Test honours even so far - Cook

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Cook hopes England can close gap

Alastair Cook predicted an exciting second half to the third Test, with England set to start day three in Cape Town 50 behind South Africa on 241-7.

Cook, the highest scorer with 65 on day two at Newlands, said: "It is going to be a really good game over the next couple of days.

"We don't want to be chasing too many but we have seen in recent games pitches don't deteriorate much.

"We will hopefully get a lead and put them under some pressure when we bowl."

Aggressive England batsmen Matt Prior and Graeme Swann were set to resume at 0815 GMT on Tuesday.

And South Africa's first-innings centurion Jacques Kallis called on his team-mates to spring from the blocks.

"There's no doubt we're going to have to come out and be on the top of our game if we want to win," he said.

"We like to believe that it's in our hands, but obviously it is pretty even.

"The ball has controlled the game so far, the new ball's been key, so if we can knock over the England tail early and get through that new ball we'll be in a very strong position."

Cook admitted he had given his wicket away weakly soon after tea on the second day.

The Essex opener, who ended a run of disappointing Test scores with a century in England's victory in Durban, gently popped up a catch to square leg off an innocuous Morne Morkel delivery.

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He said: "At Durban I got a bit of confidence, scoring a hundred, and I felt confident at the crease. I was disappointed with the soft dismissal just after tea but those things happen."

Cook felt South Africa's bowling had improved since Durban and added: "They came out here and bowled less bad balls, putting us under some pressure."

Uneven wicket thrills Kallis

Kallis was pleased with South Africa's showing on the field.

"The guys really stood up and put their hands up today," he added. "I think we've been under par so far and when you're 1-0 down with two to play you've got to be on the top of your game to win both of them."

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