Steve Finn stars as South Africa collapse

Steven Finn's treble strike helped England reduce South Africa to 65 for four at lunch on the first day of the third and final Test at Lord's today.

Fast bowler Finn, on his Middlesex home ground, took three wickets for three runs in the space of seven legitimate deliveries to remove Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, all of whom had made hundreds this series.

Thanks mainly to Finn, England, 1-0 down and needing to win at the 'home of cricket' to prevent South Africa replacing them at the top of the world Test rankings, put the controversy regarding Kevin Pietersen's omission for sending text messages to the Proteas to one side, as they at last made early inroads into the tourists' powerful top order.

AB de Villiers was five not out and Jacques Rudolph seven not out at lunch, shortly before rain lashed the ground.

And all this after South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and batted in overcast conditions, having made scores of 259 and 107 in his two previous Tests at Lord's.

But a third century eluded him today when James Anderson, with his first ball from around the wicket, had the left-hander caught behind by wicket-keeper Matt Prior although England had to review the decision after Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena had initially ruled not out.

It was the first time in four innings this series that Smith, who on today broke Australia great Allan Border's record for most Tests as captain by leading the Proteas for the 94th match, had failed to make a fifty and South Africa were 22 for one.

First change Finn, who retained his place at the expense of Tim Bresnan after England recalled off-spinner Graeme Swann having opted for an all seam attack during the drawn second Test at Headingley, then took over.

... contd.

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