| 0.0 : Hello and a warm welcome for our coverage of the third test between England and South Africa. This is a historic test for the reason that it is the 100th test match at The Oval, London. Historically, England have the edge over the Proteas at this venue, as they have won 6 of the 7 games that they have played against them. However, if momentum is something in sport, it is well with the African tourists coming into this match on the back of a thumping win at Trent Bridge. |
| What has not aided England is the lack of form coupled with injuries to some of their key players, which suggests that it's a confused dressing room. South Africa, on the other hand have a settled side, and the only change that is expected is Kagiso Rabada, who would walk in after serving his one-match suspension, in place of Duanne Olivier. There seems to be an exciting match in store for us as the series is squared up at 1-1, and both teams would be vying for that edge going into the final Tes |
| TOSS - England win the toss and opt to bat. The home side have made three changes. Gary Ballance, Mark Wood and Liam Dawson make way for the debutants, TOM WESTLEY, TOBY ROLAND-JONES and DAWID MALAN. On the other hand, South Africa have made one change. KAGISO RABADA comes in for Duanne Olivier. |
| England (Playing XI) - Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Tom Westley, Joe Root(c), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(wk), Moeen Ali, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, James Anderson. |
| South Africa (Playing XI) - Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(wk), Faf du Plessis(c), Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Chris Morris, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel. |
| The players and the umpires walk out in the middle. It seems to be a pleasant day for cricket. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings with bats in their hands walk out to open the innings for England. Morne Morkel to start the proceedings with the brand new red cherry for the Proteas. Three slips, a gully and a short leg in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Starts the match with a back of a length ball bowled well outside off, Cook just shoulders arms to that one. |
| 0.2 : M Morkel to Cook, This is bowled on a good length on off and middle, Cook defends it solidly off the front foot. |
| 0.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Good ball, Cook's beaten there! That's a good length ball outside off, Cook is squared up in defense and the ball passes the outside edge and into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 0.4 : M Morkel to A Cook, FOUR! Cook and England get underway, courtesy a boundary through the slip cordon. That was full and just outside off, Cook feels for that and the thick edge carries the ball between the third slip and the gully fielder for a boundary. |
| 0.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Full ball on off, Cook defends and the ball rolls towards gully off the outer half of the bat. |
| 0.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Back of length ball outside off, Cook lets it go. |
| Vernon Philander will share the new ball from the other end. |
| 1.1 : V Philander to Jennings, Bowled from over the wicket, it was just outside off on a good length. A hint of inswing there as Jennings lets it go to the keeper. |
| 1.2 : V Philander to Jennings, Almost an action replay of the previous ball, Jennings doesn't bother doing anything with that. |
| 1.3 : V Philander to Jennings, Fullish ball outside off, Keaton leaves that alone. |
| 1.4 : V Philander to Jennings, Shortish ball on off, Jennings feels for it and gets beaten. |
| Philander stopped in his delivery stride. May be, he lost his rhythm. |
| 1.5 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball outside off, Jennings lets it go to de Kock. |
| 1.6 : V Philander to Jennings, Full ball on middle and leg, Jennings pushes it defensively to short mid-wicket. |
| 2.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Back of length ball starting from off and swinging into Cook. He missed it and the bat thudded on to his thigh pads. |
| 2.2 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! Shot! The classy Cook cover drive! That was full and outside off, the batsman presents the full face of the bat as he drives it crisply for a boundary. That would settle his nerves, if any. |
| 2.3 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Cook here. This was bowled on a good length but on his pads, Cook flicks it through square leg and the ball races away to the fence. This was a punish-me ball and dutifully done so by Cooky! |
| 2.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Beauty to comeback! Back of a length ball on off, Cook gets beaten but the ball raps him high on the back foot. |
| 2.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Full ball on off, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 2.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook defends it from within the crease. |
| 3.1 : V Philander to Jennings, Back of a length ball on leg, moving in slightly, Jennings showed his bat in defense but the ball struck him high on his pads and lobs on the leg side. |
| 3.2 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball on middle, seams away after pitching. Keaton looks to play that and gets beaten. |
| 3.3 : V Philander to Jennings, OUT! Jennings' woes with the bat continue in this series. Philander bowled it full on middle and off, the ball seamed away a bit. Jennings felt for the ball as he did earlier on a couple of occasions. This time though he ended up getting a thick edge and Dean Elgar stationed at third slip snaps up a good low catch diving to his right. England lose their first wicket after choosing to bat at the toss! |
| Debutant Tom Westley is in at No.3, earlier than he would have liked. |
| 3.4 : V Philander to Westley, A widish length ball outside off to welcome Westley at the crease, he leaves it alone. |
| 3.5 : V Philander to Westley, Length ball outside off, Tom lets that go to de Kock. |
| 3.6 : V Philander to Westley, This one was too close to leave yet he Westley does so. It was a length ball just outside off. |
| 4.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Back of length ball outside off, Cook shoulders arms to that. It moved in after passing the batsman. |
| 4.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Fullish outside off, Cook lets it go through to de Kock. |
| 4.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Alastair shoulders arms to yet another full ball outside off. |
| 4.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Full ball on middle and off, Cook defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 4.5 : M Morkel to A Cook, FIVE RUNS! That was a back of length ball on off, Cook defends it off the backfoot towards cover and sets off for a quick single. Kuhn stationed at covers has a shy at the non-striker's end, the ball misses the stumps and it passes wide of Philander who was backing up and the ball races away to the boundary. |
| Temba Bavuma comes under the lids at short leg. |
| 4.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Fullish ball on leg, played straight to short leg. No run there. |
| 5.1 : V Philander to Cook, Fullish ball on off, Cook defends it towards point for no run. |
| 5.2 : V Philander to Cook, Bowled on a good length on off and middle, Cook pushes it to mid off. |
| 5.3 : V Philander to Cook, Fullish ball outside off, Cook leaves it alone. The ball swung as it went to the keeper. |
| 5.4 : V Philander to Cook, Good length ball outside off going straight this time, Cook lets it go to the keeper. |
| 5.5 : V Philander to Cook, Straight and full ball on middle, Cook defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 5.6 : V Philander to Cook, Well left Cook! That was a length ball that started outside off and swung in late. The batsman judged it well and shouldered arms. |
| 6.1 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! Westley gets going in Tests with a boundary. That was a back of length ball on middle and swinging in. He plays it with the angle towards square leg and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 6.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Morkel bowls that outside off and swinging away, Tom leaves it alone. |
| 6.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball outside off and Westley doesn't other fiddling with it. |
| 6.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Another fullish ball outside off and TW lets it go. |
| 6.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Bouncer on off, Westley ducks under that. |
| 6.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Back of length ball outside off, the batsman shoulders arms. |
| 7.1 : V Philander to Cook, Full ball outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 7.2 : V Philander to Cook, Another fullish ball outside off, Cook covers his stumps and shoulders arms. |
| 7.3 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook raises his arms to leave the ball. |
| 7.4 : V Philander to Cook, Fullish ball and too wide off of stump to make Cook play. |
| 7.5 : V Philander to Cook, Good length ball outside off, Cook seems to be playing the well-left game pretty well here. |
| 7.6 : V Philander to Cook, Fullish ball on his pads, Cooky just flicks it away past the diving mid-wicket fielder. Bavuma gets up and chases it down and keeps it to a brace. |
| 8.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Back of length ball well outside off stump, Tom lets it go. |
| 8.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Fullish drivable ball outside off, Westley does so, but straight to covers. |
| 8.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Another ball outside off, TW lets it go. |
| 8.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball outside off, Tom leaves it alone. |
| 8.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Now Westley is playing the shouldering-arms game by leaving yet another ball outside off. |
| 8.6 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! Not the greatest of deliveries that. Full ball and sliding down leg, Westley just gets bat to ball and tickles it fine. The ball races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| Kagiso Rabada to bowl first change. He will be hungry to deliver after the one-match ban. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to Cook, Full and swinging down the leg side, Cook misses the flick and the ball goes into the keeper's gloves. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Cook, This one is again full and down the leg side and the ball again thuds into de Kock's gloves after Cook misses his flick. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Cook, FOUR! Just a slight correction and Cooky is too good to miss that! Full ball and bowled on his pads, the batsman flicks it and the ball races through square leg for a boundary. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Cook, Again a length ball on his pads, Cook collects a single towards fine leg. |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Full and swinging away from Tom, he leaves it alone. |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Fuller ball in line of the stumps, Westley flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 10.1 : M Morkel to Cook, EDGED AND SAFE! Back of length ball on off , Cook is squared up as he tries to play it on the leg side. The ball takes the leading edge and runs through backward point for a couple. |
| 10.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Back of length ball outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 10.3 : M Morkel to Cook, That's bowled just outside off on a back of length, Cook gets beaten. |
| 10.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball sliding down the leg side, Cook tries to flick it and misses. |
| 10.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Bowled on a length on his pads, Cook picks up a single towards fine leg. |
| 10.6 : M Morkel to Tom Westley, Full and swinging in to Westley, he went for the flick. Morkel puts in an appeal. The ball takes his inside edge and strikes his pads and that saved him. |
| 11.1 : K Rabada to Cook, Rabada is bowling outside leg stump to Cook and he lets it go to the keeper. |
| 11.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Much better by Rabada as this was on middle and leg. Cook defends it back to the bowler off the front foot. |
| 11.3 : K Rabada to Cook, That's a length ball outside off, Cook shoulders arms. |
| 11.4 : K Rabada to Cook, Full ball on middle, hit straight to mid-wicket. |
| 11.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Beaten! Cook feels for that length ball outside off and the ball just passes the outside edge. |
| 11.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on off, defended off the front foot by Cook. |
| Spin as early as the 13th over in the match in the form of Keshav Maharaj. |
| 12.1 : K Maharaj to Westley, Starts off round the wicket with a slow loopy ball outside off. It's driven to mid off by Westley. |
| 12.2 : K Maharaj to Tom Westley, FOUR! Loopy ball a tad more outside off, Westley slaps that between extra cover and mid off for a boundary. Westley seems to be making his intentions against the spinner clear. |
| 12.3 : K Maharaj to Westley, Flat ball outside off, Westley leaves it alone. |
| 12.4 : K Maharaj to Westley, Floated on off, defended bacl towards the bowler. |
| 12.5 : K Maharaj to Westley, FOUR! Tossed up on middle and leg, Westley flicks it through mid-wicket and collects another boundary. The player at mid on gives a valiant chase but is unable to cut it off. |
| 12.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, Loopy ball on middle defended off the front foot. |
| 13.1 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on middle, Cook defends it from within the crease. |
| 13.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Fuller ball outside off, Alastair lets it go to the keeper. |
| 13.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball outside off, AC leaves it alone. |
| 13.4 : K Rabada to Cook, Full and quick ball on leg, Cook misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. |
| 13.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook shoulders arms. |
| 13.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Fuller ball on off, Cook plays it with soft hands towards covers and the batsmen steal a quick single. |
| It's time for DRINKS now. England have made a positive start after losing an early wicket. The Protea bowlers have largely been disciplined but not too threatening. |
| Chris Morris is now introduced into the attack. He starts with two slips and two gullies in place. |
| 14.1 : C Morris to Cook, WIDE to start off! Round the wicket he bowls it way outside off on a good length. The umpire does some stretching of arms. |
| C Morris to Cook, Straight on target this! Fuller on off stump, Cook gets his bat down quickly in defense. |
| 14.2 : C Morris to Cook, Full and outside off, AC has nothing to do with that. |
| 14.3 : C Morris to Cook, Length ball way outside off, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 14.4 : C Morris to Cook, Full ball outside off, Cook shoulders arms. |
| 14.5 : C Morris to Cook, Full ball outside off, Cook pokes his bat and gets an edge. The ball goes on a bounce towards the slip cordon, where Kuhn and Elgar dive and bump into one another. |
| 14.6 : C Morris to Cook, Full ball outside away and swinging away. Cook feels for it and gets beaten. |
| 15.1 : K Rabada to Westley, Bouncer by Rabada, Westley ducks under that one. |
| 15.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Fuller ball on off and middle, Westley defends it off the front foot. |
| 15.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Full ball on middle and leg, flcked straight to mid-wicket. |
| 15.4 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball outside off, Westley shoulders arms to that. |
| 15.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Full outside off, Westley doesn't bother playing that. |
| 15.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball outside off and Tom lets it go to the keeper. |
| 16.1 : C Morris to Cook, Back of length ball outside off, Cook points his bat skywards as he lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 16.2 : C Morris to Cook, Short and way down the leg side by Morris. Cook thinks of pulling but it is out of reach and a diving de Kock manages to get a glove on to that. The ball rolls away towards fine leg and the batsmen take a couple of byes. |
| 16.3 : C Morris to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 16.4 : C Morris to Cook, Full ball on off, Cook blocks it showing the full face of the bat. |
| 16.5 : C Morris to Cook, Full on off, Cook defends it towards point. |
| 16.6 : C Morris to Cook, Length ball on middle, Cook gets hit high on the thigh pads. |
| 17.1 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball on middle, Westley displays a solid defense from within the crease. |
| 17.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball on off, Tom defends it towards point. |
| 17.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Directionless bouncer that! That started from middle and went down the leg as de Kock collected that. Such a waste of an effort. |
| 17.4 : K Rabada to Westley, TW shoulders arms to that length ball outside off. |
| Faf du Plessis is having a chat with Chris Morris regarding the field placements. |
| 17.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Back of length ball outside off, Westley defends it towards point. |
| 17.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Fuller ball outside off, Tom lets that go. |
| 18.1 : C Morris to Cook, Fuller ball on off, Cook defends it from within the crease. |
| 18.2 : C Morris to Cook, Full and swinging down the leg side, Cook tries to flick and misses. |
| South Africa have reviewed an LBW decision against Cook. |
| 18.3 : Morris to Cook, NOT OUT! That's bowled on a good length outside off, Cook misses his flick and gets rapped on the pads. Morris and the entire of South Africa appeals only to see it turned down by the on-field umpire. The Proteas think about that and Faf after consulting his bowler and de Kock decide to review. The snicko reveals that there was a thin edge before the ball crashed into his pads. That saves Cook and the South Africans lose their first review. |
| 18.4 : C Morris to Cook, Fuller ball on middle and off, AC collects a single towards mid-wicket. |
| 18.5 : C Morris to Westley, Length ball on off, Westley drives it straight to covers. |
| 18.6 : C Morris to Westley, Back of a length ball on off, Tom defends from within the crease. |
| 19.1 : K Rabada to Cook, Great ball from over the wicket. It just passes the poking bat of Alastair Cook. |
| 19.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook shoulders arms to that one. |
| It has gone really dark. The artificial lights have been switched on. There are predictions of rain during the course of the day. Hope it does not play spoilsport. |
| 19.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on off and going away, Alastair leaves it alone. |
| 19.4 : K Rabada to A Cook, Fuller ball on middle and leg, Cook takes a single towards mid on. |
| 19.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball on off, Tom defends. |
| 19.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Full outside off and inviting a drive, Westley obliges and hits it through covers. They collect a brace as the fielder chases it down. |
| Saw dust being sprayed on the pitch next to the stumps. |
| 20.1 : C Morris to Cook, Full ball outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 20.2 : C Morris to Cook, Length ball, too away from the stumps to make Cook play. |
| 20.3 : C Morris to Cook, Alastair plays the leaving game as he shoulders arms to that length ball outside off. |
| 20.4 : C Morris to Cook, Pitches outside off and comes in sharply, Cooky collects a single towards mid-wicket. |
| 20.5 : C Morris to Westley, A good length in-swinging ball outside off, Westley drives it stright to the fielder stationed at covers. |
| Slight drizzle in the air. |
| 20.6 : C Morris to Westley, FOUR! Full and in-swinging good length ball on off and middle, Westley flicks it aerially over short mid-wicket for a boundary. The timing on that shot was immaculate. |
| 21.1 : K Rabada to A Cook, Full on off, Cook gets squared up and gets an outside that runs through the slip cordon. They take just a single. |
| 21.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Full on off and middle, Westley flicks it on the leg side. The mid on fielder gives a chase but the fielder from mid-wicket dives and concedes just a brace. |
| 21.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball defended off the back foot. |
| 21.4 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball on his pads, he misses the flick. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards square leg and run a leg bye. |
| 21.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Short ball way down the leg side, Cook ducks and lets it go. |
| 21.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on his pads, Cook flicks and collects a couple towards mid-wicket. That brings up the fifty run partnership between these two. |
| 22.1 : C Morris to Westley, Length ball outside off, Westley shoulders arms and lets it go. |
| 0.0 : 1244 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - The drizzle has got heavy enough to force the players out of the field. The groundsmen rush in with the covers. Hold on! The rain has stopped and the men concerned are making their way back to the field. Out go the covers and we are ready to get underway again. |
| Bad news folks! The showers have come back again and the umpires have decided to call it an EARLY LUNCH. It seems like the players are going to have an on and off day. |
| Only 22.1 overs were possible in this session and England have wrested back the early advantage that South Africa had. Jennings departed for a duck thanks to a Philander beauty. But from then, it has been the Cook-Westley show. They have been patient by leaving a lot of deliveries, but have also ensured that they keep the scoreboard ticking. Debutant Westley has been impressive due to the maturity that he has shown in playing the waiting game. Join us in a while for the post-lunch session, if an |
| ...DAY 1, SESSION 2... |
| We are back, with the sunny weather, and the players are making their way out. Morris will continue his unfinished over as Cook and Westley resume their vigil. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 22.2 : C Morris to Westley, Starts off with a fuller ball outside off, which Westley doesn't bother playing. |
| 22.3 : C Morris to Westley, Back of length ball outside off, Westley defends it with soft hands towards point and they steal a quick run. |
| 22.4 : C Morris to Cook, Swinging back of a length ball on off and middle, Cook flicks it towards square leg for a single. |
| Good news for South Africa! Vernon Philander had an issue with his stomach in the morning but is back on the field for them. |
