Unfortunately 50's & 40's wont do it. We need at least one batsman to get a really big ton.

Ian Bell your time has come

Anderson won't last long so we'll be 4 down early on.

He bowled well. Got something out the wicket. Smashing celebration aswell!

Can't see anything other than a SA victory here. And well deserved too.

That said, it would be nice if two of Trott, Collingwood or Bell could hang around until tea tomorrow. The pitch is starting to go, but it's still possible to get going if you concentrate early on (and keep on concentrating FWIW Cook and Strauss). The SAs don't cope well under pressure, and we bat long so if two of those three can get centuries and Prior and the tail are't given too much work, we could still get a draw. Highly unlikely though.

I'm unconvinced with the 6 batsmen and only a 4 man bowling attack, but I think it's worth persevering with. However, the bowlers must be royally f*cked off when they have to work so hard (mostly this series with success) to see so many of the top 6 give their wickets away so often. It's time for more of the top 6 to make a big score.

Captaincy wise, Strauss has been very good this series (possibly not a great decision to bat last on this strip, but I think our bowling performance in the first two sessions justified his choice to field), but he needed to have a 'captain's innings' today and he didn't do it. In fact, he's been disappointing with the bat all series.

Still, well done to SA and Smith on a superb knock (deserving of a double ton) and bring on the decider.

Hmm, England's recent knack of being able to save tests when they really shouldn't do will be tested here.

Jimmy won't be around for too long so it'll be 4 down soon enough. I can see a heroic stand by someone (probably Collingwood again or Prior) and the tail, but falling with a couple hours left.

On the flip side, the remaining batsmen can get 334 runs in a day, you never know

I'm sure Graeme Smith is confident England will not set a new world record and will not hit 466 runs to win this test match. He has left us so many overs to get them in because he is not too confident his bowling attack can take the 10 wickets required in 3 or 4 sessions!

In the unlikely event that England did hit the 466 required he would simply shrug his shoulders and accept that a world record has been broken to win the game (and series) and congratulate England for doing so. However with 3 down and still needing 350+ on the final day, there is only one winner here

Jimmy gone

158-4 Anderson really unlucky with his dismissal.

This is the crucial partnership of the day for me, both Colly and Trott can bat for long periods of time and if they can stay together for this session and a good portion of the afternoon session then we might just have a chance.

Trott gone for 42

An over from Harris after lunch, then it's new ball time. The next hour of play will determine the outcome.

179-5 at lunch. Just need snow now

Great spell of bowling from Steyn. This is what Test cricket is all about. Great contest

But he was a bowler



Surely Boycott is more like what we need

Good battling stuff from these two. It's all gone quiet since that new ball spell from Steyn, which gives us hope.

230-5 at tea. minimum of 33 overs remaining.

Another nail-biting final session in prospect. Hanging on for the draw would give England a stack of momentum moving into the final Test and at least a share of the series. If they lose this one though, you'd have to fancy the Saffers to take the series IMO.

Big first hour after tea.

Smith needs to utilise Duminy more judging by that last over before tea. Outstanding batting in that session by Bell and Collingwood, still one wicket could trigger a collapse so more of the same please fellas.

These two look comfortable, but we know it can change so very quickly. Another burst from Steyn might do the trick, but for now it's a bit gentle.

Oh heck. Here comes Steyn.

Don't say that!!!

17 overs left, 268-5.

Loving the no back life approach by Colly

I did qualify it after the comma.

All very gentle out there... Excellent defensive stuff from Collingwood in particular.

Uh-oh. Collingwood gone to a super slip catch.

Oi, Prior. Nothing stupid now.

Typical, last 13 overs will be a right tense afair now!

Argh!

Bad enough for the viewing public, but terrible for Graham Onions.


Oh balls. Prior. I said nothing stupid, you dozy git. Hard hands and a simple catch.

Please hold on England.

Referral on a catch off Broad. It's a bump ball. Not out.