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Lunch England 80 for 1 (Strauss 33*, Trott 6*) trail South Africa 419 by 339 runs
Alastair Cook wasted a review when he was trapped lbw by Vernon Philander © Getty Images
Alastair Cook was the one batsman to fall on the third morning at Headingley as an engrossing passage of play was disrupted by yet another rain stoppage in one of the wettest English summers since records began.
It was fancy dress day at Headingley and, instead of the usual parade of Elvises, comedy Scousers and young men in drag, a frogman's suit would have been more appropriate as rain forced an early lunch after England had added 32 to their overnight score.
Cook fell lbw for 24, pushing forward to Vernon Philander, the sort of low-trajectory bowler with an ability to swing the ball at a good length who often succeeds at Headingley. He stayed around for an umpiring review, however, which predictably was entirely wasted when the ball was shown to be hitting middle, two thirds of the way up. There might have been a glimmer of hope that the ball was pitching outside leg but it was a wasted review.
Batting relationships, as well as the status of players within a side, can often be revealed by attitudes to reviewing decisions that even in real time seem to have a high probability of being out. Cook is not only one of the most valued wickets in the England side, which gives him a slightly greater claim to a review, he is also Strauss' heir apparent and the relationship between the two men is strong. It all tipped England into a review that Strauss must have agreed to against his better instincts.
Philander's contest with Cook was not the only intriguing aspect of the curtailed morning session. Strauss was tormented, as he has been so often by Morne Morkel, who unlike Philander targeted the rib cage from around the wicket. Somehow Strauss survived without ever looking comfortable, collecting four leg byes off his shoulder as he sought to take evasive action.
Jonathan Trott also had an nervous moment, on 5, when he edged Philander just short of Graeme Smith at first slip. But then Headingley caught one of the prolonged heavy showers that have been forecast and disconsolate spectators raised umbrellas or wandered behind the stands in desperate search of a TV to watch the London Olympics. The marquee series of the English summer is already midway through, and feeling sorry for itself.
Alastair Cook wasted a review when he was trapped lbw by Vernon Philander © Getty Images
Alastair Cook was the one batsman to fall on the third morning at Headingley as an engrossing passage of play was disrupted by yet another rain stoppage in one of the wettest English summers since records began.
It was fancy dress day at Headingley and, instead of the usual parade of Elvises, comedy Scousers and young men in drag, a frogman's suit would have been more appropriate as rain forced an early lunch after England had added 32 to their overnight score.
Cook fell lbw for 24, pushing forward to Vernon Philander, the sort of low-trajectory bowler with an ability to swing the ball at a good length who often succeeds at Headingley. He stayed around for an umpiring review, however, which predictably was entirely wasted when the ball was shown to be hitting middle, two thirds of the way up. There might have been a glimmer of hope that the ball was pitching outside leg but it was a wasted review.
Batting relationships, as well as the status of players within a side, can often be revealed by attitudes to reviewing decisions that even in real time seem to have a high probability of being out. Cook is not only one of the most valued wickets in the England side, which gives him a slightly greater claim to a review, he is also Strauss' heir apparent and the relationship between the two men is strong. It all tipped England into a review that Strauss must have agreed to against his better instincts.
Philander's contest with Cook was not the only intriguing aspect of the curtailed morning session. Strauss was tormented, as he has been so often by Morne Morkel, who unlike Philander targeted the rib cage from around the wicket. Somehow Strauss survived without ever looking comfortable, collecting four leg byes off his shoulder as he sought to take evasive action.
Jonathan Trott also had an nervous moment, on 5, when he edged Philander just short of Graeme Smith at first slip. But then Headingley caught one of the prolonged heavy showers that have been forecast and disconsolate spectators raised umbrellas or wandered behind the stands in desperate search of a TV to watch the London Olympics. The marquee series of the English summer is already midway through, and feeling sorry for itself.