Worries Over Sidebottom As England Suffer Frustration

England must break the trend of five successive Lord's Test stalemates today if they are to overcome redoubtable South African resistance in the first Test. South Africa, who followed on 346 behind, have managed to slash that deficit to 104 at the start of the final day and still have nine wickets remaining.

South Africa lost only one wicket on the fourth day, that of their captain, Graeme Smith, and the opening stand of 204 between him and Neil McKenzie was a record in Test cricket for a side following on as England's bowlers, so dominant on the third day, labored on a sluggish surface.

England also have to contend with concerns about the fitness of Ryan Sidebottom, who has been troubled by a stiff back for much of the summer and who must not only bowl for a second full day today but cope with back-to-back Tests - Headingley begins on Friday. England's bowling coach, Ottis Gibson, said: "Sid is moving a little bit gingerly, but he doesn't whinge about it. Every week we are traveling around the country and he is sleeping in different beds and Sid suffers from this more than anyone at the moment. He often wakes up with a stiff back. Hopefully he will be able to take the field. All the medical staff are checking him on a daily basis and we don't think it's anything more serious."

Providing Sidebottom with his own mattress might ease the problem but Gibson said: "With all the kit we have to take around the country with us you would need a caravan to get a mattress in as well."

Gibson pronounced himself content with England's efforts on a day short of incident. "South Africa had to come out and be more determined and they did that. They have done well, but they will have to do it all again.

"We conceded just under 2½ runs an over on a pitch that we scored 593 on. That doesn't happen much in Test cricket these days. We would have liked more wickets but I am happy with the way people stuck to their guns. The pitch is slow and the ball is not bouncing much. This bowling attack can still go ahead and win this Test."