| 22.5 : C Morris to Tom Westley, OUT! The break does it for South Africa! And it was a peach of a delivery outside off. Full outswinger inviting the drive and Westley falls for that. He goes for the drive without much feet movement and ends up nicking it to second slip where Francois du Plessis takes a good low catch diving to his left. South Africa have the breakthrough that they wanted, the debutant's stay at the crease ends. First wicket in the match for Morris. England two down. |
| Skipper Joe root strides out in the middle. |
| 22.6 : C Morris to Root, Full and down the leg side, Root misses the flick and the ball goes through to the keeper. |
| Morkel to bowl from the other end. |
| 23.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cooks lets that go to the keeper. |
| 23.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Full swinging ball that pitched on leg and swung even more away. De Kock dived and got his gloves, but couldn't prevent the bye. |
| 23.3 : M Morkel to Root, Full swinging ball outside off, Root shows the full face of the bat and plays it towards covers. |
| 23.4 : M Morkel to Root, Back of a length ball outside off, slightly swinging away, doesn't invoke any interest from Root who leaves it alone. |
| 23.5 : M Morkel to Root, Back of length ball outside off, it struck Root high on the thigh and rolled over to gully. |
| 23.6 : M Morkel to Root, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Root doesn't let it go unpunished. He cuts and cuts hard through point for a boundary. That would get him going. |
| 24.1 : C Morris to Cook, Full ball outside off, Cook defends it towards gully. |
| 24.2 : C Morris to Cook, Back of a length ball, punched off the back foot towards covers for a single. |
| 24.3 : C Morris to Root, FOUR! Classy shot. Short ball just outside off, Root watches it till the end, opens his bat face and guides it between slip and gully for a boundary. Looking at that shot, one would think that he was batting out there all day long. |
| 24.4 : C Morris to Root, FOUR! Streaky yet lucky! Fuller ball outside off, Root pokes his bat at that. But the good thing he did there was play it with soft hands. The ball took the edge and went on two bounces to the right of du Plessis at second slip, the second being an awkward bounce, and ran away into the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 24.5 : C Morris to Root, Length ball outside off, Joe gets beaten. |
| 24.6 : C Morris to Root, Back of a length ball outside off, Root defends it towards cover-point off the back foot and takes a run. |
| 25.1 : M Morkel to Root, Shortish delivery outside off, Root initially hangs his bat out towards it but leaves it alone in the end. |
| 25.2 : M Morkel to Root, In the channel outside off, Joe points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 25.3 : M Morkel to Root, Length delivery angling in substantially this time. Root falls over a bit as he look to clip it away but is pinged on the thigh pad. |
| 25.4 : M Morkel to Root, In the corridor of uncertainty, seaming in a bit. Root covers his off stump and leaves it alone. |
| 25.5 : M Morkel to Root, The English skipper knows where his off stump is and makes another good leave to a similar delivery. |
| 25.6 : M Morkel to Root, A bit short outside off this time, not enough room to draw Root into the cut shot as he lets it be. A maiden for Morkel. |
| 26.1 : C Morris to Cook, Wide! Morris hurls this one way outside off on a shorter length and it swings further way. Cook doesn't bother to play at it. Wide signaled by the umpire. |
| C Morris to Cook, FOUR! Easy pickings! If you keep bowling there to him, he will keep punishing you all day. Swinging into the pads, Cook tickles it fine past the keeper and through to the fine leg fence. |
| 26.2 : C Morris to Cook, Cook clips this fullish delivery towards mid-wicket and sets off. Morkel comes across to it and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. There was a bit of confusion in the running but no harm done. |
| 26.3 : C Morris to Joe Root, Morris searches for some swing again and ends up bowling a half-volley outside off, Root drives it crisply through mid off for a brace. |
| 26.4 : C Morris to Root, Full and angling down the leg side, Root clips it beautifully through mid-wicket. Morris sprints after it and slides near the fence to keep the ball in play. Saves a run for his side. |
| 26.5 : C Morris to Cook, Shortish delivery, climbing on Cook. He hops and tucks it towards square leg. |
| 26.6 : C Morris to Cook, Another short delivery but this one is going down the leg side, Alastair is hurried a bit but manages to pull it down to fine leg. Rabada moves across to his left and slides to make a good stop. A run taken. |
| 27.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Length delivery angling in towards the hips, Cook makes use of the crease and clips it through mid-wicket. Collects an easy couple. |
| 27.2 : M Morkel to Cook, In the channel outside off, shaping in a touch. The ex-English skipper shuffles a touch, ensures he has his stumps covered and makes a watchful leave. |
| 27.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Good length delivery outside off, angling in. Alastair leaves it alone. |
| 27.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Fuller length ball on off, Cook plants his front foot across and dabs it to the point fielder. |
| 27.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Similar length delivery on off, Alastair puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 27.6 : M Morkel to Cook, In the corridor of uncertainty, Cook shuffles across and watches it go through into the gloves of de Kock. |
| 28.1 : C Morris to Root, Morris loses his radar and slips this one down the leg side. Root goes for the clip but misses it. |
| 28.2 : C Morris to Root, That's a great delivery! Almost trapped the English skipper there. Hurls this on a driving length outside off. Root is drawn into an expansive stroke but the ball moves away to beat his outside edge. |
| 28.3 : C Morris to Root, Morris is getting good movement but he needs to maintain cosistent lines and lengths. Bowls this on a shortish length outside off, Joe punches it nicely through cover-point. Two runs taken. |
| 28.4 : C Morris to Root, This one jags back sharply from a good length. Root is hurried by it as he brings his bat down but only manages to get an inside edge onto his thigh pad. |
| 28.5 : C Morris to Root, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Short but it is going down the leg side, Root gets into a good position and helps it on its way. Rabada moves swiftly to his right and dives but in vain. A boundary results! |
| 28.6 : C Morris to Root, Length delivery outside off, seaming away after pitching. Root stays back and allows it through. |
| Keshav Maharaj comes back into the attack. Meanwhile, Atherton, on air, informs us that Philander is out of the field owing to his upset stomach. |
| 29.1 : K Maharaj to Cook, Fullish delivery in line of the stumps, Cook nudges it through mid-wicket for an easy single. 100 up for England and it is met with a good cheer from the crowd! |
| 29.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated outside off, holding its line. Root plants his front foot across and leaves it alone. |
| 29.3 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Well bowled! Tossed up on middle, spinning away a touch. Joe is opened up in his stance as he gets it off the outer half to short third man. |
| 29.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Drifting in with the arm from outside off, Root pushes at it tentatively and gets a thick inside edge past Bavuma at short leg. A single taken. |
| 29.5 : K Maharaj to Cook, Prods forward to the floated delivery and blocks it. |
| 29.6 : K Maharaj to Cook, Slow through the air on middle, worked to short mid-wicket. |
| 30.1 : M Morkel to Root, Good length delivery shaping in from outside off. Root uses the depth of the crease to place it to point. A run taken. |
| 30.2 : M Morkel to Cook, On the shorter side of things but way outside off. Cook is no mood to flirt with it. |
| 30.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Four Byes! That was a peach! Back of a length on off, seams away substantially after landing. Cook feels for it but is beaten all ends up. De Kock tries to collect it over his head but it goes through. It also rolls down to the fence behind. Four byes signaled by the umpire. |
| 30.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Wide outside off this time as Cook makes an easy leave. |
| 30.5 : M Morkel to A Cook, Close shave! Length delivery on off, Cook camps back and pushes at it but gets a thick outside edge. Elgar dives full length to his right but the ball falls just short of him. This is good bowling from Morkel. |
| 30.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Cook nudges this one towards mid on. |
| 31.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Tossed up delivery, Root prods forward to defend it. |
| 31.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Stays back to the shorter delivery and pushes it to short cover. |
| 31.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Slower through the air, Joe puts a big stride forward and pats it to the off side. |
| 31.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Maharaj drags his length back, Root hangs back and punches it to short cover. |
| 31.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Joe stays back and places it towards point. Good judgement of the single as they complete it with ease. |
| 31.6 : K Maharaj to Cook, In line of the stumps, stays a touch low. Cook manages to keep it out. |
| 32.1 : M Morkel to Root, Beaten! Length delivery outside off, Root goes deep in the crease to counter it but is beaten comprehensively. |
| 32.2 : M Morkel to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, Joe initially looks to leave it alone but feels for it eventually. He is lucky to have not nicked that. The ball seamed away late that time. |
| 32.3 : M Morkel to Root, This one jags back in sharply from outside off, Root covers his off stump and lets it go. De Kock once again fails to collect the ball in his gloves. |
| 32.4 : M Morkel to Root, This is great bowling from Morkel. Bowls this one on a fullish length outside off and draws Root into the drive. He gets beaten. |
| 32.5 : M Morkel to Root, Jaffa! Fulish delivery outside off, Root goes for an ambitious drive down the ground but the ball shapes away to whiz past his outside edge. |
| 32.6 : M Morkel to Root, Length delivery tailing in sharply. Root is beaten on the tuck and wears it on his thigh pad. Great testing maiden over. |
| 33.1 : Maharaj to Cook, Floated outside off, turning in sharply. Cook decides to pad it away. A confident shout for an LBW but the umpire is unmoved. The replays show that it was not turning back enough. |
| 33.2 : K Maharaj to Cook, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 33.3 : K Maharaj to Cook, Floated outside off, Cook works it to mid-wicket. |
| 33.4 : K Maharaj to Cook, Tossed up around off, Alastair pushes at it tentatively but gets an inside edge towards past short leg. |
| 33.5 : K Maharaj to Cook, Lunges forward to this one and defends it. |
| 33.6 : K Maharaj to Cook, Risky! Maharaj drags his length back. Cook rocks back and goes for the cut but gets beaten. Perhaps that was too close to cut. |
| 34.1 : M Morkel to Root, Length delivery shaping in from outside off, Root goes for the clip but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. The players are all upbeat and are putting pressure on the English skipper. It is not easy to get on top of one of the best batsman in Test cricket. |
| 34.2 : M Morkel to Root, Defended off the back foot by Root. |
| 34.3 : M Morkel to Root, In the channel outside off, Joe lets it go. |
| 34.4 : M Morkel to Root, Good length delivery around off, Root shuffles and defends it solidly. |
| 34.5 : M Morkel to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 34.6 : M Morkel to Root, Shortish delivery but way outside off, Root doesn't fiddle with it. Three maidens in a row. Good stuff from the Proteas. |
| 35.1 : K Maharaj to Cook, Tossed up outside off, spinning in. Cook goes for the cut but gets beaten again. He is living dangerously. |
| 35.2 : K Maharaj to Cook, Floated around off, Alastair defends it by prodding forward. |
| 35.3 : K Maharaj to Cook, A bit short this time, Cook goes back and tucks it past the right side of the leg gully fielder. Two runs taken. |
| 35.4 : K Maharaj to Cook, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 35.5 : K Maharaj to Cook, Flatter this time, Cook blocks it. |
| 35.6 : K Maharaj to Cook, Fuller on off, played with soft hands to mid on. |
| DRINKS has been taken. A good passage of play for South Africa. Morkel is in the midst of a great spell and is troubling the English skipper. Keshav Maharaj from the other hand has been steady and is getting some good purchase from the track. They need to keep building the pressure to bring about the breakthrough. England on the other hand need to be calm and composed in their approach to keep the scoreboard ticking. |
| Vernon Philander comes back into the attack. He has served his time off the field and is ready to go. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 36.1 : V Philander to Root, Bowled on a good length on off and middle, Root defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 36.2 : V Philander to Root, Length ball on off and middle, Root defends from within the crease. |
| 36.3 : V Philander to Root, Good length ball outside off, Root covers his stumps and shoulders arms. |
| 36.4 : V Philander to Root, Bowled fuller outside off, Root tried to play it towards covers, but the ball went of the inside edge of the bat towards mid on. |
| 36.5 : V Philander to Root, Length ball on middle, Joe looks to play with soft hands but gets hit on his pads and the ball rolls towards square leg for a quick leg bye. |
| 36.6 : V Philander to Cook, Swerving good length ball on off and middle, Cook defends off the front foot. The ball hits the inside edge and hits his pads and falls on the ground. |
| 37.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on off, Root drives it to cover. |
| 37.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Quicker ball on off, Root blocks it off the back foot. |
| 37.3 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Tossed up on middle and leg, Root look to block it towards the off side but the ball takes the inside edge and lands towards short leg. |
| 37.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball defended off the front foot. |
| 37.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle, Root flicks it towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 37.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Tossed up on middle and off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 38.1 : V Philander to Cook, Back of length ball on middle and leg, Cook takes a run by flicking it to deep square leg. |
| 38.2 : V Philander to Root, OUT! Gone! Root has to depart! Philander bowls it back of a length on off, seaming away from the skipper. Root had to, just had to play at that and he does. The ball takes the outside edge and Quinton de Kock snaffles up a stunner. He was moving towards his left looking at the angle of the ball, but quickly recovered and dived to his right to catch that. Terrific bowling, terrific catching to get rid of one of the better batsmen in world cricket. The pressure that Mork |
| Debutant and Middlesex middle order batsman Dawid Malan walks into the center with England in a spot of bother. Third slip also in place for him. |
| 38.3 : V Philander to Malan, Length ball outside off, Malan shoulders arms to that. |
| Philander once again stops in his delivery stride. |
| 38.4 : V Philander to Malan, Back of length ball outside off, Malan easily leaves that. |
| 38.5 : V Philander to Malan, That's speared on a length down the leg side, Malan has nothing to do with that. |
| 38.6 : V Philander to Malan, Good length ball on off and middle, Malan solidly defends off his front foot. |
| 39.1 : K Maharaj to Cook, Loopy ball on off spinning in, Cook blocks it. |
| 39.2 : K Maharaj to Cook, Loopy ball outside off, Cook dabs it towards cover-point for a single. |
| 39.3 : K Maharaj to Malan, Floated ball on off, Malan shimmies down and hits it straight back to Maharaj. |
| 1453 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - Oh no! The rain has arrived again. Up go the umbrellas in the crowd as the groundsmen come rushing in with the covers. The good thing is that there is a strong breeze blowing across and lets hope it blows the shower away along with it. |
| 1507 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - Good news folks! The rain has stopped and the covers have been peeled off from the ground. The match is scheduled to start again at 1515 local time. |
| The players are making their way out. Maharaj will continue with the ball, Malan will face first up. Here we go... |
| 39.4 : K Maharaj to Malan, Loops it on off, Malan pushes it with the turn towards mid-wicket. |
| Malan has some issue with the sightscreen. |
| 39.5 : K Maharaj to Malan, Floated on off and middle, Malan defends it on the leg side. |
| 39.6 : K Maharaj to Malan, Flighted ball with a slight dip outside off, Malan shimmies down and misses the flick. He gets hit on the pads and that drew appeal from Maharaj. The umpire says not out. Hawk Eye shows impact to be outside off. |
| 40.1 : V Philander to Cook, Full wide ball outside off, Cook lets it through. |
| 40.2 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on middle, Cook pushes it defensively towards mid-wicket. |
| 40.3 : V Philander to Cook, Fuller ball on the stumps, Cook blocks that towards the bowler. |
| 40.4 : V Philander to Cook, APPEAL BY THE PROTEAS! Not out says the umpire. That was a back of a length ball on leg, it hurried on to Cook, and struck him on his pads. Height was the factor that denied a wicket to the South Africans. |
| 40.5 : V Philander to Cook, Fuller ball on off, Cook plays it onto the ground. |
| 40.6 : V Philander to Cook, Full ball on off, Cook plays it uppishly towards point. It fell just short of the fielder there. |
| 7-3-14-0 reads Rabada's figures as he comes in for another spell. |
| 41.1 : K Rabada to Malan, Back of length ball on leg, Malan misses the flick and gets hit on his pads. The Proteas appeal unsuccessfully though. Height is the factor again as per Hawk Eye. |
| 41.2 : K Rabada to Malan, Length ball on leg, the ball hits his thigh pads and rolls on the leg side. |
| 41.3 : K Rabada to Malan, Back of length ball on off, Dawid shoulders arms to that one. |
| 41.4 : K Rabada to Malan, Good length ball on off, going across Malan. He has nothing to do with that. |
| 41.5 : K Rabada to Malan, Again a back of length ball on leg hits Malan on his pads. It draws stifled appeal from the South Africans. |
| 41.6 : K Rabada to Malan, Dangerous leave by Dawid that. Back of a length ball on off and middle to which he shoulders arms. The ball passed just over the stumps. |
| 42.1 : V Philander to Cook, Good length ball on middle played by Cook to mid on. |
| 42.2 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on off and middle defended towards point. |
| 42.3 : V Philander to Cook, Back of length ball outside off, Cook trying to cut, gets a thick bottom edge making the ball bounce on the ground. |
| 42.4 : V Philander to Cook, Woah! That's an outswinger on middle and off drawing Cook forward. It passes the outside edge of the bat. |
| 42.5 : V Philander to Cook, FOUR! And he gets to his half century in style. Shortish ball outside off, Cook plays the cut shot in style and through point for a boundary. |
| 55th Test fifty for the former England skipper, Alastair Cook. |
| 42.6 : V Philander to Cook, Lovely delivery to follow that boundary ball. Length ball on middle swings away from the batsman beating his outside edge. |
| 43.1 : K Rabada to Malan, Malan gets going in Test cricket after 15 balls! Back of a length ball on off, he defends it off the back foot towards point and sets off for a quick single. The throw from the fielder hit Malan as he completed that run. So a painful way to get going that! |
| 43.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball outside off, well left by Cooky. |
| 43.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Sprayed down the leg side, AC lets it go. |
| 43.4 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on middle and leg, Cook plays it towards mid on for a single. |
| 43.5 : K Rabada to Malan, Full and quick delivery down the leg side, Malan misses the flick and the ball thuds into de Kock's gloves. |
| 43.6 : Rabada to Malan, OUT! JAFFA! What a delivery to get on your debut. Unlucky Dawid Malan! That was a fast spearing very full ball on middle and leg, Malan was just a tad late in getting his bat down and he fell over as the ball crashed on to the stumps. It was an almost-unplayable ball. Rabada and the entire African side is pumped up, and why not. Such deliveries are rarity in cricket. England in trouble here. |
| All-rounder Ben Stokes walks in next. |
| 44.1 : V Philander to Cook, Full ball on middle and leg flicked away for a single. |
| 44.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Full ball on middle and leg, played off the front foot for no run. |
| 44.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Back of length ball on leg, Stokes gets hit on his thigh pads. |
| 44.4 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball on off, Stokes pushes it off the front foot. |
| 44.5 : V Philander to Stokes, Good length ball on middle and leg, Stokes flicks it off his pads. |
| 44.6 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball outside off, Stokes plays it to point. |
| 45.1 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball down the leg side, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 45.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Back of length ball outside off, the batsman gets beaten. |
| 45.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball defended off the front foot by the batter. |
| 45.4 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook lets it go. |
| 45.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Good length ball duly defended by Cook. |
| 45.6 : K Rabada to Cook, FOUR! Shortish ball going away from the batsman, Cook punches that wonderfully through covers for a boundary. Such a sweet timer of the ball is this guy, that one just wonders where was in the previous match. |
| Morris back into the attack after his initial burst of 8 overs. |
| 46.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Fuller ball outside off, Stokes leaves it alone. |
| 46.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Back of a length ball on leg, Stokes plays it towards fine leg for a single to get off the mark. |
| 46.3 : C Morris to Cook, Length ball outside off, played through backward point for a couple. |
| 46.4 : C Morris to Cook, Short ball on middle, Cook pulls it towards square leg. |
| 46.5 : C Morris to Cook, Full ball on middle, Cook bunts it off the front foot. |
| 46.6 : C Morris to Cook, Short ball on middle, Cook crisply pulls it to fine leg for a single. |
| 47.1 : K Rabada to Cook, Wow! What a shot. That's a half volley outside off, he gets that stride in and brings out the Cook-special cover drive. Maharaj chases that down and saves a run for their side. |
