Virtual Test - Nasser Hussain vs Rob Key: Dale Steyn puts Key in charge but Shane Warne is now starring
Nasser's hopes may rest with Shane Warne who has begun to weave his magic after a wicketless first innings at Lord's
Sunday 31 May 2020 12:18, UK
Dale Steyn was the hero on the third day of the 'Battle of the Eras' Virtual Test as his six wickets helped Rob Key's XI earn a 254-run lead over Nasser Hussain's XI with two days remaining.
Three quick wickets from Shane Warne late in the day at Lord's - including Virat Kohli for a duck - gave Nasser's side a glimmer of hope and if he continues to spin his web on the fourth day, they will be hoping to chase fewer than 300 runs in the fourth innings. Any higher a chase and the money would be on the modern greats to take the match.
Steyn showed why he spent a total of 265 Tests as the top-ranked bowler in the ICC rankings by cutting a swathe through the opposition batting line-up - day three started perfectly for him as he dismissed his former South Africa team-mate, Jacques Kallis, with a one-handed return catch.
Wasim Akram joined Adam Gilchrist and batted until the stroke of lunch when he edged a perfectly-pitched Steyn out-swinger to AB de Villiers behind the stumps.
Warne's innings of 16 then consisted purely of boundaries before he holed out off Pat Cummins.
Gilchrist threw caution to the wind after lunch and scored at a run a ball for an hour, but he was dismissed just before the drinks interval when he was comprehensively yorked by Steyn.
Key's XI started their second innings with a more-than-useful lead of 130 runs but Graeme Smith failed again as Wasim found the shoulder of his bat to offer Gilchrist the easiest of catches.
Virender Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara progressed steadily and the lead was approaching 200 when Warne conjured up a magical spell to show why he truly is the king of the big occasion.
The Australian first forced Sangakkara to edge behind to Gilchrist and, two balls later, Kohli edged a beautifully-flighted leg-break to Brian Lara at slip.
Not content with that, in his next over Warne forced Sehwag to top-edge a sweep to Glenn McGrath at long-leg. Three wickets in six balls without conceding a run for the maestro and suddenly Key's XI were 70-4.
Steve Smith and Ben Stokes stopped the rot by way of a fifth-wicket partnership of 41 before Ricky Ponting threw the ball to Wasim with 20 minutes left in the day.
It only took six deliveries for the left-armer to find the edge of Stokes' bat and present Gilchrist with his sixth catch of the match.
But all eyes will be on Warne on the fourth day to see if he can finally put his name on the Lord's Honours Board at the fifth time of asking.
