Dominic Cork stepped up his bid to become England's modern-day Prince of Lord's yesterday, but otherwise the second Test brought nothing more than an unwanted cocktail of frustration for the biggest crowd at the home of cricket for 13 years.

Cork continued his magnificent Test comeback this summer by following his five-wicket haul at Edgbaston with an incisive newball spell yesterday. He had figures of four for 24 at one stage.

The Derbyshire captain evoked memories of Lord's 1995, when he took seven for 43 on his debut to win England a Test against the West Indies.

But, in a final session disrupted by yet more rain and bad light, South Africa rallied from 46 for four to 135 for four as England's bowlers surrendered the initiative against Hansie Cronje and the inform Jonty Rhodes.

Cork's seam and swing produced moments of excitement and hope which contrasted sharply with some poor bowling later in the day, and with the disappointment for the crowd of 30,000 of a delayed start and three subsequent hold-ups for bad weather.

Alec Stewart, who yesterday morning passed a fitness test on a back strain, won an important toss and chose to use the moisture in the pitch when play finally got under way at 1.30 p.m..

In the 30 minutes of cricket possible before rain halted proceedings from 2pm until 3.15pm, Cork snapped up the wickets of Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis in three overs.

Adam Bacher was then defeated by a beautiful leg-cutter and Daryll Cullinan sparred fatally at one which lifted sharply from just short of a length. Cork was on fire.

South Africa emerged from tea on 52 for four and with Rhodes and Cronje yet to get going.

But the bowling went downhill. Dean Headley was withdrawn with figures of none for 24 from just three overs and the tiring Cork was punished, conceding 29 runs from five overs.

Bad light light interrupted play for the first time at 5.25 p.m. and a fourth slice of action followed from 6.10pm until 6.25pm, before more bad light proved conclusive.