| 47.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full ball outside off, Stokes mistimes the push down the ground for a single. |
| 47.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on length and middle, Cook picks up a run towards mid-wicket. |
| 47.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Fuller ball on off, Stokes plays it to the right of mid off and they cross over for a run. |
| 47.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Back of a length ball on middle and going away, Cook shoulders arms. |
| 47.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook stays tall and defends it on the off side. |
| 48.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Runs in and bowls a full ball wide of off stump, Stokes says I won't play that! |
| 48.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Back of a length ball closer to stumps, but not close enough to make him play. |
| 48.3 : C Morris to Stokes, Good length ball on his pads, Stokes flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 48.4 : C Morris to Cook, Shortish ball outside off, moving in after pitching. Cook bunts it on to the ground. |
| 48.5 : C Morris to Cook, Another back of length ball outside off and coming into the batsman. Cook defends off the back foot. |
| 48.6 : C Morris to Cook, The lateral movement off the pitch for Morris increased as the over progressed. Back of length ball outside off and came into Cook as he defended it awkwardly off the back foot. |
| 49.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Good length ball going across Stokes who shoulders arms to that one. |
| 0.0 : Run out appeal against Stokes is referred upstairs by Aleem Dar. |
| 49.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, NOT OUT! Back of a length ball on off, Stokes punches it off the back foot towards cover-point. Bavuma chases it down and throws it towards bowler's end where the fielder takes down the stumps. Stokes dives and makes it in just in time. They run three. |
| 49.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 49.4 : K Rabada to Cook, Again Cook shoulders arms to a length ball outside off. |
| 49.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Good length ball outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 49.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on middle and leg, Cook plays it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 50.1 : C Morris to Cook, Length ball punched off the back foot for a run. |
| 50.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Full ball on off, Stokes clobbers it straight to the cover fielder, who misfields and concedes a run. |
| 50.3 : C Morris to Cook, FOUR! Shot! Again a good length ball on off moves in laterally after pitching. Cook is so well set, that he rides that movement and pushes it through mid on and collects a boundary. That looked as glorious as it can get. |
| 50.4 : C Morris to Cook, Shortish ball on off, Cook punches it off the back foot. |
| 50.5 : C Morris to Cook, Full and wide ball outside off, Cook doesn't bother fiddling with that. |
| 50.6 : C Morris to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook covers the stumps and leaves it alone. |
| 51.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Well kept de Kock! Rabada steams in and sprays that ball full down the leg side. The keeper dives to his right and stops that. Not a clean take but effective nevertheless. |
| 51.2 : K Rabada to Ben Stokes, Shortish ball on leg, Stokes swivels and pulls it to the right of fine leg. Before he fields and returns the throw, they take a brace. |
| 51.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length ball defended off the back foot. |
| 51.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full and swinging down the leg, Stokes misses the flick. The ball hits his pads and they collect a leg bye towards square leg. |
| 51.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Yorker outside off, Cook digs it out on the off side. |
| 51.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Very full on middle and leg, Cook plays it towards mid-wicket. It was almost like the one that got Malan, the only difference being this was a tad fuller. THAT'S TEA, DAY ONE! |
| Time for Tea and it has started raining as well. It has gone really dark but let's hope the wind blows the clouds away. Coming back to the game, it has been a really good session for South Africa. They have managed to pick up three wickets along with keeping the run rate in check. Right after lunch, Morris removed the debutant, Westley with a beautiful delivery. |
| After that, Root joined Cook in the middle and battled it out with a 49-run stand. Morkel kept on bowling nagging lines and lengths and tested the former in particular. It was a shaky innings from the English skipper who looked unsettled and eventually departed. The left-handed debutant, Malan got a peach from Rabada and was sent packing. |
| The ex-English skipper has looked the most composed of the lot and is unbeaten on 72. He needs support from Stokes. Promising partnerships need to be converted to something substantial to get the visitors thinking. Join us for the evening session as and when the weather permits. |
| 1635 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - The final session should have got underway by now, but rains have delayed the proceedings. |
| 1658 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - Play is scheduled to resume at 1730 local time, provided the rains keep away. |
| The men who matter have made their way out in the middle. 31 overs are scheduled for the session. Play can be extended to 1930 local time. Morkel to start with the ball now. |
| 52.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Back of length ball outside off and swinging away, Stokes shoulders arms. |
| 52.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Straighter ball outside off on a length, Stokes raises his bat skywards as he lets it go to the keeper. |
| 52.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Short ball outside off, Stokes tries a pull and gets the bottom edge which goes on a bounce to de Kock. |
| 52.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Shortish ball on middle and leg, pulled away towards fine leg for a single. |
| 52.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on middle and leg, Cook defends off the front foot. |
| 52.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Back of length outside off, batsman shoulders arms. |
| Vernon Philander with figures 9-5-8-2 to bowl from the other end. |
| 53.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Back of length down the leg side, Stokes misses the flick and the ball goes through to the keeper. |
| 53.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Fuller ball on off, Stokes strides forward in defense. The ball takes the inside edge and goes to fine leg and they run a brace. |
| 53.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Full on off, Stokes pushes it towards mid off. |
| 53.4 : V Philander to Stokes, Full outside off, the batsman lets that go through to the keeper. |
| 53.5 : V Philander to Stokes, A peach! Unlucky to not get a wicket off that. Good length pitching on off and straightening after pitching, Stokes strides forward to defend. The ball beats him on the inside and just passes close to the off stump. Wonderful ball that. |
| 53.6 : V Philander to Stokes, Full ball on off, Stokes defends. |
| 54.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Morkel bowls it well outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 54.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook bunts that off the back foot. |
| 54.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Fuller ball on off, batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 54.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball well outside off to trouble Alastair. |
| 54.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Another full and wide delivery to which AC shoulders arms. |
| 54.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Wonderful ball to end the over. Full out swinger on off stump. It draws Cook forward and teasingly misses the outside edge. |
| 55.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Wide! That is too wide outside off. the umpire signals a wide. |
| V Philander to Stokes, Fuller ball down the leg side, Stokes misses the flick. |
| 55.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Full ball on middle and leg, Ben plays it towards mid-wicket for no run. |
| 55.3 : V Philander to Stokes, EDGED AND FOUR! Back of length ball outside off and angling away from Stokes. He slashes and slashes hard. The ball takes the outside edge and flies over the slip cordon and through to the third man fence. No half measures from Stokes on that occasion. |
| 55.4 : V Philander to Stokes, Beaten. That was a back of a length ball on off, passes the outside edge of his bat. |
| 55.5 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball punched on the off side in defense. |
| 55.6 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball on leg, flicked away to fine leg for a run. |
| 56.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full and too wide to make Stokes play. |
| 56.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Back of a length ball on middle, Stokes plays it towards fine leg for a run. |
| 56.3 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! Short ball on middle and angled down the leg side, Cook nudges it fine off his hips. That's delicately played as the ball runs down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 56.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Full on off, Cook plays it towards point. |
| 56.5 : M Morkel to Cook, That was outside off and well left by the former skipper. |
| 56.6 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! Full outside off, Cook opens the face of the bat to guide it through the gully region. The pace was such that the ball teased the chasing fielder before running into the boundary fence. Valiant effort by the fielder nevertheless. |
| 57.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball on off, Stokes gets beaten on the outside edge. |
| 57.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Good length ball outside off, Stokes feels for that as the ball passes his outside edge. |
| 57.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Full ball on middle and off, BS defends it off the front foot. |
| 57.4 : V Philander to Stokes, That's bowled full and straight on middle, Stokes drives it back to mid on. |
| 57.5 : V Philander to Stokes, Back of a length ball on off, it seams away a bit. It goes past Stokes' bat that was poked there. |
| 57.6 : V Philander to Stokes, Fuller ball on middle and leg, Stokes gets it off the inner half through square leg for a run. |
| 58.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, That was bowled back of a length at 85 mph on middle, Stokes plays it towards mid-wicket and crosses over to the other end. |
| 58.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on middle, Cook flicks it towards deep square leg where Maharaj fields that. They complete a brace before he returns the throw. |
| 50-run stand up between Cook and Stokes. |
| 58.3 : M Morkel to Cook, AC chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 58.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook gets an edge towards the off side. |
| 58.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on middle and off defended off the back foot by the batter. |
| It has started to drizzle again. It has been such a day where the players have gone off the field on a few occasions. |
| 58.6 : M Morkel to Cook, This one is defended from within the crease to end the over. |
| 1800 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - Bad news folks! The rain has arrived yet again. The players are ambling back to their dressing rooms. The groundsmen have more work in their hands as the covers have been brought in. Dark clouds have started to build up but no one can predict the English weather! Let's hope it clears out soon again. Stay tuned for more updates... |
| 1819 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - Rain has stopped. The umpires are out there inspecting. It's still pretty dark and cloudy out there though. Groundsmen have a task at hand to mop up the field. |
| 1833 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - The umpires have decided to call off the day's play. THAT IS STUMPS ON DAY ONE. Bad weather coupled with bad light ends the day's play. |
| The day overall belonged to South Africa, as even after winning the toss and choosing to bat, the hosts aren't really in as strong a position as they would have liked. None of their top order batsmen, apart from Cook, showed application to put up a decent score. The visitors were on the money with the ball from the beginning. Loose balls came too far and few. Their fielding was up to the mark. All points to England playing the catch up game at the end of Day One. The exciting game would resume t |
| ... DAY TWO, SESSION ONE ... |
| Hola everyone! Welcome to our coverage of Day Two of the third riveting contest between England and South Africa. Day One saw only 59 overs of play being possible before rain prevented further play. The home side is precariously placed owing to a steady stream of dismissals triggered by some disciplined and threatening South African bowling. |
| The Proteas showed intent from ball one, and the only mild concern, if any, they had was Philander's stomach bug that made him leave the field a couple of times. They would hope to carry on the steady barrage of disciplined and, if possible, lethal stuff with the ball. |
| England were on the back foot after losing Jennings early. Then Cook and Westley consolidated well with a half century stand. The former skipper has played cautiously so far, and even though they have batting to come in the form of Bairstow, Ali and Broad, the home team would love Cook and Stokes to continue as long as they can. Expect a tug-of-war between bat and ball which should engage the cricketing fans world over! |
| Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes are the men who saw the English side to stumps, and they walk out to resume their innings. Vernon Philander will steam in for South Africa with the ball. Here we go... |
| 59.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Starts of with a back of a length ball on legs, Stokes tucks it away through backward square leg to get underway. |
| 59.2 : V Philander to Cook, Straight ball, full on middle, Cook pushes it defensively back to the bowler. |
| 59.3 : V Philander to Cook, Fuller ball on middle and off, Cook blocks it towards point. |
| 59.4 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on his pads, Cook flicks it behind square on the leg side and collects a brace. |
| 59.5 : V Philander to Cook, Speared in fuller on off, Cook pushes it towards mid off, no run there. |
| 59.6 : V Philander to Cook, Back of length ball on middle and leg, the former skipper pushes it to short mid-wicket. |
| Morne Morkel to run in from the other end. |
| 60.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Bowling round the wicket, he bowls it on a length off, Stokes pushes it towards covers. |
| 60.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball outside off, Stokes raises the bat in the air and lets it go through. |
| 60.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball bowled on off and middle, Stokes plays it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 60.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Back of a length ball outside off, Stokes stays away from it by leaving it alone. |
| 60.5 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full outside off, Ben shoulders arms. |
| 60.6 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, Full ball on off, Stokes plays it straight to mid off. Maiden to begin with for Morkel. |
| 61.1 : V Philander to A Cook, EDGED BUT SAFE! Cook just had to play at that one. Back of a length ball on middle and off, seaming away from the batter, he prods his bat in defense. The ball takes the outside edge and lands agonizingly short of du Plessis at second slip. |
| 61.2 : V Philander to Cook, Fuller ball on off, Cook defends it towards covers. |
| 61.3 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook blocks it towards point. |
| 61.4 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on off, Cooky plays it towards gully. |
| 61.5 : V Philander to Cook, Back of a length ball on leg, Alastair takes a single in front of square on the leg side. |
| 61.6 : V Philander to Stokes, FOUR! Glorious shot to get to 2000 Test runs by Stokes. That was bowled full on middle and leg, he flicks that towards mid-wicket and the chasing fielders didn't stand a chancxe to cut that off. |
| 2000 Test runs for Ben Stokes. Becomes the 57th English player to achieve this feat. Just his 62nd inning in Tests. The average is pretty decent, around 33 while his strike rate is around 63. He just needs to start becoming more consistent to improve that average. |
| 62.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on off, Cooky plays it to mid-wicket for no run. |
| 62.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook defends off the back foot. |
| 62.3 : M Morkel to Cook, The batter defends that length ball from within the crease. |
| 62.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook lets it go. |
| 62.5 : M Morkel to Cook, That's the signature Cook cover drive. It was bowled full outside off, he brings out that stride and plays the shot. Kuhn chases down and saves a run for the side. |
| 62.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball outside off, Stokes gets a bottom edge on that one. |
| 63.1 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on middle and leg, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 63.2 : V Philander to Cook, Lovely ball outside off, Cook pokes his bat at it and gets beaten. |
| 63.3 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on off, the batsman pushes it towards covers. |
| 63.4 : V Philander to Cook, Good length ball outside off the batsman doesn't bother fiddling with that. |
| 63.5 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook lets it go. |
| 63.6 : V Philander to Cook, Lovely ball by Philander. Back of a length ball on middle, swings away late. Cook gets beaten as he poked his bat at it. |
| Interesting discussion from the cricketing greats on air. Shane Warne feels that Keaton Jennings is not a busy cricketer, not looking for singles and only looks to survive. Nasser Hussain reckons that is because Jennings is not that confident. Then, as a proper headmaster overseeing his teaching staff, David Lloyd puts his thoughts into words. He recounts that century by Jennings against India. Says that there, the southpaw used to keep his head down, used to meet the ball, come forward and LOOK |
| Philander walks off the field with a stomach bug that troubled him even yesterday. He should be back on field within 2 minutes to be able to bowl the next over. |
| 64.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Short ball, pulled away for a run. |
| 0.0 : Morkel strikes! He has pinned Cook in front but the latter has reviewed it. Height seems to be a factor there... |
| 64.2 : Morkel to Cook, OUT! The third umpire upholds the onfield call. Morkel started round the wicket and bowled it on a length on off. Cook gets beaten for pace and gets struck on the pads. A loud appeal results in the umpire raising the dreaded finger. Cook reviews immediately, and three reds on the ball tracking means that the batsman has to depart! Cook departs for 88, England lose half their side. The 63-run stand is broken. |
| Jonny Bairstow walks in at the fall of the 5th wicket. |
| 64.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Bairstow is welcomed to the crease with a bouncer which he leaves alone. |
| 64.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Jonny shoulders arms. |
| 64.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Good length ball outside off, Bairstow avoids trouble by not making any contact with that. |
| 64.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, JB leaves it alone. |
| Philander is back on. Must have popped in a couple of tablets. Aha... interesting. Aleem Dar signals towards the third umpire that his walkie-talkie is not working. He asks for a new one. It has not come yet... |
| 65.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Full ball on leg and middle, Stokes flicks it away for a run. |
| 65.2 : V Philander to Bairstow, Back of a length ball on middle gets Bairstow going as he flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 65.3 : V Philander to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Jonny raises his bat skywards and leaves it alone. |
| 65.4 : V Philander to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, JB lets it go. |
| 65.5 : V Philander to Bairstow, Back of length ball on middle, played towards mid-wicket. |
| 65.6 : V Philander to Bairstow, Fuller ball on off, driven back to the bowler. That was swinging away a tad. |
| 66.1 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Ben Stokes that away for a boundary! Short ball outside off, he brings out the pull shot, clubs it towards mid-wicket and into the fence. He looked completely in command of that shot. |
| 66.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Another good looking shot that fetches him a couple. Full ball on off and middle, driven straight down the ground. Morkel gets some hand to that which enables Kuhn to chase it and keep it to two. |
| 66.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball on off hits Stokes on his pads and they take two leg byes. |
| 66.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Drives that full ball straight down towards mid off. |
| 66.5 : M Morkel to Stokes, Another straight drive, but back to the bowler. No run there. |
| 66.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball on off, Stokes defends from the front foot. |
| 67.1 : V Philander to Bairstow, FOUR! Glorious shot that. Philander bowls it full outside off, Bairstow times it perfectly through covers for a boundary. This shot makes it seem that he is batting there for a long time. |
| 67.2 : V Philander to Bairstow, Full ball on off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 67.3 : V Philander to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Bairstow shoulders arms. |
| 67.4 : V Philander to Bairstow, Length ball swinging away from the off stump, Jonny leaves it alone. |
| 67.5 : V Philander to Bairstow, Full ball outside off, JB gets a bottom edge as he tries playing it towards the off side. |
| 67.6 : V Philander to Bairstow, Length ball outside off and seaming away. Bairstow pokes his bat tentatively as the ball passes the outside edge. |
| Chris Morris to bowl for the first time today. Meanwhile Philander walks off the field yet again. |
| 68.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Full ball on off, Stokes drives it down towards mid off. |
| 68.2 : C Morris to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Crisp and classy cover drive by Ben! Full outside off, Stokes gets his front foot forward and drives it to the cover fence for a boundary. |
