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Live Test Match Blog: Eng v SA, 3rd Test, Day Three

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It's a crucial day in the context of the series. After last night's fireworks England, spear-headed by a rejuvenated Andrew Flintoff, are looking to use the new ball to run through the Proteas' tail. Ed Hawkins follows all the action live. Send him your questions and comments at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk.

19.14 England 297-6
England are still in this game. FIghting hard. And it is all down to the concentration skills of Paul Collingwood, who is 101 not out. England lead by 214. Remember, the average fourth-innings all-out total at Edgbaston is 196. The highest successful chase in the fourth-innings is 211. SA have a new ball immeditaely tomorrow. Should be fascinating. See you then.

19.00 England 287-6
Uses for Paul Collingwood No 4
England's No 6 for several Tests to come. The man under immense pressure has gone to his century with the lofted six that KP tried to hit. Completely out of form, completely written off Collingwood has produced a complete innings. More importantly, he has given England renewed hope. They lead by 204 runs.

18.48 England 271-6
The 50 partnership has come up between Collingwood (85) and Ambrose. But Ambrose has contributed only nine of those. He has looked strokeless. He has been in for 54 balls. Having batted for that long he really should have twice as many runs. For example, how many would Boucher have after 54 balls?

18.40 England 269-6
Batting has been easy today, which is helping England at the moment but it could hinder them later. The pitch looks flat. Why? It could be that for the first time in the match we have had sustained sunshine. Blue skies all day. There has been no swing for SA's bowlers today, proving how important cloud cover is.The forecast for the next two days is not so good so England will hope they are now enjoying the best batting conditions of the match.

18.05 England 242-6
Old friend Mahavir has asked whether he should be backing or laying England or the draw. Much of the action has come previously Mahavir with the lay and then back of SA. England's price is coming in with every run scored so if you had deep pockets you could back and then lay with a quick in and out. My advice is to wait and see how many they set SA and we'll consider Emgland's price again. One wicket now and SA are through to the bowlers. As for the draw price some rain is expected from early tomorrow. Inevitably with that falling the draw price will do likewise. That'll be the time to lay.

17.34 England 221-6
Flintoff gone now. His old failing against spin has reared its head again. Out for two to a pad-bat catch off Harris. England out to [7.2]. England leady by 138. That looks like the game people.

17.32 England 219-5
I hope you took that SA price. KP has gone, six short of his century, caught by AB de Villiers off Paul Harris of all people. I just felt he was ticking too much. The reverse sweeps, and plenty of other strokes to boot, suggested that he was unaware of what a precarious position England were still in. He thought he was the man. The big show. Fair enough because arrogance is crucial. But in a situation like this, batting is like punting. Risk and reward. KP was not thinking straight and taking too many risks for too little reward. England went from [2.30] to [3.65]. They lead by 138, which is not enough.

17.23 England 216-4
KP has hit two reverse sweeps off Harris for four. So much for my agitation at him seeing him pull it out of the locker. This is the ground where we first saw him play it, of course, in Test cricket - striking Murali for six in 2006. It was the same end, too. SA are [1.91] now. If you laid them on my advice earlier, I reckon now is the best time to trade out. Quickly.

17.18 England 207-4
Geordie Racer has not been happy with my criticism of Collingwood. "The Collingwood banter has been largely quite amusing, but you just went too far when you said he is pretending to be a batsman. Many of us have played at a decent level without hitting it through the posh side, and Ian Bell's perfect technique didn't get him very far today, did it? Collingwood is currently showing his mettle. I just hope I haven't jinxed him now!" I don't think you have, GR, your man is one away from a 50 after pulling a four to bring up the ton partnership. Lead by 124.

17.14 England 197-4
Insane shot from KP. A reverse sweep. He's not out but what is the point? Such a risky shot at such a dangerous time.

17.03 England 186-4
Collingwood's poor run of form in all forms of the game has been because he has a dominant bottom hand. That means he struggles to play straight. His dismissal in the first innings was a fine example. He wanted to play down the line but that pesky bottom hand came into play, meaning the bat came across at an angle and he edged to slip. Think of it in terms of an angel on his left shoulder and a devil on his right, battling for control. The devil has been out in force in previous Tests and Colly has been battling with his demons in this knock, too. A couple of balls ago we saw the worst of him when the bottom hand came in and meant he got a thick edge through the covers.

