Rudolph leads South Africa revival

Jacques Rudolph helped South Africa recover from an early collapse against England but the tourists were still struggling at 151 for five at tea on the first day of the third Test at Lord’s on Thursday. Rudolph was 41 not out and JP Duminy 26 not out, with the Proteas having been in dire straits at 65 for four at lunch. But AB de Villiers was the only man dismissed in the second session after fast bowler Steven Finn (three for 48) had taken three wickets for three runs in seven legitimate deliveries. South Africa, in a match where they only had to avoid defeat to replace England as the world’s number one ranked Test side, saw captain Graeme Smith win the toss and bat in overcast conditions. The opener had made scores of 259 and 107 in his two previous Lord’s Tests. But a third century eluded him Thursday when James Anderson, with his first ball from around the wicket, had the left-hander caught behind by wicket-keeper Matt Prior although England had to review Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s initial not out decision. It was the first time in four innings this series that Smith, who on Thursday broke Australia great Allan Border’s record for most Tests as captain by leading the Proteas for the 94th match, had failed to make a fifty. from:gulftoday