England wicketless at tea

Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie frustrated England in the first Test with battling half-centuries at Lord's.

Resuming 333 runs adrift on 13 without loss after following on 346 behind, the tourists, South Africa discovered their fighting spirit with their openers battling to 128 without loss at tea on the fourth day.

Captain Smith needed his fair share of luck during the opening session and twice enjoyed reprieves before reaching his half-century.

He resumed overnight on eight and had progressed to 22 when he attempted to pull Lancashire seamer James Anderson but appeared to miss the ball, which was taken by wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.

Paul Collingwood, standing at slip, made a half-hearted appeal but without any conviction and play continued only for television replays to suggest Smith had given a thin edge behind.

Smith was also fortunate on 26 when he got an inside edge behind to Ambrose as he attempted to drive left-arm spinner Monty Panesar off the front foot but Ambrose, standing up to the stumps, was unable to take a difficult catch.

While Smith enjoyed good fortune, opening partner McKenzie stuttered to a virtual standstill and went 32 deliveries without scoring before lofting Panesar past mid-on for four three overs before lunch.

Frustrated at their inability to make a breakthrough, England's performance became increasingly ragged with Ryan Sidebottom misfielding to earn McKenzie a four off Anderson shortly after lunch.

England's frustration increased further with McKenzie edging Sidebottom through the gap between second and third slip shortly before tea and reached the interval unbeaten on 50 while Smith had progressed to 71.