South Africa off to rocky start in final test at The Oval

Martin Bicknell's solid seam bowling (2-71) and a contentious caught behind threatened South Africa's hopes of posting a big total in the fifth and final cricket test against England at The Oval yesterday.

The Proteas, leading the series 2-1 and looking to become the first post-apartheid South African team to win in England, took lunch on the second day on 432 for nine.

Graeme Smith's side lost five wickets for 70 runs on the second morning as England fought back after a disappointing opening day that saw the visitors total 362 for four.

Allrounder Shaun Pollock, on 26, will resume with No. 11 Makhaya Ntini following the run out of Paul Adams for one to the last ball before the break. It was the third run out of the innings.

South Africa crashed to 385 for seven inside the first hour yesterday.

England well with the second new ball -- just six-overs-old at the start of play -- to stop South Africa's momentum.

South Africa, which won the toss and batted on a good batting pitch, lost six wickets for 76 runs following a 227-run second-wicket stand between opener Herschelle Gibbs (183) and Gary Kirsten (90).

Jacques Kallis was run out for 66, and nine balls later, Andrew Hall was trapped leg before wicket for one by Andrew Flintoff (1-75).

Kallis up too far and was caught short of the crease as a fierce drive by Pollock cannoned on to the stumps off bowler Ashley Giles' right hand.

The dismissal came just 15 minutes before the break -- just when Kallis and Pollock were on the verge of rebuilding the innings after the early problems. Vice captain Mark Boucher was adjudged caught behind by Indian umpire Srinivas Venkataraghavan.

Television showed Boucher's bat hitting the pad and a considerable gap between the willow and the ball. Venkataraghavan ruled the No. 7 out as wicketkeeper Alec Stewart led an appeal.