| 68.3 : C Morris to Stokes, FOUR! Aah! Beauty! Full on middle and leg, Stokes just times that and pushes it through mid off. The ball races away for yet another boundary. Stokes is good with his timing today. |
| 68.4 : C Morris to Stokes, Good yorker on off, Stokes manages to dig it out. |
| 68.5 : C Morris to Stokes, FOUR! And again! Third in the over and the Stokes has taken a liking to Morris here. Another full ball outside off, Ben drives it through mid off for yet another boundary. He is looking in great touch out there. |
| 68.6 : C Morris to Stokes, Length ball on off, defended from within the crease. |
| Kagiso Rabada is brought in to bowl now. |
| 69.1 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Full ball on middle and leg, Jonny flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 69.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full ball on middle, Stokes flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 69.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, punched away defensively on the off side. |
| 69.4 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, Back of a length ball outside off climbing at the batsman. Bairstow fends it and gloves it which goes on the bounce to gully. |
| 69.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Fuller ball outside off punched towards covers off the back foot. |
| 69.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, A play and miss by Jonny of that length ball outside off. |
| 70.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Fuller ball on off, Stokes defends and the ball takes the inside edge of his bat and strikes his pads. |
| 70.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Short ball on middle and leg pulled away towards fine leg where Rabada fields. They cross over for a single. |
| 70.3 : C Morris to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 70.4 : C Morris to J Bairstow, Fuller ball on middle, driven to mid on. |
| 70.5 : C Morris to Bairstow, FOUR! Would love to watch that shot on loop! That was an outswinger outside off, full enough to invite a drive. Bairstow drives it powerfully through covers for a boundary. |
| 70.6 : C Morris to Bairstow, Length ball on his pads, he fails to get bat on that. They take a leg bye as the ball rolls towards fine leg. |
| Spin for the first time today in the form of Keshav Maharaj. This seems to be a good move from Faf du Plessis. Bairstow has struggled against Maharaj this series, getting out to him 3 times out of 4. He has not quite picked him yet. |
| 71.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, driven towards mid on. No run there. |
| 71.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, FOUR! Sweeps and sweeps hard! Floated on middle and off, Bairstow hits that powerfully through backwards square leg for a boundary. The key was to watch the ball till the end and stay in control of the shot, which he was. |
| 71.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, FOUR! Not entirely in control this time, yet effective. Tossed up arm ball on middle and leg, Jonny charges down and hits it over mid on for another boundary. He didn't seem to read the arm ball there. |
| 71.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Flatter ball on middle, solidly defended off the front foot. |
| 71.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on off, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 71.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, FOUR! Another sweep in the over results in another boundary. Flighted ball on middle and leg, he plays that shot and the ball races to the fine leg fence. Even though he has been dismissed thrice by this bowler in the series, Bairstow is taking the attack to the spinner here. |
| DRINKS are on the field. Even though England lost Cook to a pacy ball by Morkel, they have continued to rake in the runs, courtesy Stokes and Bairstow. The Protea bowlers found no way to defeat Stokes, and that should be the main worry in Faf's mind. |
| Change of ends for Rabada. |
| 72.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, On a length around off, Stokes stays back and defends. |
| 72.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR! JUST OVER! Looks like he is in the mood, Stokes. A short ball outside off, Stokes just stands still and wallops it over mid on. Does not quite middle it, the ball goes off the toe end of the bat and is aerial. Dean Elgar leaps at mid on but the ball eludes him. Had there been a taller player, Stokes could have been gone. |
| 10th Test Fifty for Stokes. |
| 72.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 72.4 : K Rabada to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 72.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. |
| 72.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, That is an excellent fielding effort from Morkel! Down the leg side, Stokes tucks it through backward square leg. The ball races to the fence but Morne Morkel gives it a good chase, gets to the ball and then dives to pull it in. He himself has to run in and throw the ball, so the third is taken. |
| 73.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 73.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 73.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 73.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single. |
| 73.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 74.1 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, FOUR! Amazing stroke. Back of a length ball outside off, Bairstow waits on his back foot and crunches it behind point. Not a soul moved as that ball raced away. |
| 74.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Good running. Again back of a length outside off, Jonny taps it behind point. Two, he says and then runs excellently to come back for the second. |
| 74.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Pushes this towards point again but now it is only a single. |
| 74.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 74.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Landed outside off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 74.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, Good length delivery outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 75.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full on middle, flicked through square leg. |
| 75.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, This is an arm ball, darted down the leg side, Bairstow looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pad. |
| 75.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 75.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Landed around off, watchfully patted forward. |
| 75.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Tossed up outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 75.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Oohh... very close. The ball is full on middle and Bairstow looks to sweep it fine again. He just about manages to get a bit of glove and the ball goes behind, past the diving slip who tries to stop it. A single taken. |
| CHRIS MORRIS is back on. |
| 76.1 : C Morris to Bairstow, Clips this through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 76.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Outside off, pushed straight to point. |
| 76.3 : C Morris to Stokes, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 76.4 : C Morris to Stokes, Outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 76.5 : C Morris to Stokes, The batsman has driven it through mid off. |
| 76.6 : C Morris to Stokes, Outside off, tapped through point for a single. |
| 77.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, swept powerfully through mid-wicket. Chris Morris makes a good sliding stop at the boundary. A single taken. |
| 77.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full again, watchfully defended. |
| 77.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full and around off, pushed down to Kagiso Rabada at long on for a run. |
| 77.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Tossed up a bit, Stokes, who is looking to size up Maharaj, comes down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball and defends. |
| 77.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Punches this down to long on for a single. |
| 77.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 78.1 : C Morris to Stokes, On a length on middle and leg, swinging in, flicked straight to Temba Bavuma at short mid-wicket. |
| 78.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Angles this away from the left-hander, outside off, Stokes lets it go. |
| 78.3 : C Morris to Stokes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 78.4 : C Morris to Stokes, This is down the leg side, Stokes looks to tuck it away but misses. There seemed to be a noise as the ball went past but no one appealed. |
| 78.5 : C Morris to Stokes, This time he gets his tuck right and earns a single. |
| 78.6 : C Morris to Bairstow, Outside off, left alone. |
| 79.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Landed around off, Stokes stays back and defends. |
| 79.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, A little bit of flight now, Ben comes down the track and pushes it towards short cover. |
| 79.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Lesser flight, this time BS goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 79.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Outside off, a touch short, punched straight to cover. |
| 79.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 79.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full and around middle and off, watchfully blocked out. |
| The second new ball is available now and THEY HAVE TAKEN IT. |
| Morne Morkel to start off with the second new ball. |
| 80.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full outside off and a slight hint of in swing, Stokes lets that go to the keeper. |
| 80.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full out swinging delivery too wide of off to draw a stroke from Stokes. |
| 80.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, This one's bowled fuller outside off, Stokes shoulders arms. It went on a bounce to de Kock. |
| 80.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Back of length ball outside off, Stokes doesn't bother playing that. This carries at a good height to the keeper. |
| 80.5 : M Morkel to Stokes, Fuller ball outside off, BS leaves that alone. |
| 80.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full on middle, played back to the bowler. Maiden over, the first one with the second new ball. |
| Kagiso Rabada will share the second new ball from the other end. |
| 81.1 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Back of a length ball outside off, Bairstow punched that off the back foot straight to extra cover. |
| 81.2 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, Shortish ball outside off, Bairstow fends. The ball takes the outside half of the bat and runs towards the third man fence. Before Morkel chases it down, they complete a brace. |
| 81.3 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, Length ball on middle, driven to mid on. |
| 81.4 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, OUT! RABADA STRIKES WITH THE NEW BALL! Back of a length ball just outside off, nibbling away from the batter. Bairstow gets squared up as he hangs out his bat. The ball takes the outside edge and travels to second slip for a regulation catch. Du Plessis there takes a good low catch to his left to end Bairstow's stay at the crease. England in a spot of bother now as Rabada gets his second. |
| The bearded Moeen Ali comes in next. England would love a significant knock from him. |
| 81.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Full on middle and leg, played away to mid-wicket. |
| 81.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Length ball o off, played away towards point. |
| 82.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full ball outside off, Stokes shoulders arms. |
| 82.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Bowled further up to the batsman, he plays it off the front foot into the ground. |
| 82.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball on middle, defended off the front foot by Ben. |
| 82.4 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, Stokes gets an inside edge onto his pads of the length ball. As the ball rolls over to the leg side, they run one. |
| 82.5 : M Morkel to Ali, No run. |
| 82.6 : M Morkel to Ali, 1 run. |
| 83.1 : K Rabada to Ali, No run. |
| 83.2 : K Rabada to Ali, Length ball on middle and leg, played to mid-wicket. |
| 83.3 : K Rabada to Ali, That one's wide of the off stump and Ali leaves it alone. |
| 83.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot. |
| 83.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length ball on his pads, flicked away behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 83.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, That's bowled outside off, the batsman fails to get bat on to that. |
| 84.1 : M Morkel to Ali, Bouncer on middle, Ali ducks and lets it go. |
| 84.2 : M Morkel to Ali, Fuller ball on middle and leg, played to mid on. |
| 84.3 : M Morkel to Ali, That's bowled well wide of the off stump, Ali leaves it alone. |
| 84.4 : M Morkel to M Ali, Back of length ball on middle and off, Ali looks to fend that. The ball takes the inside edge and hits his back thigh and goes on the bounce to the keeper. The impact on the thigh reduced the speed of the ball, which saved him there. |
| 84.5 : M Morkel to Ali, Length ball on middle and leg, played towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 84.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, Good length ball just outside off, Stokes gets beaten. |
| 85.1 : K Rabada to Ali, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Ali looked to shoulder arms, but was late in doing so. The ball took the edge of the bat and went past the second slip and into the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 85.2 : K Rabada to Ali, Length ball outside off, Ali leaves it alone. |
| 85.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Length ball on middle and leg, played towards mid on. |
| 85.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Full ball on leg, it hits Ali low on his pads as he misses his flick. |
| Temba Bavuma is stationed at short leg. |
| 85.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Good length on middle, defended off the back foot from within the crease. |
| 85.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Half volley outside off, Ali drives it through cover-point. Maharaj who is at covers, gives a spirited chase, gets in the slide and saves a run for his side. THAT'S LUNCH, DAY TWO. |
| This session went a tad towards England as they scored 98 runs in 27 overs for the loss of Cook and Bairstow. It started off with Cook and Stokes resuming their vigil. Cook departed without another century to his name. Stokes has looked in terrific touch so far today, and these are ominous signs for South Africa. Bairstow looked fluent while he was out there, but he was dismissed due to the customary movement of the second new ball. |
| For the Proteas, Philander could be unfit to take field for the day as per reports. So that could be a blow to them, as he has looked incisive throughout his spell. Stokes and Ali would look to score big post lunch, while du Plessis' troop would scratch their minds to get rid of the English all-rounder. Join us in a while for what could be another exciting session. |
| ... DAY TWO, SESSION TWO ... |
| The players and the umpires have made their way out. Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali would look to do the run scoring. Morne Morkel to start off with the ball. South Africa would look to get that early breakthrough, which would enable them to bowl to the tail. |
| 86.1 : M Morkel to Ali, Length ball outside off, Ali shoulders arms. |
| 86.2 : M Morkel to Ali, Fuller ball on off, pushed to the cover region. |
| 86.3 : M Morkel to Ali, Length ball on off, Ali defends showing the full face of the bat. |
| 86.4 : M Morkel to Ali, Bouncer! But not well directed. Ali ducks under it and lets it go the keeper. |
| 86.5 : M Morkel to M Ali, Bowled on a length on off, driven to mid off. |
| 86.6 : M Morkel to Ali, Fractionally fuller this time, Ali collects a single through covers. |
| Kagiso Rabada with figures of 60-2 to bowl from the other end. |
| 87.1 : K Rabada to M Ali, Good length ball on off, Ali wanted to glide it towards third man. The ball took the edge and went towards point, where a misfield by Morris allows them a single. |
| 87.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Straight on middle, Stokes plays it from within the crease. |
| 87.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Back of length ball outside leg, Stokes flicks it away backward of square of the leg side for a run. |
| 87.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Length ball outside off, Ali doesn't bothers playing at that. |
| 87.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Fuller ball but outside off, Ali lets that go to the keeper. |
| 87.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length delivery outside off, Moeen punches that through covers off the back foot. They collect two before the fielder stops that and returns the throw. |
| Slight drizzle at the moment. |
| 88.1 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, Length ball on off, driven towards mid off. No run there. |
| 88.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Fuller ball on middle and leg, driven back to the bowler. He gets a hand to it and the ball rolls over besides the pitch. Ali was backing up and rushed to make it in. |
| 88.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball outside off played through point for a single. |
| 88.4 : M Morkel to Ali, That's a bumper on middle. Ali ducks under it. |
| 88.5 : M Morkel to Ali, Short ball, going harmlessly outside the off stump, Ali points the bat skywards and lets it go. |
| 88.6 : M Morkel to Ali, Bowled short from around the wicket on middle and leg, Ali ducks under it. |
| 89.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full ball on middle and leg, flicked on the leg side for a single. |
| 89.2 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length ball outside off, Moeen lets that through to the keeper. |
| 89.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length on off, Ali jumps and plays it with soft hands besides the pitch towards point. They cross over for a quick single. |
| 89.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Bowled on a good length on off, Stokes looked to play it towards covers. The extra bounce meant that the ball hit him high on the bat and went to the right of covers for a single. |
| 89.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Ali has to face some chin music here. Bouncer on off and middle, Ali sways away from the line. |
| 89.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Length ball on off, Ali plays it to the left of covers. They take one before the mid off fielder gets to the ball. |
| 90.1 : M Morkel to Ali, Back of a length ball from round the wicket on off, the ball hits MA high on his thigh and lobs towards slip cordon. |
| 90.2 : M Morkel to Ali, Good length outside off, Ali gets beaten as he tries to drive that towards mid off. |
| A caught behind decision is referred upstairs. The umpire gave it not out, but the South Africans seemed convinced and opted for a review. |
| 90.3 : M Morkel to Ali, OUT! Moeen Ali's stay at the crease comes to an end. Morkel was bowling probing lines, Ali couldn't help but had to play at that. A good length ball outside off and coming into him, he looks to defend off the front foot. The ball passes from the inside half of the bat and goes through to de Kock. The South Africans appeal for a caught behind, which the onfield umpire Joel Wilson denies. The Proteas go upstairs, and multiple replays show a spike as the bat passed the bat. A |
| Debutant Toby Roland-Jones walks in at the fall of the 7th wicket. |
| 90.4 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, Full on middle and off, Roland-Jones defends it off the front foot. |
| 90.5 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, Length ball outside off has been offered no shot. |
| 90.6 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, Another leave by Toby to a length ball outside off. |
| 91.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length ball on off and middle, that stayed low as Stokes defended it to the off side. |
| 91.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length ball outside off, Stokes lets that go to the keeper. |
| 91.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Another ball outside off left alone. |
| 91.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Back of a length ball hits Stokes on the thigh pads. They cross over for a leg bye. |
| 91.5 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Toby lets that ball outside off go through the keeper. |
| 91.6 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Roland-Jones gets going in Tests with a flick towards square leg. The length ball on middle and leg is played on the leg side for a couple. |
| 92.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, No run. |
| 92.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Again Stokes shoulders arms to that length ball outside off. |
| 92.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Fuller ball on off, Ben defends it off the back foot. |
| 92.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Back of a length ball on off, Stokes collects a single by playing it on the off side. |
| 92.5 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, Bouncer on off and middle, TRJ ducks under that. |
| 92.6 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, Full and down the leg side, the debutant tries to flick and misses. |
| Chris Morris into the attack now. |
| 93.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Length ball outside off, Stokes goes for the swish and misses. |
| 93.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Bowled on a good length outside off, stokes doesn't bother playing. |
| 93.3 : C Morris to Stokes, What was that! Short ball outside off, Stokes tries to fetch that and play it on the on side, albeit with a half mind. He ends up getting it off the toe end of the bat and lobs towards mid off aerially. They take a quick run. |
| 93.4 : C Morris to Roland-Jones, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 93.5 : C Morris to Roland-Jones, FOUR! Poor ball and duly punished! That was a length ball on his pads angling down the leg side. All Roland-Jones had to do was get bat to ball, which he did, and collected a boundary through fine leg. |
| 93.6 : C Morris to Roland-Jones, Similar ball by Morris, this time tucked away to fine leg for a single. |
| 94.1 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, Length ball outside off, TRJ lets that go. |
| 94.2 : M Morkel to T Roland-Jones, FOUR! WHAT A SHOT BY A NUMBER 9! That was pitched up outside off upto the batsman, he drives that through mid off with a straight bat. The ball doesn't delay rushing into the fence. |
