Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 18 December 2009 /

Having taken 5 wickets with the ball and scored 85 with the bat, Graeme Swann is an obvious candidate for man-of-the-match. Better still, his knock means that going into day four, all three outcomes are very much a possibility. Ed Hawkins talks us through it all.

CLOSE 16.00 Eng 11-1, need 352
The first part of the day saw us wondering whether England might be able to skittle out South Africa and leave themselves with a gettable target of under 300 on day five. Amla and Boucher ended those hopes and a cameo from Morkel with the bat ensured that Graeme Smith has a comfortable buffer.
The early wicket of Andrew Strauss was the perfect boost for the home side who owned the afternoon and the evening session.
England's target is huge but to be fair to the SA skipper his decision to bat on as long as he did will give him a little more scope to be more attacking on the final day.
It is all set up to be a cracker.
South Africa [2.40] England [28.00] the draw [1.80]

15.54 Eng 7-1, need 357
Smith bids to give himself the best chance of squeezing in another over and brings Paul Harris in to replace Ntini - it's a maiden. Morkle, who has looked in good touch, sets himself to attack Anderson in the final over of the day.

15.46 Eng 7-1, need 357
Morkel's first delivery is well wide. His second is a beauty that just leaves the England captain and nicks a faint edge off the shoulder of his bat. Smith and co will be delighted to have snaffled the prized scalp of Andrew Strauss. The significance of the moment is reflected in the draw price which has settled at [1.90]. Night watchman Jimmy Anderson is now at the crease.

WICKET 15.40 Eng 5-1, need 359
AJ Strauss c †Boucher b Morkel 1
South Africa [2.32] England [28.00] the draw [1.84]

15.34 Eng 0-0, need 364
The pitch has shown some variation and England call for the heavy roller to flatten down the surface. South Africa's batsmen have posted some good scores on this wicket but the key variable will be how Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook handle the pressure. The SA captain has five slips in position as Makhaya Ntini steams in with the ball.

15.24 SA 301-7, leads by 363
Declaration. Graeme Smith says that's enough. The SA skipper waves from the balcony as soon as his team pass the 300 mark. England will have to face a tricky six overs this evening.
South Africa [2.90] England [22.00] the draw [1.61]

15.19 SA 295-7, leads by 357
Our previous question has been answered. While the new ball can expose the variable nature of this wicket and cause batsmen problems it can also come off the bat more effectively and it is now whistling all around the field. The wicket has brought an aggressive Morne Morkel to the crease. The lead is over 350 now and there can be no doubt about South Africa's intent. The flailing bat is a godsend to draw layers who will be pleased to see some initiative being taken.

15.09 SA 271-7, leads by 333
The hard new ball was key to the wicket - making a mockery of a batsman who was well set and batted comfortably throughout most of the day. The ball kept alarmingly low after hitting a crack. That will trigger some doubt in the minds of England's openers. Yesterday was the most productive day in terms of runs scored, 277. The lead is now 333 and that should be enough. Will the home side start the fireworks now?

WICKET 15.02 SA 266-7, leads by 328
HM Amla b Anderson 100
South Africa [2.70] England [21.00] the draw [1.68]

15.00 SA 265-6, lead by 328
Mark Boucher has brought a more positive approach to the crease and notches a 50. Hashim Amla, playing the anchor-role, is lands a century. With the milestones achieved James Anderson comes into the attack with the new ball.

14.51 SA 257-6, lead by 319
Second new ball is available but not taken yet. Stuart Broad is on to bowl.
There are two Graemes and just one Graham is this match. Graeme Smith appears to have been haunted by Graeme Swann's heroics with the bat and as we have observed looks to prefer the safety of a draw than risk a victory that might give England a sniff of a win. South Africa [3.05] England [24.00] the draw [1.57]

14.35 SA 232-6, lead by 294
Drinks. The home side will be able to enjoy their refreshments. The new ball is due in four overs but the lead is just six runs short of 300 and it is worth reminding ourselves that just three teams have successfully chased scores of 300 plus in South Africa. With just 18 overs left in the day Smith appears likely to be taking the safety-first route.

14.20 SA 222-6, lead by 284
No fireworks from South Africa still as the home side look to grind England out of the equation. Amla has been quietly going about his business - but a four off Onions puts him on 89 and looking set for a century. The lead is 284 with four wickets the remaining . . . another 16 runs and the physiological battle might well be won. The draw remains steady at [1.55].

13.51 SA 193-6, lead by 255
England are one wicket away from the SA bowlers but they really need to get a move on. Get these last four for 20-odd. But wickets are no good for draw layers or SA backers unless they come in a flurry. Time is running out. There are only 30 overs left tonight.

