Prince ton puts SA in command

Ashwell Prince scored an unbeaten century to take South Africa to a huge 119-run lead over England’s modest total at close on Day Two...

Ashwell Prince scored an unbeaten century to take South Africa to a huge 119-run lead over England’s modest total at close on Day Two of the second Test at Headingley on Saturday.

The tourists, replying to England’s 203 all out, are 322 for 4 and well placed to take firm control of the match. Prince was unbeaten on 134 and AB de Villiers on 70 as South Africa lost only Hashim Amla in the morning session.

England’s Darren Pattinson, the swing bowler plucked from relative obscurity by the selectors claimed his first Test wicket with a full toss that cannoned into Amla’s pads. Amla, who has centuries in all three first-class games on the tour so far, scored 38 and combined in a promising fourth-wicket stand of 67 with Prince.

Pattinson story

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Pattinson, a former roof tiler, was born in the English fishing town of Grimsby but was brought up in Australia. He made his debut for Australia state side Victoria last year, after several seasons with Melbourne club Dandenong, and came into this Test on the back of a career total of just 11 first-class matches.

Pattinson, who joined Nottinghamshire at the start of the season, caught the attention of the England selectors with 29 first-class wickets in six matches. Pattinson’s call-up has shocked the Australian cricket community.

Cricket officials from Victoria admitted surprise that Pattinson, who is contracted with Cricket Victoria, was not an Australian citizen and even eligible to play for England. “We didn’t realise he wasn’t an Australian citizen and didn’t have an Australian passport,” Victorian general manager of cricket operations Shaun Graf said.

Brief scores: England (1st innings) 203 all out versus South Africa 322/4 (G Smith 44, A Prince batting 134, AB de Villiers batting 70)