There was perhaps only one real funny moment for South Africa and that was when Morne Morkel briefly forgot his way to the dressing room. It had Kevin Pietersen pointing it out to his bowlers and had the South Africans balcony pealing with laughter. The award though had to go to David Lloyd who surprisingly did not miss a thing as he reiterated the course of events for the benefits of the viewers.
Kevin Pietersen could not have asked for an easier day or for more from his bowlers (the fielding may be another matter). For a first day as skipper, Pietersen had little to do besides rotate his bowlers and give them all the support they needed. Graeme Smith though did not expect this, not after Edgbaston; but should he have? The South African top order today showed little gumption or imagination and were easy targets for the incisive bowlers.
It would appear that South Africa has slipped off the precipice. But one look at their previous innings in Edgbaston and it is not hard to put together how that victory was achieved. Perhaps it has become an area for concern that South Africa should address before it develops into a full blown slump. The tail wrapped up almost as miserably as did the middle order and the England’s fast bowling fraternity needs to be complimented for its terrific performance that never let up.
South Africa did get the one breakthrough of Andrew Strauss. But the sun was shining, almost as if even the force of nature was content in Pietersen’s appointment. Match on hands!

Tea with crumbled cookies:
Pietersen’s aggression or Harmison’s return; something’s in the air.
Crickblog’s surprise columnist, Trevor Chesterfield, says – “Maybe (Paul) Harris will score a century.”
(Hate to say- I told you so, but a surprise was coming even if it came in the form of a tongue-in-cheek comment.)
South Africa though can only hope.

What a turnaround. England were rewarded handsomely for their hard work. They worked relentlessly, tweaked their game between lunch and came out bowling full and deadly accurate. The result: South Africa lost their backbone are sipping tea sombering having lost six wickets for only fifty-five runs!
Harmison led the bowling attack all morning and was responsible for South Africa being in this perilous position. Graeme Smith fell for the miscued hook and the inroad was being paved. Harmison’s two wickets in two balls and South Africa lost two centurions in the series in one go. Hashim Amla’s wicket was perhaps the pick with the yorker catching Amla’s stumps scattered. Jacques Kallis was caught plum in front and Harmison left South Africa in disarray at four down for 103 on board!
The march to the pavilion continued as James Anderson got into the wicket taking act. Even Monty Panesar was all smiles, a la Muralitharan. He had after all snapped up AB de Villiers, albeit a slightly dubious decision, who was looking good to get the boat steady again.

SA weather the storm:

The Oval Test got underway after much drama from Edgbaston that saw two England captains bowing out of their respective roles. While the events from the week made Graeme Smith appear larger than life, it was back to putting his head down and squaring off against the England bowlers.
Losing his first toss as captain of England seemed a blessing in hindsight for Kevin Pietersen as his bowlers had first taste of the pitch and rather overcast weather conditions that even forced an early lunch. Smith, the hero of the Edgbaston Test, was tested by a rejuvenated Steve Harmison who was back in the side after a long exile. Harmison, who has been itching for an opportunity in the series finally got his break with the new skipper who also replaced Vaughan’s absence with comeback man Stuart Broad.
Smith felt one right in the sensitive spot and the South African skipper was quite literally brought to his knees. But Harmison inflicted one on one of his own. Tim Ambrose felt the force of the ball after it left Harmison’s hand right on his lips. While blood spewed from his mouth, he was lucky to have his teeth in place.
Another man gritting his teeth was Alistair Cook who dropped one at gully and Smith had a reprieve. It was unfortunate for the England bowlers who bowled their heart out and had South Africa under their spell. Andrew Flintoff provided the first breakthrough, Neil McKenzie going lazily at a half-hearted drive and ended up being caught behind.
Even as this report sees the light of day, Cook has done it again!