By Tom Bellwood
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England v South Africa: Essentials
MATCH DRAWN
England: Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, James Taylor, Matt Prior (wkt), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steven Finn.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (c), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB De Villiers (wkt), Jacques Rudolph, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
Umpires: Stephen Davis, Rodney Tucker.
First and Second innings
South Africa 419 & 258-9dec
England 425 & 130-4
Click here for a full scorecard
MATCH DRAWN
You can't say both captains didn't give it their all to win. Maybe Andrew Strauss could have pushed a few big hitters up the order at the end there, but a draw is fair, all things considered.
The weather was the main victor in the end and the two teams head into the final Test with South Africa knowing a win or draw will see them usurp England at the top of the ICC Test rankings.
Thanks for joining me, we'll have all the action from the Home of Cricket, starting on Thursday, August 16. Bye.
33rd over: England 126-4 (Trott 26, Bell 3)
Shot! Trott leans into a tidy cover drive to add four to the total. And Smith offers his hand to the batsmen. Match drawn.
32nd over: England 126-4 (Trott 26, Bell 3)
And that's why Smith is determined to carry on going: Trott hangs his bat out just a touch and sends an edge flying through where fourth slip would have been. Probably enough to convince the South Africa captain to wring out every last ball of this innings. England need 127 from the last six overs. Not entirely convinced they can score that.
31st over: England 119-4 (Trott 19, Bell 3)
England have scored nine runs in the last ten overs. One run there, a leg bye to be precise. The last knockings of this game are looking unlikely to produce a result, despite Smith's belligerence.
30th over: England 118-4 (Trott 19, Bell 3)
Nope, we'll carry on... There's another maiden. Will Graeme Smith offer his hand to the England batsman? Nope. He wants another over. Give him credit, he's staying hopeful of skittling England out.
29th over: England 118-4 (Trott 19, Bell 3)
Another maiden. Surely that'll be that..?
28th over: England 118-4 (Trott 19, Bell 3)
Two more overs, I reckon. Not a great deal going on out there now. I fancy there's not much appetite from Smith to put his fast bowers through the mill after such a long five days. Maiden for Morkel.
27th over: England 118-4 (Trott 19, Bell 3)
Bowling change: Jacques Kallis is in for a late blast. he's recovered enough from his back spasms to try and bang a few stumps over. Only 13 overs left in the day.
26th over: England 115-4 (Trott 18, Bell 1)
Morne Morkel joins the fray. A final little spell to try and win this Test. Half a shout as Bell edges towards second slip, but the ball pitches just short. There follows a big lbw shout for a delivery sliding down leg.
25th over: England 114-4 (Trott 18, Bell 1)
If England can see out the next three or four overs, keeping South Africa out of the tail, I reckon Smith will call time. Trott's at the crease, digging right in to Philander. And that's another maiden.?
24th over: England 114-4 (Trott 18, Bell 1)
We're heading into the final hour now. The two captains can shake hands after this over. Not sure South Africa will want to stop just now. My feeling is they'll give it another seven or eight to see what happens. Maiden.
23rd over: England 114-4 (Trott 18, Bell 1)
Nope, England have given up this run chase. Anything outside off is being left well alone. They're not zipping between the stumps, either. Blocking out is the order of the day, or the odd single. Ho, hum. Still, there's always Lord's, right?
22nd over: England 112-4 (Trott 17, Bell 1)
Steyn absolutely rattling in now. South Africa right on the front foot. They look like the team most confident of winning. Steyn's charging in, dipping them short, seeing if Trott and Bell have the minerals to play the chin music. England sustaining themselves on singles.
Run out: Prior was caught well short of his crease
21st over: England 110-4 (Trott 16, Bell 1)
'Come on boys, one more wicket then we've got a debutant', urges one South African in the field. He's got a point. The tourists know they're a couple of wickets shy of getting stuck into the tail. And there are 18 overs left. Four from the over.
20th over: England 106-4 (Trott 13, Bell 0)
The over started well, Trott found the boundary, but that running between the wicket was horrible. What do England o from here? Will they try and snatch it, or is it time to shut up shop.
WICKET! Matt Prior (run out) 7
Shocker. That must signal the end of England's hopes as Prior turns for a second that was never on, he tries to get his bat back, but there's clear daylight between bat and crease.
