Anderson and Swann Flatout To Limit South African Lead
Graeme Swann followed his five-for with 85 off 81 balls as he rescued England’s first innings in partnership with James Anderson at Centurion on Friday.
South Africa 2nd Innings 9/1 (Smith 6* Harris 2*) Proteas lead by 71
England 356 all out (Swann 85 Collingwood 50 Harris 5/123)
The Test team’s Twitterati scored at a rollicking 4.54 runs per over as they passed the previous tenth wicket partnership record against the Proteas of 99 between Andrew Flintoff and Stephen Harmison at the Oval in 2003.
The impact of the pair’s 106-run stand was clearest when fielding captain Graeme Smith called an team huddle à la Hull City’s Phil Brown, during a reviewed LBW appeal from Paul Harris against Anderson.
It was to no avail as the swashbuckling pair reduced the lead to 70 before Anderson was removed on 29 by Makhaya Ntini, caught by Morne Morkel diving forward at mid-off.
Swann fell attempting quick runs, slog-sweeping Harris straight to Smith at deep mid-wicket, as England finished 62 runs behind.
Graeme Smith and Ashwell Prince padded up, hoping to negotiate the remaining four overs of the day. Anderson showed he had other ideas when he induced Prince to nick on for a duck, to build on the confidence and momentum from his and Swann’s endeavors.
Andrew Strauss’s dismissal set the morning tone as Ntini benefitted from a straight delivery that did not rise above ankle height and castled his stumps on 46.
Attritional cricket followed as Harris bowled unchanged, generating little turn with his round-arm bowling.
Nevertheless Harris frustrated first Jonathan Trott into losing his leg stump, Ian Bell into a leave that smashed into middle and off, and Matt Prior into a low-percentage sweep.
Kevin Pietersen’s 40 seemed a distant memory as Paul Collingwood staged a rescue as the first to pass fifty.
Harris dismissed Collingwood with his very next delivery however. His outside edge to Jacques Kallis brought Stuart Broad to the crease.
Broad survived fortuitously until, with four overs until the new ball was available, JP Duminy appealed for LBW.
In the main controversy of the day, Broad was given not out and 35 seconds elapsed before Graeme Smith called for the decision to be reviewed.
Time to Bed In
Broad alleged to umpire Aleem Dar the delay included a signal from the South African dressing room for Smith to call for a review – which is not permitted under the UDRS.
The review, legitimate or not, confirmed Broad was plumb in front on 17. The system, if it is to continue, needs time to bed in and officials to be strict with errant players’ complaints.
With lower order runs a-plenty from Swann however, Bell may not benefit from an extended run at Test level.
Swann smashed ten fours and two sixes, with a mix of switch hitting and high-handed drives on the up. Anderson sharply contrasted him with his schizophrenic strokeplay.
By contrast, Bell’s critics will point to today’s misjudgment as mental frailty in a tight spot.
The decision for Alastair Cook to continue in his new role as short leg to Swann on Thursday, despite Bell’s specialist status in the role, is a clear indictment Bell is dispensable at number six.
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