WICKET 13.46 SA 191-6, lead by 253
JP Duminy lbw b Anderson 11. South Africa [2.60], England [10.55] and the draw is [1.55].

13.36 SA 183-5, lead by 245
South Africa are actually slowing down. Their run rate is 2.7 over the last 10. Not good enough. Nasser Hussain and Shaun Pollock are discussing how two quick wickets could easily bring England back into the game, but the wicket is looking rather lifeless at the moment.

13.07 SA 182-5, lead by 244
As the players head off for tea, here are some interesting quotes from Shaun Pollock, a former SA captain himself, about what the hosts are planning. Given our musings at 12.38 it is an insight into the mind of the 'play it safe' South African. "You would think South Africa would want a second new ball tomorrow evening so getting England tonight is probably what they're thinking. They would want to set them about 350. But they don't want to give England a sniff. This is the first Test with three big games to come. It's a consideration. If they were 1-0 down things would be different. They want to put England out of the game, not give them a sniff."

12.53 SA 166-5, SA lead by 228
Ian Bell has pulled off a stunner of a catch to get rid of AB de Villiers. Just as well. Bell has been as much value as a BA stewardess in this game. Hands up all those who think that for the rest of the tour he should be given a reduced role of handing out peanuts, carrying the captain's bag and flicking his blond locks in enigmatic fashion?

WICKET 12.50 165-5
AB de Villiers c Bell b Broad 64. South Africa [3.50], England [16.00] and the draw [1.55]

12.38 SA 158-4
It could be time for South Africa to put their foot on the accelerator. They are 220 ahead biut with a scheduled 43 overs left, batting for 25 at them at their current rate of 3.4 an over would give them a lead of only 305. You and I know that is too stiff a target but international capotains don't think like punters. South Africa will want 350 minmum. It is the balance between runs and overs needed to bowl a side out that often skippers get wrong.

12.25 SA 150-4
100-run partnership for AB and Amla. Just the tonic for South Africa, who lead by 212. Barring something remarkable, England will be set 300 plus and you have to say that is too big a ask. What South Africa backers and draw layers will be nervous about now is this: how much do South Africa want to win? In the past they have been accused of ensuring they cannot lose first (something that reared its head in the first dig when they batted so slowly) and they can further damage their reputation by batting on too long. Really, they should aim to stick England in for an hour tonight.

12.11 SA 136-4
You have to feel a little sorry for England. They just can't crack the referral system. They have gone to replays for a leg before against AB de Villiers. It was hitting leg but umpires can't overturn a decision on that basis. England haven't had a referral go their way while South Africa have overturned three. Interestingly, there have been only two leg before decisions out of 24 wickets. A low ratio for a pitch with indifferent bounce. Are the umpires more reluctrant to give them knowing they have a fall back?

12.01 SA 133-4
Have a look at this weather radar. It hardly justifies the draw price of [1.58] does it? Not a cloud in the sky until after the close. Pretoria, by the way is north east on that map. North of Jo'burg. This is turning into a bit of a geography lesson eh?

11.49 SA 121-4
England in need of a wicket. Desperate for one in fact. So they have turned to Paul Collingwood. Not sure about that as a wicket-taking tactic. Perhaps this is Andrew Strauss' attempt to stem the tide of runs. In the last 10 overs Alphabet (AB de Villiers) and Hashim Amla have gone at 4.10 an over. That is great news for SA backers and draw layers because the fear was that if England weren't taking wickets, the hosts would plod along. .

11.34 SA 100-4
This email has had tears rolling down my cheeks. "First of all, I would like to thank you for the lovely blogs you have been writing up. Its a pleasure to be reading them. I think a draw is a fair option here only because of the weather forecast. We have some thunderstorms expected today and tomorrow which could affect the match result pretty badly. None the less, I have my bets still on South Africa. I'm hoping they pull it off." That was from Karthik. What kind words. Well, apart from the thunderstorms bit. i'm still searching for any hint of the wet stuff as the draw steadies at [1.70].

11.24 SA 95-4
Just to break off from this thriller in Pretoria for a moment, West Indies are giving Australia an almighty scare in their pursuit of 359 batting last in Perth. Sadly, they will probably fall short - but only just. Have a look at the scorecard here. It's been a good week for Test cricket it would seem.

11.18 SA 83-4
We're back after the break. AB de Villiers the key man now. He could bat England out of the game if he is positive. And there were signs before lunch that he will be. If he bats well, South Africa win the session and that could cook Andrew Strauss and co. I'm going to spend a few moments to see if I can find any weather worries. Research this morning showed nothing to be concerned about but it would be a dereliction of duty if all bases were not covered.

