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.
PHOTO: AFP
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.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and