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Moores still hopeful of England victory

19/07/2008

Coach Peter Moores believes Andrew Flintoff can inspire England to come back from a precarious position against South Africa in the second Test.

The South Africans ended the second day at Headingley in a commanding position as Ashwell Prince hit 134 not out as they racked up 322/4 – which means the Proteas have a first innings lead of 119.

But Moores insisted his team were still capable of winning the Test match and felt Flintoff had the pace to unsettle the lower order of the South African batting line-up.

"I think we can still win it," said Moores, "We've got to come back tomorrow, put them under pressure and take early wickets to stay in the game.

"That's what we've got to do tomorrow - get some wickets and what we do know is if we can get down to the lower order here we can put them under pressure, especially with Fred (Andrew Flintoff), who provide a bit of extra pace.

"We have to reduce their lead, bat very well in the second innings and we always know that chasing at Headingley can be hard work if you've got some sort of score on the board."

Moores might be optimistic that England can still work themselves to a winning position, but if his bowlers perform like they did today, then it is difficult to see how England can bowl South Africa out twice.

The England bowlers could only muster one wicket today, and that was a lucky one as well, with the lbw decision against Hashim Amla a dubious one as replays showed the ball would have missed leg-stump.