Number 11 batsman Graham Onions batted out the last over for the second time in the series as England escaped with a draw on the fifth day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands yesterday.
Number 11 batsman Graham Onions batted out the last over for the second time in the series as England escaped with a draw on the fifth day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands yesterday.
South African captain Graeme Smith bemoaned his side's inability to finish off the opposition, which means England go into the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg next Thursday with an unbeatable 1-0 lead despite South Africa twice getting within one wicket of victory.
"It's hugely frustrating not being able to land the knockout blow," said Smith.
ADVERTISEMENT
England finished on 296 for nine after four wickets fell in the last hour.
"Everyone gave 100 per cent in that last 15 overs," said Smith.
England captain Andrew Strauss hailed Onions as 'a legend' but said the finish should not have been so close after an 'unbelievable partnership' between Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, who batted together for almost four hours.
Strauss said England would not be satisfied with a share of the series.
"It's nice to know they can't win it but we came here to win the series," said the South African-born Strauss.
"We'll be pretty unhappy when we step on that plane if we let them back in. But we've got to be better than we were in this game."
A dramatic finish seemed unlikely after Collingwood and Bell saw off the second new ball and batted comfortably into the last hour.
But Collingwood was caught at slip off the part-time off-spinner J P Duminy with 13.3 overs remaining and as happened in the first Test at Centurion England found themselves in desperate trouble.
In Duminy's next over Matt Prior prodded a catch to AB de Villiers at short leg. With up to seven fielders clustered around the bat, Stuart Broad survived without scoring a run for 22 balls before a ball from left-arm spinner Paul Harris bounced and popped off his glove for De Villiers to make another catch at short leg.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel was brought back into the South African attack and with his first ball had Bell caught at first slip by Smith after a 286-minute vigil in which he scored 78. There were 17 balls left but Onions and Graeme Swann survived against Dale Steyn and Morkel, with Onions playing out a challenging last over from Morkel with impressive calm.
South Africa were hampered by a back injury to Friedel de Wet.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
