Strauss Makes Solid Start, After Swann 5-wickets

Centurion: Spinner Graeme Swann picked up the third five-wicket haul of his fledgling Test career before England reached 88-1 in reply to South Africa's 418.

Resuming on 262-4 on day two of the first Test in Centurion, South Africa built patiently all the way down on a tough day for England's bowlers.

Mark Boucher survived a drop on 25 to hit 49 while Graham Onions supported Swann's 5-110 with figures of 3-86.

Alastair Cook fell to Friedel de Wet for 15 as England began their innings.

On a wicket that had quickened up considerably since the opening day, Makhaya Ntini caused Cook, Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott a few early problems. But with Strauss ending the day in good shape on 44 and Trott adding an unflustered 18, England will still be reasonably confident they can get close to South Africa's score on the third day.

Factoring in possible weekend showers, the draw appears the likeliest result, though South Africa will be confident they can still do enough to force a victory.

Much could depend on how South Africa's four-man bowling attack copes without its spearhead Dale Steyn - a late injury withdrawal from this match.

South Africa had spent most of the day building their score intelligently, although at times very slowly, to post the second best first innings total in all Tests at Centurion.

Brief scores
South Africa: 418 (Kallis 120, Swann 5-110)
England: 88 for 1 (Strauss 44*)
Status: England trail by 330 runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia England won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs

England Fined For Slow Over Rate in Final Test [+]

England players have been fined for their team's slow over rate in the final Test at the Wanderers which South Africa won by an innings and 74 runs on Sunday.

Career-best Rankings for Smith and Morkel [+]

Graeme Smith, the South African captain, and Morne Morkel, one half of his hostile new-ball pair, have climbed to career-best rankings after South Africa's resounding victory in the fourth Test at the Wanderers.

South Africa Level Test Series in Style [+]

South Africa won the final Test by an innings and 74 runs, bowling England out for 169 just before lunch on the fourth day to level the series at 1-1.

England on Course For Heavy Defeat in Final Test [+]

England look set for a heavy defeat in the final Test at the Wanderers as they end day three on 48-3, still trailing South Africa by 195 runs.

Smith Century Puts South Africa on Top [+]

Graeme Smith hit a century as South Africa took control before heavy rain stopped play on the second day of the fourth and final Test against England.

Morkel and Steyn Rout England For 180, SA 29/0 [+]

South Africa's fast bowlers took advantage of helpful conditions as England crashed to 180 all out on the first day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium.

Friedel de Wet to Mss England Final Test [+]

South Africa paceman Friedel de Wet will miss the fourth and final Test against England after suffering a recurrence of a back problem in the third Test.

SA Withdraw Tahir Over Eligibility Fears [+]

South Africa have withdrawn Pakistan-born leggie Imran Tahir from their squad for fourth Test against England because of fears over his eligibility.

England Duo Reject Ball-tampering Claims [+]

James Anderson and Stuart Broad both insisted they had nothing to be ashamed of after being caught up in suggestions of ball-tampering.

South Africa Call Parnell, Tahir for Final Test [+]

Left-arm swing bowler Wayne Parnell and leg-spinner Imran Tahir have been added to South Africa's squad for the fourth Test against England.