The first test of the Npower test series has begun with Kevin Pieterson up against the country of his birth, and with all the sledging which has already begun in the national newspapers we can expect an explosive series which will be full of great action if this 1st test is anything to go by.

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South Africa won the toss and put England in to bat hoping to get what there was out of the pitch early on, England were looking rather good at 114-0 until Morkel had Strauss given out for lbw with a dubious decision to say the least, then two more quick wickets one for Morkel and one for Steyn had England in some trouble at 117-3 and smith’s decision to put England into bat was looking like a good one.

Enter Ian Bell and Kevin Pieterson to the crease and what was to come next was pretty remarkable to say the least especially form two English players, Bell and KP began hitting the South African attack to all corners of the ground with some brilliant shots and a fair bit of sledging from Steyn in particular towards KP which just seemed to spur him on until wicket keeper Boucher eventually caught him out off the bowling of Morkel for a brilliant 152, Bell was to go one better and very nearly claimed his maiden double century in test cricket but somehow played a silly shot and was caught and bowled off the bowling of Harris for an unbelievable 199.
England eventually declared on a massive 593-8, giving the South African batsman a massive task to stay in this game.