England seal remarkable comeback

2 July 2008 | By Rob Barnett

Alec Stewart departs the Headingley outfield in triumph after England's 2-1 victory

England’s 1998 Test series against South Africa is the subject of the second ecb.co.uk classic photo story.

Four years on from their previous visit - a 1-1 draw - the Proteas returned full of confidence having beaten England 1-0 at home in 1995-6.

Alec Stewart went into his first series as captain after Mike Atherton had resigned during the 3-1 defeat in West Indies during the spring.

The tourists warmed up for the five-Test series by winning the one-dayers, still played in whites, 2-1.

The series began at Edgbaston where Atherton’s opening partnership of 179 with Mark Butcher and Dominic Cork’s 5-92 put England in a strong position before rain forced a draw.

Darren Gough was unable to bowl after an Allan Donald delivery broke his finger, forcing him to miss the second Test at Lord’s.

South Africa seized the initiative in London thanks to a Jonty Rhodes century. Donald followed up with 5-32 as England were forced to follow on.

Nasser Hussain struck a defiant ton but, like four years earlier, the Proteas won at the home of cricket to take a 1-0 lead.

A double-hundred from Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis’ century saw the tourists post a mammoth 552 at Old Trafford as England again had to follow on.

Allan Donald is convinced he has Mike Atherton caught behind but the batsman stands his ground

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Atherton and Stewart added 227 second time round before Robert Croft and Angus Fraser survived a dramatic climax to claim a draw with the scores level.

Captain Hansie Cronje hit a first-innings century at Trent Bridge but Fraser took five wickets in each innings to give England hope of victory.

Late on day four Atherton and Donald played out one of the fiercest duels in Test history after Atherton refused to walk with the Proteas convinced he had gloved behind.

Donald blew his top when wicketkeeper Mark Boucher dropped Hussain before Atherton saw England home the next day.

The decider at Headingley began well for Butcher who made his maiden Test ton but South Africa took a 22-run first innings lead.

Hussain’s second-innings 94 helped set South Africa 219 to win as Donald and Shaun Pollock each took five wickets.

In front of his adoring home fans Gough was England’s hero with six wickets in England’s dramatic 23-run win early on the final day.