19th over: England 99-3 (Trott 6, Prior 7)
Here we go with the stats form the T20 this Test has now become. England need 162 at 8.1 an over. Seems like a huge task, but not totally out of the realms of possibility. Prior bags his first boundary with a vicious sweep out of the rough off Tahir's bowling.
18th over: England 91-3 (Trott 4, Prior 1)
The wicket cane after a lengthy break to change the ball. And what a change it was! But look at this, England are still going for it, they've lobbed Matt Prior on for a bit of long handle and to push England towards victory. It's all going on!
WICKET! Alastair Cook c Rudolph b Steyn 46
Oh dear. Leading edge straight to the man at short extra cover. Rudolph pouches a straight forward catch, Cook looks devastated.
Thriller: Steyn celebrates taking Cook's wicket as the two teams continue the fight for victory
17th over: England 88-2 (Cook 45, Trott 3)
We're almost into the Twenty20 scenario. Looks like England will need about 160 off the final 20. You'd have to back yourself from there, right? Six from the over, Trott moves off the mark with a dab via midwicket.
16th over: England 82-2 (Cook 42, Trott 0)
What do I know? There's me bemoaning the lack of a swashbuckling big hitter out there and Cook swats Duminy high over midwicket for SIX! A real beauty.?
15th over: England 76-2 (Cook 36, Trott 0)
Tahir thinks he's nabbed Cook with an in-dipper which pitches outside off, moves in, but doesn't quite strike enough in front of the stumps. And thusly Steve Davis' initial decision stays on the field. Just one from the over. Why not stick in James Taylor or Ian Bell? Have a dash, if it fails, shut up shop?
14th over: England 75-2 (Cook 34)
Another bowling change for the tourists with spin in at both ends, JP Duminy into the attack. And it pays dividends immediately.
WICKET! Andrew Strauss c&b Duminy 22
Woeful shot from the captain, toe-edged back to the part-time bowler Duminy. Every result still possible.
Long walk back: England captain Strauss heads back to the hutch after scoring not many
13th over: England 71-1 (Cook 34, Strauss 19)
Bowling change for South Africa: Imran Tahir is in to turn his arm over. He'll have watched with real interest as Kevin Pietersen generated rip earlier today. Strauss and Cook seem happy to nurdle the ball about, keep the scoreboard ticking over. They take six from the over.
12th over: England 65-1 (Cook 32, Strauss 17)
Shot! Cook pushes forward, there's as big edge which flies through the slip cordon and to the rope, too quickly for third man to cut it off.
11th over: England 59-1 (Cook 27, Strauss 16)
It's another excellent over for England, eight runs coming via a couple of singles, a brace and Strauss's flashing blade sends the ball racing wide of the slips cordon and for four.
10th over: England 51-1 (Cook 24, Strauss 11)
Shot! Steyn scratches his head, takes a look at the track, turns on his heels and heads back to his mark after Cook dazzles with a? stunning cover drive that arrives at the fence in the blink of an eye.
9th over: England 43-1 (Cook 18, Strauss 9)
Just one from the over. All together now: Booooooooooo.
Run chase: England have an outside chance of winning this Test match
8th over: England 43-1 (Cook 18, Strauss 9)
Singles, byes, runs. They're continuing to arrive. We have 31 over remaining, no time cut off, we'll keep going until they are all done. Certainly not much chance of England going off for bad light.
7th over: England 39-1 (Cook 17, Strauss 6)
A hurried single - a leg bye - is all England can muster in that over. The good news is that the spectator numbers have exploded passing the 5pm, free entry mark. The bad news is that England are dipping below the run rate required for victory. Is it too much to ask Strauss and Cook for a little 10 over long handle cameo?
6th over: England 38-1 (Cook 17, Strauss 6)
Excellent timing from Cook who plays a leg-sider from Philander just backward of square. And there follows a huge milestone for Andrew Strauss who nicks a single to reach 7,000 Test runs for England. Nine from the over. Better.
5th over: England 29-1 (Cook 11, Strauss 5)
Nope, this won't do, England need six and over, they bagged just one there. Ho,? hum.
4th over: England 28-1 (Cook 10, Strauss 5)
Looks like England's attempts to win it are over, Strauss comes out third and I'd be very surprised if we see any gung-ho dramatics from the England captain. In fact I'd fall off my bloody chair.... and I fall straight off my pew as Strauss pulls Philander square for four runs!
