OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Sunday 3.00PM.
South Africa were in a spot of bother on the third day of the series deciding fifth Test against England at Headingley on Saturday, as the English bats tightened their grip on the match.
Allan Donald started the day well, dismissing Mike Atherton for a single run, but the South African joy was short-lived as Nasser Hussain emerged from the stands to give the English innings a vital lift. Hussain, who batted with examplary courage, was 83 not-out at the close of play on Saturday.
At lunch on Sunday, South Africa were 10/1, requiring another 209 runs for victory. The only South African wicket to fall was that of Gerry Liebenberg, who was dismissed leg before by umpire Javed Akhtar with his score on six. Liebenberg’s dismissal marks another questionable decision, as he clearly played the delivery from Gough onto his pads.
Earlier, the South African bowlers again did the trick, causing a batting collapse similar to that of the English first-innings. The English batsmen were all out for 240 runs, with Hussain scoring 94 excellent runs.
South Africa must take charge of the Test on Sunday, as they have the afternoon session and Monday to reach the target required. Gary Kirsten, currently a touch out of form, must play a match-winning innings on Sunday, as he has proved to be an invaluable anchor when there is hitting to be done.
SATURDAY, 2.00PM:
South Africa made a dream start to the third day of the final Test against England at Headingley, with Mike Atherton out leg before off the first ball of the day.
Ex-captain Atherton, who left the field grinning, obviously thought he had connected with the ball.
Allan Donald’s inswinging delivery left England at two for one wicket, but Mark Butcher and Nasser Hussain have since moved the score to 40 for one.
Both batsmen found early boundaries, with Butcher whipping Shaun Pollock to the right of square-leg in the day’s sixth over.
England reached 13 for one when South African captain, Hansie Cronje, made his first change, bringing on Brian McMillan with Pollock moving to the other end.
McMillan then made the mistake of drifting a delivery onto Butcher’s pads, which the opener guided to midwicket for his second four.