London: Jonathan Bairstow rewarded England’s decision to recall him in place of Kevin Pietersen with a maiden Test fifty as they fought back on the second day of their series finale with South Africa at Lord’s. Bairstow came in when England, just as the tourists had done in their first innings, had collapsed to 54 for four. But by stumps England were 208 for five. Bairstow was 72 not out, having added 124 for the fifth wicket with Ian Bell (58). Matt Prior was unbeaten on 22. However, that left England still 101 runs adrift of South Africa’s 309, with the Proteas, 1-0 up in the three-match series, only needing to avoid defeat to replace their hosts as the world’s top-ranked Test side.
Bairstow, dropped by England after making a mere 38 runs during his first three Tests against the West Indies earlier this season, was under severe pressure – especially following Pietersen’s 149 in the drawn second Test at Headingley.
When the 22-year-old Bairstow walked out, Dale Steyn had taken two wickets for one run in four balls and fellow fast bowler Morne Morkel two for three in 11.
Morkel struck first when, off the last ball before lunch, he bowled England captain Andrew Strauss, playing his 100th Test and 50th as skipper on his Middlesex home ground, between bat and pad with a well-directed delivery from around the wicket.
Steyn then removed Jonathan Trott, lbw on review, and Alastair Cook, well caught by Jacques Kallis at second slip. (AFP)