Hashim Amla completed his half century to steer South Africa close to level terms with England at lunch on the third day of the fourth test on Saturday. At the interval South Africa, who lost Neil McKenzie in a morning session shortened by rain, were 110 for two in their second innings, 12 runs behind.
England scored 316 in their first innings on Friday with a century from new captain Kevin Pietersen. The visitors had resumed following a half hour rain delay on 37 for one, 85 behind, after England had taken the wicket of captain Graeme Smith on Friday evening. Amla batted with assurance, reaching 71 not out with 14 fours, when the players took an early break for lunch in heavy drizzle.
McKenzie fell to Stuart Broad when he got a faint inside edge on to his stumps in the bowler's first over with the score on 82. Broad and Andrew Flintoff had replaced opening bowlers Steve Harmison and James Anderson.
Flintoff almost had Amla caught behind off an inside edge, keeper Tim Ambrose diving at full stretch to his left and getting a glove to the ball but failing to hang on to a difficult chance with the score on 95. Jacques Kallis, disappointing with the bat this tour despite South Africa's series win, their first in England since 1965, was two not out at the interval.
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