PORT ELIZABETH. South Africa, Dec 11: South Africa held a slight advantage despite ; a century by England opening batsman Mike Atherton on the third day of the second Test at St George's Park Saturday, reports AFP.
England were 364 for nine at i he close in reply to South Africa's 450.
Atherton top scored with 108 but no other England batsman made a subsi^ntial contribution against South Africa's all-Bice attack after skipper Nasser ussain had been dismissed for 82 in the eighth over of the day.
England, though, had seemed to be building a strong position before Mornantau Hayward. South Africa's 22-year-old fast bowling discovery, made a double breakthrough by bowling Michael Vaughan and Atherton in successive overs with the second new ball.
Atherton shared stands of 155 with Hussain and 68 with Vaughan (21).
It was Atherton's 13th Test
century and the first by an England batsman in almost a year. Alec Stewart hit a hundred against Australia in Melbourne oii December 27. 1998.
It was a typical Atherton innings in which he showed dogged determination. Most of his 15 boundaries, which included four in a single over from Allan Donald Friday, were hit off the back foot on the offside.
For Atherton it was a superb comeback after he was dismissed for a "pair" during Eng-.. land’s innings defeat in the first Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
Atherton and Hussain put on 155 for the second wicket in 212 minutes, taking full advantage of conditions which favoured the batsmen on the second successive hot. sunny day. The pitch offered virtually no help to the bowlers.
But the South African bowlers and fielders kept up the pressure, which was seldom broken by the England batsmen. Only Andrew Flintoff threatened to take control. He hit 42 off 37 balls with nine fours before being bowled by Shaun Pollock.
South African fielder Jonty Rhodes appeared to be warned by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor for making comments from his position at backward point while Donald was running in to bowl to Atherton early in the day.