Amla puts England under pressure
August 19, 2012 13:07:06 UK
Hashim Amla is closing in on a century after South Africa enjoyed by far the better of the session on the morning of the fourth day of the third and final Test against England.
Resuming on 145-3 in their second innings at Lord's, the tourists had moved on to 216-4 by lunch, establishing a lead of 210.
South Africa are now 1.001 to win the game, seal the series 2-0 and take over at the top of the world Test rankings, with the draw 1.001 and England 1.001.
Nightwatchman Dale Steyn was the only wicket to fall during the morning's play, as his dogged innings of nine from 38 balls was ended by a short delivery from Stuart Broad, which the South African could only fend away to James Taylor at short leg.
Graeme Swann thought he had made a second breakthrough when AB de Villiers sent the ball straight to James Anderson at mid-wicket, but the fast bowler inexplicably let the ball slip through his hands.
De Villiers, 1.72 to be the next man out, made the most of the let-off to be unbeaten on 24 at the interval, which came a few minutes early due to rain.
Amla, who had looked unruffled throughout the morning, was six runs short of a century, standing on 94 not out, made from 177 balls and including eight boundaries.
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