Bell and Bairstow steady the ship
August 17, 2012 18:06:58 UK
England have Ian Bell and Jonathan Bairstow to thank as the duo stopped the rot to take their side to 94-4 at tea on day two at Lord's.
Ian Bell looking strong in the middle before tea.Following lunch England made a slow start, with Jonathan Trott coming in for skipper Andrew Strauss, who was dismissed with the final ball of the first session.
However, Trott did not last long and was dismissed for just eight runs after he was bowled lbw by Morne Steyn.
The South African pace bowler then claimed opener Alastair Cook moments later with a wide ball, which was edged to Jacques Kallis who made no mistake with the catch.
Newcomer to the Test arena James Taylor showed some promise but he too was dismissed for just 10 runs, when Morne Morkel's bowl was edged to Proteas skipper Graeme Smith.
Thankfully for England Bell and Bairstow managed to settle things they coped well with the South African bouncers to take the home side into tea 215 runs behind the visitors.
England are now 1.001 to win at Lord's and draw the three-Test series 1-1, while the draw is 1.001 and South Africa are 1.001.
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