England came out all guns blazing after lunch on the fourth day of the fourth Castle Lager/MTN Test against South Africa at the Wanderers on Sunday. At tea, England had 131 for two, giving them an overall lead of 123.
Resuming after lunch on seven for one, Marcus Trescothick and Robert Key raced to 50 at just about a run a ball, before Key was caught in the slips by Jacques Kallis off Makhaya Ntini for 19.
At that stage, the run rate was more than five an over, and England were looking dangerous. Shaun Pollock, normally South Africa’s most economical over, was punished by Trescothick, who hit him for 12 runs in one over.
Captain Michael Vaughan’s arrival at the crease did little to reduce the run rate, although it did drop below five an over.
Vaughan, who made an undefeated 82 in England’s first innings, showed that he is truly back in form and his pull shots and cover drives had the South Africans scampering all over the field.
England’s 100 came up in an hour and four minutes off 136 deliveries, and also marked the half-century partnership between Trescothick and Vaughan, which came off 79 balls.
At tea, Trescothick had 69 and Vaughan 31.
South African captain Graeme Smith did not take the field, after being hit on the left cheekbone during fielding practice before the start of play.
Nicky Boje is acting as captain in his absence. — Sapa