By Richard Sydenham
LONDON Aug 19 (Reuters) – England’s hopes of clinching a
series-levelling win in the third test were receding on the
fourth morning as South Africa extended their lead to 210 runs
at lunch on Sunday, with AB de Villiers crucially dropped before
he had reached double figures.
The Proteas were 216 for four at Lord’s with the
ever-reliable Hashim Amla 94 not out, approaching a 16th test
century, and de Villiers on 24.
With just five sessions remaining in the game, time is
running out for England to dismiss South Africa and leave a
manageable target they can attain to draw the series 1-1.
Only one wicket fell in the morning session as
night-watchman Dale Steyn departed for nine after courageously
battling for 44 minutes in the day against a short-pitched
barrage. He eventually lobbed a catch up to James Taylor at
short leg off the bowling of Stuart Broad.
South Africa might have been reduced to 177 for five had
James Anderson not dropped a straightforward chance from the
dangerous de Villiers at midwicket off Graeme Swann’s off-spin.
Anderson, until recently, fielded at slip to Swann.
It was the second costly miss of the innings after Matt
Prior floored a catch down the leg side when Amla was on two the
previous evening. Prior later revealed that it was his first
drop in two years, standing back.
Batting conditions were perfect under bright sunshine when
play resumed, though for the hour before lunch dark clouds
hovered overhead, causing the floodlights to be switched on.
The umpires took the players off five minutes before the
scheduled lunch interval because of rain.
The second new ball will be due just after the interval,
which is likely to be England’s last chance of redemption in the
series.
England must win to level the series after losing the first
test by an innings and 12 runs and drawing the second match.
South Africa will leapfrog England to the top of the world
rankings if they can avoid defeat.
(richard@bigstarcreations.com)
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