Smith frustrates England as defiant Proteas scent draw
England will this morning redouble their efforts to seal victory in the first Test after South Africa produced a defiant performance to force the match into the final day at Lord’s.
Having dismissed the tourists for 247 on Saturday and forced the follow-on, England were confident of getting the four-Test series off to a winning start by bowling South Africa out quickly again yesterday.
But captain Graeme Smith led the fightback with a dogged 107 – his 15th Test century – as the Proteas boosted their chances of salvaging a draw from a seemingly hopeless position. Smith’s fellow opener Neil McKenzie was equally determined, amassing 102 not out in a spell of almost seven hours at the crease.
England did little wrong, captain Michael Vaughan rotating bowlers and fielding positions, but South Africa rarely let their guard down. Smith was lucky to escape when, on 22, his mis-timed pull was collected by wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose. Television replays appeared to show Smith got a thin edge but Paul Collingwood was the only England player to appeal, and his half-hearted effort failed.
Ambrose dropped chances on 26 and 107, but Smith finally went moments later, during the day’s 78th over, when he top-edged a James Anderson delivery with the new ball to gully, where arch-enemy Kevin Pietersen gleefully caught.
Having resumed at 13-0, some 333 runs behind, Smith was delighted to have revived the possibility of a draw. “It is a terrific feeling to bounce back and show a bit of character,” said the skipper, who added that he felt today’s first session would be key. “The morning session is obviously going to set up the game.”
England bowling coach Ottis Gibson insisted he was still optimistic about his side’s chances of victory. “We still feel in the dressing room we are in a great position to win,” he said. “They had to come out and perform, and that is exactly what they’ve done. They’ve come out and batted really well in difficult circumstances.
“But they’ll have to do it all again, because they’re still a hundred behind.”