England gutsy, but need consistency

There was something altogether more triumphalist in the Newlands escape, more akin to Cardiff than Centurion, where survival was a matter of relief that they had not been severely embarrassed. In Cape Town, South Africa controlled the match, and were favourites to win. At Centurion, England had 96 overs to bat out for the draw, were doing so comfortably, and then slumped. Cardiff was a game they should have lost and did not; Centurion was one they should have drawn and came within a whisker of fouling up. This time, Graeme Smith had an additional 45 overs in which to bowl England out, 40 more than Ricky Ponting had at Sophia Gardens. That his bowlers have twice failed to deliver the coup de grace will be a cause for concern.

Analysts have studied his game microscopically and come to the conclusion that he is unsettled by the short ball, and then discomfited by a pace bowler pitching full and straight. In the first innings at Newlands, Steyn's searing bouncer was followed by a full delivery on off-stump that Pietersen knocked straight back to the bowler. Second time around, Steyn did not even bother with the bouncer, of which the mere threat was a sufficient distraction, and Pietersen played all round a straight delivery to be lbw.