COMING in to the third Test match between South Africa and England at Newlands, Cape Town, there was a great deal of speculation as to how the pitch would play.
COMING in to the third Test match between South Africa and England at Newlands, Cape Town, there was a great deal of speculation as to how the pitch would play.
The general consensus was that batting would get easier as the Test match progressed.
Judging by what happened on day two yesterday, either the pundits got it wrong or the players weren't listening to the "expert opinions".
Resuming on an overnight score of 279 runs for six wickets, the Proteas would have been looking to add at least another 100 runs to their score.
Jacques Kallis had notched up his 33rd Test century and Dale Steyn looked comfortable on 26. But four quick wickets for the addition of only 12 runs threw proceedings into disarray as England wrapped up the Proteas' first innings for 291.
Kallis, on his overnight score of 108, departed after he got a snorter of a delivery from Graeme Onions. A succession of wickets - those of Steyn (26), Morne Morkel (0), Paul Harris (10) and Friedel de Wet (0) - saw the home side fold.
Things were not much better for England.
Captain Andrew Strauss got a beauty of a delivery from fast bowler Morkel to see him depart for two. The tall Morkel seems to be coming into his own as the series progresses.
In and out of the side the past few years, he appears to be using his natural attributes and maturity well and is proving a handful for the visitors. Not only did he pick up the valued wicket of Strauss but added to his list were those of Cook (65) and Paul Collingwood (19).
England resume today on 241 for seven wickets. At the crease are Graeme Swann on 5 and Matt Prior on 52. They trail South Africa by 50 runs.
Proteas restrict England
COMING in to the third Test match between South Africa and England at Newlands, Cape Town, there was a great deal of speculation as to how the pitch would play.
COMING in to the third Test match between South Africa and England at Newlands, Cape Town, there was a great deal of speculation as to how the pitch would play.
The general consensus was that batting would get easier as the Test match progressed.
Judging by what happened on day two yesterday, either the pundits got it wrong or the players weren't listening to the "expert opinions".
Resuming on an overnight score of 279 runs for six wickets, the Proteas would have been looking to add at least another 100 runs to their score.
Jacques Kallis had notched up his 33rd Test century and Dale Steyn looked comfortable on 26. But four quick wickets for the addition of only 12 runs threw proceedings into disarray as England wrapped up the Proteas' first innings for 291.
Kallis, on his overnight score of 108, departed after he got a snorter of a delivery from Graeme Onions. A succession of wickets - those of Steyn (26), Morne Morkel (0), Paul Harris (10) and Friedel de Wet (0) - saw the home side fold.
Things were not much better for England.
Captain Andrew Strauss got a beauty of a delivery from fast bowler Morkel to see him depart for two. The tall Morkel seems to be coming into his own as the series progresses.
In and out of the side the past few years, he appears to be using his natural attributes and maturity well and is proving a handful for the visitors. Not only did he pick up the valued wicket of Strauss but added to his list were those of Cook (65) and Paul Collingwood (19).
England resume today on 241 for seven wickets. At the crease are Graeme Swann on 5 and Matt Prior on 52. They trail South Africa by 50 runs.
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