| 94.3 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, Fuller ball on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 94.4 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 94.5 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, No run. |
| 94.6 : M Morkel to Roland-Jones, No run. |
| 95.1 : C Morris to Stokes, FOUR. |
| 95.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Length ball outside off, carved through points for a couple. |
| 95.3 : C Morris to Stokes, Length ball on off, pushed towards covers for a single. |
| 95.4 : C Morris to Roland-Jones, FOUR. |
| 95.5 : C Morris to Roland-Jones, No run. |
| 95.6 : C Morris to Roland-Jones, SIX. |
| 96.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, 1 run. |
| 96.2 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, The batsman has driven it straight down the ground. |
| 96.3 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Fuller ball defended from within the crease. |
| 96.4 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, No run. |
| 96.5 : K Rabada to T Roland-Jones, FOUR. |
| 96.6 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, No run. |
| Keshav Maharaj to bowl his left arm orthodox. |
| 97.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, 1 run. |
| 0.0 : The umpires have got together in the middle and are checking the shape of the ball. The umpires didn't check it with the rings that they generally use to check its shape. |
| 97.2 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, OUT! Maharaj strikes, Toby Roland-Jones is a sitting duck against that ball. That was an arm ball on middle, which skidded through. The batsman prodded forward in defense and missed the ball completely as the ball thudded on to the pads. The South Africans appealed and Aleem Dar raised the dreaded finger. TRJ thought of a review and decided against it. England lose their eighth. |
| Stuart Broad strides in at the fall of the 8th wicket. |
| 97.3 : K Maharaj to Broad, A full toss to welcome Broad, which he can smash it only as far as the cover fielder. |
| 97.4 : K Maharaj to Broad, Floated on off and middle, Broad defends it on to the ground. |
| 97.5 : K Maharaj to Broad, No run. |
| 97.6 : K Maharaj to Broad, No run. |
| 98.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, 1 run. |
| 98.2 : K Rabada to Broad, Broad shoulders arms to that ball outside off. |
| 98.3 : K Rabada to Broad, Back of a length ball on off, defended from within the crease. |
| 98.4 : K Rabada to Broad, Bouncer on middle, Broads picks it early and ducks under that. |
| 98.5 : K Rabada to Broad, Length ball outside off, played towards point for a single. |
| 98.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR. |
| Drinks have been taken. |
| 99.1 : K Maharaj to Broad, Full and outside off, pushed straight to point. |
| 0.0 : 'Vernon Philander has been taken to hospital for tests - it appears considerably more serious that the "upset stomach" initially diagnosed' tweets Neil Manthorp. Oh dear... |
| 99.2 : K Maharaj to Broad, IS THAT OUT? Aleem Dar shakes his head. Full and outside off, Broad lunges to defend but misses. The ball goes off the pads to slip and South Africa claim a catch but then do not take the review. Replays detect no inside edge. |
| 99.3 : K Maharaj to Broad, Goes back and works it through square leg for a single. |
| 99.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 99.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! HUMONGOUS! What a shot that is! That has come from absolutely nowhere. South Africa have 5 fielders at the boundary and three of them are on the leg side. But Stokes backs himself against this flighted delivery outside off, gets down and mows it over long on! And it is dropped in the crowd... |
| 99.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover. Broad looks to give Stokes the strike but is sent back. No run there. |
| 100.1 : K Rabada to Broad, Not what the Proteas would have liked. An easy single to Broad. He just tucks this through mid-wicket and kicks off for a single. |
| 100.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full and down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a run. |
| 100.3 : K Rabada to Broad, OUT! Edged and taken! Broad walks. Rabada has his third. This dismissal can be attributed to the last over from Rabada. He bowled a lot of short stuff and Broad was perhaps expecting another short one. But this is full and outside off and just swings away a bit. Broad is late in his flick and gets an outside edge which carries nicely to Hashim Amla at first slip who takes it nicely to his right. |
| JAMES ANDERSON is the last man in. Can he hang around to help Stokes to his ton? |
| 100.4 : K Rabada to Anderson, A short ball outside off, Anderson sways away. |
| 100.5 : K Rabada to Anderson, Full and straight, nicely played back to the bowler. The crowd appreciates that fully, it does want Stokesy to get to his century. |
| 100.6 : K Rabada to Anderson, CLOSE SHAVE! On a good length around off, Jimmy feels for it and the ball comes back in a long away. The ball just beats the outside edge. |
| 101.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Landed outside off, punched down to long on. Does not take the single. |
| 101.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, CAUGHT BUT SIX! Oh poor Faf. Some luck for Stokes. This is full and outside off, Stokes gets down and mows it over widish long on. Faf du Plessis has placed himself o perfection and the ball travels straight to him. He takes the catch but the momentum takes him back. And he touches the ropes! The umpire checks it upstairs and eventually raises his arms. |
| 101.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! IMPERIOUS! 5TH TEST TON FOR STOKES! He was destined for this, wasn't he? Floated wide outside off, Stokes doesn't care. Gets down, reaches out and slogs it many a mile over long on! He is pumped up, as he takes off his helmet and celebrates his century. What a knock. |
| 101.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! Make that three in a row! Maharaj keeps looping up the ball and Stokes keeps attacking. Gets down again and mows it over mid-wicket. |
| 101.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, This is well wide outside off, Ben thinks of going after this one too but then lets it go. He asks the umpire about the wide but Aleem Dar shakes his head. |
| 101.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, No run. |
| 102.1 : K Rabada to Anderson, 1 run. |
| 102.2 : K Rabada to Ben Stokes, Pushes this to long on but does not take the run. |
| 102.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, The batsman goes after this one but misses the line completely. |
| 102.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Banged in short, Ben mistimes his pull through mid-wicket. |
| 102.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, The batsman has played it to the point region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 102.6 : K Rabada to Anderson, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| MORNE MORKEL is back on. Faf will want to finish this off now. |
| 103.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, A short ball on middle, pulled through mid-wicket. They realize late that there is a couple available and eventually make it through. |
| 103.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, OUT! Stokes holes out and that is the end of the innings. A length ball outside off, Stokes backs away and swings hard. All he manages is a top edge which goes straight up in the air. Kagiso Rabada comes running in from long off and completes the formalities. ENGLAND HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 353! |
| England get to what seemed an unlikely score, when they lost their middle order without great scores. But Stokes, with the help of important contributions from Cook, Bairstow and the debutant Roland-Jones ensured that they pass the 350-run mark.The all-rounder played a top knock to help England post a decent total on board. |
| What didn't help the visitors was that Philander couldn't take the field in this session. He was their most economical bowler and mighty effective too. Though Rabada returned with three scalps, he couldn't stop the dangerous Stokes. Morris had an off day today. Join us in a while for the South African innings. |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Starts of with a back of length ball on middle and off, Elgar plays it with soft hands from within the crease and takes off for a quick single. South Africa get going straightaway. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Full and that famous banana swing from Anderson on display as Kuhn leaves that full delivery outside off. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Full delivery outside off, he lets that go. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Length ball on off, pushed through covers for a single. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball on leg, Elgar floicks that away. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Fuller ball on middle and leg, flicked away for a run. |
| Stuart Broad runs in to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Round the wicket, he bowls it outside off, wide enough to let it go. |
| 1.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Well left by Elgar as that was bowled wide of off. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Back of length ball, Elgar covers the stumps and lets it go. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Elgar, Fuller ball on off and middle, Elgar tries to play it on the leg side. He ends up getting a leading edge towards mid off. |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Elgar, Full ball on middle and leg, defended with a straight bat. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Full and down the leg side, Elgar tries to flick and misses. |
| A little hammering around where the bowler lands his front foot is being done, as Stuart Broad didn't seem happy with that area. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Fuller ball on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Length ball on middle, defended by Kuhn showing the full face of the bat. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Back of a length ball on middle and leg, it strikes him high on the thigh pad and lobs on the leg side. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Fuller ball on off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Fractionally full outside off, inviting the drive, Kuhn pushes it towards coves. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Length ball outside off, he lets that one go. |
| 3.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Fuller ball bowled around the wicket on middle and leg, Elgar tries to flick it and ends up getting a leading edge towards the bowler. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Dean points his bat skywards and lets the keeper do the rest. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Elgar defends that ball bowled on a good length on middle. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to Elgar, Elgar shoulders arms to the length ball outside off. |
| 3.5 : S Broad to Elgar, ALMOST! That was bowled full outside off, inviting the drive. Elgar accepts the invitation and goes for it. The ball just passes the outside edge of the bat and lands in the keeper's gloves. England almost had one there. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Elgar plays and misses. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Good length ball on his pads, Kuhn flicks it towards backward square for a run. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, FOUR! Length ball starting on middle and leg, swinging down the leg side. Elgar got bat to that and flicked it away through fine leg for a boundary. Wasn't the greatest of deliveries by Anderson. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, Full and wide of off, Elgar lets that thud into Bairstow's gloves. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball on off and middle, he plays it with an angled bat towards third man. Stokes at gully puts in a dive and stops that. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball on off, elgar blocks showing full face of the bat. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Too wide of off to make him play there. |
| Root is having a short leg for Broad now. Tea at 1555 local time (1455 GMT). This session has been extended by 15 minutes. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, Length ball outside off, well left by Kuhn. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, FOUR! Wonderful use of the wrists by Kuhn. That was bowled on a good length on middle, he flicks it past the man at short leg and picks up a boundary. Ali ran in towards square leg but the ball raced to the fence before he could get there. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, KUHN SURVIVES A CAUGHT BEHIND APPEAL! That is bowled on a good length on middle and angling down leg, he tries to flick. There's a noise as the ball passes the bat, Bairstow dives towards his left to grab that and England go up in appeal in unison. The umpire negates their appeal. Replays showed that the ball grazed his thigh pad on the way to the keeper, and that's what made the tickling sound. Broad as always seemed excited, yet England decide against reviewing that. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Kuhn, No run. |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, No run. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, No run. |
| The debutant Toby Roland-Jones will be bowling earlier than we thought. |
| 6.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, On a good length around off, watchfully defended. |
| 6.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, This is wide outside off, let through. |
| Slight drizzle in the air. It has become gloomy and the umbrellas are being taken out by the spectators. |
| 6.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, UPPISH, SAFE! Another close call. Elgar plays this aerially, away from his body and the ball nearly carries to point. It lands in front of the fielder who is unable to stop it and he parries it away, enabling the batsmen to take a single. |
| 6.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, FOUR! That is a fine shot. Short and outside off, Kuhn gets on top of the bounce and cuts it in front of point for a boundary! |
| 6.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Again, this is a plan to get him caught down the leg side. Kuhn walks across to flick, falls over in his attempt but misses the ball. |
| The rain is getting heavier... |
| 6.6 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, The batsman has stood up on his toes to play that one. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar lets it through. |
| 7.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Outside off again, let through. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to Elgar, SNORTER! Elgar is getting some good luck on his side. This is on a good length, outside off and Elgar pushes at it, half-forward. But out of nowhere, the ball kicks up, catches him by surprise and then beats the outside edge. As an opener and that too, in English conditions, Elgar must learn to forget such stuff. If you nick it, your bad luck. Else, forget the good ones and concentrate on the next ball. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to Elgar, Wide outside off, fuller in length, watchfully let through to the keeper. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 8.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Back of length ball bowled over the wicket, Elgar defends it from within the crease. |
| 8.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Full ball just outside off, Elgar lets it go. |
| 8.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Good length ball going across Elgar, he tentatively pokes his bat at it and the ball passes the edge of the bat. |
| Elgar has been adjudged caught behind! He has reviewed the decision almost immediately, suggesting that he didn't nick that. |
| 8.4 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, OUT! YES HE DEPARTS! And with him they lose a review. That is bowled full just outside off, inviting the drive. Almost instinctively, he pokes at that and as soon as Bairstow catches that, everybody apart from Roland-Jones appeal. The umpire rules him out, and if expressions do tell a tale, Roland-Jones' facial gestures suggest that he is surprised with that call. Elgar seeks to review that decision. The sniko shows a spike as the ball passes the bat. But since the |
| England will feel a lot more confident going into the break. Not that they were nervous, but a wicket just before the interruption will boost them. Elgar and Kuhn did very well to survive some tough calls but eventually Elgar has been consumed by one. |
| The persistent drizzle has spiced up the pitch to some extent. The ball has been moving around considerably and the English seamers are making full use of it. Toby Roland-Jones has been impressive in the little outing that he has had and he will now look to build on his maiden Test wicket. Join us at 1515 GMT (1615 local) to see how the final session unfolds. South Africa will hope they don't lose more than two wickets till close... |
| ... DAY TWO, SESSION THREE ... |
| The weather has permitted resumption on time. Hashim Amla has walked out to bat. Roland-Jones will finish his over. |
| Oh yes! England have reviewed a LBW call against Amla! More in optimism and the value of the player is what made them do so is what I reckon. |
| 8.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, NOT OUT! And how close to a good review is that! That is bowled back of a length outside off and coming into Amla. That's a brilliant first ball to get. Amla prods forward in defense but misses the ball due to some late movement. England appeal for a very long time, the umpire after much deliberation stays unmoved. Root decides to review the call after discussing with his keeper and the bowler. The ball tracker returns that it just clipped the bails, and hence it is |
| 8.6 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Fuller ball outside off, Amla shoulders arms to that. |
| Broad to continue from the other end. |
| 9.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, FOUR! Shot! That was on a length outside off, Kuhn drives it beautifully through covers and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 9.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, Length ball on middle, flicked away on the leg for a run. |
| 9.3 : S Broad to Amla, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 9.4 : S Broad to Amla, Amla shoulders arms to that ball outside off. |
| 9.5 : S Broad to Amla, That's too wide to make him play there. |
| 9.6 : S Broad to Amla, Length ball on middle, blocked from within the crease. |
| 10.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Full ball on off, Kuhn defends showing full face of the bat. |
| 10.2 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Length ball outside off, Kuhn plays and misses that. |
| 10.3 : Roland-Jones to Kuhn, OUT! What a debut Roland-Jones is having! He strikes second time in quick succession. That's bowled full on off from slightly wider of the crease, angling into the batsman. The length makes Kuhn go for a drive down the ground and he ends up missing the ball completely. The ball hits him on the back pad, which is adjacent to the stumps. This one's as plumb as it can get. Toby is on a roll, South Africa lose both their openers now. |
| Quinton de Kock walks in at number 4. |
| 10.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, A yorker on off and middle to welcome de Kock, which he digs out on the off side. |
| 10.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Length ball outside off, he shoulders arms to that one. |
| 10.6 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Full and down the leg side, de Kock ignores it. |
| 11.1 : S Broad to Amla, Length ball outside off, Amla lets Bairstow collect that one. |
| 11.2 : S Broad to Amla, Another leave by Amla to a delivery outside off. |
| 11.3 : S Broad to Amla, FOUR! Amla gets going with that glorious boundary. That's on a length outside off, he stretches forward and creams it through covers. It's so good that you can watch it again and again. |
| 11.4 : S Broad to Amla, Well left ball outside off by Amla. |
| 11.5 : S Broad to Amla, Length ball on off, Amla defends getting behind the line of the ball. |
| 11.6 : S Broad to Amla, On a a length on off, Amla plays it off the back foot. |
| 12.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Full ball outside off, de Kock pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 12.2 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, STIFLED APPEAL by England there, as that back of length ball crashed into de Kock's pads. He missed the flick and the ball struck him high. The umpire stays unmoved. |
| 12.3 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Length ball on middle and leg, flicked away on the leg side. Quinny gets off the mark with that. |
| 12.4 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Length ball on middle, Amla defends. |
| 12.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Full ball outside off, Amla drives that through covers. Moeen Ali chases it, slides and returns it back, before which they complete a brace. |
| 12.6 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, OUT! TOBY ROLAND-JONES STRIKES FOR THE THIRD TIME! And it's the big fish Amla now! That's bowled back of a length just outside off, and it seams away after pitching. The batter has to hang out his bat and that's enough for the ball to take the edge and land safely in Bairstow's gloves. It's a really big wicket as Hashim is a grafter once he gets in. The Proteas lose three very quickly. England on top. |
| Skipper Francois du Plessis strides out, with his team in spot of bother. |
| 13.1 : S Broad to Kock, FOUR. |
| 13.2 : S Broad to Kock, Length ball on middle and leg, tucked away for a single. |
| 13.3 : S Broad to Plessis, Length ball outside off, Faf lets it go. |
| 13.4 : S Broad to Plessis, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 13.5 : S Broad to Plessis, Length ball on off and middle, flicked away towards mid-wicket. |
| 13.6 : S Broad to Plessis, Solidly defended that from within the crease. |
| 14.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, FOUR. |
| 14.2 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Back of length ball on leg, hits de Kock on the pads as he misses it. The umpire declines the appeal. It sees to have pitched outside leg, and height too was a factor. |
| 14.3 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 14.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, FOUR! Now that's a shot where he is in command. Full on off, de Kock drives it on the up through mid off for another boundary. Roland-Jones just bowled that way too full. |
| 14.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Length ball on his pads, flicked away for a run. |
| 14.6 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, No run. |
| 15.1 : S Broad to Kock, No run. |
