Gloomy outlook for England

Updated 13.25 Fri Jul 18 2008

Keywords: Ryan Sidebottom, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Darren Pattinson

England stuttered to 70-3 at lunch in overcast conditions on day one of the second Test at Headingley.

The rot started after South Africa won the toss and put England in to bat. Alastair Cook was the victim of a bad decision from umpire Billy Bowden as the first wicket fell with just 26 runs on the board. Skipper Michael Vaughan then departed for a duck, caught at slip. He made just two in the first Test.

Skipper Michael Vaughan then departed for a duck, caught at slip. He made just two in the first Test.

AB de Villiers claimed a controversial 'catch' off Andew Strauss, which was disallowed after television replays showed the ball was grounded. But shortly afterwards Strauss did go, removed by Morne Morkel for 27.

Earlier, Rookie Darren Pattinson was looking to raise the roof against South Africa after being handed a shock Test debut in the second match of the npower series.

Nottinghamshire's Pattinson, a former roof tiler who was born in Grimsby but raised in Australia, only joined up with the squad at Headingley due to back soreness felt by James Anderson.

But with Ryan Sidebottom failing to recover from a back niggle, his 29-year-old county colleague was drafted into the eleven.

Talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff also returned after a lengthy absence. His last Test appearance was before late starter Pattinson's first-class career began.

Flintoff last played in the final Ashes contest in January 2007, the same month in which Pattinson was plucked from obscurity by Victoria.

England one-day captain Paul Collingwood was axed after 33 consecutive Tests, stretching back to the winter of 2005-06.

Pattinson's ability to swing the ball at pace has earnt 29 first-class wickets in six appearances for his county this summer.

His inclusion, however, is even more of a surprise given that three of the lauded 2005 Ashes attack, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard were overlooked.

And Chris Tremlett was effectively first reserve among the bowling unit after being called up as cover for Sidebottom.

The South Africans retained the same side which salvaged a draw at Lord's in the opening match of the series despite following on.