In a hurry: England need big runs with few overs
WICKET! Kevin Pietersen c Tahir b Philander 12
KP tries to hit Philander back over the top, but he fails to middle it, dropping a dolly to Tahir at mid-on.
3rd over: England 21-0 (Pietersen 12, Cook 9)
A decent over from Morkel, stained by a? loose delivery with the final ball, sliced low past gully for four more. England need another 232 to win.
2nd over: England 17-0 (Pietersen 12, Cook 5)
Can I reiterate: You can get into Headingley for free from 5pm. If that first over is anything to go by, we're in for real drama. The ground would be full in seconds if the students at Leeds and Leeds Met were in town. Alastair Cook joins the action with a crashing cut past gully for four more. Get your tin hats on, this is going to be fun.
1st over: England 12-0 (Pietersen 12, Cook 0)
Well, well, well! England shake-up the order in a real show of intent that they want to chase down the 253 required in 39 overs as Alastair Cook opens with Kevin Pietersen! I like it. And the move pays immediate dividends with back-to-back-to-back boundaries - England already beating the run rate!?
SOUTH AFRICA 258-9dec - ENGLAND NEED 253 TO WIN
That's it, then. England have performed admirably in the face of a Test which looked moribund for most of the day.
WICKET! Morne Morkel c Cook b Broad 10
On the pull, Mornel holes out to Cook at deep midwicket and Graeme Smith calls them in! Oh, and that's a five-fer for Stuart Broad.
Five-fer: Broad was the star for England with the ball
67th over: South Africa 247-8 (Petersen 15, Morkel 2)
Anderson will be delighted with that, he's shelled a couple today, but that was a classy catch. England need two more to begin the most unlikely of run chases. There was almost another wicket after Morkel tried an audacious pull over midwicket. James Taylor's despairing dive can't quite reach the ball. If he was an inch or two taller, he would have caught it.
WICKET! Dale Steyn c&b Anderson 3
What a catch! Steyn pushes Anderson back down the ground, but a huge reach, diving low to his right and he pouches the ball. Beauty!
66th over: South Africa 247-7 (Petersen 15, Steyn 3)
Six wickets in that afternoon session and there';s more good news on the way... Free entry at Headingley from 5pm! Why not swing by, you might see some real drama. If not you'll definitely see some top quality cricket. Steyn sends one through cover and they race off, well, Steyn races off, Petersen limps back for the third run. And the injured opener rounds off the over with a big club over midwicket for four.
TEA: SOUTH AFRICA ARE 239-7 AND LEAD ENGLAND BY 233 RUNS
Sportsmail's Paul Newman at Headingley writes: This is more like it! Six wickets in the session and a terrific spell from Stuart Broad which has seen him take four of them! South Africa are 233 ahead and there are 44 overs left.
Can England dare to dream? Well, you have to say it's very unlikely they can pull off a victory here but if they took the last three very quickly we could be in for a very exciting couple of hours.
The main thing is that England are looking like a proper team again. Sadly, we haven't been able to say that for most of this series. Stay tuned. You never know!
65th over: South Africa 239-7 (Petersen 10, Steyn 0)
Anderson slides one down leg which Petersen clips to the fine leg boundary for four runs. And that is tea.
64th over: South Africa 234-7 (Petersen 5, Steyn 0)
A series of dots for Broad. Maiden. England desperate to take another before tea.
Caught and bowled: Anderson takes a smart catch off his own bowling to dismiss Kallis
63rd over: South Africa 234-7 (Petersen 5, Steyn 0)
Shot! All the fielders come up for Petersen, who can't really run, his solution to that is to punch it through point for four. Last over before tea on the way? Might squeeze two in?
62nd over: South Africa 230-7 (Petersen 1, Steyn 0)
It has been a stunning spell from Broad who has four wicket now in this session. But surely it is all too little, too late. Even if they have 40 overs - 47 remain at the moment - to chase 245(ish) they'll need go at more than six an over. Sorry, no chance.
WICKET! Jacques Kallis c Prior b Broad 27
Gloved behind, Kallis goes trying to move out the way of a bouncer which didn't bounce very much. England ecstatic. Game on? Good grief, I'm not sure now.
