Steyn leads SA fightback in first England Test

LONDON (AFP) - Dale Steyn took two early wickets to lead a South African fightback on the second day of the first Test match against England at The Oval on Friday.

England were 326 for seven at lunch after adding just 59 runs for the loss of four wickets in 25 overs on an overcast morning in south London.

Steyn struck in the third and fifth overs of the day to dismiss Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara as the match underwent a transformation from the first day when the England batsmen were seldom troubled in reaching 267 for three.

In the first eight overs of the day, England added only six runs for the loss of two wickets as Steyn and Vernon Philander bowled an immaculate line, gaining some swing with the second new ball.

South Africa, bidding to replace England as the world's top ranked Test team, made a crucial breakthrough when Steyn dismissed Cook.

Cook had added only one run to his overnight 114 when he was bowled off an inside edge by a ball from Steyn which swung in to him.

Bopara made an unhappy return after a year out of the Test team, trying to withdraw his bat after shaping to hook but getting an edge to be caught behind by AB de Villiers without scoring.

Jacques Kallis bowled Ian Bell for 13 when the Warwickshire batsman left a delivery which cut back and clipped his off bail.

Matt Prior and Tim Bresnan added 29 runs before Bresnan chopped a ball from leg-spinner Imran Tahir on to his stumps.

At lunch, Prior, who survived a difficult chance to Jacques Rudolph at gully off Morne Morkel when he was on 17, was unbeaten on 32, with Stuart Broad on eight not out.