South Africa vs England 3rd Test (2010) Post Match Presentation – Cape Town
Smith looks exhausted, as well he might be, he has had a marathon match, barely left the field. He says it will take a while to work out how the dressing room feels here, and rues the missing ‘knock-out blow’ for South Africa. He thanks the fans for their support and says South Africa have ‘a few questions to answer’ at the Wanderers but is confident of levelling the series.
Strauss arrives for the presentation, greeted with plenty of cheers from the Barmy Army. He has a broad grin and says that Collingwood and Bell produced something ‘special’ to save his side here. He credits South Africa for fighting their way so close to the finish line and says that the game of cricket, not any ball tampering issues, will be in the headlines tomorrow. Quite right.
Plenty of credit must go to Paul Collingwood, who, when England needed another rearguard, arrived at the wicket armed with a sack of bricks and built an unbreachable wall that repelled everything South Africa threw at him for 276 balls. Ian Bell played a huge innings under intense pressure. South Africa had to battle 22-yards of remorselessly flat, spirit-sapping earth, as they almost drew level in the series with fantastic bowling from Steyn.
More England vs South Africa 2009/10 Highlights
Follow us on Twitter to get all the updates – crichotline@twitter
