Kirsten, Kallis keep Englishmen at bay

Kirsten’s eight-hour effort took South Africa a long way towards safety but medium-pacer Andrew Flintoff took two wickets in three balls shortly before the close to renew the tourists’ chances of squaring the series, which South Africa lead 1-0.

It was the 10th Test century for Kirsten, a new South African record. He had previously shared the mark with Dudley Nourse and Daryll Cullinan.

Kirsten and Jacques Kallis put on 152 for the second wicket in a partnership which greatly reduced England’s hopes of victory.

Kallis made a solid 69 in 288 minutes off 204 balls before being caught behind off Darren Gough with the second new ball.

He had gone to thewicket early in the day with the total 41 for one after Herschelle Gibbs was caught for 28 off England’s first innings hero Andrew Caddick.

Gibbs was caught at short leg by Darren Maddy off a ball which lifted sharply. It was Caddick’s eighth wicket of the match after he sent South Africa tumbling to 156 all out in the first innings with figures of seven for 46.

The dismissal brought Jacques Kallis to the wicket South Africa began its uneventful progress to the 210 they needed to make England bat again.Kirsten and Cullinan added 49 runs for the third wicket before Cullinan edged an attempted cut to Stewart, followed by Cronje driving wide of his body and falling in similar fashion. Nightwatchman Mark Boucher was one not out at the close.

Scoreboard
England (1st innings): 366-9 decl.
South Africa (1st innings): 156
South Africa (2nd innings; overnight 27-0): G Kirsten batting 126, H Gibbs c Maddy b Caddick 26, J Kallis c Stewart b Gough 69, D Cullinan c Stewart b Flintoff 16, HCronje c Stewart b Flintoff 1, M Boucher batting 1; Extras: (b3, lb4, nb3, w2) 12. Total: (for 4 wkts in 112 overs) 251
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-193, 3-242, 4-244
Bowling: Caddick 26-6-44-1, Silverwood 18-4-50-0, Gough 17-3-50-1, Flintoff 20-6-31-2, Tufnell 27-4-65-0, Chris Adams 4-3-4-0