MX23RW : Thursday, April 18 23:08:36| >> :600:1207971:1207971:

England battle hard for draw at Headingley

South Africa and England play out a draw at Headingley despite both sides attempting to force a victory on the final day in Yorkshire.

South Africa have ensured that they will take a lead into the final Test match after drawing with England at Headingley.

Despite rain threatening to ruin chances of any play in the morning, South Africa were able to continue their second innings with Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph both recording half-centuries.

However, Kevin Pietersen's part-time spin was enough to dismiss both openers before Hashim Amla gave England's century maker his third wicket when he picked out Alastair Cook.

Despite a fluent 44 from AB de Villiers, the Proteas experienced an uncharacteristic batting collapse as Stuart Broad claimed four victims for 12 runs before removing Morne Morkel to take his fifth wicket.

Graeme Smith declared on 258-9 in an attempt to force a result but England were equally positive by sending Pietersen in to open the batting but Vernon Philander dismissed the batsman before he could cause too much of a dent in the target of 253.

The Proteas continued to take wickets and England were forced to change to defensive mode as they ended the day on 130-4 to confirm the match ended as a predictable draw.

ID:38818: cacheID:38818:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2303:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
James Anderson
Read Next:
Anderson "perplexed" by dead-ball call
>