South Africa dominate Somerset

30 June 2008

Morne Morkel has Wes Durston lbw for 63 as South Africa take control today

The disappointing form of spinner Paul Harris was the only down factor for South Africa after they dominated the second day of the tour match with Somerset at Taunton.

The Proteas closed their first innings on 515 for three after the mandatory 100 overs and then pace trio Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel were chiefly responsible for dismissing the LV County Championship title-chasers for 249.

But former Warwickshire bowler Harris struggled to find the right line and length and conceded 89 runs in 18.4 overs before picking up the wickets of tail-enders Mark Turner and Michael Munday.

He will be needed to provide effective back-up to the quicker bowlers and all-rounder Jacques Kallis when the first Test with England starts at Lord’s on July 10.

South Africa stand-in skipper Ashwell Prince opted not to enforce the follow-on despite having a first-innings lead of 266.

They chose instead for further batting practice and by the close had reached 56 for one for the loss of JP Duminey - an overall advantage of 322.

Morkel was the most impressive of the South African attack and his pace is certain to provide a searching examination for Michael Vaughan’s England side.

His first spell was the most effective when he yorked Arul Suppiah (16) and forced James Hildreth (nought) to chop on to his stumps.

The main resistance for Somerset came from South African-born wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter and Wes Durston.

Kieswetter, who played for his native country in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, top-scored with 67 off 111 balls with 12 boundaries before holing out to Morkel on the mid-wicket boundary.

Durston, who was playing Minor Counties cricket for Wiltshire a week ago, made 61 off only 79 balls with eight fours and a six before becoming Morkel’s third victim.

He played across a ball of full length and was trapped lbw.

South African-born Craig Kieswetter hits into the leg side en route to 67 for Somserset at Taunton

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South African were also aided by the two needless run-outs of Zander de Bruyn and Peter Trego in mid-innings.

Durston turned spinner Harris to fine leg but De Bruyn (nought) was sent back after getting halfway down the pitch attempting a third run and was run out at the non-striker’s end.

Then Trego (12) fell in a similar fashion. Durston cut Nel behind point for what looked a comfortable two but Trego decided to attempt a risky third and paid the price.

The Proteas resumed on 455 for three and the fourth-wicket pair of AB de Villiers and acting skipper Ashwell Prince plundered 60 runs in 10 overs before the mandatory declaration at the 100-over mark which is required in three-day tourist games.

Prince reached his 50 in spectacular manner with a massive six over long-off off spinner Munday. It came off 69 balls and also contained seven fours.

He was unbeaten on 63 when the innings closure came with de Villiers on 47 not out.

Kallis and batsman Hashim Amla, who were both century-makers on the first day, were absent from the field with a bruised elbow and slight groin strain respectively.

But neither are regarded as major injuries worries ahead of the opening npower Test with England.

Robin Petersen and Monde Zondeki, who had a brief spell with Warwickshire earlier in the season, substituted for the duo.

Skipper Graeme Smith also came through a testing workout on the outfield before the start of play after his hamstring injury and is expected to play against Middlesex at Uxbridge in a three-day game starting on Friday.