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Kirsten puts South Africa in charge

South Africa's Jacques Kallis in action against England at Headingley. PHOTO: AFP

Veteran batsman Gary Kirsten hit a fighting half century on a crumbling pitch to put South Africa in control of the fourth cricket test at Headingley on Saturday.

Kirsten, whose 130 runs helped South Africa to recover from 21 for four and 142 for seven to 342 all out in the first innings, scored 60 as the tourists led by 199 runs at stumps on the third day with five wickets in hand.

This was after England was dismissed for 307 just 53 minutes after lunch when it continued from 260 for five.

South Africa was 164 for five in the second innings after Jacques Kallis scored 41 to help Kirsten add 97 runs for the third wicket following the early loss of the two openers.

Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher, on 17 and two runs respectively, will resume Sunday as the tourists look to consolidate its strong position and push for a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with just the fifth test at the Oval to come.

Skipper Graeme Smith (14) and Herschelle Gibbs (two) fell leg before wicket as South Africa slid to 31 for two after snatching a slender 35-run lead.

After their big recovery stand, Kallis and Kirsten fell in quick succession followed by Jacques Rudolph for 10 runs.

Kallis was caught behind off James Kirtley (2-28). Eight runs later, Kabir Ali, playing his first test, trapped Kirsten leg before wicket.

Kirsten has batted resourcefully for 11 hours and 12 minutes in the two innings to nurse the inexperienced South African batting through difficult times using his 92-test experience.

South Africa sorely missed the veteran batsman in the third test defeat when the left hander was sidelined with a torn muscle in his right hand.

Kirsten said South Africa was still not safe in the test and believed a 250-run lead will make the test interesting.

"Still all to play for," said Kirsten, 35. "It's pretty even.

"You need a little bit of luck on a pitch like that, and you need it more so now than ever. If we can look at 250, we'll be happy with that.
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