Prior keeps England in touch

Matt Prior top-scored for England to keep them within sight of South Africa early on day three of the third Test at Newlands.

When Morne Morkel took two wickets in two balls in the first over today, it seemed certain England would concede an awkward first-innings deficit.

But thanks to Prior (76), who dominated a last-wicket stand of 32 with Graham Onions, they closed on 273 all out in reply to 291.

The tourists had set out on a searingly hot morning with feasible prospects of approaching South Africa's total - on 241 for seven, with their wicketkeeper unbeaten on 52.

But before Prior could receive his first ball, Morkel (five for 75) was on a hat-trick.

The extra bounce available with the second new ball was crucial, and there was little either Graeme Swann or James Anderson could have done differently when the tall Morkel landed two brutish deliveries in the perfect spot.

Left-hander Anderson followed Swann for a first-ball duck - both edges held by Graeme Smith at slip.

Prior responded with some telling strokeplay and clever shepherding of the strike.

Onions faced only nine of 31 balls, while Prior took his boundary count up to nine until he was last out to Dale Steyn (four for 74), trying to control a shoulder-high pull only to drag the ball down on to his stumps.