McKenzie and Boucher lead SA recovery Souce: IOL - Ed Osmond - 16-08-03

Nottingham, England - Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher batted through the afternoon session as South Africa fought back to reach 251 for five on the third day of the third Test against England on Saturday.

McKenzie was unbeaten on 84 at tea and Boucher on 44, helping the touring side recover from 88 for four after England fast-medium bowler James Kirtley took two wickets in the day's first over.

McKenzie played a number of flowing strokes through the off side in his 11th Test half century, while Boucher mixed dogged defence with a few lusty attacking shots of his own to frustrate England who are seeking victory to level the series at 1-1.

England, who made 445 in their first innings, took three wickets in the morning session to leave South Africa in trouble at 167 for five at lunch.

Kirtley forced Jacques Rudolph, on 15, to edge a catch to wicketkeeper Alec Stewart with his fifth delivery of the day and immediately trapped Boeta Dippenaar lbw with a ball that kept low, though television replays showed it may well have missed leg stump.

McKenzie averted the hat-trick but Kirtley should have dismissed Jacques Kallis in his next over, Stewart failing to grasp the ball one-handed as he dived to his right.

McKenzie and Kallis survived a few scares on a pitch that continued to assist the bowlers as they added 44 for the fifth wicket.

James Anderson ended the partnership when he bowled Kallis for 27, the all rounder raising his bat to leave the ball and watching helplessly as it cut back and kept low before cannoning into his off stump.

Steve Harmison caused a few problems for McKenzie and Boucher with his steep bounce, but the pair survived the first nine overs with the second new ball comfortably enough to take their side past the follow-on target of 246.

The 27-year-old McKenzie, playing his first match of the series in place of the injured Gary Kirsten, was in sight of his third Test century in his 31st match.

Kirtley was the most successful bowler with figures of two for 67 from 25 overs.