Heath Streak had to remain positive after the second day's play had been washed out, but he found it difficult to smile. It hardly ever rains in Bulawayo at any time of year, but certainly not during September. "I suppose it's got something to do with global warming," he mused straight-faced, unaware of the mirth of his audience. "But we can make up three hours of extra time in the next three days so, hopefully, we still have enough time to push for victory."

The push for victory will be led by the twin-spin attack of left-armer Ray Price and the recalled legspinner Paul Strang, but they will need a huge first-innings score to work with to put South Africa under pressure. Inevitably, the man responsible for that is Andy Flower.

"I had the whole of the first day off," Flower smiled. "That hasn't happened that often before. I had my feet up on the balcony with a plate of biscuits and some hot coffee. I even had a decent lunch because they [Alistair Campbell and Dion Ebrahim] were still there and looking good after the first session."

Flower wasn't sure whether he had ever had two successive days off before during his 54-Test career, but the rest has done him no harm and his enthusiasm is even greater now that the last effects of his 14-and-a-half-hour batting marathon at Harare have finally worn off.

The Zimbabweans have set 450 as a target for the third day, and if they can achieve that before the close of play they will attempt to put South Africa under pressure with a ring of close fielders and plenty of verbal jousting. Big Brother from down south has very much had his bullying way in the series so far, but there is still time for that to change. Although nobody is betting on it.

"Andy can do anything. Anything is still possible," Ebrahim said. If only he could bowl, too.

Neil Manthorp is a leading freelance cricket writer in South Africa and a director of the sports news agency MWP media sport

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