The storm came and then, passed quickly. But the real storm is the one brewing in the England camp as South Africa ended an emphatic third day's play at the Wanderers, Johannesburg.
ab de villiers mark boucher
Unless weather plays cruelly foul or England pull off another miraculous final wicket draw in this series, South Africa should complete the deed and square the series 1-1 in the fourth and final Test of England's tour of South Africa.
That was made possible largely to the positive, intent filled efforts of wicket keeper-batsman, Mark Boucher, who scored a pressing 95 even as a storm threatened to derail the hopes of the hosts.
It was a tad disappointing that Boucher missed what would have been a fine century after South Africa lost the key wickets of Hashim Amla (for seventy-six) early on and AB de Villiers departed for fifty-eight. Keeping Boucher company was the debutant Ryan McLaren unbeaten on thirty-three as South Africa declared on 423 for seven, Graeme Smith having waited long enough not to chance the weather gods again.
With a lead of 243, South Africa fancied their chances of having an under duress England succumb. And the results were almost immediate. Alastair Cook was dismissed by a Morne Morkel delivery. And there was some hostile bowling from Morkel that greet the England captain, Andrew Strauss, as well.
A fidgety Jonathan Trott was the next to go, falling to Dale Steyn in the slips. Even as bad light interruptions seemed imminent,Strauss added to the gloom in the England dressing room, dismissed lbw for twenty-two to the other debutant, Wayne Parnell. England were reduced to forty-eight for three when the bad light interruptions finally meant stumps on an eventful South Africa who will feel like a burden has been lifted.
There is still a job to be done, but the hosts will feel this is within their range. England, as always, hang onto miracles, making this a prospect not to be missed.
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