England leave Proteas reeling
Dec 29 2009 - 15:19:14
England are within touching distance of grabbing a victory against South Africa after a superb display at Kingsmead on day four of the second Test.
With Andrew Strauss' men starting the day on 386-5, overnight batsmen Ian Bell and Matt Prior hit individual milestones as England further increased their lead over the Proteas.
Bell reached a much-needed century and Prior struck a quickfire fifty to put the tourists in control and with wickets in hand, runs were added at rapid pace as they upped the ante.
The impressive Bell reached 141 before Dale Steyn got rid of him, aided by a diving Mark Boucher catch as England threatened to run riot.
With tail-enders James Anderson and Graham Onions at the crease and not likely to further add to the tally, Strauss declared with England in a commanding position on 575-9 - a lead of 232.
Graeme Smith and Ashwell Prince were put into bat and they looked comfortable in the middle during the opening exchanges.
However, Prince (16) edged onto his pads off the bowling of Graeme Swann and Bell took a sharp catch close in.
Hashim Amla (6) soon followed after a beautiful flighted Swann delivery bamboozled him and found a way through the gate.
Danger man Jacques Kallis (3) was on his way back to the pavilion after leaving a full Broad delivery which ripped his off stump out of the ground.
AB de Villiers, like Kallis, inexplicably left another Broad delivery and he paid the price as he fell lbw and the very next ball JP Duminy played on, leaving Broad with the chance of claiming a hat-trick.
With South Africa in disarray on 44-5, Boucher entered the fray and denied Broad.
Smith's wicket was the one England sought and they soon landed the prize. Swann again was the tormentor, trapping the home skipper leg before for 22.
Boucher (20), alongside Morne Morkel (7), stood firm against the impressive trio of Swann, Broad and Anderson as bad light set in with South Africa looking desperate on 76-6 and still 156 runs shy of England's first-innings total.
England go into the final day in buoyant mood following their exploits and needing just four wickets, an important win is on the cards.