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Eng vs SAF - Day 2

Saturday, September 6 2003

South Africa 484 ao
England 165 for 2

At the end of today’s play, both sides were, in all likelihood, fairly happy. South Africa did enough to probably avoid defeat and therefore secure the series. England, having looked completely out of it at towards the end of Day 1, looked set to draw the game and at least salvage some respectability. The South African total of 484 was less than what England had feared at the start of play, albeit more than they would have hoped when taking the ninth wicket for 52 runs less than that total. In response, England’s 165-2 was perfectly satisfactory without being the exceptional start that might just have put the South Africans under pressure later in the game.

When the day’s play began, England urgently needed quick wickets to stay in the match, and Bicknell obliged in the first full over of the day by having Rudolph LBW for a duck. Even better was to follow for the home side when the same bowler had Boucher caught behind for 8. Replays suggested that Boucher was unlucky, with the umpire responding the sound of bat onto pad, but England probably felt they deserved some luck after some close LBW calls during the previous day. Pollock announced his arrival with several boundaries, and seemed in good nick. He and Kallis were looking very dangerous when Kallis was dismissed in the most unfortunate fashion: out of his ground when a drive from Pollock was deflected onto the stumps by the bowler Giles. He had made an excellent and untroubled 66 without looking in any real danger. Whilst he was still there, a huge total looked inevitable. With him gone, England had a real chance to get back into the game and they now seemed determined to make the most of their good fortune. Flintoff trapped Hall leg before for 1 in the following over, and Adams was run out for the same score immediately before lunch, the victim of an excellent throw from Butcher as he went for a second run to keep Pollock on strike.

This had been England’s session, taking five wickets for only 70 runs, and they must have been confident of wrapping up the SA innings quickly after the break. Unfortunately the post-lunch session showed exactly why they have generally failed to trouble SA this summer. Pollock and Ntini added 52 at a run-a-ball, until Anderson tried the novel tactic of pitching the ball up to Ntini. After playing and missing several times, the number 11 was clean bowled with the South African total now an imposing 484. Pollock was undefeated on 66. Once again, one of their lower order batsmen had effectively batted England out of the game.

When England batted, Vaughan started well, taking advantage of several loose deliveries from Ntini. Pollock, however, was a different matter, and he had the England captain caught at second slip for his 300th test wicket. Vaughan had made 23, once again this summer promising much more than he delivered. Butcher batted as he has done for much of this summer, looking confident and scoring at a run a ball. However, he too perished when well set, LBW to Hall for 32. This was, not for the first time, an attractive innings that didn’t last as long as England needed.

Enter Graham Thorpe. England were 78 for 2 and still needed over 200 to avoid the follow-on. With Smith and Stewart in indifferent form recently, this really was a key moment in the game. Most of us had forgotten that he made ducks in his last three innings against South Africa and it was not surprising that he started nervously. However, he settled to play the sort of composed innings that England needed and was still there on 28 at the close. Also there was Trescothick, playing his best test innings of the summer. He started slowly – 36 runs from 36 overs if you please – but was then able to take advantage of some looser bowling to finish the day on 64. England still have much to do if they are to save this test match, but at least they now look as if they know how to play test cricket again.

Posted by David