LONDON, Aug 17: Vernon Philander hit his maiden test 50 on Friday as South Africa scored 309 all out on day two of the third test which England must win to stay top of the ICC rankings.
Philander was finally out for 61, stumped by Matt Prior off Graeme Swann. JP Duminy, who also made 61, was the only other batsman to pass 50.[break]
South Africa resumed on 262-7 and added just 8 runs before Stuart Broad had Dale Steyn caught by Swann at second slip for 26.
Morne Morkel was caught behind off Steven Finn for a useful 25.
Finn had England´s best bowling figures with 4-75, while James Anderson claimed 3-76 and Swann took 2-63.
South Africa had been in trouble on 54-4 and 105-5 on day one. However, the middle and lower order made partnerships of 51, 58, 72, 35 and 37 to steer the Proteas past the 300 mark that Duminy said they would be happy with on Thursday night.
England´s hopes of quickly finishing off the tail were boosted when Steyn fell on the 12th ball of the day, but Morkel proved a capable partner for Philander, who reached his half century from 75 balls.
The stand was beginning to irritate England when Morkel flashed at a wide delivery from Finn and Prior pulled off a brilliant diving catch.
South Africa was all out four balls later when Philander charged down the wicket to Swann and played an air shot, allowing Prior to whip off the bails for his sixth dismissal of the innings.
South Africa leads the series 1-0 and will replace England as the top-ranked team if it avoids defeat.
South Africa´s Morne Morkel edges a ball from England´s Steven Finn and is caught out by Matt Prior during the 2nd day of the third Test match at Lord´s cricket ground, London, Friday. (AP)
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