England duo strike early

England nipped out two more South African wickets early on the fourth morning at Centurion to continue their fightback in the first Test.

After Graeme Swann's hugely effective batting counter-attack last night, the hosts began their second innings with a reduced lead of only 62 runs.

An hour into the penultimate day, they had moved from nine for one to 40 for three as James Anderson and Graham Onions bagged a wicket each.

Sweltering conditions persisted, but a thundery break-down was expected later today and tomorrow - meaning time could well be the decisive factor, with both teams still scenting the possibility of victory.

It was England who again made the best progress, on an unpredictable pitch still hinting but stopping short of outright treachery.

Paul Harris steered consecutive fours to a vacant third man off Anderson - frustrating runs for England, who could ill-afford to concede ground easily in the knowledge they must bat last.

It did not take them long, however, to see off South Africa's nightwatchman. Harris, who has a habit of going across his stumps, was nonetheless unlucky to be bowled round his legs - the ball taking a freak change of direction after clipping the bottom of his thigh pad.

There was much less fortune associated with the big wicket of Graeme Smith, although the home captain did get an inside edge on to his stumps from a very good ball from Onions which curved back into the left-hander.