Tough Task Ahead For England

Mark Butcher's second half-century in the match could help his team to only 165 for five at the close in their unlikely pursuit of 401 to win - which would be the fourth-highest successful chase in Test history.

South Africa's platform for victory was built on a career-best unbeaten 99 from Andrew Hall as the tourists rattled on at five-an-over to turn a start-of-play 164 for five into 365 all out at Headingley.

Hall hit 15 fours and two sixes, punishing England's five-man pace attack for spraying the ball on a wicket which remained helpful for the seamers despite much-improved overhead conditions.

Butcher augmented his first-innings 77 with 57 not out this time and shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 70 with Andrew Flintoff (45 not out).

But they still have a mountain to climb if they are to revive hopes of a hugely improbable last-day victory in the pivotal penultimate Test.

Marcus Trescothick was the first to go in England's second innings when he was brilliantly caught by Herschelle Gibbs off Ntini for four.

Michael Vaughan fell for 21, caught by Gibbs off Jacques Kallis, who then trapped Nasser Hussain lbw for six.

Ed Smith failed once again when he was caught by Graeme Smith off Hall for seven, while Alec Stewart edged to the wicketkeeper off Ntini for the same score.

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