the box seat at the end of the third day's play. They will start the fourth day 88 runs ahead with nine wickets intact and any result possible in what has become an intriguing test match. With the second new ball only 10 overs old and England's middle order in no sort of form, SA will harbour hopes of having to chase under 200 on what still looks a very good wicket. England, on the other hand, would now disappointed if they failed to set a target closer to 350, which would provide a fascinating run chase on Day 5.


How things have changed from a day and a half ago. When SA had struggled to 118 for 6 in response to England's 139, it seemed that any fourth innings target beyond 150 would be unassailable. By the time Kallis and co had made England's much vaunted attack look very ordinary indeed, that sort of target had also looked highly unlikely. The South Africans would have started the day aware that early inroads could pave the way to an early finish, possibly before close of play today. England, on the other had, were aware of the need to bat for another five sessions if they were to save the game. At this point, they were still 163 runs behind and, understandably they began cautiously against Pollock and Ntini. However, when Steyn and Boje replaced them, the innings took off. Steyn's three overs went for 31 as the youngster struggled to find either line or length. That was always a possibility on a benign wicket against two much more experienced batsmen. What was more surprising was the calculated assault on Nicky Boje, especially by Trescothick. At one stage, it looked as if they might wipe out the deficit before lunch. That, of course, didn't happen, as the return of Pollock and the introduction of Kallis slowed the run rate back to normality, but by now the psychology of the game had significantly altered. Kallis, in fact, came closest to making a breakthrough with an lbw shout which may well have been given on another day, but, at lunch, England were less than 50 runs behind.


After lunch, Strauss and Trescothick continued serenely to what by now seemed inevitable hundreds. After the mid-morning rush, things settled down and they were comfortable to regularly push easy ones and twos whilst staying alert to punish the occasional bad deliveries. Considering how the day had started, the game had an almost surreal feel as both openers were virtually untroubled and various milestones were effortlessly passed. England moved ahead an hour or so before tea, and, shortly after the total had passed 200, both openers reached their hundreds within minutes of each other. Surprisingly, as he had been outscored for much of the innings, Trescothick got there first. Strauss soon followed, and, after tea, they continued to enjoy themselves in the last few overs with the old ball. By now, they were in fairly exclusive company and, with only four higher first wicket partnerships for England in existence, we were wondering just how far they would go. That particular question was ended when Pollock, making full use of the second new ball, had Trescothick caught behind for 132. As far as this observer is concerned, this was one of his finest innings. The pitch may have been easy, but the opponents and the match situation were not. His patience was a joy to behold, and his judgement of when to dominate the bowlers was perfect.


Trescothick's departure led to a brief passage of play that reminded us why test match cricket is such a great spectacle. After almost a day of complete domination by the bat, we saw a completely different game with Mark Butcher struggling to survive in deteriorating light against one of the modern day greats armed with the new ball. Butcher is perhaps under more pressure than any other English batsman. Like several others he is on no great touch, but, after three soft dismissals and public criticisms from his captain (following his first innings rush of blood at Port Elizabeth) and his coach (as part of the team criticism after the first innings debacle here), he knows that he has to produce the goods if he is to keep Rob Key out of the side. He almost failed to score today - an lbw shout from Pollock was marginally, albeit correctly, disallowed - but he did survive and, when the umpires offered the light, he needed no second invitation to head for the pavilion.


England 139
Pollock 4 for 32


South Africa 332
Kallis 162, Hoggard 3 for 58


England 281 for 1
Trescothick 132, Strauss 132*

Posted by David