Strauss strangles SA attack

Andrew Strauss raced to an unbeaten 50 as England powered their way to 59/0 off 14 overs in reply to South Africa's 343 all out in their first innings on the second day of the second Castle Test at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Sunday.

Strauss and Alastair Cook started the England innings in a positive mode as they attack both Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini - both of whom had earlier tormented the visitors bowling as they scored 56 runs for the 10th wicket - which forced skipper Graeme Smith to quickly ring the changes in his attack.

Ntini, who battled to recapture his form in 100th Test for his country at SuperSport Park last week, bowled three overs for 25 runs and was promptly replaced by Morne Morkel while Steyn, who had just returned from a hamstring injury, bowled a lot tighter but without success. He went into the break with figures of 4-0-12-0.

Strauss, who scored a superb ton here the last time he played for England under Michael Vaughan, was in a punishing mood as he struck eight boundaries in his unbeaten which came off 49 balls in 55 minutes.

Cook survived a leg before decision which was referred to the third umpire when spinner Paul Harris appealed and after consultation with his skipper Smith they went upstairs.

Earlier South Africa were bowled out for 343 as their tail wagged a bit.

While Smith (75) and Kallis (75) plus AB de Villiers (50) and Mark Boucher (39) looked to be their best batsmen early in the innings, it was Steyn, who caught the imagination of the small Sahara Stadium Kingsmead crowd - many stayed away because of the overcast weather.

Steyn struck three sixes and three fours in his 58-ball 47-run innings and boosted the South African totals.

Graeme Swann, Man of the Match in Centurion, was again the pick of the England bowlers with 4/110 off 35 overs. Stuart Broad (2/44) and James Anderson (2/75) were the next best.