| 15.2 : S Broad to Kock, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 15.3 : S Broad to Kock, One more leave outside off as Broad gets it wider outside off. |
| 15.4 : S Broad to Kock, Make that four leaves in a row now. |
| 15.5 : S Broad to Kock, Five in a row. Broad needs to keep the line a bit around middle to make de Kock play. |
| 15.6 : S Broad to Kock, He does make him play now, keeping the ball around leg and de Kock defends it down the ground. |
| 16.1 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Du Plessis flicks that length ball off his pads for a single. |
| 16.2 : T Roland-Jones to de Kock, That's bowled full on off, de Kock times the drive through mid off. Anderson chases that valiantly, slides and keeps it down to two. |
| 16.3 : T Roland-Jones to de Kock, OUT! ROLAND-JONES ON A ROLL AT THE OVAL! That's bowled on a good length on leg and middle, de Kock tries to flick that on the on side. All he manages is to get a leading edge and the ball picks out gully in precision. Stokes doesn't miss catches like these. TRJ gets his fourth. South Africa in deep deep trouble. |
| The small man, Temba Bavuma walks in earlier than he would have loved. |
| 16.4 : Roland-Jones to Bavuma, BAVUMA BREATHES EASY! That was a back of a length ball on off and spearing into him. He tries to defend but the ball seems to have hit his pads and lobs to gully where Stokes dives and claims the catch. The umpire is not interested in any of the antics. Root deliberates over taking a review, but doesn't. Snicko shows a spike as the ball passes the bat. The ball fell short of the diving Stokes as seen from the replay. |
| 16.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Length ball angling into the stumps, Bavuma lets it go as it is wide off the stumps. |
| 16.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on off, Bavuma pokes his bat and edges that. The ball goes on the bounce to the third slip. |
| Jimmy Anderson comes in for another spell. |
| The Protea skipper is in trouble! He's been adjudged LBW. He has challenged that call... |
| 17.1 : J Anderson to Plessis, OUT lbw b James Anderson. South Africa have lost their fifth wicket. |
| 0.0 : Chris Morris walks in next. |
| 17.2 : J Anderson to Morris, Length ball on off, Morris blocks that. |
| 17.3 : J Anderson to Morris, Length ball outside off, Morris leaves. |
| 17.4 : J Anderson to Morris, Length ball outside off, played towards point. |
| 17.5 : J Anderson to Morris, 1 run. |
| 17.6 : J Anderson to Bavuma, No run. |
| 18.1 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, No run. |
| 18.2 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Morris leaves that delivery outside off. |
| 18.3 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Length ball on middle strikes him high on his pads. |
| 18.4 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 18.5 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, That's unplayable! Back of length ball on off and coming in to him, Morris gets beaten on the inside in defense. |
| 18.6 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Length ball on his pas, he misses the flick and they collect a leg bye. |
| 19.1 : J Anderson to Morris, Full swinging ball outside off, Morris misses the ball. |
| 19.2 : J Anderson to Morris, Length ball on off, Morris blocks. |
| 19.3 : J Anderson to Morris, Bowled on a driving length outside off, Morris swings his bat and the ball passes the edge of his bat. |
| 19.4 : J Anderson to Morris, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 19.5 : J Anderson to Morris, Another beautiful length ball outside off, swinging away from the batsman. Morris plays and misses. |
| 19.6 : J Anderson to Morris, He defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.1 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on off, Bavuma plays it with soft hands towards point and picks up a single. |
| 20.2 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Full ball driven back to the bowler. |
| 20.3 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Length ball on the stumps, Morris plays it towards mid-wicket and they sneak in a quick single. The substitute fielder has a shy at the stumps at the striker's end and misses. |
| 20.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, A tad fuller outside off, Bavuma pokes his bat aimlessly at that. |
| 20.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma doesn't have anything to do with that. |
| 20.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Another leave by Bavuma to end the over. |
| 21.1 : J Anderson to Morris, Full ball on middle and leg, Morris drives it with a straight bat to mid on. |
| 21.2 : J Anderson to Morris, Wow! Well fielded by Anderson in his followthrough. That was bowled full on off, Morris drove it to the left of the bowler. JA stuck his left hand out and stopped it. |
| 21.3 : J Anderson to Morris, Good ball outside off, testing Morris. Length ball makes the batsman offer his bat and it teases the outside edge of the bat and lands in the keeper's gloves. |
| 21.4 : J Anderson to Morris, Length ball on off, Morris bunts it town. |
| 21.5 : J Anderson to Morris, Length ball defended by Morris. |
| 21.6 : J Anderson to Morris, That stayed low and Morris gets beaten all ends up. It was bowled on a good length outside off and it went on the bounce to the left of Bairstow. |
| The dashing all-rounder Ben Stokes to have a bowl now. |
| 22.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Starts off with a length ball outside off, Bavuma leaves it alone. |
| 22.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Short ball wide outside off, Bavuma misses out on a boundary-hitting opportunity. He hits it straight to the fielder at point. |
| 22.3 : Ben Stokes to T Bavuma, Back of a length ball on off, extra bounce there, takes Bavuma's gloves and rolls towards the slip cordon. |
| 22.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball outside off, Bavuma plays it with soft hands towards point. |
| 22.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Way too wide outside off to make him play there. |
| 22.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Fuller ball outside off moving in, Bavuma lets it go. Not a great over, but a maiden nevertheless. |
| 23.1 : J Anderson to C Morris, Length ball outside off, he plays that from within the crease. The ball takes the edge and rolls over to the slip cordon. |
| 23.2 : J Anderson to Morris, Back of a length ball on off, Morris defends it from within the crease. |
| 23.3 : Anderson to Morris, OUT! ANDERSON STRIKES! That's a fuller ball on off, enticing the drive from Morris. He does play that shot straight down the ground, only to give an easy catch back to Anderson. These are as easy as they come. The umpires check for the front foot, and it is really too close to comfort. The benefit of doubt goes in favour of the bowler and Morris' stay at the crease ends. South Africa are crumbling big time here. |
| Keshav Maharaj walks in next. |
| 23.4 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Length ball outside off, Maharaj fails to put bat on that. |
| 23.5 : J Anderson to Maharaj, That's bowled on a length on off, Maharaj blocks it from the crease. |
| 23.6 : J Anderson to K Maharaj, FOUR OVERTHROWS! Anderson bowls it at a length on off, Maharaj plays it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and sets off for a run. The fielder there has a shy at the non-striker's end and a wayward throw results in overthrows that races away to the boundary. |
| 24.1 : Ben Stokes to Maharaj, Length ball outside off, Maharaj thinks of leaving that at the last moment. It takes the outside edge and rolls to the slip cordon. |
| 24.2 : Ben Stokes to Maharaj, NO BALL! Stokes oversteps. He bowls it down the leg side, where Bairstow only manages a half stop and concedes a bye. |
| Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball on off, defended from the crease. |
| 24.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Bavuma shows no interest in playing that length ball outside off. |
| 24.4 : Ben Stokes to T Bavuma, That length ball takes the inside edge of the bat and hits his pads and rolls towards the off side. They take a run. |
| 24.5 : Ben Stokes to Maharaj, Length ball on off, defends it off the back foot. |
| 24.6 : Ben Stokes to Maharaj, Length ball outside off, Maharaj shoulders arms to that one. |
| 25.1 : J Anderson to T Bavuma, Full ball on off, edged towards the slip cordon. |
| 25.2 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Length ball on off and middle, blocked by showing the full face of the bat. |
| 25.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Good shot. That was a tad fuller outside off, Bavuma pushes it through mid off and takes a brace. Broad is the fielder on that occasion. |
| 25.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Length ball on off, defended from the crease. |
| 25.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Bavuma points his bat skywards and lets that go. |
| 25.6 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Length on off, played towards point. |
| 26.1 : Ben Stokes to Maharaj, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! That's catching practice for Alastair Cook. Back of a length ball outside off, Maharaj flays at that and gets a thick outside edge that flies to first slip. It flew to him at a comfortable height and he doesn't miss such dollies. He accepts that and the batsman walks back with a forlorn face. Stokes adds a wicket to his kitty to add to the century that he scored. South Africa in shambles. |
| 0.0 : Kagiso Rabada is the next man in. |
| 26.2 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Full on middle and leg, Rabada flicks it on the leg side to open his account. |
| 26.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Bavuma defends the length ball from the crease. |
| 26.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, FOUR! He's standing tall among the fall! That was a back of a length ball outside off and even though he is a short man, he stands tall and punches it through the covers. The ball races away to the boundary. |
| 26.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, That's length ball on his pads, he flicks it away for a couple. |
| 26.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, he gets beaten. |
| 27.1 : J Anderson to Rabada, Full ball outside off, it entices Rabada to drive and teases the outside edge. |
| 27.2 : J Anderson to Rabada, Full ball outside off, he lets that go to the keeper. |
| 27.3 : J Anderson to Rabada, Back of a length ball on off, it strikes Rabada high on the pads. |
| 27.4 : J Anderson to Rabada, Another full ball outside off, Rabada goes for the drive and misses. |
| 27.5 : J Anderson to K Rabada, That's a genuine edge that goes towards gully. |
| 27.6 : J Anderson to Rabada, Full ball outside off, Rabada plays and misses. |
| 28.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma points the bat upwards as he lets that go. |
| 28.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma guides it through point towards third man for a brace. |
| 28.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball on off, Bavuma defends with an angled bat. |
| 28.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on middle, Bavuma plays it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 28.5 : Ben Stokes to K Rabada, FOUR! A pleasant shot yielding runs after quite some time for the Proteas! That's pitched on off stumps and is full in length. Rabada drives it through covers. Malan fielding at mid off chases and puts in the dive. He almost saves the boundary, but the momentum of the ball takes it in and after he slides into the fence, the ball hits the boundary cushion. |
| 28.6 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| Stokes is in charge at the moment. Root has gone out of the park for sometime. Could be a refreshment break or a nature's call given the climate there! |
| 29.1 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Length ball on off, it takes the inside edge of the bat. |
| 29.2 : J Anderson to T Bavuma, Fuller ball on off, he edges that towards the off side. |
| 29.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Length ball on his pads, as he misses the flick he gets hit on the pads and they take a leg bye. |
| 29.4 : J Anderson to Rabada, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 29.5 : J Anderson to Rabada, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 29.6 : J Anderson to Rabada, Full ball on off and middle, blocked solidly. |
| Root is back on the field. Hopefully he is back with fresh ideas and tactics. |
| 30.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on off, played from within the crease. |
| 30.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma picks up a single towards point. |
| 30.3 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, FOUR! STREAKY YET EFFECTIVE! Stokes steams in from round the wicket and bowled it a tad fuller on off, angling in to the batsman. Rabada closes the face of the bat to play it on the on side, but ends up getting a leading edge, that helps the ball race away though cover-point and into the boundary fence. He wasn't in control, but South Africa won't mind the runs as long as they keep coming. |
| 30.4 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Length ball on off, Rabada defends. |
| 30.5 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Bouncer on middle, Rabada ducks under that. |
| 30.6 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Length ball on off, defended by the batter. |
| The light meters are out and the visibility is being checked. |
| Joe Root seems to introduce himself into the attack, as it seems that pacers can't bowl owing to the gloomy conditions. |
| 31.1 : Joe Root to Bavuma, Starts off with a loopy low full toss on middle, driven back to the bowler. |
| 31.2 : Joe Root to Bavuma, Floated on off and middle, blocked off the front foot. |
| 31.3 : Joe Root to Bavuma, That's a seam-up ball outside off, Bavuma doesn't fiddle with that. |
| 31.4 : Joe Root to Bavuma, Tossed up on off, driven through mid on for a run. |
| 31.5 : Joe Root to Rabada, Flighted full ball on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 31.6 : Joe Root to Rabada, Loopy ball on middle, driven down the ground by Rabada. Broad chased that from mid on and looped it to Anderson who came there from long off and returned it back to the bowler. They ran two. |
| Moeen Ali to bowl now and it's spin from both the ends. |
| 32.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Full loopy ball outside off, Bavuma sweeps it towards fine leg to cross over. |
| 32.2 : M Ali to Rabada, Tossed up on off, Rabada bunts that down. |
| 32.3 : M Ali to Rabada, Flighted ball on leg and middle, it brushes Rabada's pads and runs down towards fine leg for a couple of leg byes. |
| 32.4 : M Ali to Rabada, Loopy ball on off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 32.5 : M Ali to Rabada, Short and flatter on off, he cuts it to point. |
| 32.6 : M Ali to Rabada, Tossed up on middle, driven towards mid on for a quick single. Root fields that and has a shy at the bowler's end, but Rabada was in there. |
| 33.1 : Joe Root to Rabada, Loopy ball outside off, driven through covers for a run. |
| 33.2 : Joe Root to T Bavuma, Floated on middle and off, driven to long on for a run. |
| 33.3 : Joe Root to Rabada, Tossed up on off, driven through mid off. |
| 33.4 : Joe Root to Rabada, Flighted ball on middle, driven back to the bowler. |
| 33.5 : Joe Root to Rabada, Flights it on off, Rabada blocks that. |
| 33.6 : Joe Root to Rabada, Loopy ball played towards mid-wicket for no run. |
| 34.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Flat and wide ball outside off, played towards deep point for a run. |
| 34.2 : M Ali to Rabada, Loopy ball on middle, driven through mid on for a single. |
| 34.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Tossed up outside off, played towards point for a run. |
| 34.4 : M Ali to Rabada, Flighted on off, blocked back by Rabada. |
| 34.5 : M Ali to Rabada, Slow ball outside off, cut away for a run. |
| 34.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Blocks that loopy ball from the crease. |
| The umpires again brought out their light meters to measure the light. Strangely, they deem it fit for Stokes to ball, and he's into the attack now. |
| 35.1 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Length ball outside off, Stokes lets that go. |
| 35.2 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Fuller ball on middle and leg, he flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. Bavuma wants the second and rightfully denied. |
| 35.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma doesn't play that. |
| 35.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of length ball on off, defended to the off side.. |
| 35.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Shortish ball on off and middle, Bavuma flicks it towards mid on. |
| 35.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Fuller ball outside off, driven straight to point. |
| Toby Roland-Jones, the star of the day with the ball, with figures of 8-3-22-4 to bowl now. |
| 36.1 : T Roland-Jones to K Rabada, Full ball on off, drives it back to the bowler who stops it on his followthrough. |
| 36.2 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, FOUR! Back of length ball outside off, Rabada tentatively pokes at that. The ball takes the edge and goes through the slip cordon, into the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 36.3 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, Back of length ball on off, punched off the back foot. |
| 36.4 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, Length ball outside off, Rabada lets it go. |
| 36.5 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, Length ball on off, Rabada collects a single towards cover-point to BRING UP SOUTH AFRICA'S 100! |
| 36.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Length ball on off, blocked by Bavuma. |
| 37.1 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Back of a length ball from around the wicket, Rabada lets the keeper collect the ball without disturbing it. |
| 37.2 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Length ball outside off, he again shoulders arms to that one. |
| 37.3 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Very full ball on leg and angling down the leg side. Rabada misses the flick and falls over, as the ball rolls next to the pitch. |
| 37.4 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Very full on leg, Rabada this times flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 37.5 : Ben Stokes to Rabada, Back of a length on off and middle, Rabada plays it with soft hands on the leg side for a quick single. |
| 37.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball on off, defended down the ground by Bavuma. |
| 38.1 : T Roland-Jones to K Rabada, FOUR! Fortuitous. But Rabada won't mind. Full and outside off, moving away, Rabada looks to drive but the ball goes off the outside edge, along the ground past gully to third man! |
| 38.2 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 38.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, FOUR! Another outside edge. This time it is Bavuma. He pokes at a length ball, only to get an outside edge past third slip to third man! |
| 50-run stand is up! Some sort of a recovery this. They are still in a crisis but if this pair manages to see the team through tonight, it will be a moral victory. |
| 38.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Down the leg side, flicked away for a single. |
| 38.5 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, Another flick, another run. |
| 38.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, On a good length outside off, shouldered arms to. |
| STUART BROAD comes back on, possibly for his final spell of the day. He has been warming up for the last 15 minutes or so. |
| 39.1 : S Broad to Rabada, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 39.2 : S Broad to K Rabada, Another edge, goes to ground. Broad bends his back and then extracts extra bounce. Rabada pokes at it but gets an outside edge. The ball dies down in front of gully where Ben Stokes dives to his right to stop it one-handed. |
| 39.3 : S Broad to Rabada, OUT! BOWLED! The change of bowling works! Broad is all smiles. He targets Rabada from around the wicket, angles this in, Rabada looks to defend but then Broad gets it to move away off the deck. The batsman misses it altogether and the ball pegs the off stump back. End of a fine resistance. |
| MORNE MORKEL walks in at number 10, replacing Rabada. With Philander in the hospital, this could be the last wicket. If it falls in the next 4-5 minutes, one of the two teams will have to come out to bat for around 5-10 minutes. |
| 39.4 : S Broad to Morkel, Down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 39.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, FOUR! Interesting. Full and wide outside off, Bavuma, with nothing to lose, leans and lofts it cleanly over covers. Gives a nice pose for the photographers. Just wondering, had this come around 30 minutes earlier, the South African score would have been somewhere around the follow-on mark. |
| 39.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, FOUR! Kind of edgy this time. On a good length outside off, Bavuma looks to fend it off the steep bounce and luckily for him, the ball goes off the outside edge onto the ground, past the slip cordon and into the third man fence. |
| 40.1 : T Roland-Jones to Morkel, Around middle and off, punched through cover-point for a single. The deficit is now 229. |
| 40.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, On a good length again, comes in from outside off, Bavuma shoulders arms and then it moves away from him to the keeper. |
| Okay. The clock ticks past 1850. Whatever happens now, the third innings will not start before tomorrow. |
| 40.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, This one comes in with the angle from well outside off, Temba lets it go again. |
| 40.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Down the leg side, TB tucks it towards fine leg but does not take the single. |
| 40.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Full and outside off, Bavuma comes forward and pushes it to the off side. |
| 40.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Another brilliant leave to finish the over. Trusts the ball coming in with the angle and then lets it go with his judgement. The cherry does not miss the off stump by much but Bavuma seemed to know where the stump was. |
| 41.1 : S Broad to Morkel, On a length outside off, steep bounce, even the 'Giraffe' has to hop to fend the ball. It dies down on the off side. |
| 41.2 : Broad to Morkel, Huge appeal for LBW, turned down. As always, Broad wants a review. Bairstow convinces Root to go against his wish. Rightly so. This came in a long way from around the wicket, beat Morkel's defense and pinged him on the pad. Going down leg. |
| 41.3 : S Broad to Morkel, Good length ball, around middle and leg, Morne hops and pushes it to the leg side. |
| 41.4 : S Broad to Morkel, Works this straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 41.5 : S Broad to Morkel, Full and straight, MM chips it uppishly wide of mid on. |
