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England v RSA, Test 4, Day 1

Friday, August 22 2003

The fourth Test match between England and South Africa was conceived by the multitudes as the decider, after the English victory at Trent Bridge earlier in the week - the AMP Oval is unlikely to limit scoring and is already copiously backed as a draw. Changes for the hosts were the inclusions of Martin Bicknell - recalled after a 114 Test match absence (a world record, no less) - and debutante, Kabir Ali of Worcestershire. The Saffies were missing Paul Adams, Boeta Dippenaar and new father, Shaun Pollock, who returned home to be with the mother of his first child - born on the morning of the first day at Headingley. Gary Kirsten returned and was joined by Dewald Pretorious and Monde Zondeki - a quick who was included in the tour party for experience only, initially.

Graeme Smith was the victor of the toss and elected to put his opposition in the field - a choice which raised one or two eyebrows around the famous old Leeds ground. Eight balls into proceedings and one or two of the Proteas side will have been raising eyebrows of their own. Graeme Smith lasted just four balls - the fourth being rather clumsily flailed at, giving a catch to Alec Stewart from the bowling of the bustling James Kirtley. Martin Bicknell only had to wait half as long as his colleague before Herschelle Gibbs gave Stewart his second catch of the game. 2 for 2 and the visitors on the back foot.

It was Bicknell - returning to the Test arena after a ten year absence - who struck again ten overs later. Kallis drove a delivery hard and fast to the England skipper who made no mistake in pouching the third wicket. Three became four when Kabir Ali sent Neil McKenzie back to the pavilion for 4 runs after yet another catch was snaffled by the "Gaffer" behind the stumps.

Kirsten and Jacques Rudolph offered far more resistance for their side's fifth wicket and produced a stand of 95 runs, the latter generating 55 of them. Eventually being trapped LBW by Kabir Ali, in the eyes of the stern faced Simon Taufel - possibly the most stark of contrasts to his confederate, the ever animated Billy Bowden. Mark Boucher offered an exceedingly scratchy 16 before fatuously lofting a simple catch to Vaughan from an Andrew Flintoff delivery. South Africa back in trouble with 142 on the board and six men back in the hutch. Andrew Hall was the man to take his first ball straight after the tea interval which interrupted Flintoff's over when Boucher fell. Ed Smith was the grateful recipient of a comfortable catch as Hall decided against showing caution as Flintoff bagged a second wicket and gave himself a hat trick chance - which was a chance subsequently not taken, as is so often the case.

Monde Zondeki had only previously played in 14 first class games and had a best of 27 - viewed by many as a genuine number eleven, a view soon to be overhauled by the now common theory that Zondeki is a decent number nine. He scored 50 runs and remains unbeaten with his partner, Kirsten who will share the opening exchanges Friday morning. Zondeki - a young man who spent a deal of his formative time in Zambia with his exiled uncle, Steve Tshwete (ANC minister) - glanced despairingly at the scoreboard on occasion and even shook a grinning head in disbelief at what he was achieving. That isn't to say he wasn't deserving of his maiden fifty - far from it - as he battled well and got in line bravely for every ball and played shots beyond his what reports of his abilities would suggest. Kirsten for his part, scored the 18th century of his career with an equally gutsy exhibition. He finished his day undefeated on 109 from 272 balls. Both he and Zondeki will do well to take their side to 350 and beyond after such a dismal start, but even if they fail, they will still have put the Saffies in a commanding position on the infamous Leeds track - finishing on 260 for 7. An enthralling day awaits....

Posted by Lee