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Day 4: Hall's Day

Monday, August 25 2003

South Africa all-rounder Andrew Hall has placed victory firmly within sight of his side following a brilliant 99* on Day 4 of the fourth Test at Headingley.

South Africa resumed Day 4 at 164/5 with Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher, both in good form following impressive displays at Trent Bridge, unbeaten at the crease.

The pair added another 55 in the morning session before losing McKenzie for 38, caught by Martin Bicknell after attempting to pull Andrew Flintoff.

Boucher soon fell after making 39, handing Flintoff his second wicket of the innings and third of the match.

Despite his ability to keep the bowling tight, Flintoff has struggled for wickets thus far in the series and his Test career.

From then it was Hall who stood up for the South African - something common in their lower order, typified by Monde Zondeki on Day 1.

Zondeki made just 7 this innings, bowled by Bicknell. Makhaya Ntini and Dewald Pretorius both made 8 before falling to Kabir Ali and James Kirtley respectively.

The day belonged to Hall, however, who smashed his second Test fifty and his first since his debut against Australia in 2001.

He clubbed a cavalier unbeaten 99 from just 87 balls, showing faith in his partners while blasting from the other end.

For England Kirtley was the pick of the bowlers statistically, taking 3/71. Martin Bicknell, Kabir Ali and Andrew Flintoff took 2 wickets each while James Anderson continues to struggle despite his 1 wicket.

England, set a target of 401, began in poor fashion with the first wicket falling in the 5th over.

Makhaya Ntini, despite his lacklustre first innings effort, was on song when he had Marcus Trescothick handing Herschelle Gibbs his wicket after making just 4.

Gibbs was again in the game soon after when he snared Michael Vaughan with a crisp catch, from the bowling of Jacques Kallis.

The English captain continues to struggle, making just 21.

Kallis then pinched his second wicket when he dismissed the former captain - Nasser Hussain - LBW for 6.

Hussain is a crucial batsman in bowler-friendly conditions with his ability to grind an innings and his dismissal was a significant body blow to team England.

Ed Smith continues to struggle, making just 7 this time around following his duck in the first innings.

Hall was the man who made the breakthrough, with the catch to Ed's namesake and South African captain Graeme.

Alec Stewart's final Test at Headingly ended with 7. Ntini took his second wicket of the innings while Mark Boucher took his first catch.

A ray of hope for England remains in Mark Butcher and Andrew Flintoff.

Butcher continues his crisp form, unbeaten on 57, while Flintoff has shown promise in his unbeaten 45.

For the all-rounder, it would be the perfect stage to stand up and be counted when a match is still for the taking.

For South Africa, Kallis has 2/33, Ntini 2/40 and Hall 1/41.

Scores:

South Africa 342 (G Kirsten 130, M Zondeki 59, J Rudolph 55; Kabir Ali 3/80)

England 307 (M Butcher 77, M Trescothick 59, A Flintoff 55, N Hussain 42; J Kallis 3/38)

South Africa 365 (A Hall 99*, G Kirsten 60, J Kallis 41; J Kirtley 3/71)

England 165/5 (M Butcher 57*, A Flintoff 45*; J Kallis 2/33)

Stumps Day 4.

Posted by Andre