South Africa power ahead in test series

England have crashed to a 191-run defeat in the fourth npower test match to leave South Africa 2-1 ahead in the series.

Overnight watchmen Mark Butcher and Andrew Flintoff, the remnants of the home side's frontline batting order, were both dismissed within two overs – the rest of the team followed them back to the pavilion within an hour.

With Butcher gone for 61 and Flintoff edging Kallis to Hall shortly after reaching his second half-century of the test, the writing was on the wall. The under-performing lower order crumbled as England's last five wickets were sent packing for only 44 runs – to make 209 all out.

The Headingly wicket is not usually prosperous for the bat, but in an exemplary display Gary Kirsten had rescued the South African total with his 133 in the first innings. Andy Hall followed those heroics with his unbeaten 99 in the second.

Unfortunately for England, their batsmen could not match the visitors, principally due to the form of the South African bowling – of which Kallis was outstanding with 6-54 today and 9-92 for the test.

The post-mortem of this defeat will rest on the relative qualities of the bowling over the past four days. England's bowlers were tame, with only Flintoff delivering the line and length necessary to press South Africa onto the backfoot. James Anderson, suffering from a lack of form, was again been expensive throughout the series, but he is not alone. The South African's made short work of numerous half-volleys and wayward deliveries.

Nasser Hussain's suspected broken toe will provide a further headache for England as they assess their line-up for the final test. If Hussain is crocked, it could leave the way open for a return by Graham Thorpe.

Michael Vaughn, the easy-going new captain whose own performance in the series has been under-par, will be hoping for more grit from his batters and more accuracy from his bowlers if England are to stand a chance of squaring the series in the final test.

(gmcg)