England still on top despite Marcus blow

England still held a narrow advantage in the third Test after fluctuating fortunes on Saturday, bowling out South Africa for 362 to secure a lead of 83 before controversially losing Marcus Trescothick to the first ball of their second innings.

The hosts had looked likely to be in a far stronger position when James Kirtley claimed two wickets in the day’s first over to reduce the touring side to 88 for four, and the South Africans were indebted to gutsy innings by Neil McKenzie (90) and Mark Boucher (48) for keeping them in the game.

McKenzie and Boucher batted through the afternoon session to take their team past the follow-on target of 246 before Shaun Pollock’s quickfire 62 left them with realistic hopes of protecting their 1-0 lead in the series.

Brief score: England: 445 and 0 for 1

South Africa (1st Innings): 362 (N McKenzie 90, M Boucher 48, S Pollock 62, Anderson 5-102, Kirtley 2/80, Flintoff 2/91). (Reuters)