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England takes a firm grip on the game

Ted Corbett

— PHOTO: AP

Andrew Flintoff.

BIRMINGHAM: The third Test reached boiling point at Edgbaston as three lbw decisions at the start of the South African second innings sent its coach Mickey Arthur storming off to complain to the Sri Lankan Match Referee Madugalle. Neil McKenzie and Jacques Kallis were given out by umpire Steve Davis and Hashim Amla by Aleem Dar. Davis had earlier seemed reluctant to raise his finger for more obvious lbws.

At tea England had a firm grip on the game with South Africa 111 for four and a long way from victory. Only the captain Graeme Smith, with his first fifty of the series, resisted the waves of England attacks, sparked again by Andrew Flintoff.

England batted for another 90 minutes while 66 more runs were scored. Tim Ambrose survived the new ball for one delivery, Ryan Sidebottom battled 75 minutes for 22 and, of course, Paul Collingwood was not out until he found himself with Monty Panesar, a sure sign the innings was almost done. By the time he was caught at the wicket to give Morne Morkel his fourth wicket he had taken his score to 135 spread across 296 minutes. His century was a remarkable example of a spirit reborn. No-one on either side has more determination, more single-minded wish to succeed.

Vaughan chose to start with Sidebottom and Anderson; why not the wrecker Flintoff? He gave Panesar the last over; why not the hero Flintoff?

Flintoff strikes

At 39 Flintoff appeared from the pavilion end where he changed the course of the match two days ago. Flintoff broke through when his yorker hit McKenzie on the heel and left South Africa 65 for one.

A series of minor triumphs followed but still the England attitude was of a side with a broken spring where once there was high tension elastic until Panesar, tossing the ball higher and higher gained the second lbw decision at 78.

Jacques Kallis is always the big target and when a full toss from Flintoff hit him on the thigh and made him the third lbw victim of the innings he was clearly furious. He looked as if he might refuse to leave, took a swipe at his stumps and stomped off.

At last energy returned to the England side as the South African panic forecast defeat. For the next 20 minutes the appeals came so quickly that umpire Dar appeared to ask for calm. No such luck.

Anderson ran 50 yards to celebrate the catch that ended Ashwell Prince’s innings at 93 for four. Afterwards Vaughan spoke to Dar; perhaps to apologise, more likely to explain why his side was suddenly excited.

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