61st over: South Africa 226-6 (Kallis 23, Petersen 1)
James Anderson's back, just one from the over. And there's a woman in the crowd wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan: 'Bumble for PM'. Sportsmail's finest in the Sky comms box says he's speechless.
60th over: South Africa 225-6 (Kallis 22, Petersen 1)
Shane Warne reckons England should open with Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior, give it a thrash and see what happens in the evening session. I reckon South Africa will bat well into the next session to remove any doubt of defeat and insert England for a 10-over spell and let Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn shake up the openers.
Gloved it! Kallis attempts to duck out the way of a bouncer, but gets a touch on the way through to the wicketkeeper
60th over: South Africa 225-6 (Kallis 21, Petersen 0)
England well into the tail now and here comes the opener, Alviro Petersen. Broad's hitting his straps and England will have been buoyed by this run of wickets in the afternoon session. Tea is still 20 minutes away and there's 49 overs in the day!
WICKET! Vernon Philander lbw b Broad 6
Outside off, jagging back in at Philander who plays wide of the delivery and is hit smack in front of middle and off. Full, straight and another for Broad, simple, right?
59th over: South Africa 223-5 (Kallis 21, Philander 6)
Ooooh, that's a beauty from Kallis, a picture perfect cover drive which zooms to the rope in the blink of an eye.?
58th over: South Africa 215-5 (Kallis 14, Philander 5)
More encouraging signs for Broad as Philander gets a thick edge to send the ball racing towards third man. It was in the air for quite some time. But this sis still too little, too late. South Africa may have lost five wickets, but the stat which matters most is they lead by 209 runs.
57th over: South Africa 209-5 (Kallis 13, Philander 0)
A series of dot balls. Six in total and thusly that is a maiden over.
Taking a tumble: Kallis nearly fell onto his own wicket
56th over: South Africa 209-5 (Kallis 13, Philander 0)
Wot, no Kevin Pietersen? No, Andrew Strauss has hoicked his main strike bowler off to give him a well-earned rest and brought on the part-time medium-pace wobblers provided by Stuart Broad, who proceeds to bag two in two, but can't complete his hat-trick. Game on?
WICKET! JP Duminy lbw b Broad 0
There's another, Duminy's footwork is awful, he's falling over as the ball hits him in front of middle and looked to be hitting leg.
WICKET! AB de Villiers lbw b Broad 44
Full, straight, plumb in front of middle stump and De Villiers is gone!
55th over: South Africa 205-3 (De Villiers 41, Kallis 12)
Shot! De Villiers stands back and admires his fine work after swatting Finn back down the ground for an imperious four runs. Sweetly timed, right off the middle.
54th over: South Africa 200-3 (De Villiers 36, Kallis 12)
There's a load of Beth Tweddle related cheering and whooping going on. Think she's won a? bronze medal in the uneven bars. At least that's what someone has just told me. An emotional end to her career, I hear. What a day for Twedders. Kallis carts KP over Cow Corner, there's 11 runs from the over and South Africa now lead by 194 runs.
Broad appeal: The England seamer has been in the wickets this afternoon
53rd over: South Africa 189-3 (De Villiers 32, Kallis 5)
So Jacques Kallis is in - came in in the last over, in fact - his back much improved from yesterday. The job's to stick around, add some runs and then ask England to have a go. I fancy they should do it sooner rather than later, make this a really interesting afternoon.
52nd over: South Africa 185-3 (De Villiers 30, Kallis 3)
England's best batsman and now their best bowler in this Test. Take a bow, Mr Pietersen. Only another seven wickets to go and then England can begin the runs chase. This Test is in the bag!
WICKET! Hashim Amla c Cook b Pietersen 28
Full toss which Amla - somewhat generously - drives straight to Cook at short extra cover.
51st over: South Africa 179-2 (Amla 27, De Villiers 28)
Bowling change: Steve Finn replaces Tim Bresnan. Just one from his over as De Villiers clips square.?
50th over: South Africa 178-2 (Amla 27, De Villiers 27)
Here's a painful stat for England fans: Kevin Pietersen is England's equal leading wicket-taker in the series, with three, says Shane Warne. Ouch. Seven from the over as the South Africa pair help themselves to runs.
