Recalled England fast bowler Steve Harmison took two wickets in two balls and James Anderson captured three to reduce South Africa to 158 for seven at tea on the first day of the fourth Test at The Oval on Thursday.

Spinner Monty Panesar, brought on for the over before tea, added the scalp of AB de Villiers, who had been steadying the South African innings with his 39 runs.

Harmison dismissed captain Graeme Smith (46) and Hashim Amla (36) in the 32nd over of the day before Anderson, swinging the

ball late, dismissed Jacques Kallis lbw for two.

The wickets were a welcome boost to new captain Kevin Pietersen, who took over from Michael Vaughan on Monday, hoping to salvage some pride against the country of his birth after South Africa had taken a winning2-0 lead in the series.

Harmison, returning to the side after performing well for Durham, had watched Alastair Cook drop Smith off the first ball of the match in a frustrating opening session for England.

He and Andrew Flintoff beat the bat of both openers frequently on an overcast day before Flintoff had opener Neil McKenzie caught by Cook in the slips for 17 in a morning

session shortened by a shower.

Pietersen replaced Flintoff and the expensive Stuart Broad early in the afternoon after Cook dropped two more chances.

Smith attempted to pull Harmison but top-edged high to the long-leg boundary where Anderson took the catch.

With the next ball Harmison clean bowled Amla with a stunning yorker and Anderson's inswinger to Kallis next over reduced the visitors to 105 for four.

Anderson had Prince, playing a loose shot, caught at cover by Ian Bell for four.

He then dismissed Mark Boucher for three with an outswinger that the South African

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