Prince’s ton lifts Proteas

Leeds, July 19:

Ashwell Prince’s second hundred in as many matches against England helped guide South Africa into a first innings lead in the second Test at Headingley here on Saturday.

The Proteas, at tea on the second day, were 262-4 in reply to England’s 203, a lead of 59. Prince was 100 not out, following his 101 in the first innings of the drawn first Test at Lord’s, and AB de Villiers 44 not out. Their unbroken stand for the fifth wicket was worth 119 after they’d come together at 143-4.

England took the new ball soon after it became available but Prince drove paceman Andrew Flintoff for four to go to 99. A single off James Anderson then saw Prince complete his ninth Test hundred and second against England.

South Africa resumed after lunch on 158-4, with Prince 34 not out and de Villiers seven not out. Debutant Darren Pattinson Pattinson had earlier taken his first Test wicket, the only one to fall so far on Saturday, in the morning session after South Africa started the day on 101-3.

The Australia-raised pace bowler trapped the dangerous Hashim Amla, who like Prince made a hundred at Lord’s, leg before wicket for 38.