KINGSMEAD // They say lightning does not strike twice, but in the sub-tropical city of Durban it clearly does. Graeme Smith's bizarre run out yesterday brought back memories of his nemesis Kevin Pietersen's dismissal in last week's first Test. South African captain Smith was well set on 75 before attempting to take a run off Graham Onions. But he got into an horrendous mix-up with partner AB de Villiers, and Alastair Cook gleefully took off the bails.
It switched the balance of power the way of England after South Africa had looked in cruise control at 160 for two with Smith and Jacques Kallis (75) well set having compiled a partnership of 150. But Kallis's dismissal to Graeme Swann was the first of three wickets for 10 runs with JP Duminy also falling to Graham Onions following Smith's misjudgement. South Africa ended the day on 175 for five with bad light and rain curtailing play 29 overs early.
On a bright and humid morning, Smith decided to bat first after winning the toss. But England were able to exploit the early swinging conditions and moisture in the wicket superbly. They got off to the ideal start with Ashwell Prince falling for just two as James Anderson found some extra bounce and Graeme Swann snapped up the catch at third slip in only the 13th ball of the match. Stuart Broad then claimed a wicket with only his fourth ball of the match with a beauty. The Nottinghamshire fast bowler trapped Hashim Amla plumb lbw with a full delivery. South Africa failed to hit a boundary in the first 15 overs of the match but Kallis soon got them going. He took on Swann just before lunch while Smith cut and pulled Anderson for two fours despite sustaining an earlier blow to his left index finger.
Smith and Kallis continued in a similar vain in the afternoon with the pitch easing up. Smith pulled Anderson for four before cutting Swann to the boundary fence. England bowled a probing length but got little assistance bar a Broad delivery that came close to bowling Kallis and a Smith edge off Swann that fell short of slip. Kallis brought up his fifty in fortuitous circumstances, edging Trott through wicketkeeper and first slip. Smith had also reached his half century by that stage. Kallis looked relaxed at the crease, overtaking his captain in the scoring, as England struggled to produce penetrative cricket with the older ball. Smith continued to receive treatment for his finger injury into the afternoon but continued to produce some flowing shots including a fine straight drive off Onions.
Swann finally ended the partnership with Kallis edging to Paul Collingwood at first slip. And England could not believe it when Smith followed Kallis back to the pavilion following his suicidal run. Things got even better for the visitors late on with a fine Onions delivery catching Duminy lbw on the crease for just four before the rain came. With more indifferent weather around, the draw would seem favourite. But Smith will be kicking himself for missing a tremendous opportunity to press home an advantage from such a favourable position. sports@thenational.ae
South Africa: Graeme Smith run out (Cook) 75 Ashwell Prince c Swann b Anderson 2 Hashim Amla lbw Broad 2 Jacques Kallis c Collingwood b Swann 75 AB de Villiers not out 8 JP Duminy lbw Onions 4 Mark Boucher not out 1 Extras: (8lb) 8 Total: (for two wickets, 61 overs) 175 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Prince), 2-10(Amla), 3-160 (Kallis), 4-166 (Smith), 5-170 (Duminy). Bowling: James Anderson 12-2-32-1 Graham Onions 15-4-40-1 Stuart Broad 10-1-28-1 Graeme Swann 19-1-44-1 Jonathan Trott 4-0-19-0 Kevin Pietersen 1-0-4-0.