England Can Still Rain On Australia's Parade: Rudolph

The Age

Monday December 18, 2006

By ALEX BROWN, PERTH

THE South African batsman who defied the Australians in Perth last year believes England can replicate the feat today and keep the Ashes series alive, leading into the Boxing Day Test.

Jacques Rudolph, who scored an unbeaten 102 in 431 minutes to salvage a draw for the Proteas at the WACA Ground last year, feels that his more extravagant former countryman, Kevin Pietersen, can follow his lead - with a little help from the thunderstorms forecast to hit Perth this morning.

Alastair Cook's defiant 116 and Ian Bell's spritely 87 propelled England to 5-265 at stumps yesterday. The tourists trail Australia by 291, with Pietersen (37 not out) and Andrew Flintoff (two not out) set to resume this morning having survived a tortuous few overs from Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in the fading light of yesterday evening.

Though both are positive batsmen by nature, Rudolph is adamant that, with discipline and assistance from the weather, they are capable of saving the match for England.

"I think England should look back to the last Ashes series and the way they batted at the Oval," Rudolph said last night. "The key is that they need to be looking to score. That total is still a long way off, but if they are looking to score, there is a chance. You never know.

"The one thing England have got that we didn't is a chance at getting the runs. We were in a situation where we couldn't get the runs to win, so we were looking to bat time.

"I think if Kevin Pietersen can bat like he did at the Oval last year, and Andrew Flintoff can find some form behind him, there is a possibility they could pull it off. The advantage is still definitely with the Australians . . . but if England can get a few good partnerships going early, that will definitely lift them."

Rudolph's innings at the WACA Ground last year will live long in the memory, if not for entertainment value, then sheer determination. Set an impossible target and sent in to bat with a day-and-a-half remaining in the match, South Africa lost only five wickets from 126 overs against an Australian attack featuring Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Brett Lee.

On a wicket far flatter than that which England will bat on today, South Africa, led by Rudolph and Justin Kemp, proved largely immovable, adopting an obstinate approach to batting. Their efforts secured South Africa a draw in the first Test of the series.

"It will always be one of my favourites," Rudolph said. "To get runs against Australia is great for any batsman, but to do it in that way . . . was something very special."

DAY FOUR

STUMPS

5-265 Kevin Pietersen 37, Andrew Flintoff 2

TEA

2-180 Alastair Cook 80, Paul Collingwood 4

LUNCH

1-99 Ian Bell 54, Cook 37

PITCH

Dried out into a belter offering bowlers only backache.

TODAY'S WEATHER

Thundery shower or two, clearing by late morning or early afternoon. Max: 29.

TALKING POINT

Australia only lightly bowling Stuart Clark and Andrew Symonds as England's batsmen resisted.

THE QUOTE

"If Kevin Pietersen can bat like he did at the the Oval last year, and Andrew Flintoff can find some form . . . there is a possibility they could pull it off." -- Jacques Rudolph.

© 2006 The Age

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