Picture perfect: After all the rain, players and spectators will be pleased that sun has finally decided to show its face
49th over: South Africa 171-2 (Amla 22, De Villiers 25)
Ahh, the sweet serenity of just a single from the over. The way this one is going now, the general consensus is that South Africa will forge a lead of 250-270, then insert England and unleash Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn to land some heavy blows ahead of the final Test.
48th over: South Africa 170-2 (Amla 22, De Villiers 24)
Oh dear. An over England will be happy to put behind them as Amla scores another two boundaries in an over of 10 runs and James Anderson drops an absolute dolly at first slip. Let's forget this ever happened, OK?
47th over: South Africa 160-2 (Amla 13, De Villiers 23)
Runs are coming thick and fast now. Run rate in the last ten overs has edged up to 4.40. Tim Bresnan receives a bit of treatment, hooked onto the leg side for four more.
46th over: South Africa 156-2 (Amla 13, De Villiers 19)
Pietersen dips one in short, De Villiers dazzles with a reverse grip sweep to the vacant third man boundary. A very decent start to the Afternoon session for the tourists.
45th over: South Africa 149-2 (Amla 13, De Villiers 12)
Shot(s)! AB de Villiers is a delightful stroke player when he's in the mood. And that swat through cover was a peach. He's awarded four runs for his efforts, too. Well, that's the regulation score for balls which reach the boundary. And there's another four added courtesy of a punch square. South Africa now lead by 143.
Man of the moment: KP has taken three wickets for England
44th over: South Africa 135-2 (Amla 10, De Villiers 1)
Now Snicko has been roped in to clear up the Graeme Smith dismissal. Not a thing on there which suggests the batsman touched it. Pietersen over pitches one and Amla gives it the treatment through covers, a misfield means it reaches the boundary.
43rd over: South Africa 129-2 (Amla 5, De Villiers 0)
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. Maiden.
42nd over: South Africa 129-2 (Amla 5, De Villiers 0)
And KP has a two-fer. Good job England didn't select a full time spinner otherwise they could have won this Test. Phew!
WICKET! Graeme Smith c Taylor b Pietersen 52
It's a contentious one, but KP has nabbed another wicket. Looks like an edge onto his pads which looped up and caught by Taylor at short leg. The finger came straight up, but Smith asked for a review. Replays were totally inconclusive, but the decision remained on the field. Not DRS's finest moment.?
41st over: South Africa 129-1 (Smith 52, Amla 5)
It's a charmed life for Graeme Smith who moves forward to block out side his off stump, but Bresnan's delivery moves away and into Matt Prior's gloves behind, missing the South African captain's bat by *this much*. Chastening times for the England bowler. Amla adds four through mid-off.
Controversial: Smith is given out, but replays suggested he didn't hit the ball
40th over: South Africa 124-1 (Smith 51, Amla 1)
Howizaaaaaaaaat!? Huge celebrations from Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior behind the stumps as they think Graeme Smith has edged one. Smith shakes his head, umpire Steve Davis says no. And the decision is vindicated on the review. Harumph.
39th over: South Africa 123-1 (Smith 50, Amla 1)
Hello, welcome back, it's time for the afternoon session and what can we expect? Well, a great deal, actually. If England keep missing the outside edge and South Africa rack up the runs, the Proteas will be buoyed heading into the final Test. If England can win the small battles, they can take heart as they attempt to level the series at the MCC. Tim Bresnan begins proceedings from the Kirkstall Lane End and we still have 77 overs remaining in the day. This first one is a maiden.
LUNCH: SOUTH AFRICA ARE 123-1 AND LEAD ENGLAND BY 117
Sportmail's Paul Newman at Headingley writes: Well, would you believe that? Jacques Rudolph has faced three balls from Kevin Pietersen in this match and been dismissed twice by him! Bit of a mystery why Andrew Strauss waited this long on the final day before trying out his part-time off-spin but maybe he couldn't bring himself to do so because it emphasises the mistake made in leaving out Graeme Swann.
It will surely be too little too late for England. South Africa are selling their wickets very dearly in this series and with only one wicket down at lunch they are 117 ahead. Unless we have a miracle even greater than that of Headingley 1981 England's run of seven successive home Test series wins is at an end.
38th over: South Africa 123-1 (Smith 50, Amla 1)
Bit of turn in there for KP who pitches one on leg, it straightens and that's the end of an impressive knock from Rudolph. But why did it take so long to fetch Pietersen on? And there's this from Shane Warne (via Twitter) 'England missing Swann much? As I said before a ball was bowled, disgrace to leave him out of this test England confused at selection table.'
