Having finally dismissed the tourists for 342 shortly before lunch on the second day, England were on target to quickly overhaul that total with Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher forging an encouraging partnership after tea.

But after hammering 54 in only 9.4 overs after that interval, including 36 in only six overs, they elected to take the umpires' offer of bad light and lost their momentum. From a promising 164 for one with most of the final session remaining, England slipped to 197 for three when a second offer of bad light ended the second day with 16 overs still remaining.

It seemed inconceivable that England would accept the offer of bad light from umpires Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel at around 4.30pm such was their dominance over a South African attack missing all-rounder Shaun Pollock and fast bowler Monde Zondeki.

They had plundered six boundaries in the 45 minutes play after the interval and almost effortlessly overcame the early loss of captain Michael Vaughan in the eighth over of their reply.

But no sooner had they resumed after a 30-minute delay for the light, which did not seem to have improved when they returned, the partnership was broken while another wicket fell six overs later.

England had begun the second day attempting to wrap up South Africa's first innings, which had already recovered from a perilous 21 for four to reach 260 for seven overnight thanks chiefly to an unbroken 118-run stand between Gary Kirsten and debutant Zondeki.

They continued their partnership for a further 13 overs of frustration before Lancashire seamer James Anderson finally broke their stand when Zondeki edged to Mark Butcher at wide third slip after they had added 150.

Kirsten was the next wicket to fall, attempting a rare attacking stroke seven overs later off Kabir Ali and Martin Bicknell took the catch.

Four overs later James Kirtley claimed the last wicket when Dewald Pretorius was caught behind, but South Africa's last three wickets had added a crucial 200 runs to guide them to a competitive total.

That score took on an even healthier appearance following the loss of Vaughan, bowled by Ntini in the eighth over when he played forward defensively and allowed the ball to spin back onto his stumps.

It was a crucial period of the match but England responded impressively with Butcher and Trescothick exploiting South Africa's under-strength attack to forge an encouraging 142-run stand spanning 32 overs.

Trescothick was the first to fall when he pushed firmly back down the pitch and all-rounder Jacques Kallis produced a stunning reflex catch to end his innings for an impressive 59.

Butcher, returning the scene of his match-winning century two years previously, followed him back to the dressing room six overs later after scoring a superb 77 when he pushed forward and edged Kallis behind.

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