South Africa left-arm spinner Paul Harris took three wickets in the second session to reduce England to 238 for seven at tea on the third day of the first test. At the end of the day's second session, Harris had figures of 4-90 with England needing help from its lower-order to minimise the damage.
The tourists started the second session on 143 for three. The first wicket to fall after lunch was that of Kevin Pietersen, who edged a Morne Morkel delivery onto his stumps when on 40. Pietersen hit three fours and a six in a 117-minute innings. England lost their next three wickets for 32 runs, all to Harris. Ian Bell was bowled for five, Matt Prior top-edged a sweep to Friedel de Wet at fine-leg for four scored off 34 balls, and top-scorer Paul Collingwood edged to Jacques Kallis at slip. Collingwood hit five fours and a six in his 133-minute innings of 50. He added 49 for the fourth wicket with Pietersen. In the first session, fast bowler Makhaya Ntini snared the vital wicket of England captain Andrew Strauss six overs into the day. Ntini, in his 100th test, bowled the left-hander for 46 after England had added 10 runs to their overnight tally of 88-1. The Proteas received another boost when Harris bowled Jonathan Trott for 28 half-an-hour before lunch, and England reached the end of the first session on 143 for three wickets.
On Friday, England added only 55 runs in 27 overs in the first session.
{{/usCountry}}On Friday, England added only 55 runs in 27 overs in the first session.
{{/usCountry}}All the England batsmen battled the variable bounce from the Supersport Park pitch on day three, with several balls keeping low. Strauss endured a torrid over from Ntini before he was bowled playing back the final ball of the 29th over that bounced ankle-high and hit his off-stump. The England captain added just two runs to his overnight score of 44, batting 138 minutes.
Brief Scores SA 1st inns: 418 all out.
Eng 1st inns 238/7 (Pietersen b Morkel 40)