WICKET! Jacques Rudolph lbw b Pietersen 69
Kevin Pietersen is the new Graeme Swann. Second ball of first spell and he bags Rudolph lbw.
37th over: South Africa 119-0 (Smith 47, Rudolph 69)
Bowling change: Tim Bresnan is hoicked in, much to the delight of his Yorkshire brethren in place at Headingley today. Both of them. The sun is baking down on the ground now and those who were wrapped up under umbrellas, ponchos and a number of layers of clothing will now need to think about slapping on some sun cream. Failing that, salad cream would go nicely. James Anderson drops one in the slips, too. Only just carried, but hit the flat of his palm/thumb area and rolled away.
In a spin: KP nabbed a wicket in the final over before the break for lunch
36th over: South Africa 115-0 (Smith 44, Rudolph 68)
After a fiery start to his spell, Finn has lost a touch of pace and his length has pulled short a bit. The result is an over which features a punch through midwicket (for four) and a meaty punch back down the ground (for another four).
35th over: South Africa 106-0 (Smith 36, Rudolph 67)
Another couple of singles. South Africa look well set, England sitting in and waiting for something to happen. Let's just shake on this one.
34th over: South Africa 104-0 (Smith 35, Rudolph 67)
Can we start thinking about the next Test, yet? Lord's is the venue, a dead-set draw, right? England - and in particular the bowlers - need to find another gear from somewhere as they've been decidedly average in these first two Tests. two singles from the over, three or so overs from lunch now.
33rd over: South Africa 102-0 (Smith 34, Rudolph 66)
Another over, another edge, another boundary. This time Rudolph directs one which runs low between second and third slip. Brings up the 100 partnership and one which has certainly made sure there would be no chance of the South Africans losing this match.
32nd over: South Africa 96-0 (Smith 33, Rudolph 61)
Oh, the irony! England move the field in, try and put some pressure on - as per Sir Beef's hopes (see 23rd over) - and Rudolph skies one to long leg. No fielder there, though, he'd moved up to leg slip. Rudolph rides his luck, edging wide of the three-man slip cordon for four more.? ?
12.54: Everyone's coming out again. We'll have another go, shall we?
12.49: Stopped raining again. Covers coming off. One of the most frustrating days.?
RAIN STOPS PLAY
12.46: #tearshairoutofhead
One of those days: England have toiled without any reward today
31st over: South Africa 90-0 (Smith 33, Rudolph 55)
Murmurings of discontent over Andrew Strauss's captaincy. General consensus is that England aren't doing anything different, which is galling when a hint of urgency could cause the opposition some problems.
30th over: South Africa 90-0 (Smith 33, Rudolph 55)
Here's today's revised schedule: Lunch: 1.30 - 2.10; Afternoon session 2.10 - 4.10; Evening session: 4.30 - 7. Although if things remain as they are, the two captains will probably shake hands well before the 7pm cut-off. Finn sends down a stinker, well wide and is thumped for four.
29th over: South Africa 85-0 (Smith 28, Rudolph 55)
'Now it is all about taking wickets. If you don't take wickets, you don't win the game,' Warne justifies his fee in 17 words. Rudolph edges Anderson's length delivery wide of where fourth slip would have been, if England had placed one there. For more runs.
28th over: South Africa 80-0 (Smith 27, Rudolph 51)
Shot! Rudolph slaps Finn fine of point for four runs which brings up his half century. South Africa now lead by 74 and even the denizens of Yorkshire - who do love their cricket - seem happy just to clap politely and soak up the final day of test cricket here.
27th over: South Africa 76-0 (Smith 27, Rudolph 47)
We're back on! Lost around 40 minutes after those two flurries of rain. That should probably be it for wet stuff until later this afternoon. But that break didn't help anyone's hopes of forcing a victory. James Anderson resumes things with a maiden.
Jacques the lad: Rudolph has been in fine nick at the top of the South African batting order
12.10: And now the covers are coming back off. Brightening up a touch, too.
11.59: The covers were coming off, but they're being moved back on as another shower glides in.?
RAIN STOPPED PLAY
11.38: Actually quite bright out there, should only be a passing shower.
