Paul Collingwood reached his sixth Test century with a six on Friday to keep England afloat on the third day of the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.
Collingwood, who has scored only 96 first class runs this season, demonstrated his strength of character with an unbeaten 101 in England's 297 for six at the close.
They lead South Africa by 214 runs on a pitch which still looks full of runs. South Africa, seeking their first series win in England since 1965, lead 1-0 in the four-match series.
Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen, who stroked a majestic 94, put on 115 in just 138 deliveries after England had been reduced to 104 for four 30 minutes before tea.
After Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff (2) had fallen in quick succession, Collingwood and Tim Ambrose (19 not out) then put on an unbeaten 76 for the seventh wicket.
Collingwood reached his fifty from just 61 balls and three figures in 133 after scoring just four in 44 minutes in the first innings.
His finest moment came when he lofted left-arm spinner Paul Harris over long-on for six to reach a century which has probably saved his Test career.
Pietersen looked set to complete his 14th Test century until he tried to loft Harris once too often and drove him to AB de Villiers at mid-on to end his 136-ball innings. He smashed his bat into his pads twice in disgust with himself.
In Harris's previous over, Pietersen had played two audacious switch-hits to the cover boundary in three balls.
Poor top-order batting placed England in a difficult position after they dismissed South Africa for 314 in their first innings. Mark Boucher cracked 40 from 49 deliveries to ensure the tourists gained a useful lead of 83 while Flintoff finished with four for 89.
Alastair Cook (9) and Ian Bell (20) were both caught after top-edging pull shots, while Andrew Strauss (25) was caught from Morne Morkel going around the wicket and Michael Vaughan (17) was brilliantly held low down at cover by Hashim Amla. (Editing by John Mehaffey)
