England struggle against South Africa

South Africa took a stranglehold on the third Test as England failed to learn from their previous mistakes with a dismal batting display.

The tourists slumped to 163 all out yesterday, marginally better than their first-innings total of 139 in the second Test in Durban, and found themselves 462 runs adrift at the close as the hosts decided not to enforce the follow-on.

South Africa reached 184 for three in their second innings at stumps on day three, deciding to rest their own attack and condemn England’s already weary bowlers into another long session in the hot sun.

Even if South Africa decide to declare immediately today it would still leave England needing to bat out the remaining two days to preserve their year-long unbeaten run or break the world record for a winning fourth-innings score of 418 set by West Indies against Australia at Antigua two years ago.

England, 1-0 ahead in the series following their emphatic first Test victory in Port Elizabeth, resumed on an already perilous 95 for four well aware that the wicket rewarded patience.

Instead of following centurion Jacques Kallis’ masterplan for batting at Newlands, though, England again played recklessly and lost their last six wickets for 68 runs in only 17 overs with debutant Charl Langeveldt claiming five for 46.