Simon Jones, with an impressive spell of four wickets for 18 runs in seven overs and one delivery, put England in command of the first Castle Lager/MTN Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Monday.
After an impressive third day, South Africa went to lunch on 180 for four, but the afternoon session turned into a nightmare as Jones cut a swathe through the South African batting order.
First to go was the crucial wicket of Jacques Kallis, given out lbw for 61. Shaun Pollock was unlucky to be given out caught behind by Geraint Jones off the next delivery, because action replays showed he did not touch the ball.
Andrew Hall survived the hat-trick ball, but England had their tails up and South Africa were under pressure. Andrew Flintoff dismissed Zander de Bruyn, who was caught by Marcus Trescothick for 19, but it was Jones who tore the heart out of South Africa when he bowled Thami Tsolekile for a duck, and then had Makhaya Ntini trapped lbw for four.
Andrew Hall was run out off a no-ball by Jones, when Graham Thorpe threw the ball from deep backward point and shattered the stumps as Hall tried to snatch a second run and protect his teammate Dale Steyn.
South Africa were all out for 229, giving them a lead of 141. South Africa may come to regret the 67 runs scored by the tail enders on Sunday, and the 35 no-balls, which will probably cost them the match. — Sapa