England wicketkeeper Matt Prior is still hopeful of pulling off an unlikely win, despite rain playing spoilsport in the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at Headingley.
South Africa put in a more disciplined bowling performance in the opening session, and after Morne Morkel dismissed Kevin Pietersen for 149, with the second ball of the day, the Proteas bowled out the hosts for 425 with leg-spinner Imran Tahir impressing.
Prior ensured the English took a slender 6-run lead, thanks to his 66, and the wicketkeeper-batsman believes his side still have a chance of winning the second Test and levelling the three-match series at 1-1. South Africa were on 39 for no loss before rain washed out the entire final session.
"It's obviously frustrating," the South African-born Prior said. "To get a small lead and put South Africa under a bit of pressure, it would have been nice to have the opportunity to bowl at them all day and pick up a few wickets going into the last day.
"There are probably only two possible results; a draw or an England win.
"For them to know they have to bat out a day can be sometimes quite tough from a mental point of view. We have got nothing to lose; we have to come hard at them tomorrow morning.
"Of course we need a bit of luck and a lot of skill, but who knows?
"The ball was still swinging. Here they always say look up rather than down. The minute the clouds come in it starts nipping around a bit, but when the sun comes up it doesn't seem to do a lot.
"Hopefully it will be a lovely overcast day, it will hoop around a bit and we will take 10 wickets."
Morkel said early wickets were the key to stopping England taking a sizeable lead. "With KP and Matt at the wicket, they are two players that can take the game away from you," he said.
"It was very important to get those early wickets up front and luckily we did that. The way KP was batting yesterday afternoon, it was vital we had to get him early as possible. It was key that the bowlers came out and started well.
"It's a pity about the weather; we have lost a lot of time and overs," he added.
"The key thing for us tomorrow in the first session is to be solid in our game plan and bat well. I can't control that. Hopefully the weather will be good and we can focus on that first session."
First innings centurion Alviro Petersen did not come out to open the innings, after suffering a hamstring strain, while Graeme Smith, who did open the innings and is unbeaten on 17, is suffering from a knee problem. There is also a concern for Jacques Kallis, who is suffering from back spasms, but all three are expected to bat, if required on the final day.
