SA vs Eng 1st test: Fortune gates close for SA at verge of Victory..

England manage to draw their first test against South Africa in the final over of the last day. England wouldnt believe their good stars because they had lost 9 wickets and were 1 wicket away from defeat. It is the same 1 wicket shich mattered and snatched the match from hands of South Africa…much to their disappointment.

England winning the toss…invited South Africa to bat first in the First test which began at Centurion on 16th of december 2009. South Africa played slowly scoring under 3 runs per over to make sure that they have enough runs on board. In the 154th over on day 2 they were all out for 418. Kallis was the top scorer making valuable 120 runs in the middle. He got good support in the form of  Prince(45 runs), de Villiers(32 runs), Duminy(56 runs) and Boucher(49 runs)…all making useful contributions. Harris with 38 runs and Wet with 20 valuable runs made tail end contributions. Swann was the most successful bowler for England and took 5 wickets for 110 runs…well supported at the other end by Onions(3 for 86)

In reply things did not go well for England. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Though there were petty good contributions from their batsmen…non took the responsibility of pacing and shaping the innings with responsibility. Collingwoods 50 runs, Pietersens 40 and 45 runs from Strauss were the highest scores on top…which were good but not good enough. At the end of 72nd over England were struggling at 221 for 7. Saviours for England came in the form of a repair act from a 81 ball 85 from Swann with 10 fours and 2 sixes helped from Anderson with a timely 29 runs. They avoided the humiliation by putting on 106 runs for the 9th wicket. England were all out for 356 runs trailing from 62 runs. Harris with 5 for 123 runs was the most successful bowler for the South Africans.

South Africa declared just before stumps on the 4th day…their 2nd innings at 301 for 7 with clear intentions to win the test.Amla top scored with 100. Useful contributions came from de Villiers and Boucher who made 64 and 63 runs respectively. For England Anderson picked up 4 wickets giving 73 runs.

In the 2nd innings chasing 364 runs to win and resuming at their overnight score of 1 for 6 England almost lost the match in the final session when its batsmen collapsed against a disciplined and determined African attack…just like a pack of cards without any intention. When England were struggling at 27 for 3 Pietersen and Trott put on 145 runs for the 4th wicket ressuscitating their team. Pietersen scored 81 and Trott made 69 runs. Collingwood remained unbeaten till the end and drafted a famous draw along side Onions surviving the final tense 3 and a half overs. England thus drew the match by 1 wicket…Pity for South Africa….So near yet so far for them. For Proteas Wet claimed 4 English wickets giving 55 runs.

Swann was adjudged the man of the match……….

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