Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 26 December 2009 /

A late blast of wickets hauled England back into the second Test. Can they make it count on day two though? Ed Hawkins talks you through the action and odds. Email him here

CLOSE 15.12 Eng 103-1
All over for day two. We'll be back tomorrow with all the updates for the third day. And we've been promised a better day weather-wise, too.

BAD LIGHT 14.25 Eng 103-1
That may well be it for the day. England will be pleased that they have lost only the one wicket but South Africa need to go and have a good hard look at themselves, whatever that means. They bowled dreadfully, with Makhaya Ntini the chief culprit. He leaked 25 runs in three overs, giving back almost half of the runs he put on with Dale Steyn for the last SA wicket. South Africa [6.00], England [5.30] and the draw [1.55].

14.12 Eng 93-1
South Africa have attacked Trott with the short ball. Error. The Warwickshire man's weakness early on is to the full ball when he tends to play around that front pad. One suspects that Trott's deliberate time wasting in settling himself at the crease has riled the hosts to the point where they have tried to knock his block off, instead of knocking his blocks over.

13.56 Eng 76-1
Justice for Morkel having got Strauss leg before a few minutes earlier. It was almost a carbon copy of the delivery which hit him on the back pad in fact, although this time Strauss got nothing on it. Jonathan Trott comes in and gets right up South Africa's collective nose by taking ages to get ready at the crease.

WICKET 13.51 Eng 71-1
A Strauss b Morkel 54. South Africa [5.20], England [5.50] and the draw [1.55].

13.50 Eng 70-0
Two slips and a gully for South Africa and three men in the covers. That would suggest Graeme Smith is not expecting a great deal of movement off the pitch or through the air. But he sure as hell does not want his bowlers to bowl short, just as dale Steyn did there to Alastair Cook, who clonked it for three.

13.39 Eng 59-0
A stroke of luck for England. A leg before against Andrew Strauss off Morne Morkel has been overturned because the third umpire has seen or heard an inside edge. He's done well to work that out. Impossible to say. Given that umpire decisions are only supposed to be overturned if it is clear that an error has been made, it is baffling to work out why Strauss is still there. I just don't understand. I'll stop, I'm beginning to sound like Sirloin of Beef.

13.28 Eng 59-0
Play has resumed. The floodlights are on, though and bad light will be a threat. The draw is back out to [1.53]. There are another scheduled 33 overs tonight but it would be a surprise if we got all of those. Spare a thought for the out-of-form Alastair Cook, who must start his tortuous innings all over again. I give him about 15 minutes before he's back in the hutch.

WET OUTFIELD 13.14 Eng 59-0
We should have play shortly. The covers are off.

RAIN 13.04 Eng 59-0
The start after tea has been delayed by a dose of the wet stuff. Unsurprisingly the draw has collapsed to [1.46], taking a chunk out of England's price, which stands at [5.60] now. South Africa remain at [7.00].

TEA 12.44 Eng 59-0
The esteemed Geoffrey Riddle is not playing the Xmas Challenge. That's because he's at Kempton producing a rather lovely live blog and having disagreements with Martin Pipe. He was there yesterday, too. One of the lucky few to see Kauto Star make history. He's not as good as Dessie, though. No, no, no. Don't get me started. The grey was human-like. I fed him a polo once and I swear he said "cheers!". Anyway, have a read during the tea break. England have hit back rather well. South Africa [7.00], England [4.40] and the draw [1.54].

12.38 Eng 59-0
Alastair Cook is still there. Just. An awful lunge a couple of balls ago almost flew to slip. How on earth can this guy hope to make a Test player with such an awful technique? Cook has eight and Strauss 50. Telling eh?

12.31 Eng 50-0
Consecutive fours and more Sirloin of Beef confusion. An Xmas Challenge double whammy. That's four chocs and a mince pie! Oooof. South Africa, in truth, appear to be losing the plot. They are feeding Strauss' twin strengths of the square drive and pull shot. Sirloin pleads for Dale Steyn. Making followers eat a mince pie every time Botham expresses bewilderment is actually rather a succint way of exposing his limited commentary skills. He will bang on about this for so long that some of us will end up in hospital needing a stomach pump.
"What is it?" says the doctor. "Christmas drinking binge or drug overdose?"
"No, worse," says the nurse. "Ian Botham's commentary on the Test match."
"Not another one!"

