CENTURION // In the absence of Andrew Flintoff, Graeme Swann is fast becoming England's new talisman. Chirpy around the dressing room and highly regarded by his teammates, Swann is showing what he can do on the pitch too.
The spinner took three more wickets on the second day of the first Test to achieve his third five-wicket haul in five-day cricket. It ensured that South Africa were bowled out for 418, ending a second consecutive frustrating day in the field.
In reply, England lost Alastair Cook for 15 but Andrew Strauss (44 not out) and Jonathan Trott (18 not out) helped them to a positive 88 for one off just 23 overs.
Swann's figures of five for 110, taking him to 45 wickets in 2009, do not quite do his performance and battling spirit justice.
He was right on the money all innings and never gave up despite a catalogue of misfortune going against him.
It may not have done enough to give England anything but an outside chance of victory, especially with indifferent weather forecast for the weekend, but it certainly set a marker for the rest of the season.
England stuck to their task well in the face of some unbelievably negative cricket from the South African tailenders.
Resuming on 262 for four, the Proteas added just 163 runs in close to 64 overs and with it severely damage their own chances of going 1-0 up.
Morne Morkel scored just 13 off 48 balls, Paul Harris 38 off 89 and Friedel de Wet a painstakingly slow 20 off 67 to leave question marks over the home side's ambitions.
Jacques Kallis had earlier failed in his quest for a first Test double hundred, falling early on to James Anderson for 120, a full ball catching the edge straight into the arms of Paul Collingwood at second slip. It ended Kallis's 225-ball knock which turned out to be the quickest of South Africa's entire innings.
Swann then struck in his first over for the second day running to claim JP Duminy's wicket for 56. The left-hander was undone by some late spin, Collingwood claimed an England Test record -equalling fourth catch of the innings, and the game became delicately poised at 316 for six.
It should have been even better for the visitors by lunch. Graham Onions dropped Mark Boucher on the boundary before the wicketkeeper was reprieved after Collingwood claimed a catch off the bowling of Swann - the attempted pull catching a combination of Boucher's boot and the pitch.
Swann will struggle to believe his luck so far. After being denied twice by the Umpire Decision Referral System on Wednesday, Swann appealed for an lbw against Morkel which was answered in the affirmative by Steve Davis - but HawkEye ruled it to be going marginally over.
Morkel did not last long after lunch though, departing for 13, caught behind off the bowling of Onions.
Swann claimed another wicket after Boucher prodded to short leg, one shy of his fifty, before the South African tail went into its shell scoring just 11 runs in 10 overs before tea.
Harris was finally out bowled by Onions for 38 before Swann claimed his five-for trapping de Wet lbw to complete the South Africa first innings. Despite another referral, Swann was not to be denied this time.
Makhaya Ntini, in his 100th Test, was denied a dream wicket in England's first over of their innings after AB de Villiers dropped Alastair Cook, facing his first ball, at third slip.
But it was only a partial reprieve as the Essex opener departed soon after for 15, edging behind to Boucher to give de Wet a maiden Test wicket.
Jonathan Trott survived a referred lbw decision with South Africa showing naivety with the new system too - HawkEye suggesting the ball may have clipped leg stump, not enough for Davis to give it out.
Strauss looked in imperious form, with some splendid cuts, pulls and drives, to help England reduce the deficit to just 330, with their run rate of nearly four an over making a mockery of South Africa's paltry less than three.
If they continue with that positive thinking today - and with further spinning influence from Swann - anything may be possible.
sports@thenational.ae
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Read more about the coronavirus
Scores:
Day 4
England 290 & 346
Sri Lanka 336 & 226-7 (target 301)
Sri Lanka require another 75 runs with three wickets remaining
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)
Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
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