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Swann shines in England fightback
16:45, Dec 18 2009
Graeme Swann's uncomplicated counter-attack hauled England thrillingly back into a see-saw first Test against South Africa at Centurion.
The tourists had seemed sure to concede a match-defining lead when Swann and James Anderson joined forces at 242 for eight in reply to 418.
But the pair then not only put the first decision review system controversy of the tour firmly in the shade, but made a mockery of others' struggles on what had seemed an increasingly unpredictable pitch to carry their team to 356.
Swann's career-best 85 - his third half-century in his last four Test innings - dominated a century stand and wicket record against South Africa, which ended only when Anderson poked Makhaya Ntini to mid-off and was well-held by Morne Morkel.
Swann was last out when he holed out in the deep off Paul Harris but had hit 10 fours and two sixes from 81 balls against the rattled hosts, whose thoughts must have been turning to batting again long before they were eventually allowed to do so on another searingly hot day.
In four overs of their second innings, South Africa lost Ashwell Prince for a duck - bowled off an inside edge on the back foot by Anderson - as they closed on nine for one.
The hosts did not help themselves with some unwise lines of attack against England's ninth-wicket pair, and it was a moot point whether they had somehow been distracted when Stuart Broad was correctly, but dramatically, ruled lbw to part-time off-spinner JP Duminy.
Broad's gripe was with a 33-second consultation before home captain Graeme Smith gave the go-ahead to query Aleem Dar's initial call.
But there is no specific directive on the time allowed, nor was there any conclusive evidence that South Africa had unfairly benefited from back-room advice outside the playing area.
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more
Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
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England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
