South Africa benefits from England drops

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

South Africa made England pay for dropped catches as it eyed a potentially series-clinching lead on the fourth day of the third Test at Lord’s yesterday.

The Proteas were 216 for four in their second innings, 210 runs ahead, when bad light and rain forced an early lunch.

Hashim Amla was 94 not out and AB de Villiers 24 not out in a stand so far worth 52 after both batsmen had been dropped on single figure scores.

South Africa was 1-0 up in the three-match series after an innings win in the first Test at The Oval, where Amla made a national record 311 not out.

It only has to avoid defeat at Lord’s to replace England as the world’s top-ranked Test side.

The Proteas resumed yesterday on 145 for three, with Amla 57 not out and nightwatchman Dale Steyn unbeaten on nought.

Amla, who dropped on two Saturday when he glanced Broad down the legside and diving wicket-keeper Matt Prior just failed to cling on to the difficult left-handed catch, was content to bide his time yesterday.

He didn’t score a boundary in the morning session but still moved to within sight of a hundred.