31 Jul 2008

South Africa dominate day one of third test

3:38 pm on 31 July 2008

The South African cricketers have gone a long way toward securing their four-match Test series against England with a dominant performance on the opening day of the third Test in Birmingham.

England's decision to bat first looked a good one with Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook putting on 68 for the opening wicket.

But then Strauss stepped on his stumps, skipper Michael Vaughan went for a duck, and Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood were both dismissed for four.

England were all out for 231 on an easy-paced pitch, but dismissed the South African captain Graeme Smith before stumps, the Proteas finishing the day 38 for 1.