12.20 Eng 40-0
Here are some numbers: 240, 332, 658, 161, 216. These are the last five second match innings scores for Boxing Day Tests at Durban. It's an average total of 321. I reckon England, and their backers, may well be happy with that. You can lay 350 or more for a decent wedge at [1.57]. Meanwhile, Sir Ian Botham is confused. That invokes the Xmas Challenge, meaning we must all eat a mince pie. He can't understand why Dale Steyn has been taken off. Easy Sirloin of Beef, Mum didn't bake that many.

12.05 Eng 21-0
We've just had a brief rain shower. Gone now, though. England have started solidly enough with Strauss and Cook striking a boundary each and forcing us to delve into the chocolate selection. An easy day so far for Xmas Challenge players. In a mo, we'll have a look at the England first-innings runs market. Oh, hang about ... Strauss smashes one through midwicket for four. That's worth a Hazel Whirl.

11.50 Eng 5-0
Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith shared top-bat honous for South Africa. What do they have in common which will help us find a similar man for England? Sound technique and a thou shall not pass attitude. That leaves us with Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood then. I have to say the [4.50] about KP is a decent wager. On his home ground, the determination side of things is taken care of and he has been coming into form nicely for his return, too. Colly is a decent saver at [6.00].

11.44 Eng 1-0
England are underway. So let's have a look at their first-innings top-bat market. Before we rule anyone in, let's be cruel and rule some out. Step forward Alastair Cook and Ian Bell. Out of form, low on confidence and under pressure. Never a good combo for such a bet. Andrew Strauss suffers from none of those problems but we don't like him at [3.00]. As an opener he is vulnerable to the swinging ball. Likewise Jonathan Trott at No 3. Trott is a horrible price at [3.40] anyway.

11.36 Innings break
A blessing for England, a blessing for Xmas Challenge followers (see 11.10). Dale Steyn, with a flurry of boundaries, threatened our arteries and I was just about to start counting how many Cadbury Roses there are in a tin when James Anderson did the business. England have faltered badly this mornbing. They should have knocked over the hosts for fewer than 300 and their price has drifted alarmingly as a result. It could get worse. Bowling conditions are ideal.

WICKET 11.32 SA 343
Steyn c Prior b Anderson. South Africa [3.25], England [9.00] and the draw [1.68].

11.23 SA 335-9
Two fours for Dale Steyn since the Xmas Challenge was invoked ... and as I type he has just launched a whopping six into the stand. England backers can comfort eat at least. I'm going for a Strawberry Dream, Tangy Orange Creme and Caramel velvet to mark that Steyn flurry. The 50 partnership comes up.

11.10 SA 312-9
Xmas Challenge Rules and Regs

A boundary = a Cadbury Rose/Quality Street of your choice

Consecutive boundaries = two Cadbury Roses/Quality Street of your choice

Sir Ian Botham gets confused = eat a mince pie

A wicket = sausage roll and pig-in-blanket combo

Paul Collingwood takes a catch = a Tangy Orange Creme

Someone mentions that Sir Ian Botham likes a drink = glass of sherry

A hat-trick = mince pie, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding all in the same bowl with cream

A century = a turkey sandwich with lashings of cranberry sauce

Ian Bell scores a century = set fire to Xmas tree

Ian Bell scores a double century = set fire to elderly relative

England follow on, James Anderson scores a century, Jonathan Trott takes a hat-trick and they win = go to Vatican and try to push over Pope

11.07 SA 312-9
Before I post the rules and regs, Steyn and Ntini are frustrating England. A whopping six from Steyn just there.

11.00 SA 297-9
I've had a few emails flying in with questions like 'what happened to the Xmas Cricket Challenge', 'come on you workshy so-and-so, get the Challenge up' and some others which are not printable on a family site. My response is that I've been busy trying to uncover stats and trends for betting opportunities (duh, silly me!) but in an effort to quell the uprising, the rules and regs of the Xmas Cricket Challenge will be posted shortly. For those of you who don't know what the Challenge is, it is a canny game designed to help one and all rid themselves of Christmas paraphernalia and leftovers. I'm going to patent it.

10.50 SA 286-9
I was about to kick off the second session with a whinge. 'England need to take quick wickets ... how many times have I written that sentence when following them abroad'. Well, Graeme Swann has allowed me to save my breath. Still, they have to find a way to split Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn yet, so let's not speak too soon.

