McKenzie blunts England's attack

England finally made their second breakthrough shortly before lunch on the second day at Edgbaston, but South Africa cemented their strong position as they reached 104 for 2. Neil McKenzie fought hard in bowler-friendly conditions with a half-century and was well supported by nightwatchman Paul Harris in a stand of 77. Ryan Sidebottom eventually extracted Harris, but England need further quick wickets to stay in the match.

Play was delayed by 15 minutes after a heavy shower moved over the ground and the first passage of play last just 15 balls. Conditions were perfect for swing bowling, but England's attack failed to make the most of them. Andrew Flintoff was hostile, but Sidebottom and James Anderson were both wayward, failing to make the batsmen play on off stump.

McKenzie continued as he has throughout the series, judging what to play and what to leave, drawing the bowlers to attack the stumps and then clipping them through the leg side. For a moment McKenzie thought his innings had ended on 29 when he edged Flintoff low to Andrew Strauss at first slip, but not for the first time in this series there was doubt over the carry. Strauss thought he'd caught it but didn't look entirely convinced, McKenzie remained and Flintoff stayed on 199 wickets.

Next over he sent a slashing cut straight through Paul Collingwood at gully and the indication was that it wasn't picked up out of the background. The bowlers' line continued to vary from too wide outside off, to drifting onto the pads with Anderson guilty of straining too hard. In fact, the whole of England's performance was flat with very little spark in the field.

Harris played his role perfectly as he repelled a short-pitched attack. He is a limited batsman, but got behind the line as Flintoff peppered him and even the edges evaded the slips. Twice balls fell short or lobbed wide of fielders on the leg side as Harris fended off his body. Eventually, though, his luck ran out as he sparred outside off and sent a comfortable edge to Alastair Cook at third slip. England's muted celebrations showed that they'd expected the success much earlier, but at least it was a start.

McKenzie's hard work was rewarded when he brought up his fifty off 100 balls shortly before the interval while Hashim Amla was settling in alongside him, despite being tested by some late swing from Sidebottom. McKenzie's diligence is a lesson to England's batsmen, whose woeful performance yesterday as left them in this precarious position.