Faint edge

THE left-arm spinner made the occasional delivery deviate from the bowlers’ footmarks into the left-handed Smith and away from McKenzie but the only semblance of a chance in the opening session was a faint inside edge from Smith which hit the unfortunate Ambrose’s pads.

South Africa, who lunched at 67 without loss, carried on where they had left off after the interval, playing straight and running swiftly between the wickets. Smith reached his 23rd test fifty in 10 minutes short of three hours and brought up the 100 partnership with a controlled glide for four to third man.

McKenzie completed his 15th test half-century in 234 minutes from 190 balls. Smith, using his height to drive confidently through the off-side, went on after tea to compile his 15th test century with 11 fours from 186 balls followed shortly by the 200 partnership. It was South Africa’s 10th opening partnership of 200 or more in test cricket and Smith, who scored 259 in his only previous test at Lord’s, has been involved in seven.

McKenzie, who had played an excellent supporting role, reached his fifth test century with a scampered single just before the close. It was his first ton against England and came in 307 balls. Vaughan kept attacking and innovative fields in place and rotated his bowlers constantly in an attempt to conjure a wicket.

Nobody bowled badly but the continued excellence of a pitch, on which England compiled 593 for eight declared in their first innings, neutralised his pace bowlers who were unable to get any significant movement. England are due to announce on Monday their team for the second test at Headingley in Leeds starting on Friday. If South Africa do scrape a draw after being thoroughly outplayed for the first three days, the case for the recall of fast bowling all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be overwhelming.

... contd.