OWN CORRESPONDENT, Durban | Monday 2.40pm.
ENGLAND are on 366/9 after bad light ended play on the second day of the third Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban.
The day belonged to England’s skipper, Nasser Hussain, who scored 146 unbeaten runs in a mammoth innings of 463 balls.
The South African’s struggled against the English batting, particularly a 156 run partnership between Hussain and Alec Stewart (95), but after the tea interval the home-side took control.
The first wicket to fall on Monday was that of Darren Maddy who was caught by Paul Adams off Allan Donald for 24.
Alec Stewart then joined Hussain and together they flayed the bowling to all corners of the park, Stewart in particular played aggressively.
England went to lunch on 256 for 3.
The partnership was eventually broken for 156 runs when Stewart was trapped plumb in front by Mornantau Hayward for 95 runs.
Just before tea Paul Adams took the wicket of Chris Adams for 19, bowling him with a flighted delivery as he attempted to play across the line.
The tea break came with England on 336/5.
South African skipper Hansie Cronje then brought about a mini-collapse when he claimed two wickets with successive balls. His first victim was Andrew Flintoff who was trapped leg-before for five, while a carbon-copy delivery, and decision, had Andy Caddick (0) taking the long walk back to the showers.
The new ball then took its toll on the England tail with Darren Gough and Chris Silverwood going out cheaply.
Donald had Gough caught by Lance Klusener off a skied delivery to gully, while Chris Silverwood was the victim of a Pollock delivery which was nicked to Mark Boucher behind the stumps.
England will continue Tuesday on 366/9, with Hussain on 146 and Phil Tufnell yet to score.