South Africa captain Graeme Smith came to his side’s rescue on Sunday with a fighting 107 which may help salvage a draw in the first Test against England at Lord’s.

Smith added 204 for the first wicket with Neil McKenzie, who was still at the crease on 102 after South Africa had been asked to follow on Saturday 346 runs in arrears.

At the close, South Africa were 242 for one, needing 104 to make England bat again with a day’s play remaining. Smith, who was out for eight in the first innings, was unable to capitalise on a huge slice of good fortune after reaching his century in the final session. An edge off Kevin Pietersen’s occasional off-spin, which seemed destined for Paul Collingwood at first slip, went through Tim Ambrose’s gloves as the wicketkeeper lunged to his left.

However, he was out without adding a run when a skied pull shot off James Anderson was taken safely by Pietersen running in from backward point.

The England team and a near-capacity crowd gathered on a fine, sunny morning started the day with high hopes that England were about to end a sequence of five successive test draws at cricket’s world headquarters.

Instead the South African openers, resuming on 13 for no wicket, gradually took command on a pitch offering nothing to the bowlers except for some slow spin for Monty Panesar, who took four for 74 in the first innings. Panesar was introduced into the attack 48 minutes after the start of play and captain Michael Vaughan placed close fielders on both sides of the pitch.

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