Pietersen falls as England falter

South Africa were made to work hard on the fourth morning at Headingley before removing James Anderson and Kevin Pietersen in quick succession, putting them firmly on course for a 1-0 series lead. Alastair Cook remained not out on 46 at lunch having put on a courageous third-wicket partnership of 59 with Anderson, who batted bravely for a career-best 34.

Anderson played with impressive composure and no shortage of class, though South Africa passed the edge of his bat on numerous occasions. Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini opened the bowling and Anderson, mostly playing off the back foot, was beaten twice by Morkel as the fourth-day pitch began to show worrying variable bounce. Balls shot through; the occasional one from Morkel, with his extra height, spat up, but it was a concern for South Africa that they extracted so little lateral movement.

Cook showed excellent judgement outside his off stump all morning, capitalising on anything wide by calmly pushing through cover. After half an hour, there was a belief by England that while the pair were at the crease, they might as well score some runs, and they did so with impish running. If anything, it caught South Africa off-guard. Graeme Smith's side are eager in the field, but only AB de Villiers really threatens. Anderson nudged singles out to cover and to midwicket, taking on the fielders, and although they were decidedly dangerous runs, South Africa's wild throws missed the stumps repeatedly. England were beginning to frustrate them.

A languid cut by Anderson demonstrated his growing confidence, and he bettered it with two excellent fours off Paul Harris - the first, punched off the back foot and threaded through cover, before he came onto the front foot to dispatch one of fuller length. Steyn, meanwhile - kept out of the attack until the 12th over of the day - persisted with a war of bouncers against both batsman. He was at his most vicious from around the wicket, however, and rapped Anderson a nasty blow on his forearm that required physio treatment.

The next ball, however, really shook Anderson's resolve when the batsman ducked into a short ball, the grille of his helmet hammering into the right side of his jaw. He was immediately floored, prompting Steyn and Hashim Amla to assess the damage, and though he looked groggy and stunned by the bouncer, he gave a sparse Headingley crowd reason to cheer by deciding to bat on. Steyn proceeded to bounce him mercilessly, and when he finally pitched it up, Anderson was rapped bang in front. England were 109 for 3, still trailing by an ominous 210.

Pietersen marched to the crease and predictably took the attack to South Africa, with Steyn being taken for four down to fine-leg before a shorter delivery was punched through mid-off. He took on Jacques Kallis, too, with the most emphatic square-drive but Pietersen's explosive innings ended with Kallis's next ball, feathering a wideish delivery to Mark Boucher. South Africa greeted Pietersen's wicket with frenzied delight; England's big gun had fallen after only a five-ball stay.

Cook continued to block his way to lunch with Ian Bell, but with the pitch offering variable bounce, England have it all to do with five sessions in which to survive.