OWN CORRESPONDENT, Port Elizabeth | Wednesday 6.30pm.
AN explosive half-century by Lance Klusener enabled South Africa to fight back after a poor start on the first day of the second Test at St Georges Park Thursday.
Klusener hit an unbeaten 63 off 71 balls as South Africa reached 253 for six before bad light brought an enthralling days play to an early end.
The home side were struggling at 146 for five when Klusener started his innings.
The left-handed Klusener was the dominant partner in a 106-run sixth wicket stand with Jonty Rhodes, who was out for 50 in the 76th over, two balls before bad light stopped play.
It was the second successive half-century in the series for Klusener, who showed his powerful hitting could be as effective in Test cricket as it was when he was named player of the tournament at the 1999 World Cup.
England held the upper hand before Klusener started to cut loose after England captain Nasser Hussain sent South Africa in to bat on a grassy pitch on an overcast day.
Fast bowler Darren Gough had an off day, conceding 72 runs off 13 overs, but the rest of the England bowling was impressive.
Chris Silverwood, who showed genuine pace, and Phil Tufnell, who did not play in the first Test when England were beaten by an innings and 21 runs in Johannesburg, were the best bowlers for the tourists.
Silverwood had Jacques Kallis caught by Caddick at midwicket off a mistimed pull after scoring only one run off 30 deliveries.
Veteran left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell took the wickets of South African captain Hansie Cronje and key batsman Daryll Cullinan, who made 58 after scoring a century in the first Test. — AFP
South Africa:
G Kirsten c Hussain b Caddick 15
HH Gibbs run out (Flintoff) 48
JH Kallis c Caddick b Silverwood 1
DJ Cullinan st Stewart b Tufnell 58
*WJ Cronje c Flintoff b Tufnell 2
JN Rhodes c Atherton b Flintoff 50
L Klusener not out 63
SM Pollock not out 1
Extras (b 2, lb 3, w 1, nb 9) 15
Total (6 wickets, 76.1 overs) 253