ContinueRain halted play on the fourth day of the second test at Headingley, as England and South Africa look destined to draw the match, meaning England would need a victory in the third and final test to level the series 1-1.
The home nation were eventually bowled out for 425, to give them the most slender of leads after the visitors made 419 in their first innings. South Africa are currently on 39-0 in their second innings, but the weather has had its say.
England’s total owes a lot to batsman Kevin Pietersen, who made 149 on Saturday before falling to the second ball of Sunday morning. He hit 22 fours and a six as he went to work in style against the Proteas attack and he believes that he’s in the best form of his life.
"I've never batted better in my life," The 31-year old told BBC Sport.
"South Africa have an unbelievable attack, to get runs against them is something I'll always cherish."
Pietersen averaged only 11.16 in the Test series defeat by Pakistan earlier in the year and said that Saturday's century came as a result of the work he has done following the disappointment in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"I got a big wake-up call during the Tests against Pakistan,” he continued.
"I was a bit overweight, physically not in as good nick as I should have been for that series. That wasn't good enough and I took it on the chin. Since then I've put hours of practice in and hard work pays off."
Pietersen also praised James Taylor after the debutant hit 34 in a fifth-wicket stand of 147 that rescued England from 173-4.
"He got through some really tough spells for us," said Pietersen.
After tomorrow’s fifth and final day, the third test starts at Lords on the 16th of August.