16.49 England 165-4
Colly's four through point takes him to 25 - his highest Test score for seven innings.

16.48 England 161-4
Something else to think about. There will come a time when South Africa will have to start defending. Okay, at the moment Graeme Smith should feel quite comfortable about attacking, going all out for wickets. But in 20 wicketless minutes he may not be so sure. Indeed, he would be quite within his rights to put sweepers out for KP. He is going well, he has 65. Colly, amazingly, has 21. The lead is 78 runs.

16.29 England 137-4
This is the session which could decide the series. If England lose it, they, er, lose it, if you get my meaning. Kevin Pietersen has twice edged past Boucher for four to go to 50. He is the key. Paul Collingwood continues to look shaky because his Test career is on the line. Best to relax, pal. After all, I'll be highlighting other job opportunities here throughout the day.

15.58 England 126-4 TEA
England are 43 runs ahead but KP and Collingwood have an awful lot of work to get through until we can consider the home team as potential winners. As we said, they need a lead of at least 196 to feel confident about backing them.

15.48 England 123-4
Uses for Paul Collingwood No. 3
Michael Vaughan has described our man as 'great in the dressing room'. Well, that's certainly a string to his bow. He could work in a multitude of theatre dressing rooms up and down the country, cajoling the luvvies with his harsh north-east tone. And because he is so versatile he could switch to the props department or scenery. He could even do some acting. He has experience of pretending to be something he is not recently, namely a batsman.

15.25 England 104-4
Bell out. Awful, awful shot. He top edged a weak pull shot straight up into the air. England imploding again. Having worked so hard to get back into this match, it is incredible to see their batsmen throw their wickets away. Both Cook and Bell have been guilty of airy-fairy strokes. Paul Collingwood in now. Cue our 'Other Uses For COllingwood' feature.

15.24 England 104-3
We're approaching a time when we could get out of the SA bet. They are [1.52] currently. KP has been living dangerously, though. He has been flicking a lot off middle. Nor has he looked too hot against Harris. He looks vulnerable to being beaten in the flight. Maybe it is just me feeling extra tense. England lead by 21 runs.

14.49 England 70-3
Andrew Strauss has fallen, caught at slip off Morne Morkel. Bad, bad wicket for England. In reality only one partnership left for the hosts with Ian Bell at the crease because of Paul Collingwood's horror form. SA as short as [1.37]. If they ever get higher than [1.59], the price we laid at, the advice is to get out, and fast.

14.28 England 55-2
The first ever Indoor International has just ended here. It was a demoralising defeat for flatmate. An innings and 36 runs was the margin. On a tricky pitch, with uneven bounce and several large gaps in the floorboards, I batted first and made a brilliant 40, driving the ball beautifully down the lounge. There were some elegant flicks off the hip too as the tennis ball hit one of the cracks and reared up. My stay at the crease was ended in unfortunate manner when I got an inside edge - the sign of a good player - when attempting a kitchen drive. No matter. I was quickly into my stride with the ball as flatmate tried to attack before getting used to the vagaries of the surface. A caught and bowled chance was offered and gratefully received. All out for one. Enforcing the follow on could have been risky because the lounge wicket was not one you would want to bat last on. But fears were allayed three balls in. A crafty legspinner was sent down and the poor fool didn't pick it, crashing into the chair.

14.10 England 42-2
It is vital for England's chances that Strauss and KP hold firm. It is vital for an interesting betting heat, too. England trail by 41. If these two get England level then we could back SA back at around the [1.90] mark I reckon. The spread firms have England in for 280 runs at the moment. Given our statistical work earlier (196 is the average all out fourth innings total there) that score would make both teams around about even money for victory.

14.00 England 39-2
I've put the mockers on Vaughan. He's driven to short extra cover off Nel and Hashim Amla has taken a good low catch. He made 17 off 18 balls. No way near enough to release the pressure unfortunately. England heading towards defeat if they cannot get a partnership. Strauss and KP could be their last chance.

13.54 England 39-1
Michael Vaughan is beginning to look quite tasty. The commentators reckoned he would have been really nervous. Not a bit of it. Vaughan is as phlegmatic as they come. He would have been slightly more tense than usual but that would have still meant he went out to bat cooler than most. In the meantime, my flatmate and I have have invented a game of indoor cricket: tennis ball, used bottle of water and a chair for stumps. It is quite tricky because everything seems to take the, er, edge. So it's one run for every time you manage to hit it. I am 18 not out and beginning to look imperious. Flatmate wants to start the game again. Poor loser.

13.44 England 28-1
A juicy legside half-volley from Andre Nel has released the pressure on Michael Vaughan, who was on a pair. It went for four. However, the ball was less than an inch away from taking the leading edge of the England captain's bat which suggests he might still be struggling for touch.

