ENGLAND IN TROUBLE
The England Cricket team got into trouble in the first test against South Africa after losing the four early wickets in the second innings. Earlier in the day, South Africa declared its innings at 637 for 2 after taking a big lead of 252 runs. Hashim Amla became the first South African player to score a triple century in test cricket. The elegant right hander played a marathon knock and batted for almost 13 hours. Kallis also played a brilliant knock of 182 runs and these two put up a brilliant partnership of 377 runs. The England batsmen had to apply themselves to save the test match. But, they looked tired in the second innings.
In the second over of the second innings, Alistair Cook edged an away going delivery from Vernon Philander and AB De Villiers made no mistake. In the second consecutive inning, Dale Steyn was not given the new ball and was brought into the attack as the first change bowler. But, soon after coming into the attack, Steyn gave South Africa the second break through when Jonathan Trott edged one through to AB De Villiers. After losing two wickets, there was enormous pressure on Pietersen and Strauss to play with patience and see the day off. But, South African bowlers, especially Morne Morkel, bowled to Pietersen in a planned way. First Morne attacked him with a lot of short pitched deliveries and then suddenly bluffed him with a full pitched one. Kevin was waiting for another short one and got bowled.
The stylish leg spinner Imran Tahir gave South Africa the fourth break through. The English captain, Andrew Strauss, tried to sweep one, but he didn’t time it well and the fielder at square leg had no problem in catching that. England finished the day at 102 for 4 with Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell at the crease. The England batsmen have to work very hard on the 5th day, if they have to save this test match.