Cricket: Fine catch sparks four-wicket haul

PORT ELIZABETH - England fast-bowler Simon Jones says the catch he took to dismiss Graeme Smith sparked the spell of bowling that put the tourists in control of the first cricket test against South Africa yesterday.

England were 93 for three in their second innings, just 49 runs short of a target of 142, when bad light ended the fourth day's play 12 overs early.

Smith top-edged a hook off fast-bowler Andrew Flintoff and Jones made good ground from fine leg to dive and scoop up a fine catch centimetres from the turf.

Jones went on to claim four victims after lunch as South Africa's last six wickets tumbled for 28 runs in 14 overs.

"You just try and get yourself in the right position, and it sticks," said Jones.

"It gives you a buzz and that's good when you're bowling. It was awkward because the wind was swirling."

Jones said England were determined to take control of the day's play.

"We knew it was a massive day for us. If we were going to win this match, we knew we had to do very well in the first two sessions."

South Africa's Shaun Pollock said the hosts were disappointed with their performance but had not given up hope of winning or drawing the match.

"We talked about the fact that 270 hasn't been got too many times in the past at this ground, and we had to get at least that far ahead to put some serious pressure on England," he said.

"We fought hard and we haven't given up yet. We haven't played anything like as well as we would have liked, and we have still competed.

"We'll be fighting, there's still 49 runs to get, and I'm sure some of the guys will open the curtains in the morning and see if it's still raining."

Rain fell soon after the early close and further showers have been predicted for today.

Fast-bowler Pollock had Marcus Trescothick caught behind with the first ball of England's second innings, and with his next ball he had a loud leg-before appeal for Mark Butcher's wicket turned down by umpire Simon Taufel.

Earlier, Taufel gave Pollock out caught behind off Jones when television replays suggested he had not hit the ball.

- REUTERS