13.32 England 15-1
Cook goes! Poor shot from a poor player in my opinion. He had just hit Ntini for four but tried to pull a ball which was wide and going wider still. Before that wicket you could have backed SA at [1.81]. They are now [1.56]. Work for England to do to get the visitors' price back up. Michael Vaughan in now. If he goes cheaply, well, England are in a horrible hole in every respect.

13.18 England 0-0
Umpire Dar appears to have levelled things up for his mistake last night by failing to give Jacques Kallis leg before. Cook has just been struck plumb in front, right back in the crease to Andre Nel. The South Africans are furious. Nel is taking some stick from the Edgbaston crowd and he is egging them on. I wouldn't do that if I were you, Andre. Keep then quiet. England play their best with that lot right behind them.

13.09 England 0-0
In our quest to win money we need to work out the fourth-innings stats for Edgbaston. Average all-out third innings score last five Tests is 244. Batting fourth, no side has chased more than the 221 England managed against New Zealand in 1999 for victory. The average all out fourth innings total in history is 196. However, if England are to win they are going to have to buck the trend. If they make 244 that probably won't be enough with SA leading by 83. Targets of under 157 have been chased with ease. In 1997 England made 119-1 to beat Australia, in 1996 they made 121-2 to beat India, in 1993 Australia made 120-2 for victory and two years previously West Indies scored that 157 for glory. So, in rather crude fashion if we add up that average fourth innings all out total and add on the deficit, a third innings score of 297 might bring them a series-levelling win. One thing we do know, by the way, is that it cannot be a draw unless there is a freak cloud burst. England are [4.00] and SA are [1.69]. Remember we risked a lay on the Proteas earlier at [1.59]. If you want to get out with the above stats in mind, do so but SA's price will drift if their fail with the new ball.

strong>12.28 LUNCH
Bit of rain around folks so the players are having their sandwiches. England will not mind that. They need time to collect their thoughts, not to mention waiting for the overcast conditions to disappear.

12.15 SA 314
Just in time. Michael Vaughan has taken a brilliant catch to dismiss Mark Boucher. Diving full length in the deep off Anderson. Boucher, with a fine knock, has scored a vital 40. SA lead by 83. Their price has come out to [1.65]. It should drift further with runs from England. The hosts need at least 300 to put pressure on the tourists.

12.03 SA 298-9
As we said, Nel's defence isn't the best. He has missed a straight one which has made a mess of his stumps. England must keep Boucher quite while they go after this final wicket. A 20-run burst from him could be match-turning. SA [1.65]. They lead by 67 runs.

11.55 SA 293-8
England are doing it for us. James Anderson has bowled in a canny fashion to trap Morne Morkel leg before. SA are [1.67]. Andre Nel is next in. He's not too bad with the willow but is better at lusty blows than tight defence. Be aware that Mark Boucher may start to throw the bat now. SA lead by 62.

11.40 287-7
The good folk of Birmingham are showing themselves up to be simpletons. There's been a delay here while a couple of boneheads sorting out some problems with an advertising hoarding. It was a real meeting of minds watching them try to work out the best way to cover the board with a white sheet. Also we have seen a chap in the crowd wearing a hanky on his head and another putting up a huge umbrella thus obscuring the view of about 10 people behind him. There are signs outside Edgbaston which say 'mind you knuckles on the steps'.

11.20 SA 269-7
England have taken the new ball, so it should swing as much, if not more, than the old ball. If England are to be denied here, one gets the feeling that it will be this pair of Mark Boucher and Morne Morkel who do it. With our lay of SA in mind, Morkel is looking irritatingly composed at the crease. He is getting behind everything and playing under his nose. He has dug out one of Andrew Flintoff's feared Yorkers, to boot. SA lead by 38 runs.

11.10 SA 264-7
Bonus time. Ashwell Prince has slashed at a wide one to be caught behind off Ryan Sidebottom. A bonkers shot from Prince really, given the match situation. I'm not sure England can believe their luck. Understandably they would have been concerned about a breakthrough this morning but Prince has allayed their fears. A boost for the hosts. And for us with that lay of SA, who are [1.63].

11.00 SA 260-6
Andrew Flintoff's magical spell last night has transformed England's fortunes in this game. They are right back in it. But only if they can restrict SA to around 300. They have a new ball in four overs' time, which if they failt to use properly will probably signal defeat here and in the series. If you want to lay SA at [1.59] bear in mind that you will be relying on England's bowlers hitting the right line and length, something they have struggled to do all series. It is worth the risk, though.

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