OWN CORRESPONDENT, Durban | Wednesday 4.00pm.
ENGLAND lifted their hopes of winning the third test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban after snatching two late wickets on Wednesday.
They sent South Africa to the changing rooms for 251/4.
Captain Hansie Cronje was caught behind for 1 off a ball by Andrew Flintoff in the final overs of the day. Cullinan went before him for 16.
Earlier Jacques Kallis lost his wicket for 69 runs, ending a vital 152-run partnership with Kirsten, which steered South Africa to within 17 runs of England’s first-innings total of 366/9 declared.
Herschelle Gibbs was dismissed for 26, caught by Darren Maddy off Andy Caddick.
The hero of the South African innings was Gary Kirsten who proved the punters wrong about his inclusion in the team. He left the field on a sterling 126, his tenth test century.
Mark Boucher will take to the crease with Kirsten on Thursday.
On Tuesday, the home side was bowled out for 156 runs and asked to follow-on by England skipper Nasser Hussain. South Africa have not been forced to follow on in since their Test against Australia in Cape Town in 1966-67.
The last South African first-innings wicket to fall was that of Paul Adams who was dismissed by Darren Gough for nine runs.
The hero for England was seamer Andy Caddick, who picked up 7/46 in 16 overs, his career best.
Caddick claimed the wickets of Shaun Pollock (64), Hansie Cronje (28), Mark Boucher (0), Allan Donald (0), Gibbs (2), Kirsten (11) and Kallis (0).
Cronje, Boucher and Donald were sent packing in one over.
At one stage South Africa were reeling on 84/8.
Daryll Cullinan was bowled for 20 by Darren Gough, while Lance Klusener was dismissed early by Phil Tufnell who had him pouched by Darren Maddy for 15 runs made off 10 deliveries.
The players finally took to the pitch at 11am on Tuesday morning after overnight rain delayed play. Play was also delayed when the ground’s heavy roller broke down after South African captain Hansie Cronje requested that the pitch be rolled.
Monday belonged Hussain, who scored 146 unbeaten runs in a mammoth innings of 463 balls.
South Africa:
G Kirsten c Stewart b Caddick 11
HH Gibbs c Stewart b Caddick 2
JH Kallis c Stewart b Caddick 0
DJ Cullinan b Gough 20
*WJ Cronje c Stewart b Caddick 28
L Klusener c Maddy b Tufnell 15
SM Pollock b Caddick 64
+MV Boucher b Caddick 0
AA Donald c Atherton b Caddick 0
PR Adams c Silverwood b Gough 9
M Hayward not out 0
Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 1, nb 1) 7
Total (all out, 50.3 overs, 234 mins) 156