MICHAEL FINCH, Wanderers | Friday 6.15pm.
DARYLL Cullinan equalled his country’s record for the most Test centuries as South Africa rubbed salt in England’s wounds on the second day of the first Test at the Wanderers on Friday.
Cullinan’s 108, the ninth 100 of his career, helped South Africa reach 386 for six in their first innings at the close for an overall lead of 264. England were bowled out for just 122 on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Cullinan, who earlier this year hit a South African test record 275 against New Zealand, joins Dudley Nourse and Gary Kirsten as his country’s most prolific Test century maker.
Cullinan put on 96 for the third wicket with Herschelle Gibbs (85) and 109 for the fourth wicket with Hansie Cronje (46) to leave England in a seemingly impossible position with three days left to play.
Despite this, England’s chairman of selectors David Graveney believes his side can still save the first test against South Africa. ”We’ve been in this situation before and there’s a lot of resolve in this team,” Graveney said after the second day on Friday.
”It may seem strange that on a bowler-friendly wicket South Africa still managed to score 380 plus. But the ball beat the bat on numerous occasions and there were a couple of decisions that didn’t go our way today.” Graveney was adamant that losing the toss had been a critical factor in the match. ”It’s unfortunate that the toss of a coin should give a side such an advantage,” Graveney said. England made a paltry 122 in their first innings on Thursday.
Scoreboard
England first innings 122
South Africa first innings (overnight 64-1)
G.Kirsten lbw b Mullally 13
H.Gibbs b Mullally 85
J.Kallis c Stewart b Gough 12
D.Cullinan b Caddick 108
H.Cronje b Gough 46
J.Rhodes lbw b Mullally 26
L.Klusener not out 61
S.Pollock not out 0
Extras (b-7 lb-16 nb-10 w-2) 35
Total (for six wickets) 386
Fall of wickets: 1-37 2-79 3-175 4-284 5-299 6-378
To bat: M.Boucher, A.Donald, P.Adams
Bowling (to date): Gough 26-6-63-2 (7nb), Caddick 34-12-81-1
(2nb), Mullally 31-7-72-3 (1nb, 1w), Flintoff 14-5-45-0,
Hamilton 15-1-63-0 (1w), Vaughan 11-1-39-0. — Reuters