England inevitably slump to the spanking they deserve, with South Africa winning the second test by 10 wickets at Headingley.
Starting day four on 50-2, England needed another 269 runs just to force South Africa to bat for a second time. They just about achieved that courtesy of an heroic rearguard action from James Anderson and a more fluent knock from Stuart Broad, but in the end the Proteas openers were left chasing only nine to complete the victory.
Anderson began the day partnering Alistair Cook at the crease after being sent in late on day three as night watchman. The Lancashire fast-bowler took a fearful blow to the rest from Dale Steyn, and then was hit in the head by the same bowler with the very next ball. Where many would have retired hurt, Anderson soldiered on, only to be dismissed lbw by Steyn in his next over. He received a standing ovation from the Yorkshire crowd, deservedly so after such a display of guts so sadly lacking in many of his colleagues.
Next to go after Anderson was Kevin Pietersen. Perhaps overly pumped up by the treatment meted out to Anderson, Pietersen thrashed three of his first four balls to the boundary, before edging his fifth to Mark Boucher off Jacques Kallis for 13. Entertaining stuff, but pretty far from what was required with his side still over 200 runs behind at the time.
Ian Bell was caught brilliantly (and legitimately) at gully by AB De Villiers for just four, which left England's hopes resting on Tim Ambrose and Andrew Flintoff. Both hung around doggedly for a while, but came out swinging after tea to manufacture their own downfall. Ambrose was dismissed in his preferred manner, caught behind by Boucher trying to cut Steyn over the Pennines after making 36. As for Flintoff, glimpses of the old magic started to reappear before he idly slashed a wide one to Kallis off Morne Morkel for 38.
That left Broad batting with the tail, a task he took to with admirable skill. He was always going to run out of partners, first losing Monty Panesar (bowled by Steyn for 10), and then Darren Pattinson (bowled by Morkel for a surprisingly defiant 13). Yet while his 61-run last wicket partnership with Pattinson lasted, Broad produced an array of elegant strokes including 11 fours, proving that with time he could become a genuine all-rounder in the Flintoff mould.
Post-game much of the talk was of the selection of Pattinson. The press had been apoplectic, and by now even England captain Michael Vaughan was coming around to their way of thinking. The Yorkshire man called it a 'confused selection', offering a very definite hint that we may not see Pattinson in England colours again regardless of the fitness of Ryan Sidebottom for the third test starting at Edgbaston on July 30. Chris Tremlett, Simon Jones and even Stephen Harmison appear more likely picks at this stage, with the squad announcement for that game set for this Saturday (July 26).
In football, Claude Makelele ends his five-year association with Chelsea. The Frenchman returns to his homeland to join Paris St.Germain on a free transfer. Reports from Stamford Bridge are that Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz will also leave, with a deal apparently agreed with Stuttgart of the Bundesliga.
Somewhat lower down the pyramid, Rob Hulse hops clubs once more, joining Derby County from Sheffield United for £1.75million. Former Everton and Arsenal goalkeeper Richard Wright returns to the club where he made his name, joining Ipswich Town from West Ham United. With Robert Green currently in a contractual dispute with the Hammers it would be unsurprising to see them make a move for another keeper before the end of August.
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