England pay dearly for failing to take initiative

Cricket Fourth TestBy the close of the fourth day at Headingley yesterday and looking for an historic victory target of 401, England had slumped to 165 for five and were looking odds on for a defeat that would leave them requiring victory in the final Test at the Oval to prevent a demoralising series defeat. They had resumed 199 precious runs ahead on 164 for five.

Another 43 overs later and South Africa hammered England's wayward bowling all around Headingley and adding a further 201 runs, with all-rounder Andrew Hall spearheading the onslaught with an unbeaten 99 off only 87 balls.

From the moment James Kirtley delivered a leg-stump half-volley to Neil McKenzie for the first ball of the day, which was despatched to the boundary, England struggled. South Africa progressed at five runs an over throughout the morning session, which included 23 boundaries, and even the loss of McKenzie and Mark Boucher failed to halt their momentum.

England's fielding also deteriorated and allowed Boucher to hit two all-run fours in three balls off Kirtley without reaching the boundary rope while McKenzie was missed on 33 after Mark Butcher dropped another regulation catch off Andrew Flintoff.

At least McKenzie added only five runs more before Flintoff miscued a pull shot and Martin Bicknell took a diving catch at mid-on.

Flintoff also accounted for Boucher in his next over and, with only three wickets remaining, South Africa's victory hopes appeared in the balance with a lead of only 267 runs.

South Africa seized on the opportunity to expose England's hapless performance with Hall launching a thrilling counter-attack to help add 133 runs for the last three wickets. All three tail-enders did their jobs by keeping him company while he punished anything loose with debutant Monde Zondeki, scorer of a first-innings half-century, contributing seven to a 49-run eighth wicket stand while Makhaya Ntini helped to add a further 30.

England slipped into trouble almost immediately with Trescothick edging Ntini and Herschelle Gibbs taking a brilliant diving catch at third slip. Michael Vaughan fell 12 overs later for his fifth successive score under 50 since becoming England's Test captain by edging to Gibbs and Nasser Hussain contentiously followed him when Jacques Kallis won a leg-before decision.

Once Ed Smith and Alec Stewart fell expectations grew of England capitulating before the day had finished. But Butcher teamed up with Flintoff and they forged a 70-run partnership off only 96 balls to demonstrate some resistance.