England were looking for cloud cover and a couple of inspired spells of fast bowling in a bid to forge a path back into the second Test at Headingley.

South Africa were in total control of proceedings at the start of day three, on 322-4, already leading by 119.

Even so, England coach Peter Moores told reporters on Saturday evening: "I think we can still win the Test."

The home team were 20-1 with one bookmaker to pull off a win, with South Africa 5-1 on and the draw 4-1.

Ricco the latest to fail EPO test ...
Africa 'needs an extra $40bn aid' ...
Japan vows to double Africa aid ...
S Africa 'must fight xenophobia' ...
LATEST ACTION (ALL TIMES BST)

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Mark Mitchener' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

By Mark Mitchener

1103 - SA 329-4 (106 overs)
Anderson takes the first over of the day, and AB de Villiers (aka ABDV) - who has shed the sleeveless sweater he wore all day yesterday - nudges the first ball off his legs down to Monty Panesar at fine leg for two. Another beautifully-timed whip off his legs brings four through square leg, then a single takes him to 77 and Henry Blofeld on TMS is pleased to notice his first red bus of the day.

1059: Players are out, here we go.

"I think we have more chance of having a Hot Summer than taking 20 South African wickets"
Missingoffstump on 606
Join the debate on 606

"A cross-sport observation; the centre pairing for SA XV v Australia yesterday (Saturday) were Steyn and de Villiers with Smith at number 7. Their 14 was Pietersen and one of the subs was Strauss. (Waugh was on the Aussie bench)"
Jono o' Portishead in the TMS inbox
Rugby union report: Australia 16-9 South Africa

1042: As yesterday, it's a big day of sport here on the BBC. The German F1 Grand Prix comes a little later in the day, but Andrew McKenzie has already been hard at work for hours on the Open golf. Can Greg Norman hold onto his third-round lead for an unlikely win, or will it be a repeat of the 1996 Masters, where there was some "choke-age" in the manner of Tim Henman at a Wimbledon semi-final (or Admiral Ozzel in "The Empire Strikes Back"), and Nick Faldo surged through to win?
Live text: The 137th Open Championship, with Andrew McKenzie

1038: Weather forecast... is mixed. The BBC forecast for Leeds says today's predominant weather is set to be "light showers", while The Weather Channel is more optimistic, saying "partly cloudy".
BBC weather forecast for Leeds
INTERNET LINK: The Weather Channel forecast

1034: Some things you may have missed: Aggers has had his say on the events of day two, while Steve Harmison has joined fellow discarded seamer Matthew Hoggard in admitting his concerns to the BBC over the Darren Pattinson selection. And England coach Peter Moores is angling for a knighthood for "services to optimism" by saying England can pull off an unlikely victory...
TMS BLOG: Aggers' verdict on day two
Pattinson pick concerns Harmison
Moores upbeat on England chances

1030: Morning, everyone. To be blunt, it wasn't a great day for England yesterday, with only one wicket all day (and that to a debatable decision).

But that's not to take anything away from Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers, who batted very sensibly and have given their side a lead of 119.

(BBC)

<< Back