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Pietersen makes captain's innings to put England on top

08/08/2008

Kevin Pietersen's fairytale start as captain continued after he hit a century to put England in control of the final Test against South Africa at the Oval.

Pietersen hit 100 while Paul Collingwood made 61 as England made 361, giving them a first innings lead of 122 runs.

The Proteas closed on 37-1 in their second innings with James Anderson trapping skipper Graeme Smith for a duck with an unplayable delivery.

But things could have been different if the tourists had capitalised on their explosive start to the day.

In just the third ball of the day, Ian Bell (24) nicked a vicious delivery from Makhaya Ntini to Smith at first slip.

Alistair Cook grinded out 39 off 102 balls but just before lunch the opener edged a wide delivery from Ntini to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher.

That brought Collingwood to the crease and the Durham batsman showed his century in the last Test was no fluke with a gutsy half-century.

At the other end, skipper Pietersen made a swashbuckling 50 which included a sensational boundary off Ntini to bring up his half-century.

The South Africa-born batsman then rode his luck after top-edging Morne Morkel with the onrushing Ntini failing to take the catch at square-leg. Ntini spurned another chance to dismiss Pietersen with a dropped catch after another top-edge this time off Andre Nel.

Pietersen punished the Proteas' poor fielding with a stunning 15th boundary to bring up another ton. But two balls later he was out after edging a delivery from Jacques Kallis to second slip.

England then suffered a colossal collapse, going from 219-3 to 263-8. After tea, Andrew Flintoff (9) was dismissed after a wretched shot off the bowling of Kallis.

Kallis continued to tear through England's middle order, dismissing Tim Ambrose (4) and the outstanding Collingwood (61).

England looked to have blown the chance of a big lead when Stuart Broad made 1 off 36 balls when he edged a delivery from Ntini, who finished with 5-94.

But James Anderson and Steve Harmison frustrated the tourists' bowlers, the latter making 49 which is his highest Test score.

Harmison came agonisingly close to his first first-class 50 but Anderson (13) was trapped lbw off spinner Paul Harris. The Durham bowler then ran out Monty Panesar with a despairing sprint for a single as England were bowled out.

England made full use of the new ball with Smith trapped lbw off a swinging delivery from Anderson's fifth ball.

Harmison continued his return to form with ferocious deliveries that nearly dismissed Neil McKenzie (nine not out).

Hashim Amla is unbeaten at stumps with 26 off 30 balls as the Proteas' trail England by 85 runs.