Pollock Shines as South Africa Struggle
May 25, 1998 - 0:0
LEEDS, ENGLAND - South Africa were restricted to 205 for eight as England, bidding for a consolation win in the third and final limited-overs international, made the most of seamer-friendly conditions at headingley on Sunday. South Africa, who took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with victory at old Trafford on Saturday, elected to bat but they struggled from the outset in the face of some sharp fielding and some tight English bowling on an awkward surface.
But the tourists were given some hope of clinching a series whitewash by all-rounder Shaun Pollock, who struck a brilliant 60. Opening bowlers Darren Gough and Veteran Angus Fraser, recalled to the side, hit a perfect line and length and quickly had the tourists on the back foot. South Africa were restricted to just 37 for two after 16 overs and looked in serious trouble at 78 for five before Hansie Cronje (35) played a captain's innings to rally his side.
Gary Kirsten (19) was the first to fall chopping Fraser on to his stumps attempting a late cut. Jacques Kallis (1) followed him shortly afterwards when wicketkeeper Alec Stewart threw down his stumps at the other end. Darryl Cullinan was the next to go as the pressure of England's water-tight bowling forced another run out. Cullinan nudged the ball into the covers where Nasser Hussain, England's best ground fielder, swooped and brilliantly threw down his stumps from 30 yards out.
Gerhardus Liebenberg, who barely hit the ball off the square in his marathon 1hr 39min stay at the crease, was finally dismissed LBW by Mark Ealham having scored just 13 in 57 balls. The tourists were 74 for four at the halfway point and they added just four more before Jonty Rhodes, scorer of 39 not out and 41 in the previous two matches, was caught at the wicket off Ealham. Cronje and Shaun Pollock then staged a mini-recovery to lead South Africa to 117 before the springbok captain gave Ealham his third wicket when he edged the ball to stewart.
Lance Klusener, who struck a match-winning unbeaten 55 on Saturday, failed to repeat his heroics when he was caught by stewart off Ealham for 14 with the score 146 for seven. But South Africa's score was given some respectability by a 50-partnership between Pollock and Mark Boucher. Pollock was bowled by Flemimg with three balls to go. (AFP)
But the tourists were given some hope of clinching a series whitewash by all-rounder Shaun Pollock, who struck a brilliant 60. Opening bowlers Darren Gough and Veteran Angus Fraser, recalled to the side, hit a perfect line and length and quickly had the tourists on the back foot. South Africa were restricted to just 37 for two after 16 overs and looked in serious trouble at 78 for five before Hansie Cronje (35) played a captain's innings to rally his side.
Gary Kirsten (19) was the first to fall chopping Fraser on to his stumps attempting a late cut. Jacques Kallis (1) followed him shortly afterwards when wicketkeeper Alec Stewart threw down his stumps at the other end. Darryl Cullinan was the next to go as the pressure of England's water-tight bowling forced another run out. Cullinan nudged the ball into the covers where Nasser Hussain, England's best ground fielder, swooped and brilliantly threw down his stumps from 30 yards out.
Gerhardus Liebenberg, who barely hit the ball off the square in his marathon 1hr 39min stay at the crease, was finally dismissed LBW by Mark Ealham having scored just 13 in 57 balls. The tourists were 74 for four at the halfway point and they added just four more before Jonty Rhodes, scorer of 39 not out and 41 in the previous two matches, was caught at the wicket off Ealham. Cronje and Shaun Pollock then staged a mini-recovery to lead South Africa to 117 before the springbok captain gave Ealham his third wicket when he edged the ball to stewart.
Lance Klusener, who struck a match-winning unbeaten 55 on Saturday, failed to repeat his heroics when he was caught by stewart off Ealham for 14 with the score 146 for seven. But South Africa's score was given some respectability by a 50-partnership between Pollock and Mark Boucher. Pollock was bowled by Flemimg with three balls to go. (AFP)