WICKET 10.45 SA 285-9
M Morkel lbw b Swann 23. South Africa [3.55], England [5.30] and the draw [1.86].

LUNCH 10.22 SA 281-8
South Africa's session for sure. England will have expected to bowl out the hosts before lunch and they are close to posting a very useful total on this surface. Back in 40 minutes. South Africa [3.60], England [5.90] and the draw [1.78].

09.49 SA 280-8
England have done well to get rid of Harris in sharpish fashion. He has been a thorn in their side. Before this innings, it took England an average of 69 minutes to get him out. Dale Steyn is in now. He is not renowned for his stickability, although in 2008 he did frustrate Australia at the MCG with a half-century.

WICKET 09.46 SA 280-8
P Harris lbw b Swann 2. South Africa [3.60], England [5.10] and the draw [1.85].

09.32 SA 269-7
England needed that scalp. But they need another one before lunch, which must be in 20 minutes or so. Paul Harris has come to the crease and he has made a habit of frustrating England, most recently at Centurion. But if they can get him (or Morne Morkel) quickly then there is only Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini to come.

WICKET 09.30 SA 269-7
AB de Villiers c Prior b Broad 50. South Africa [3.60], England [5.90] and the draw [1.77].

09.23 SA 263-6
England struggling. They have used up one of their referrals in their desperation for a wicket. AB de Villiers was hit high up on the pad against James Anderson and quite rightly the original 'not out' decision stood. Coming up to lunch shortly and England will feel disappointed if they pick up just the one wicket in the session.

09.07 SA 250-6
England are getting movement off the pitch rather than through the air, which is a bit odd. They are getting a little frustrated. The match odds market has no truck with this sort of delay for a wicket. From [4.50] when the new ball was taken, England have drifted to [5.90].

08.52 SA 239-6
The new ball has been taken. James Anderson has it. England are [4.80].

08.41 SA 235-6
Two surprises. First, a wicket just before the new ball and second that it came through England asking for a referral. They haven't got the best of records with the review system. What was particularly amusing was that Sirloin of Beef was imploring England not to ask to go upstairs for the appeal against Boucher and let out a "oh dear!" when Andrew Strauss made the signal.

WICKET 08.37 SA 233-6
M Boucher lbw b Swann 39. South Africa [3.50], England [4.50] and the draw [1.80]

08.28 SA 223-5
Five overs to go until the new ball. England need it. I guess we have to say that they have wasted these conditions, although it would be harsh to say they have bowled badly. The pacemen have been steady, hitting a decent line and length, without ever really testing the batsmen. Of course, it could all be a cunning plan. Keep it tight until the new ball is available and then hit 'em hard. We'll see. What is clear is that the [6.60] about England is a good wager with the likelihood of wickets about to increase.

08.13 SA 211-5
Graeme Swann is a pressure release valve for Boucher and de Villiers. As soon as he comes on they look to attack. That happened in the first Test as well and it is clear they want to target him. A good ploy. Swann is something of a 'go-to' bowler these days for England and if South Africa can undermine his confidence it could be a vital victory. It is one of those key battles which can decide a series. Stuart Broad joins Swann in the attack and his first ball produces a big appeal for a catch down the leg side. Nothing doing there.

07.56 SA 193-5
Batting on this Durban surface is a bit like a chap spending £200 on family Xmas gifts and getting only a dressing gown in return: terrible value. There is absolutely zero value for your shots at Kingsmead on a deathly slow outfield. The ball is constantly held up as it reaches the boundary. When batsmen find it hard to beat the ropes, they struggle to dominate and that is one reason bowlers will never be out of the game in this Test.

07.34 SA 180-5
If a bowler could manipulate weather conditions, it is likely he would come up with Durban this morning. Cloud cover, damp, 65% humidity, slight breeze. No surprise to see James Anderson bend it round corners then in the first over. South Africa have problems here. A lay of their innings runs for 275 or more is available at [1.80].

07.23 SA 175-5
This is a bit of an early start eh? Dark and dingy in Durban at the moment as the umps try to make up time lost from last night. We'll be underway in a few minutes, although for how long we can't be sure. It doesn't look much lighter outside my west London window. Anyhow, England will be delighted. The ball should swing in these conditions and they look ripe for picking at [3.75] with wickets on the way. Mark Boucher and AB de Villiers resume for South Africa, who are [4.50]. The draw is [1.90].

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