Proteas resolve frustrates Vaughan

15 July 2008

Michael Vaughan "tried every trick in the book" to bowl South Africa out

Michael Vaughan was “staggered” after South Africa batted for more than two days to salvage a draw from the first npower Test at Lord’s.

The England captain admitted he and his team were full of hope they would be going 1-0 up in this four-match series, having forced the tourists to follow on 346 runs behind.

But on an increasingly placid Lord’s pitch South Africa’s top three, Graeme Smith (107), Neil McKenzie (138) and Hashim Amla (104 not out), each dug in for rearguard hundreds.

“It was frustrating,” Vaughan confirmed, after McKenzie in particular had shut out England by batting nine-and-a-quarter hours and keeping out 446 balls.

By the time he finally went caught behind to his 447th, both teams knew the job was as good as done for South Africa - and the stalemate was confirmed shortly before 5pm yesterday.

“The first three days, we were outstanding; the last two days, we gave it everything and tried every trick in the book,” Vaughan added.

“Full credit to South Africa - the way that they batted - but I can’t fault or ask any more of my players than what they gave out there.”

Vaughan accepted this outcome having seen similar scenarios in the each Test at the Home of Cricket since 2006.

“After we got 593 and then bowled them out for 247, we all thought the game was there to win,” Vaughan conceded.

“I’m staggered. On the third day, we bowled them out and thought there was plenty of action in the wicket.

“There was carry, and Monty (Panesar) seemed to be spinning it quite sharply.

“But the last six games here have all been draws - which tells you that the wicket gets better and better.”

Monty Panesar shakes hands with with Daryl Harper after frustration had got the better of him

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Vaughan insists his bowlers did nothing wrong second time round but simply could not make things happen as the pace went out of the pitch.

Panesar was spoken to by umpire Daryl Harper as the slow left-armer’s frustration boiled over.

But Vaughan reported there was no serious acrimony - and that Panesar deserved much more than 60 wicketless overs for his efforts.

“I thought Monty bowled beautifully. I don’t think he could have bowled any better than that,” said the captain.

“In the first innings, he bowled really well and got four (wickets). I thought he bowled just as well in the second innings, without any reward.

“He got a little bit frustrated. But I think you can excuse him that. He’d just toiled for 60 overs in three days - and I had a word with Daryl afterwards, and he was fine.”

McKenzie had plenty of reason for satisfaction at his part in ensuring South Africa’s batsmen got it right second time round, if not first.

“It was tough up front, but then you just relax into it,” he said.

“I was stuck on 15 for a couple of hours - but I’d decided I was going to bat time.

“I always like to get the scoreboard ticking, so it was a role I haven’t played too often. I think the crowd were thinking thank goodness I don’t play it too often.

“But that was what was required - and I just made peace with it.”

For South Africa, however, there were mixed feelings - after failing to produce their best and continue their 100% Lord’s record in the modern era.

“We let ourselves down the first couple of days, at a ground where we’ve always done so well,” said McKenzie.

“They dominated us for three days, and we showed a lot of character to come back in the last two.

“We’re happy we got away with it but not satisfied with our performance.”