LUNCH 10.32 SA 80-4
England were all over that session. Three wickets for them including the blockbusters of Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. South Africa are fretting about losing this game now, which is quite a turnaround. However, with a lead of 142, their destiny remains in their own hands. If you'll excuse the phrase, they just need to show some balls. They MUST attack. If they increase their run rate from a pathetic 2.50 to more than three an over then it is England who will start to sweat. Instead of having men in attacking positions, they will have to plug gaps. Batting time is no good for anyone. South Africa [3.00], England [5.10] and the draw [2.04].

10.09 SA 61-4
More referral woe for England. Graeme Swann was convinced he had Amla leg before and, to be fair, he did. The replay showed it was clipping the top of off stump but given the margin was so tight, the umpire decided to stick with a 'not out'. In terms of mastering the review system, England are the class dunces while South Africa are the apple of the teachers' eye. They have overturned three decisions while, off the top of my head, I don't think England have managed one. We are at the business end of the Test now, and it feels odd to say, but this game could be decided by which side makes the best calls with the video ref.

09.54 SA 46-4
A potential hammer blow to South Africa, Kallis was suckered by England there. he got bogged down and miscued a pull shot to Cook who took a good catch on the ropes. A real gift. They lead by 108 and that wicket finally brought some sense to the match odds market. The draw price is heading in the right direction and one more strike for England before lunch and we will see the hosts as clear jollies.

WICKET 09.52 SA 46-4
J Kallis c Cook b Broad 4. South Africa [3.25], England [3.55] and the draw [2.50]

09.46 SA 45-3
A fine opening over from Graeme Swann, who hit Kallis on the pads three times. England considered a review for the second one while on the third, an inside edge saved the burly right-hander as he was struck right in front. Stuart Broad is operating from the other end. He through a hissy fit yesterday after being given out on review. His finger pointing and remonstrating with the umpires was reminiscent of his dad at his most irate.

09.33 SA 44-3
Drinks break so a good chance to check the email to see who has responded to my query about why the draws was so skinny. "IS it the weather?" asks Third Man. Nope. No rain forecast during game time. There are a few thunderstorms scattered around at night but that shouldn't be a problem.

09.20 SA 37-3
Kallis is the key wicket for England. They need him quickly because he can strangle the life out of their victory chances. The bad news is that he averages 113 in the third innings on this ground. That figure is in large part thanks to the unbeaten 136 he hit against England in 2005. South Africa were in trouble in that game but he steered them to safety.

09.15 SA 37-3
South Africa are as short as [1.10] for 175 second-innings runs or more. If they manage just above that they would surely be odds-on favourites. Shaun Pollock reckons that the hosts will get a lead of 220. But he hasn't stopped there. He has just predicted England will be two down in the chase by tonight's close. Jacques Kallis has joined Amla at the crease.

09.11 SA 34-3
A massive wicket for England, not to mention draw layers. Smith had left a little gap between bat and pad and Onions squeezed the ball through perfectly. South Africa lead by 96. They have to counter here instead of going into their shell.

WICKET 09.06 SA 34-3
G Smith b Onions 12. South Africa [3.40], England [4.70] and the draw [1.99]

09.02 SA 33-2
Over on Test Match Special, Michael Vaughan reckons there will be a result, insisting that we will have a dramatic session where a flurry of wickets will fall. That maybe wishful thinking with regard to England. He is a little biased, after all. A more rational view comes from Mike Atherton, who says England have to bowl South Africa out for 150, otherwise the lead will be too big. Maybe. Certainly anything more than 250 would be challenging indeed.

08.47 SA 23-2
So James Anderson has removed the nightwatchman Harris. A potential irritant for all concerned because he could also have hampered South Africa's run rate. With Hashim Amla replacing him, the phoney war is over. Now it is just a case of South Africa or England showing the required desire to win the game. The hosts need runs at a healthy rate and England need wickets at a healthy rate. With 176 overs still to be bowled on a tricky wicket I would really love it if anyone could email me to tell me why the draw is so short. I don't get it.

WICKET 08.43 SA 20-2
P Harris b Anderson 11. South Africa [3.35], England [5.70] and the draw [1.76].

08.30 SA 9-1
Before you pour your cereal into the bowl, put the kettle on or even wipe the gooey remnants of sleep from your eyes, lay the draw at [1.67] in this Test. With two full days left and a sporting pitch, it is way too short. Morning by the way.

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