OWN CORRESPONDENT, Port Elizabeth | Saturday 6.35pm.
ENGLAND have scored 364/9 in reply to South Africa’s first innings 450 all-out on the third day of the second Test at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
The last wicket of the eight that were claimed by the South Africans was that of Chris Silverwood (6) who mis-timed a slow ball from Mornantau Hayward and holed out to Lance Klusener who made a brilliant catch.
The South African bowling picked up with the introduction of the new ball just after lunch when Mornantau Hayward struck to claim the first of his three wickets.
Hayward, who bowled consistently quick, broke the highly profiatble partnership between Michael Atherton (108) and Michael Vaughan (21) when he yorked first Vaughan, and then Atherton in his next over.
The youngster, playing in his first Test in front of his home crowd proved to be more than just sheer pace, bowling a very good line and length, and was rewarded with match figures of three wickets, six maidens and 71 runs off 26.5 overs.
England entered the lunch break on 199/2, but a mini-collapse saw them reeling at one stage on 281/6.
Alec Stewart was the next man out, superbly bowled by Allan Donald for 15.
Donald also claimed three wickets during the day, and was responsible for the demise of Nasser Hussain (82), who was bunched by a sharp, rising delivery giving wicketkeeper Mark Boucher an easy catch.
Darren Gough (6) was Donald’s third victim, and was superbly bowled by a straight yorker.
Shaun Pollock took two wickets during the day’s play to add to the scalp of Mark Butcher which he picked up cheaply on Friday.
The ginger-haired paceman facilitated an important breakthrough when he bowled Andy Flintoff (42)after he and Andy Caddick laid about their blades with vigour.
Chris Adams (25) was another of Pollock’s victims, and he was back in the hut after playing at a wide delivery which was snapped up by Jacques Kallis in the slips.
Andy Caddick is still at the crease and will be joined on Sunday by Phil Tufnell.
England
MA Butcher b Pollock 4
MA Atherton b Hayward 108
*N Hussain c Boucher b Donald 82
MP Vaughan b Hayward 21
+AJ Stewart b Donald 15
CJ Adams c Kallis b Pollock 25
A Flintoff b Pollock 42
AR Caddick not out 33
D Gough b Donald 6
CEW Silverwood c Klusener b Hayward 6
Extras (b 1, lb 8, nb 13) 22
Total (9 wickets, 133.5 overs) 364