Swann double strike rocks South Africa
A double strike by England off-spinner Graeme Swann plunged South
Africa into trouble on the first day of the third Test at Newlands here
on Sunday. South Africa were 183 for five at tea after being sent in to
bat. The host nation appeared to be on the way to recovery after a poor
start before Swann took two wickets in two balls to put England firmly
in control with South Africa on 127 for five.
Swann, man of the match in the first two Tests, ended a 76-run third
wicket stand between Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers when he had De
Villiers smartly caught at short midwicket by captain Andrew Strauss for
36.
JP Duminy then suffered his second successive first-ball dismissal
when he pushed forward tentatively and edged a catch to wicketkeeper
Matt Prior.
Kallis was left to carry South Africa’s hopes of reaching a
competitive total. He was unbeaten on 55 at tea. He and wicketkeeper
Mark Boucher (37 not out) added an unbeaten 56 for the sixth wicket to
restore the balance to some extent for the under-pressure Proteas, who
trail the four-match series 1-0.
Swann took two for 55 and James Anderson two for 41.
Rain delayed the start of play by half-an-hour and Strauss’ decision
to bowl first paid an early dividend when Anderson had Ashwell Prince
caught behind for nought off the fourth ball of the match.
South Africa could have been two down three balls later when Graeme
Smith, on one, edged Graham Onions’ first delivery into the midriff of
Swann at second slip.
But Swann could not hold the chance. Although regular second slip
Paul Collingwood was passed fit to play, he was fielding at fine leg to
prevent further damage to a dislocated left index finger.
Smith and Hashim Amla put on 45 for the second wicket before Amla was
leg before wicket to Graham Onions for 14. Smith made 30 before being
caught behind off Anderson off the first ball he faced after lunch.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Sunday, AFP |