| 41.6 : S Broad to Morkel, Outside off, moving away, left alone comfortably. |
| The light has dimmed in and Aleem Dar has a look at the light meter. We just have time for one more over and Toby Roland-Jones will not bowl it. MOEEN ALI to bowl the final over of the day. Keaton Jennings comes under the lid at short leg. |
| 42.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 42.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Landed outside off, Bavuma strides forward and then lets it go. |
| 42.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler who deliberately allows it go to long on, teasing Bavuma to take the run but he doesn't move. |
| The field now comes in, denying Bavuma the single. |
| 42.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Full and wide outside off, Temba leans and pushes it through the covers. He initially sets off for the single thinking he will get two but then realizes that there is only one available, so sends Morkel back. |
| 42.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Shorter and outside off, punched through the covers and this time he gets a couple. 28 more needed to avoid the follow-on. |
| 42.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. STUMPS ON DAY 2, SOUTH AFRICA TRAIL BY 227! |
| End of a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng yet entertaining session. 108/7 in 34.2 overs. Do we need to say who bossed it? How have the tables turned! Just yesterday, we were thinking, that England are not in a good position and were saved by the rain. Come Friday, the hosts have just catapulted to the top. |
| When you see so many wickets in a session, you normally attribute to the experienced guys - the Jimmys or the Broadys. But nay, it was a 29-year old lad from Middlesex, TOBY ROLAND-JONES, who just made the evening his own. Or perhaps, more than just an evening. It was his day to remember. |
| After his run-a-ball 25 with the bat earlier on, Roland-Jones came in running pretty innocuously to bowl his first ball. Within a matter of 30 minutes, he had Elgar, Kuhn, Amla and de Kock in the hut. South Africa's backbone was being cut into two but there was more misery to come. They slipped to 61/7 before a 53-run stand between Bavuma and Rabada saved them an embarrassment of being bowled out under 100 for the 5th time since re-admission in Tests. |
| England bowled well as a unit. The conditions were suited to their bowlers with the dark clouds showing full loyalty, aiding massive movement. Hard to point out much faults in the South African batting, so good was the bowling. |
| Follow-on or not? One of the most irritating questions fielding captains have to face. South Africa need another 28 to avoid that and if they get that tomorrow, the choice will go out of Joe Root's hands. South Africa lost Philander today due to a mystery illness and he is recovering in the hospital but the news from the camp is that he might just come out tomorrow to bat. Do not bet against South Africa trying that. |
| Amidst the dark clouds hovering above, Temba Bavuma was the silver lining for the visitors. He saw off the danger period through and then gutsed it down to stay unbeaten at the end of the day. He will be hoping to take his team past the follow-on mark tomorrow and gain some sort of respectability. Do join us at 1100 local (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 3 of this third Eng-SA Test. In the meanwhile, you can also catch all the action from the ongoing Sri Lanka-India Test at Galle. Adios! T |
| ... DAY THREE, SESSION ONE ... |
| Greetings for the day, fellas, wherever you are! Welcome to the coverage of the third day's play between England and South Africa. The news is that Vernon Philander is available to bat for the visitors. England will be pondering over whether to enforce the follow-on or not, if such a scenario arises. Stay with us for the rest of what could be a decisive day in this Test, as we bring you all the action from The Oval. |
| The men who matter are out in the middle. Stuart Broad to bowl first up with a short leg in place. Morne Morkel on strike, Temba Bavuma at the other end. |
| 43.1 : S Broad to Morkel, No ball! False start from Broad as he oversteps! Full length delivery on middle and leg, Morkel tucks it towards wide mid on. |
| S Broad to Morkel, Sprays this one down the leg side, Morkel looks to glance it but misses. |
| 43.2 : S Broad to Morkel, Short of a length delivery around off, Morne is opened up a bit in his stance as he gets it off the outer half to Ali at backward point. |
| 43.3 : S Broad to Morkel, Fuller length delivery on off, Morkel opts to stay back and blocks it. |
| 43.4 : S Broad to Morkel, Broad tries to tuck Morkel up with a shortish delivery. The southpaw hops and looks to fend it off but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 43.5 : S Broad to Morkel, Fullish delivery in line of the stumps, wristed towards mid-wicket. |
| 43.6 : S Broad to Morkel, Full length delivery wide outside off, swings away after pitching. Morkel goes for an expansive drive but gets beaten. |
| The hero of yesterday, Toby Roland-Jones to bowl from the other end. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 44.1 : T Roland-Jones to T Bavuma, Full ball outside off, driven towards Ali at covers who makes a nice half-stop to parry it towards cover-point. Saves some runs for his side. |
| 44.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, In the channel outside off, Bavuma plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 44.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Fractionally overpitched outside off, driven to extra cover. |
| 44.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Roland-Jones keeps it full outside off in search of some swing. It does shape away a little but it is wide enough to leave. |
| 44.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Bavuma shuffles across to the fullish delivery outside off and taps it to mid on. |
| 44.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Fuller length ball outside off, Bavuma goes at it with hard hands but gets it off the outer half behind point. The fielder hares after it and stops it near the fence. Bavuma only takes a run. He wants to keep the strike as much as possible. |
| There's a mini conference going between Broad, Root and Stokes. Probably a plan to somehow bowl more to Morkel than Bavuma and end the innings sooner than later. |
| 45.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, On a drivable length outside off, Bavuma resists the temptation and lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 45.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Broad goes wide of the crease and angles this one sharply. Temba covers the line and blocks it down the track. |
| 45.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Full length ball outside off, driven sweetly to mid off. |
| 45.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 45.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fullish in length and tailing into Temba. He works it through backward square leg. Decides to take the single this time. |
| 45.6 : S Broad to M Morkel, FOUR! Crisp! Fullish delivery outside off, Morkel leans into it and caresses it through extra cover. The timing is spot on and the ball whistles away to the fence. Perhaps Bavuma needs to trust Morne more. |
| 46.1 : T Roland-Jones to T Bavuma, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for SA! Fractionally overpitched just outside off, Temba drives it confidently past the bowler. It races through the mid on region and reaches the fence. The Proteas only need 17 more runs to avoid the follow-on. |
| 46.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Fullish delivery angling in from outside off, Bavuma goes for a booming drive but mistimes it back to Roland-Jones. |
| Bavuma is having an issue with the bat and he discusses it with the umpire. Signals for a replacement. |
| 46.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Loose shot! Short of a length delivery outside off, Bavuma plays at it away from his body with minimal feet movement and gets beaten. |
| 46.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Back of a length on off, Temba is assured with himself as he defends it stoutly beside the pitch on the leg side. |
| 46.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Half-volley outside off, Temba drives it sweetly to mid off. Broad stationed there moves to his right and bends low to stop it. |
| 46.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Leg stump line this time, clipped straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 47.1 : S Broad to Morkel, On a fuller length wide outside off, Morkel with minimal feet movement swings at it wildly. Misses it altogether. It was similar to the way he got beaten to Broad some time ago. |
| 47.2 : S Broad to Morkel, Good length delivery angling into Morkel. He hops back and looks to keep it out but is struck on the thigh pad. Broad is looking to bring the forward short leg into play. |
| 47.3 : S Broad to Morkel, Short and width on offer, cut away through point for a brace. |
| 47.4 : S Broad to Morkel, Broad comes from over the wicket and bowls a length delivery on off, Morkel answers it with a straight bat. |
| 47.5 : S Broad to Morkel, Good length delivery in line of the stumps, Morne remains composed in defense. |
| 47.6 : S Broad to M Morkel, FOUR! Morkel is having a bit of fun! Length delivery around off, Morkel swings across the line and ends up dragging it towards mid on. Anderson dives to his left but has no chance to stop it. A boundary results. SA need 11 more to avoid the follow-on. |
| 48.1 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Back of a length outside off, holding its line. Bavuma points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 48.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Well bowled! Hurls this one fuller around off and swings it away. Bavuma resists the temptation to drive as he plants his front foot across. |
| 48.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, In the zone outside off, third leave in a row. |
| 48.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 48.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, On a length outside off, no movement whatsoever. Temba remains circumspect in approach as he leaves it alone. |
| 48.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Outside off and Bavuma doesn't bother to play at it. Six leaves in a row and that's a maiden. |
| Today is CRICKET UNITED DAY, due to which the stumps are blue in colour. It is a charity idea, the proceeds of which will be used for cricket beneficiaries. |
| 49.1 : S Broad to Morkel, FOUR BYES! Back of a length delivery on middle, angles down the leg side sharply. Bairstow moves to his right, dives but has no chance to stop it. The ball rolls to the fine leg fence. Four byes signaled by the umpire. |
| 49.2 : S Broad to Morkel, Short of a length on middle, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 49.3 : S Broad to Morkel, Leg bye! Straying on the hips, Morkel looks to tuck it but the ball brushes his thigh pad and rolls through backward square leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 49.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Bavuma shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot to gully. |
| 49.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fullish delivery well outside off, swinging away. Bavuma lets it go on its way. |
| 49.6 : S Broad to T Bavuma, DROPPED! It was a tough chance though. Fuller length ball outside off, this time Bavuma gets lured into an expansive drive. He goes at it with hard hands but gets a thick outside edge towards gully. It is traveling at a fast pace towards Stokes who is stationed there. He dives full length to his left and tries to take it one-handed but the ball pops out of his hand. He is disappointed. |
| 50.1 : T Roland-Jones to M Morkel, Fullish delivery, driven to mid on. |
| 50.2 : T Roland-Jones to Morkel, FOUR! Morkel is taking the bowler on. Shortish delivery on middle, Morkel clears his front leg and drags it through the gap between mid on and mid-wicket. Has hit it decently and the ball rolls to the fence. SA need 2 more to avoid the follow-on. |
| 50.3 : T Roland-Jones to Morkel, Fullish delivery in line of the stumps, driven hard but straight to the man at mid on. |
| Deep square leg in place now and third slip moves to short mid-wicket. Could be a plan to bounce him out, or could be a bluff for the tailender. |
| 50.4 : T Roland-Jones to Morkel, Back of a length delivery slanting across Morne. Placed to point. |
| 50.5 : T Roland-Jones to Morkel, Targeting the hips with a back of a length delivery, kept out watchfully. |
| 50.6 : T Roland-Jones to Morkel, Leg stump line, tucked nicely through backward square leg. Ali hares to his left and cuts it off. However, Bavuma denies to take any run. That was strange. Two runs were there on offer. |
| 51.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, On a length outside off, tapped to covers. |
| 51.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fuller length ball outside off, Temba doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 51.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, FOUR! SA avoid the follow-on! Their entire camp will be relieved. Fullish delivery outside off, Bavuma leans ahead a touch and drives it with an open face through cover-point. High elbow in that stroke and the timing was sublime. He picks up another boundary to his name. |
| 51.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 51.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Full length ball outside off, swinging away a touch. Bavuma makes a watchful leave. |
| 51.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fullish delivery swinging in on this occasion. Turned to mid-wicket. |
| Time for spin now. Moeen Ali comes into the attack. Can he break this blossoming partnership? |
| 52.1 : M Ali to Morkel, Loud shout for an LBW denied! Ali comes around the wicket and bowls a slider. It comes in with the arm. Morkel looks to defend it but it goes past his defense. He is pinged on the pad and the English side appeal confidently. However, it is turned down. Root has a look at Moeen but doesn't take the review. It was clearly going down leg. |
| 52.2 : M Ali to Morkel, Almost a wicket! Another arm ball around off, Morkel prods forward to defend but the ball skids on to just go past the off stump. |
| 52.3 : M Ali to Morkel, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 52.4 : M Ali to Morkel, Ali is threatening to break this partnership! This one again comes in with the arm. Morkel stays back and gets an inside edge onto his pads which saves him. |
| 52.5 : M Ali to Morkel, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 52.6 : M Ali to Morkel, Morkel survives! Going down the leg side, Morkel looks to clip it but it seems to have taken his pad on its way and into Bairstow's gloves. The wicket keeper appeals and looks confident. However, Ali tells him there was no bat involved. The replays confirm so. |
| Jimmy Anderson into the attack for the first time today. |
| 53.1 : J Anderson to Bavuma, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 53.2 : J Anderson to Bavuma, FOUR! Beautiful! Full delivery outside off, driven crisply through covers for an exquisite boundary. Moves to 48 with that. He is well set now. |
| 53.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Nipping in from a length outside off, Bavuma knows where his off stump is and lets it go. |
| 53.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, That was a peach! Anderson hits the deck hard and angles it in initially. After pitching, it seams away to go past the hanging bat of Bavuma. He didn't have any clue about that. |
| 53.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 53.6 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Fullish outside off, shaping away. Left alone. End of a testing over. |
| 54.1 : M Ali to Morkel, Fullish delivery, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 54.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated around off, played with soft hands to covers. |
| 54.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, A bit flatter this time on off, played with an open face towards point. |
| 54.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Looks to play it with the spin but it is not there. Gets it off the outer half to point. |
| 54.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Shorter in length, pushed off the back foot to covers. |
| 54.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Quicker delivery this time, Temba does well to defend it. |
| 55.1 : J Anderson to Morkel, OUT! Anderson strikes! The stubborn 47-run stand and a gritty knock from the southpaw comes to an end! He steams in and bowls a back of a length delivery on middle. Morkel is tentative in his approach as he hangs back. After landing, the ball seams away substantially. The southpaw hangs his bat to counter it but ends up getting a thick outside edge. Alastair Cook at first slip has got bucket like hands. He moves to his right and takes a nice reverse cup catch. |
| 0.0 : Mike Atherton talks on air about his discussion with Kevin Pietersen about batting techniques. KP believes that getting the head to the ball rather than the feet to the ball, as most experts say, is the key and a better technique. Temba Bavuma's crack in the previous over drove home the point in plenty. |
| Vernon Philander does walk in to bat. He spent the night in the hospital, and after lots of speculation about whether he would be fit to bat, here he is, the last man walking out to bat! |
| 55.2 : J Anderson to Philander, Fullish delivery on middle and leg, defended off the inner half of the bat. |
| 55.3 : J Anderson to Philander, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 55.4 : J Anderson to Philander, Fullish delivery, Philander comes half-forward and defends it. |
| 55.5 : J Anderson to Philander, Full length ball, driven to mid on. |
| 55.6 : J Anderson to V Philander, Similar length delivery, pushed to covers. |
| Toby Roland-Jones to have a burst again. |
| 56.1 : T Roland-Jones to T Bavuma, FOUR! Streaky way to reach his half century! Length delivery around off, Bavuma feels for it and gets a thick outside edge. It goes past the second slip fielder and through to the third man fence. It has been a fighting knock from the Protea middle order batsman. He will look to add some handy runs more. |
| 0.0 : 8th Test fifty for Temba Bavuma. |
| 56.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, On a length outside off, Bavuma lets it go. |
| 56.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Fuller in length around off, played with soft hands to covers. |
| 56.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, This time Temba with an angled blade taps it to the off side. |
| 56.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Gets this one to curve back into Bavuma. He covers the line and pushes it down the track. |
| 56.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Full length delivery outside off, swinging in a touch. Temba covers his off stump and sees it through safely. |
| The first hour of play is done and it's time for drinks. Even though England have sent Morkel back to to the dressing room, the South Africans have scored runs, and importantly have avoided the follow-on. Bavuma is batting past his half century with an able batter in Philander for company. |
| 57.1 : J Anderson to Philander, FOUR! Philander gets off the mark in style! Fractionally overpitched around off, Vernon leans ahead and dives it past the diving mid off fielder to find the fence. |
| 57.2 : J Anderson to Philander, Good length delivery angling into Philander. He is hurried by it, hops back and looks to tuck it but is struck on the thigh pad. His bottom hand came off while playing that. |
| 57.3 : J Anderson to Philander, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 57.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, On a length outside off, played with an open face to backward point. |
| 57.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, That's a peach! On a length and it comes in with the angle initially. After pitching, it seams away. Bavuma does well not to follow it. Keeps his bat inside the line to evade it. |
| 57.6 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Fullish delivery outside off, tapped to short cover. |
| 58.1 : T Roland-Jones to V Philander, FOUR! In the air... but safe! Good length delivery outside off, Philander hops and pokes at it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies past the diving Jennings at third slip and goes through to the boundary. |
| 58.2 : T Roland-Jones to Philander, This one takes off! On a length outside off, Philander plants his front foot across and leaves it. |
| 58.3 : T Roland-Jones to Philander, Short delivery outside off, Philander looks to cut it initially but ends up getting a top edge over extra cover for a single. He was not in control of that shot. |
| 58.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, OUT! Take a bow, Roland-Jones! Gets a five-wicket haul on his Test debut. What a beginning to his career in the longest format of the game. He steams in and bowls a length delivery outside off. Gets it to come in with the angle. Bavuma plants his front foot across and feels that he has it covered. However, the ball nips away after pitching and that induces a faint outside edge. Bairstow moves to his right and pouches it nicely. An enterprising knock from Temba co |
| A late order decent batting saw the South Africans finish 178 runs adrift of the first innings score of England. Bavuma is the man who led the fightback for the visitors. He scored a steady half century before being the last man to fall. he stitched up useful stands, first with Rabada and then with Morkel to propel the away side. |
| Roland-Jones is having a debut to remember so far. A five-for to follow up his exploits with the bat leaves the African side playing the catch up game after one innings of both sides. Apart from him, Anderson chipped in with three wickets. Stay with us, as the home team openers will walk out to face the visiting bowlers in their second innings. |
| 0.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Wow! What a start! Back of a length ball on off and seaming away just a tad. It gets Cook squared up and the ball hits him on the thigh and rolls over towards the slip cordon. |
| 0.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook starts his leaving game. |
| 0.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Fuller this time, but away from the stumps that doesn't invoke any interest from Alastair. |
| 0.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Fuller ball on off, played towards mid-wicket. There was no run there, but Jennings backing up slips slightly, yet no harm done. |
| 0.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Cook points his bat skywards to that full ball outside off. |
| 0.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Full ball sliding down the leg side, it hits Cook on his pads as he misses the flick. |
| Vernon Philander is fit enough to share the new ball for the Proteas and will do so. |
