England struggle in SA test

Dec 20 2009 13:26

England lost two early wickets as they struggled to survive on the final day of the first Castle Lager Test against South Africa at Supersport Park on Sunday, but Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen saw their team safely through to lunch on 77 for three, still needing 287 for victory.

They also need to survive for 62 more overs to secure a draw. England bowler James Anderson was sent in as night-watchman when Andrew Strauss went out in the second over of England's reply late on Saturday afternoon.

"The first hour is going to be hard and it's going to be crucial," he said after the day's play.

"If we can get through that without too much damage, we can reassess our situation at lunch and again at tea. We've been in this position before (in the first Test against Australia in
Cardiff in July) and we know what to do."

However, Anderson, who was one of the heroes of the Cardiff Great Escape, was not destined to repeat his heroics. In the third over of the morning, a Friedel de Wet delivery clipped his glove on its way into the gloves of wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, for 10, including two fours.

Opener Alistair Cook, who looked fairly uncomfortable most of the time, fell victim to spinner Paul Harris when he was caught at
leg slip by Graeme Smith for 12.

Trott and Pietersen - both of whom received their early cricketing education in South Africa - looked as if they were knuckling down to do the hard work that England need if they are to survive.

Pietersen was reasonably aggressive, trying to impose himself on the South African bowlers, while Trott was more likely to leave the ball than play it.

Trott hit Harris for a four just before lunch to bring up their 50 partnership off 95 deliveries.

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Trott was not out on 18 and Pietersen had 29.- Sapa

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