CAPETOWN, (Reuters) – South Africa moved into a strong position to win the third test and level the series after England, chasing an unlikely 466 to win, reached 132 for three at the close on the fourth day at Newlands yesterday.
England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook put on a century opening stand before Friedel de Wet, left-arm spinner Paul Harris and Dale Steyn claimed a wicket apiece in the final session.
Cook looked in fine form as he scored a fluent 55, but De Wet removed the left-hander with the third ball of his second spell. Cook lashed out at a delivery outside off stump, his attempted pull shot merely skying the ball and allowing wicketkeeper Mark Boucher to take an easy catch.
Three overs later, Strauss was out for 45, caught at short-leg off Harris, and South Africa were on the charge.
Kevin Pietersen came in and showed aggressive intent, but had only added six runs to the scorecard when Steyn, using reverse-swing, trapped him leg-before with a fullish delivery which the batsman tried to drive on the leg side.
Jonathan Trott, on 24, and nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson, yet to score, took England to stumps with South Africa the only likely winners.
England will need to score 334 runs on the final day in 90 overs or, more reasonably, hold on to their remaining seven wickets, to prevent South Africa levelling the four-match series.
England made it through to tea without any hiccups, on 38 without loss in their second innings, after South Africa declared their second innings on 447 for seven.
South Africa batted for 40 minutes after lunch and declared when JP Duminy was caught behind for 36.
Earlier, South Africa captain Graeme Smith added 21 to his overnight total before being dismissed for 183 after top-edging a Graham Onions bouncer to Paul Collingwood at fine leg.
James Anderson and Graeme Swann both took three wickets for England.
