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05-Aug-2012 17:45:00 GMT
England v South Africa, 2nd Test, Leeds, 4th day

Rain Leaves Positive Result Unlikely

Leeds: England and South Africa are thwarted by rain on day four of the second Test at Headingley, which looks to be heading for a draw.

Only 38.4 overs were possible on the penultimate day of the second Test as South Africa closed 33 runs ahead of England at 39-0 in their second innings.

England had resumed 68 behind with five wickets intact, but Saturday's century hero Kevin Pietersen (149) fell to the second ball of the morning.

Matt Prior made a stylish 68 but leg-spinner Imran Tahir wrapped up the innings with a spell of 3-9 as England were all out for 425, a lead of only six.

South Africa's reply was interrupted by a torrential thunderstorm early on, before another dramatic burst of thunder, lightning and heavy rain ended proceedings for the day in Leeds.

England were bowled out for 425 shortly before lunch. South Africa were five for no wicket in their second innings when lightning and rain drove the players off the field three balls into what would probably have been the last over before lunch.

England lost top scorer Kevin Pietersen to the second ball of the day when he was trapped leg before wicket by Morne Morkel without adding to his overnight score of 149.

But Prior took over the attacking role played by Pietersen on Saturday, cracking eight fours before he was ninth man out, top-edging a sweep against leg-spinner Imran Tahir to deep fine leg.

Tim Bresnan helped Prior add 45 for the seventh wicket before Tahir wrapped up the innings, taking the last three wickets at a cost of nine runs to finish with figures of three for 92.

South African captain Smith took the field with his left knee strapped after suffering an injury late on Saturday.

He did not appear to be hampered in his running between wickets as he and Rudolph batted watchfully against disciplined bowling under a heavily overcast sky before a second thundershower moved in.

Rudolph was promoted in the order in place of first innings century maker Alviro Petersen, who did not field because of a hamstring injury and will be unable to bat until five wickets have fallen.

South Africa suffered a further injury blow when all-rounder Jacques Kallis could not take the field on Sunday because of back spasms.

Brief scores
South Africa
419 (Petersen 182, Smith 52, Broad 3-96) and 39 for 0
England 425 (Pietersen 149, Prior 68, Imran Tahir 3-92)
Status South Africa lead by 33 runs


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