Russell finally halted by storm

Batsmen Jack Russell and Angus Fraser had been willing to carry on in the murky light before torrential rain arrived, but Mitchley took the law into his own hands. As he explained later: ``I've lost two friends to lightning strikes. One of them was killed on a golf course and the other while playing in a local league cricket match. I didn't want it to happen again.''

Mitchley had no rule to back him up. But he added: ``I acted under Law 43 (non-existent) - common sense.''

But England were not complaining. ``The umpires were worried, and that's fair enough,'' commented Russell, whose half-century led the tourists to 381 for nine.

Ten minutes later, an electrical storm of incredible violence broke over the ground. Forks of lightning lit up the black sky and the outfield was turned into a lake almost instantly.

One spectator, armed with an inflatable surf board, skimmed across what had been grass while others, for reasons best known to themselves, slid for yards over the plastic covering sheets.

But the upshot was that England had lost two hours' valuable playing time. At one stage they threatened to waste some of Graeme Hick's superb work, slipping from 320 for five to 359 for nine, but Russell, in the best batting form of his life, simply would not let South Africa's bowlers have the last word.

Earlier, Robin Smith's new protective visor, worn following last summer's facial injury sustained during the Old Trafford Test, was given an early examination by a wicked Shaun Pollock bouncer. But he had hit one 6 and six 4s by the time Brian McMillan knocked back his off stump.

Hick's fourth Test century finally ended after lunch on 141 with the persevering Pollock winning an lbw decision, and Dominic Cork (pulling to backward square leg), Darren Gough (missing a straight one) and Richard Illingworth (yorked) followed in quick succession.

McMillan did most of the damage, filling in admirably for Brett Schultz, who may play no further part in this game because of injury.

Russell, though, would not be shifted - until umpire Mitchley pointed him to the pavilion for his own safety.

ENGLAND - First Innings, overnight 221 for four

G A Hick lbw b Pollock141

R A Smith b McMillan 43

R C Russell not out 50

D G Cork c Matthews b McMillan 13

D Gough b McMillan 0

R K Illingworth b Donald 0

A R C Fraser not out 4

Extras 24. Total (for 9) 381

Bowling: Donald 33-10-92-2; Schultz 16-5-47-1; Matthews 30-13-63-0; Pollock 29-7-98-3; McMillan 25-10-50-3; Cronje 8-5-14-0; Kirsten 2-1-1-0.

q IAN Salisbury's six for 39 put England A in command of their first Test against Pakistan A yesterday in Multan. Pakistan A were skittled out for 137 on a pitch with no life in it at all.

By close, England A were 15 without loss in reply. Scores:

Pakistan A 137 (Shadid Anwar 50, I D K Salisbury 6-39), England A 15 for no wkt.

q PAKISTAN, chasing Australia's first innings of 267, were 33 for two at close of play on the first day of the second Test in Hobart.

Australia 267 (M E Waugh 88, Mushtaq Ahmed 5-115), Pakistan 33 for two.