Draw ensues after dice with danger
A Headingley Test that had been marked throughout by cautious, disciplined cricket blazed into life with an unexpected England run chase and, ultimately, a draw.
02/08Result
2nd Test, South Africa tour of England at Leeds, Aug 2-6 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
419 & 258/9d -
![England]( "England")
425 & 130/4 (33 ov)
Player of the Match
02/08Result
2nd Test, South Africa tour of England at Leeds, Aug 2-6 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
419 & 258/9d -
![England]( "England")
425 & 130/4 (33 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
Drawn but not forgotten
The route to a draw in this Test was not clearly charted, as both teams sought victory as well as a psychological advantage for the rest of the series
Pietersen threatens England exit
Kevin Pietersen could have played his last game for England after launching an astonishing attack on the ECB and other members of the England dressing room
Spin mystery and a Broad burst
Plays of the Day from the final day of the second Test between England and South Africa at Headingley
Day 4
South Africa resist before heavy rain
Perhaps fittingly, in the shadow of the Olympics, this Test looked to be heading towards a draw as heavy rain hit Headingley during the afternoon session
Selfless Prior remains under the radar
There are other of wicketkeepers in England who are excellent with the gloves, and many also proficient with the bat, but none who combine both disciplines with the ability of England's current gloveman
Kallis top of SA injury worries
Jacques Kallis, South Africa's premier allrounder, is the team management's main concern for the remainder of the England tour with Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen also carrying knocks.
Day 3
Thrilling Pietersen ton ignites Test
It was brash, it was brilliant and it came almost out of the blue. Even by his own extreme standards, Kevin Pietersen's 21st Test century was one of his most remarkable
South Africa's planning given proper test
All South Africa's plans had worked beautifully for first half of the series, but one stunning innings left them searching for answer they couldn't find
Time to end Pietersen standoff
England can live without Pietersen, but there should be no doubt that they will be much diminished if they lose him
Kallis joins Smith on injury list
Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, will be assessed overnight to determine the seriousness of his knee injury
KP's record and a tribute to Jimmy
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day at Headingley as England fought back
Day 2
England battle as South Africa retain control
Alviro Petersen progressed to his best score in Test cricket to lead South Africa to 419 before England's openers negotiated their way to the close
Petersen suffers grade one hamstring strain
Alviro Petersen will not field in the Headingley Test but will bat again if required, after sustaining a grade one strain to his right hamstring
England can still win - Broad
Despite resuming on the third day with a deficit of 371 runs, Stuart Broad has insisted that England can still win the second Test at Leeds
South Africa show disciplined streak
England may not have expected it from Alviro Petersen or JP Duminy but toughness runs through this team
England face up to awkward truth
Despite putting in a much better showing, it appears England are up against a side that are better than them in discipline, application and skill
A good day for DRS
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the second day at Headingley
Day 1
Petersen hundred gives South Africa the edge
England did not quite suffer the public humiliation but Alviro Petersen's hundred gave them another tough day
Decisions, drops and dead balls
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the first day of the second Test at Headingley
Petersen the rock formed under pressure
Constantly under scrutiny and perceived as a weak link in South Africa's batting line up, Alviro Petersen made his fourth Test century proving his is a steady face among a fashionable order
Finn's knee sparks Laws debate
The MCC will review the Laws of the game following the incident at Headingley when Steven Finn kept dislodging the bails in his delivery stride
Others
Petersen proves himself again
Alviro Petersen removed some of the pressure that had been heaped on him from without by focusing on his own game at Headingley
No-ball issues mystify Tahir
Imran Tahir was reflecting on a sudden no-balling problem as he joined the rest of the South Africa squad on a relaxing day at the London Olympics.
Muddle management failing Pietersen
England are stronger with Kevin Pietersen in the side but the ongoing sideshow could even threaten his place for the third Test against South Africa
Once flawless, England now oddly insecure
How hard will it be for them to get the wheels back on, Pietersen and all?
Smith focused after paternity dash
Graeme Smith is focused on South Africa's second Test against England despite having left the squad to attend the birth of his first child
England hope for Headingley magic
Olympic fever has overshadowed the build-up to the second Test but England captain Andrew Strauss will not be distracted from trying to save the series
South Africa aim for new script
Graeme Smith believes his side is ready to end the cycle of repeats that has seen them miss out on No. 1 spot in the Test rankings
A marked improvement needed
ESPNcricinfo previews the second Test between England and South Africa at Headingley