England seal dramatic draw
Andrew Strauss watched on as England's lower order saved the day again
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By Alistair Potter. |  |
Thursday, 07, Jan 2010 04:03
By Alistair Potter.
England secured another remarkable and hard-fought draw with just one wicket to spare in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
In events that mirrored the first Test at Centurion, number 11 Graham Onions fended off the final over from Proteas paceman Morne Morkel to spark celebrations in the middle - and in the tourists' dressing room.
Earlier the hard yards had almost been completed by middle-order batsmen Ian Bell (78) and Paul Collingwood (40) but when the Durham all-rounder was dismissed with 14 overs still to play South Africa sensed a comeback.
Questions will again be asked of an England side that forced their supporters to endure a late collapse, which included four wickets falling for 18 runs in a little more than ten overs.
But they were again saved by the heroics of the tail-end with Graeme Swann (10*), Broad and Onions all playing their part.
After a relatively docile day, South Africa's hopes were rekindled when part-time spinner JP Duminy took the vital wickets of England stalwart Collingwood, who faced 188 deliveries for his 40, and wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior (4) in consecutive overs.
Paul Harris had Stuart Broad caught after a 33-ball duck when he gloved one to short leg, before the prize wicket of Ian Bell (78 off 286 balls) fell to Morkel off the first delivery of a new spell.
That left Onions and Swann to navigate 17 balls, which they did despite two reviews and numerous appeals by the hosts, preserving England's 1-0 lead in the series with one Test to play.
The early stages of the morning gave an indication that the pitch would not be helpful for the fielding side as nightwatchman James Anderson and number three Jonathan Trott both looked comfortable on the back-foot.
But both fell before lunch - Anderson (6) was desperately unlucky to play a Paul Harris full toss down onto his boot and up into the hands of Ashwell Prince, before Trott (42) was bowled through the gate by an excellent Steyn delivery that ripped his off-stump out of the ground.
Shortly after arriving at the crease, Collingwood survived what looked to be a catch at slip by Hashim Amla off Harris but the referral system saved him - showing the ball cannoning off his hip pad.
Bell joined Collingwood after Trott fell, with England on 160-5 before lunch and the two set about compiling a magnificent century partnership that lasted for 342 balls and more than a session and a half.
The vital period of play came shortly after the lunch interval when Graeme Smith took the new ball. Bell and Collingwood were brilliant in fending off a marvellous six-over spell from Steyn, who caused all sorts of problems and will wonder how Collingwood managed to survive a barrage of swinging deliveries.
The late flurry of wickets reignited a match that had looked like drifting towards a draw, but ultimately the home side failed to make enough inroads earlier in the day and paid the price.
The four-match series now heads to Centurion, where England need only a draw to win the series 1-0, although Smith will be ruing a missed opportunity after his side started as overwhelming favourites to claim victory in this Test.