26th over: South Africa 76-0 (Smith 27, Rudolph 47)
First bowling change. Here's Steven Finn. Rudolph leans over one and sends it back via midwicket, down the hill and for four more. England need something, need something soon. Think they should bring on a spinne... oh, hang on.
25th over: South Africa 69-0 (Smith 25, Rudolph 42)
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. That's a maiden. And we'll have a brief break while groundstaff work at banging down loose turf in Stuart Broad's footholes.
24th over: South Africa 69-0 (Smith 25, Rudolph 42)
The parsimonious beginnings have been replaced by some blood and guts from Rudolph who seems intent on playing a few a shots. A cover drive races towards the fence, the ball's progress is halted by a great sliding stop from Steven Finn who clatters into the fence, but they run four. And there follows another crushing blow to the on the off side. Ten from the over. Ouch.
More of the same: Rain has blighted another day at Headingley
23rd over: South Africa 59-0 (Smith 24, Rudolph 33)
Sir Beef isn't happy. England's field is too defensive, fielders sitting too deep. He'd've had Smith out three times this morning. Bah, this game of cricket's a doddle, right? Just a single from the over. Ho, hum.
22nd over: South Africa 58-0 (Smith 23, Rudolph 33)
Ooohs and aaaahs and what'chu talkin' 'bout Willis cries go up as Broad finds Rudolph's inside edge (bouncing just shy of fielder) and outside edge (ditto). It's a wonder the ball is doing so much, but bowlers have had to work so long and hard for their wickets. Still plenty to keep England interested. But the fact South Africa have 10 wickets remaining - and are already edging into a lead of 52 runs, means this game is heading just one way.
21st over: South Africa 54-0 (Smith 21, Rudolph 32)
No dice thus far for England. They've put the ball in the right places, it's doing a bit. But they're facign a couple of obdurate South Africans, who look dead-set on keeping hold of their wickets. Rudolph eyes a loose and wide one from Jimmy and fair thwacks it square to the boundary as the tourists past the 50 mark without too much bother.
20th over: South Africa 47-0 (Smith 18, Rudolph 28)
Broad looks interested here as he gets one to shape from off on to middle, but Rudolph adjusts his stroke to prevent any danger. There follows a very tasty full drive back past mid-off for four runs.
19th over: South Africa 43-0 (Smith 18, Rudolph 24)
James Anderson's into the attack and Rudolph plays a decent front-foot push back via mid off for the first runs (three of 'em) of the morning. A gentle ripple of applause from the spartan crowd in at Headingley. Disappointed by the denizens of Yorkshire. Not too often South Africa come to town. If you're in the area you can still grab a ticket - or thousand- if you want them?
Eyes down: There's only one day left for the two teams to try and force a victory
18th over: South Africa 39-0 (Smith 17, Rudolph 21)
'Conditions are perfect for bowling', urges Bumble. And he's got a point. Lowe lying cloud, ideal for swinging the ball round corners. Just what England need of they are to conjure up a miracle. Stuart Broad leads the attack this morning and he serves up a couple of absolute jaffas to Smith, the ball hooping in from outside off, but past the edge. Maiden.
10.52: OK, so what do I know. Action will be starting bang on time. Time for you to stick on a brew and let's see what drama this Test can offer us. Oh, and due to all the rain yesterday, well have 98 overs to try and force a result.
10.49: While we wait for the resumption of hostilities, have a read of Bumble's musings on a soggy day four west Yorkshire right here.
10.45: Tractors out in the field and groundstaff swarming all round as they prepare the track and outfield for play. We won't start on time, but the delay should one be another half hour or so.
10.35: Action starts in 25 minutes, in the meantime why not read over the full report from yesterday's action right here
10.30am: Oh, quelle surprise, it has been raining again. Covers are coming off and we should be good to start on time. But there's more rain scheduled later today. This isn't the most insightful comment you'll hear all day, but I'm not sure we're going to see anything other than a draw today.
Welcome to Sportsmail's coverage on day five of the second Test between England and South Africa. What did we learn yesterday? Not a great deal as rain limited the action to a mere 39 overs.
What can we hope for today? Early wickets could make it a nervy one for South Africa, who will be boosted by the return of Jacques Kallis and Alviro Petersen has to bat at No 7 after missing much of day three.?
Action on the way presently and you can get in touch via the email address above. Many thanks to you.
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