Share

England hit back against SA

London - England claimed three wickets on the first afternoon of the second Test against South Africa at Headingley on Thursday, fighting back after a wicketless morning and a heavy defeat in the series opener.

Live scoring

South Africa, one-nil up in the series and challenging England for the top spot in the world Test rankings, were 163 for three at tea after being put in to bat, with opener Alviro Petersen on 76 not out.

Petersen and Graeme Smith, returning to the squad after attending the birth of his daughter, put on 120 for the first wicket before the captain flicked Tim Bresnan to backward square leg to be caught for 52.

Hashim Amla, who scored a South African record 311 not out in the first Test at the Oval, followed soon afterwards, run out for nine after a mix-up with Petersen.

England's third success came when Jacques Kallis was caught low down at second slip by Alastair Cook off James Anderson for 19.

Smith's wicket was the first success for England in six hours and two minutes of play, during which 497 runs were scored, 377 of them in an unbeaten third wicket partnership between Amla and Kallis in south London last week.

South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 12 runs.

After a wicketless morning, played in partly cloudy weather with sunny spells, the bowlers looked more dangerous as clouds rolled in and the light faded after lunch. Rain stopped play as the last over before tea was about to be bowled.

England had earlier endured a frustrating morning during which both opening batsmen had escapes against England's all-seam attack.

Petersen was dropped at second slip off Anderson when he had 29, with Cook - in the slips in the absence of dropped off-spinner Graeme Swann - putting down a straightforward chance just below waist height.

Three balls earlier Petersen edged Anderson at catchable height between third slip and gully for four.

In the next over fast bowler Steven Finn, who replaced Swann, was denied a wicket when Smith, on six, edged him to England captain Andrew Strauss at first slip.

But umpire Steve Davis had called "dead ball" because Finn broke the stumps at the bowler's end with his right knee.

It was the fourth time Finn's knee made contact with the stumps but the first time the umpire intervened. There were four further "dead ball" calls against Finn, with two of them denying boundaries for Smith.

South Africa 1st Innings 163-3 (Alviro Petersen 76 not out, Graeme Smith 52; James Anderson 1-39, Tim Bresnan 1-41).

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE