Flintoff strikes but Proteas on top

Eurosport - Sat, 19 Jul 10:40:00 2008

Pace bowlers Morris Morkel and Dale Steyn claimed four wickets apiece to help dismiss England for 203 on the first day of the second Test at Headingley, but Andrew Flintoff returned to Test cricket with a wicket to leave South Africa on 101-3 at the close.

Andrew Flintoff, July 2008 - 0

Morkel took four for 52 and Steyn four for 76 before the home team hit back in the final session.

Flintoff (pictured), in the thick of the action on his Test comeback after 18 months, took a catch and a wicket.

Hashim Amla (18) and Ashwell Prince (9) were the not out batsmen as South Africa trailed England by 102 runs. The first match in the four-match series at Lord's was drawn.

Amla was almost the fourth man out when his leading edge was caught by a diving Michael Vaughan at mid-off off Flintoff. But after reaching the end of his walk back to the pavilion he was instructed by captain Graeme Smith to wait for the third umpire's decision which gave him a reprieve.

It was the second such instance after South Africa's AB de Villiers earlier claimed a catch at third slip off the bat of Andrew Strauss. Replays showed the ball had clearly been grounded.

The South African bowlers vindicated Smith's decision to bowl first in dull and humid conditions after he admitted he wrongly chose to bowl first at Lord's. England were 70 for three at lunch and all out by tea.

England started confidently by reaching 26 for no loss before Alastair Cook was given out caught down the leg side off Morkel for 18 by umpire Billy Bowden, even though replays clearly showed the ball brushing his leg.

Kevin Pietersen top scored for England with an exhilarating 45 off 46 balls. He was threatening the tourists with some majestic stroke-play, in particular a drive through extra-cover for four off the back foot from Steyn, the ball before he was dismissed.

Pietersen, attempting another boundary, edged the ball to Smith at first slip.

The most interesting sequence of the afternoon session came with the arrival of former skipper Flintoff, who came to the crease at number seven with the score on 123 for five.

He was unable to stop the slide, lasting 28 deliveries and striking four boundaries in his 17.

South Africa were given a solid start of 51 by Smith and Neil McKenzie, before the latter edged James Anderson to Flintoff at second slip and was out for 15.

Smith's innings of 44 was ended by Flintoff, whose short-pitched ball was caught by Strauss at first slip. Anderson then bowled Jacques Kallis for four, bottom edging a short ball angled into him.

Earlier, England gave a debut to swing bowler Darren Pattinson after Ryan Sidebottom failed a fitness test. Flintoff came in for Paul Collingwood.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. Why does your report throw a subtle doubt on wickets taken by South Africa but any wickets taken by England are without query?

    Examples (i) Amle...was instructed by captain Graeme Smith to wait for the third umpire's decision which gave him a reprieve.
    (ii) South Africa's AB de Villiers earlier claimed a catch at third slip off the bat of Andrew Strauss. Replays showed the ball had clearly been grounded.
    (iii) Alastair Cook was given out caught down the leg side off Morkel for 18 by umpire Billy Bowden, even though replays clearly showed the ball brushing his leg.

    The game is controlled by the three Umpires and their decisions are final so stop insinuating otherwise.

    From cyril.blackstock, on Sat 19 Jul 9:02AM

  2. England blew their chances at lords when they thought they had it in the bag, forgetting they were up against a team that came back from 500+ runs against Australia in one dayer to win the match.
    Questions have to be answered and gunners192 nailed it when he named the players that should have had their names on the scoreboard...message to the board of selectors, Change is not a bad thing,performance based selections please- so many tours and no wins for so long has to be addressed with Change

    From ruggers, on Sat 19 Jul 7:25AM

  3. South Africa depends on pace bowler-friendly wicket for both batting and bowling.

    To beat South Africa, you need a spinner friendly wicket, what's more, South Africa haven't had a world class spin bowler in ages. It's their achilies heel. I'm afraid they might just have the edge in this match.

    From Poison pill, on Sat 19 Jul 7:23AM

  4. The English selecors have held on far far too long on a bunch of players who underperformed and have not learned from South Africa who bleed new players regularly and always keep an eye out for new talent.There are scores of players who quite rightly think they will never get a look into the English team who actually are better than the first team,knowing they are, with better figures as proof.
    In stead of choosing players who are just getting over injuries,take a chance on in form players.Paul Dixon was blatantly overlooked for his age for so long whilst he was on top form with catches and bat, perhaps too many ex England players influence this but they should not really,they did not win much themselves in all fairness.

    From ruggers, on Sat 19 Jul 6:35AM

  5. South Africa r gonna slaughter England

    From nhnajjar, on Sat 19 Jul 6:15AM

  6. it's Morne Morkel, not Morris Morkel that is SA's pace bowler!

    From debo a, on Fri 18 Jul 9:48PM

  7. michael vaughan should not be in the england team. His batting is pathetic. Put either Flintoff or collingwood in charge, but both in the team. Bring back Prior as keeper. he had a raw deal, and Ambrose is just not up to the job..either keeping or his batting. And l hope this essex guy Napier gets a chance in the one dayers. Also the young middlesex batsman should be blooded as well. forgotten his name, but he should be given a chance. And durhams Mustard should also figure in the 1 dayers.

    From gunners192, on Fri 18 Jul 9:44PM

  8. I remember a time in sport when the umpire/referee had the final decision in a game.Today has shown that TV pays the money and it is their replays yet again that changes the way the game is played.How long will it be before we the public start voting on premium rate numbers if a player is in or out.PLEASE SORT THIS OUT.

    From michaelockelford, on Fri 18 Jul 9:37PM

  9. we need help and fast come on freddie and kp. And why did amla come back to the crease the same happened to kp and he was still out

    From Danny P, on Fri 18 Jul 8:51PM

  10. Good fightback by the England bowlers at the end. If the umpires had been halfway competant South Africa would have been five down at the close. The England batsmen had a poor day though. There's a lot of work to do to get control of this one.

    From Bobito, on Fri 18 Jul 7:27PM
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