Andy blooms but Zimbabwe forced to follow on

HARARE, SEPT. 9. Zimbabwe was struggling at 18 for two in its second innings at tea on the third day of the first Test against South Africa on Sunday, needing another 296 runs to make the visitors bat again after following on.

Alistair Campbell chopped what became the last ball of the session, from Jacques Kallis, onto his stumps to be bowled for seven. Hamilton Masakadza was 10 not out.

South Africa captain Shaun Pollock ensured a shaky start to the innings by trapping Dion Ebrahim in front offering no stroke with the fourth ball of the first over and without a run on the board.

Pollock enforced the follow on after Zimbabwe was dismissed for 286 in reply to South Africa's first innings of 600 for three declared.

Andy Flower did his best to hold Zimbabwe's batting together with a fine 142 which saw him at the crease for four-and-a-half hours in which he faced 200 balls and hit 21 fours and a six.

Left-hander Flower, who was attempting to dig Zimbabwe out of the mire for the umpteenth time in his 53rd Test, batted aggressively despite his team's perilous position. He was particularly ruthless through the off side, and cut fearlessly over the slip cordon.

Zimbabwe resumed on 143 for four, and Andre Nel struck twice in the first three overs. Debutant fast bowler Nel dismissed Ray Price for a duck with the first ball of the day, a fearsome bouncer which the nightwatchman could only fend to Gary Kirsten at fourth slip.

Two overs later, Nel had Grant Flower brilliantly caught by Boeta Dippenaar at short mid-wicket, also without scoring.

Flower and Guy Whittall put on 43 for the seventh wicket before Whittall was deceived by a slower ball from Kallis and was bowled for 16. Four balls before lunch, umpire Darrell Hair adjudged Heath Streak to be leg-before without offering a stroke to left- arm spinner Claude Henderson for seven.

Flower and Travis Friend added 75 for the ninth wicket before Friend was caught by Pollock at third slip off Nel for 30.

Flower was the last man out when he was trapped in front by Nel, who finished with four for 53.

- Reuters

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