England vs. South Africa, Second Test: Day Four Review

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Matt H in Tests

South Africa 419ao & 39/0 (Rudolph 21*)

England 425ao (Pietersen 149, Prior 68, Imran Tahir 3/92)

South Africa lead by 33 runs

 

In a word

Anticlimatic

In a sentence

Matt Prior helps England to a slender first innings lead, before the South African openers comfortably see off the new ball between the showers.

Player of the day

Every time Prior plays a valuable innings for England, people say that he is under-valued. Hogwash. The 51allout chillout zone for example, has more pictures of him on the wall than anyone else, even Jessica Ennis. His 68 came from 89 balls and was an ideal contribution in the circumstances. That he was dismissed caught in the deep sweeping did warrant a few groans, but needless to say, it was an unselfish and positive knock that helped England to a small lead.

Moment of the day

Following the magnificent innings from Pietersen on Saturday, there was hope that England could overhaul South Africa’s total and then press on quickly to put them under pressure. Much of this plan relied on Pietersen staying around for much of the morning session. Instead Morne Morkel trapped him plumb LBW on the second ball of the day. Thus the crowd sighed: like the day itself, it was a bit of a damp squib.

Outlook for Monday

Thanks to Sunday’s thunderstorms, anything but a draw will be frankly suspicious.