DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

England wrestled the initiative from South Africa in a final session shortened by bad light and rain on the first day of the second Test on Saturday, grabbing three wickets within six overs at Kingsmead Stadium.

Only seven overs were possible after tea, before the umpires took the players off due to bad light with South Africa on 175-5.

Rain also began to fall once the players were in the pavilion and play was called off.

England changed the complexion of the game in the shortened session. Nine balls after tea spinner Graeme Swann claimed his first wicket when he induced Jacques Kallis to prod forward and edge to Paul Collingwood at first slip.

Partnership

Kallis departed for 75 scored in 197 minutes to end the partnership of 150 for the third wicket he forged with his captain Graeme Smith.

"It was frustrating to lose those quick wickets after we had batted ourselves into a strong position," said Jacques Kallis. "We will have to see what we can do now to get close to 350."

Smith and Kallis had come together with the score on 10-2 in the 10th over of the innings. In the period up to lunch they added 57 for the third wicket, and in the second session they added a further 84 runs in 29 overs.

Smith, who had both his little fingers broken while batting in different series against Australia last summer, took a blow on his left index finger from a ball by Anderson and had to receive treatment on the field, however a team spokesman said that he was not seriously injured.

Between lunch and tea there was not as much movement and bounce on offer to the bowlers and with the ball getting older, the South African pair slowly got on top. Smith and Kallis both hit seven fours up to tea, the latter going to his fifty off an edge through the vacant first slip area off Jonathan Trott.

England got rid of Smith, three overs after Kallis, when new batsman A.B. de Villiers sprinted for a quick single but turned back. Smith tried to do likewise but was runout by Alastair Cook.

Play halted

Smith was out for 75 after 256 minutes. He hit nine fours.

Eleven balls later seamer Graham Onions struck, bending one back to trap J.P. Duminy in front for four as the light deteriorated. Five balls after Duminy was out, the umpires halted play due to the fading light.

"Without a doubt the game's in the balance," said Onions. "They batted very nicely, with Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis playing really well.

"Obviously a little bit of madness from A.B. de Villiers (with the Smith run-out helped) get that vital wicket which was key for us... I think we're in a pretty good position, we just need to bowl well tomorrow morning. It's going to be vital to start as well as we did today and it'll be game on."