| 1.1 : V Philander to Jennings, Starts off with a good length ball on off and middle which is pushed defensively back. |
| Jennings is standing a foot outside the batting crease, a significant change from where he was in the first innings. |
| 1.2 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball on middle, driven towards mid off. |
| 1.3 : V Philander to Jennings, Lucky way for Jennings to get off a pair! Length ball played towards square leg, The fielder there, Maharaj has a shy at the non-striker's end, where Kuhn misfields. They take a single, England and Jennings get going. |
| 1.4 : V Philander to Cook, Fuller ball on off, pushed towards cover. |
| 1.5 : V Philander to A Cook, Full ball on middle and leg, Cook tries to play it on the on side and gets an inside edge on to the pads. |
| A bit of rain is in the air. |
| 1.6 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on middle, defended off the back foot. |
| 2.1 : M Morkel to Jennings, FOUR LEG BYES! Rubbish ball on his pads and punished. Bowled round the wicket angling down the leg side, Keaton had to just tickle it past fine leg. The ball takes his pads and rolls away to the fence for four leg byes. |
| 2.2 : M Morkel to Jennings, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 2.3 : M Morkel to Jennings, Full ball outside off, played towards point. A slight misfield allows them a single. |
| 2.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook lets it go. |
| 2.5 : M Morkel to A Cook, Full ball outside off, Cook drives it though covers for a brace. |
| 2.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on middle, played towards mid-wicket. |
| 3.1 : V Philander to Jennings, Back of a length ball on off and middle, defended from the crease. |
| 3.2 : V Philander to Jennings, A tad fuller outside off, Keaton doesn't bother playing. |
| 3.3 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball outside off, left alone. Good judgement there by the batsman. |
| The rain has got heavier now. The raincoats and umbrellas come out in the crowd. Let's hope it is a passing shower. The artificial lights have been switched on as well. |
| 3.4 : V Philander to Jennings, Another ball outside off left alone. |
| 3.5 : V Philander to Jennings, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Jennings hangs out his bat out in defense. He ends up getting an inside edge and the ball misses the stumps and races away to the fine leg boundary. |
| 3.6 : V Philander to Jennings, FOUR! DROPPED! What have you done, Elgar! That's a good length ball on off, Jennings pokes at it as he did in the first innings. The ball takes the outside edge and flies to the right of third slip fielder, who gets a hand on to that but fails to latch on. He didn't look to be in a good position there. The ball goes through to the third man fence for a boundary. That's like rubbing salt on the wounds. |
| Philander is walking off the field. |
| 4.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook plays and gets beaten there. |
| 4.2 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! STREAKY YET EFFECTIVE! Full ball outside off, Cook pushes his bat out. The ball takes the outside edge of his bat and goes between the slip cordon and gully for yet another boundary towards third man. |
| 4.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 4.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball down the leg side, Cook goes for the flick and misses. |
| 4.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 4.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Cook points his bat skywards as he lets that length ball outside off go to the keeper. |
| Philander is back on the field. Meanwhile, the umpires are having a discussion. They decide that the rain is persistent enough to force the players off the field. So, LUNCH HAS BEEN TAKEN 16 minutes early. Let's hope that the weather clears out. |
| The morning session belongs to South Africa but England are still in the driver's seat with a 198-run lead! The lower order of the Proteas added handy runs to avoid the follow-on and then their bowlers have been on the money with the new ball. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings have managed to survive the tricky period before lunch but not before the latter survived a scare. Dean Elgar was the man who dropped him on 6. The youngster has looked jittery in the middle but needs to battle on. The ex- |
| Philander's fitness remains a concern for the visitors as he has always been a standout bowler for them. Morkel and Rabada need to take up the responsibility and rise to the occasion. Conditions are favorable for swing bowling. The tourists need to make the most of it to claw back into the contest. Join us for the second session, as and when the weather permits. |
| ... DAY THREE, SESSION TWO ... |
| The players have made their way out as the rain has relented, and yes, Philander is among them too! Cook and Jennings with the bat and it will be the big Vern with the ball to start. |
| 5.1 : V Philander to Jennings, Starts off with a full ball on leg, as Jennings misses the flick, he gets hit on the pads. There was a hint of inswing there. That draws appeal from the bowler. They sneak in a leg bye as the ball rolls towards backward square leg. |
| 5.2 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 5.3 : V Philander to Cook, Full ball on off and middle, Cook defends it off the front foot and inside edges that on to the ground. |
| 5.4 : V Philander to Cook, Length ball on middle, flicked away on the leg side for a run. |
| 5.5 : V Philander to K Jennings, FOUR! STREAKY YET AGAIN! Full ball on off and middle, Keaton goes for the drive. He inside edges that through his legs and the ball rushes down to the fine leg boundary. |
| 5.6 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball on middle and leg, it strikes him on the thigh pads. |
| Morkel to continue from the other end. |
| 6.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Full and very much outside off, Cook shoulders arms. There was some lateral movement after the ball passed the stumps. |
| 6.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Full on off and middle, flicked away in front of square on the leg side. |
| 6.3 : M Morkel to A Cook, Fullish ball on off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 6.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Good ball, almost like the one that got Rabada. It started off back of a length on off and straightened away after pitching. Cook prodded his bat yet the ball evaded it and went through to de Kock. |
| 6.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Back of length ball outside off, Cook pushes his bat out and gets beaten again. |
| 6.6 : M Morkel to Cook, This time he lets that ball outside off go through to the keeper. |
| 7.1 : V Philander to Jennings, Back of a length ball on leg, Jennings plays it off the back foot. The ball takes his gloves, hits his thigh pad and lobs to where short leg would have been. |
| 7.2 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball on middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 7.3 : V Philander to Jennings, Bowled on a length going across him, he shoulders arms to that one. |
| 7.4 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 7.5 : V Philander to Jennings, FOUR! That was bowled on a length just outside off, Jennings pushed his bat at that. The ball took the outside half of the bat and went from the right of gully. Bavuma gave it a spirited chase and just got his foot on the ball as he tried to stop that. The ball by then has just kissed the boundary cushions and the dangerous attempt results in nothing good for the fielding side. |
| 7.6 : V Philander to Jennings, Length ball on off, played towards point. |
| 8.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball outside off and angling into him, Alastair shoulders arms to that. |
| 8.2 : M Morkel to Cook, OUT! WHAT A PEACH! 'Alas'tair departs! That was a good length ball that pitched on off and straightened. Cook played for the initial angle of the ball and couldn't adjust to the late movement, only to find the timber disturbed! That was a very good ball, good enough to get a class batsman like the former skipper. It's the 11th time that Cook has fallen to Morkel in Tests. England lose one early in the piece. |
| Tom Westley finds himself at the crease at the fall of the first wicket. |
| 8.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Brilliant ball to get first up. Length ball outside off moved away late past the outside edge of his bat. |
| 8.4 : M Morkel to Westley, That was outside off, he left it alone. |
| 8.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Fuller ball on middle, defended off the front foot for a run to get going. |
| 8.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, full ball on middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 9.1 : V Philander to Westley, FOUR! Shot! That was full outside off, Westley drives that past the diving extra cover fielder for a glorious boundary. That would surely set his dangling nerves straight. |
| 9.2 : V Philander to Westley, Length ball outside off, shouldered arms to. |
| 9.3 : V Philander to Westley, Length ball on off defended from within the crease. |
| 9.4 : V Philander to Westley, That ball outside off is left alone. |
| 9.5 : V Philander to Westley, Another ball outside off travels into the keeper's gloves. |
| 9.6 : V Philander to Westley, Beaten! That was a seaming ball on a length on off and went a tad away from the batter. |
| 10.1 : M Morkel to Jennings, Length ball outside off, the batsman plays and misses. |
| 10.2 : M Morkel to Jennings, Length ball on off, played to the off side. |
| 10.3 : M Morkel to Jennings, Fuller ball bowled on off, pushed back defensively off the front foot. |
| Mike Atherton on air explains how Morkel kept Cook nagging around that off stump channel. He set him up nicely and bowled a peach to go past his defense. He has made the ex-English skipper his bunny in Tests, getting him out 11 times. |
| 10.4 : M Morkel to Jennings, Length ball on off and angling into the batsman, it misses the defensive bat of Jennings and strikes him on his pads. |
| 10.5 : M Morkel to Jennings, Full ball on off, almost like the one that got Cook. Keaton tries to play in towards the on side and misses the ball. This one just passes over the off pole! |
| 10.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, Full ball on off, played towards point. |
| 11.1 : V Philander to Westley, Outswinging length ball just outside off, Westley watches it carefully and leaves it alone. |
| 11.2 : V Philander to Tom Westley, FOUR! A tad fuller on off, with a slight movement away. Westley covers the line and drives it down the ground for a scintillating boundary. This young lad isn't shy in going for his shots at the big stage, which is good. |
| 11.3 : V Philander to Westley, Another length ball outside off, well left. |
| 11.4 : V Philander to Westley, FOUR! Rubbish ball, punished! That's bowled back of a length on middle angling down leg, Tom just has to help it away which he does. the ball is in a hurry to get to the fine leg fence. |
| 11.5 : V Philander to Westley, Tome lets that ball outside the stumps go through. |
| 11.6 : V Philander to Westley, Length ball outside off, left alone. Two boundaries in the over. |
| 12.1 : M Morkel to Jennings, Full length ball on off and middle, Jennings shows the full face of the bat and defends. |
| 12.2 : M Morkel to Jennings, Similar ball outside off, KJ doesn't bother playing that. |
| 12.3 : M Morkel to Jennings, Slanting fuller ball on off and middle, played towards mid-wicket. This one wasn't too far from hitting the pad first. |
| 12.4 : M Morkel to Jennings, Back of a length ball on middle, played towards fine leg for a run. |
| 12.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Straight length ball outside off, Westley doesn't fiddle with that. |
| 12.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Full ball on off, driven to mid on. No run there. |
| Kagiso Rabada in to bowl now as Philander is off the field as mentioned by Pollock on air. |
| 13.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Starts over the wicket, he bowls it short on middle and leg, Jennings punches it off the back foot to point. |
| 13.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, FOUR! Short and wide, the ball had only one place to go - the point boundary! Jennings just smashed that ball through the off side, nobody stood a chance of stopping that. |
| 13.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 13.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, FOUR! Length ball on middle and off, crunched through cover point off the back foot. The fielder at point and mid off try to chase that, but they can't. |
| 13.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 13.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 14.1 : M Morkel to Jennings, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 14.2 : M Morkel to Jennings, FOUR! Easy pickings! Straying on the pads, Jennings clips it through square leg to find the fence. |
| 14.3 : M Morkel to Jennings, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 14.4 : M Morkel to K Jennings, Fuller in length and angling into Keaton. He pushes at it tentatively but gets a thick inside edge to fine leg. A run taken. |
| 14.5 : M Morkel to Westley, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 14.6 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! Textbook stuff! Full length ball outside off, Westley leans forward and drives it elegantly through mid off to find the fence. |
| 15.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Well bowled! Length delivery on off, shapes away after pitching. Jennings keeps his bat inside the line to let it go. |
| 15.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Back of a length outside off, dabbed to point. |
| 15.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 15.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Good length on leg, with a bit of extra bounce. Jennings defends it tentatively. |
| 15.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Keaton Jennings after a chat with his partner opts to take the review against a LBW decision. Is it pitching outside leg? |
| 15.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Not Out! Good length delivery around leg stump, Jennings is caught in the crease as he looks to keep it out but misses. The ball brushes the flap of his front pad and then pings him on the back thigh pad. It then goes onto carry to de Kock. A confident appeal follows and the umpire rules it out. Jennings walks across and has a chat with Westley. He decides to challenge the decision. Time for the replays. They first check for the inside edge. There is clear daylight be |
| 16.1 : M Morkel to Westley, No run. |
| 16.2 : M Morkel to Westley, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 16.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Fullish on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 16.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Dug in short, Tom ducks under it. |
| 16.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Outside off, left alone. |
| 16.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Full length delivery, driven hard through wide mid on. Two runs taken. |
| 17.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Stays back and defends the length delivery. |
| 17.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Length delivery, shaping away after pitching. Jennings points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 17.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 17.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Good length delivery around leg stump, Jennings hops and looks to defend it but is hit on the back pad. A muted appeal from Rabada is turned down. |
| 17.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, Well-directed short delivery on middle, Keaton sits under the bumper. |
| 17.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Good delivery! Yorker outside off, Jennings does well to jam it out. |
| Chris Morris is into the attack. |
| 18.1 : C Morris to Tom Westley, FOUR! Westley is looking in great touch! Fractionally overpitched outside off, Tom creams it through extra cover for an elegant boundary. |
| 18.2 : C Morris to Westley, On a length outside off, Westley leaves it alone. |
| 18.3 : C Morris to Westley, Good length delivery wide outside off, swings further away. Tom shuffles across and leaves it alone. |
| 18.4 : C Morris to Tom Westley, FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard! Short and room on offer, Westley cuts it late. Gets it past backward point and the ball races to the fence. |
| 18.5 : C Morris to Westley, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 18.6 : C Morris to Westley, Back of a length outside off, Westley plays it with an angled bat towards gully. He intercepts and gets a hand to it to take the pace off the ball. A run taken. |
| 19.1 : K Rabada to Westley, In the zone outside off, swings in after pitching. Tom lets it go. |
| 19.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Westley stays back and plays it with a closed bat face to mid-wicket. |
| 19.3 : K Rabada to Westley, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Westley stops Rabada in his followthrough. He was not ready perhaps. Meanwhile, a few umbrellas go up in the crowd. |
| 19.4 : K Rabada to Westley, Fullish delivery, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 19.5 : K Rabada to Westley, That's a jaffa! Fullish delivery outside off, Westley committs to the drive down the ground but the ball swings away late to fox him completely. In the first innings, he had got out attempting a similar shot. He needs to be careful. |
| 19.6 : K Rabada to Westley, On a length, Tom hangs back and defends it. Three maidens in a row for Rabada, superb stuff! |
| 20.1 : C Morris to Jennings, Length delivery angling in from outside off, Jennings make use of the depth of the crease to block it. |
| 20.2 : C Morris to Jennings, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 20.3 : C Morris to Jennings, Length delivery going down the leg side, Keaton goes for the flick but misses. |
| 20.4 : C Morris to Jennings, Well bowled! In the channel outside off, Jennings is drawn into the drive but the ball seams away to beat him. |
| 20.5 : C Morris to Jennings, Straying on the pads, clipped to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 20.6 : C Morris to Westley, Good length delivery angling in sharply, Westley hops back to work it across but is pinged on the back thigh. |
| Time for Drinks. It has been an absorbing hour of play with both sides doing well. The initial highlight was that Morkel worked Cook out to send him packing. After that, Westley has looked compact while Jennings is also keeping the scoreboard ticking. There have been times when both have been caught off guard but they have managed to battle through it. They have taken the lead to 252. Rabada has bowled with intent and is in the midst of a good spell. South Africa will want him to provide a few b |
| 21.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Fuller length ball angling in from outside off, tapped to covers. |
| 0.0 : The rain has got heavier. The groundsmen are ready with the covers. |
| 21.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Length delivery, a bit of extra bounce on that as it angles away from Keaton. He points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 1445 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - The clouds have settled in and the rain has set in as well. The umpires call for the covers to be brought in and out come the groundsmen running with them. The players walk off the field at a leisurely pace. The evening forecast is not that great but let's keep our fingers crossed as the English weather is quite unpredictable! We all are hoping that it doesn't turn out to be a lengthy delay. Stay tuned with us for more updates... |
| 1510 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - It's very gloomy out there and the rain is getting harder. Doesn't seem that play would be resuming shortly. Stay with us more updates. |
| 1610 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - News from the ground is that TEA HAS BEEN TAKEN. Let's hope that the rain relents. |
| 1640 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - Live scenes from the ground are not that great. Though the rain has lightened up, it still looks very gloomy. The umpires have been spotted with their umbrellas. The groundsmen are doing the mopping up work but the covers are still firmly in place. There is an OFFICIAL INSPECTION scheduled to take place at 1730 local time. |
| 1715 LOCAL TIME UPDATE - The rain has played spoilsport to ruin the day. The umpires have decided that it is enough. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| England hold the aces at the moment as they have swelled the lead to 252 runs with still 9 wickets in hand. Westley and Jennings will look to come out tomorrow and bat with intent to put more pressure on the Proteas. It will require a herculean effort on the part of the visitors to stay in the contest. They will bank on the trio of Rabada, Philander and Morkel to pick up wickets. However, the fitness of Philander is still a concern. |
| The forecast for tomorrow is a bit better and we all hope that the weather holds up. A score of around 400 will be an uphill task to chase in the overcast English conditions. Join us tomorrow for Day 4 at 1100 local (1000 GMT). Till then, goodbye and cheers! |
| ... DAY FOUR, SESSION ONE ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome to the fourth day's play of the third Test between England and South Africa. Rains felt ignored and yesterday decided to draw all the attention to them by not allowing play since an hour after lunch. We can only hope that they stay away today and let the Sunday crowd witness an exciting contest between bat and ball. 98 overs of play should be possible today, if weather permits. Stay with us. |
| The players and the umpires step on the field. Keaton Jennings to face the first ball of the day from Kagiso Rabada, who will complete the pending over. Tom Westley is at the non-striker's end. Two slips and a gully to start with. |
| 21.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Starts off with a full length ball outside off that zips through to the keeper. |
| 21.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Back of a length ball on middle and leg, flicked away towards backward square leg. First runs for the day. |
| 21.5 : K Rabada to Westley, That's bowled on middle and angling into the batsman. Westley tries to push it towards mid on, instead he gets an inside edge and the ball strikes his pads. It draws an appeal for LBW by the visitors, rightfully turned down by the umpire. |
| 21.6 : K Rabada to Westley, FOUR LEG BYES! Back of a length ball starting on middle and going down leg, Westley tries to flick it. The ball takes his thigh pads and runs away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| Morne Morkel to bowl from the other end. |
| 22.1 : M Morkel to Jennings, Starts with a full ball on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 22.2 : M Morkel to Jennings, Length ball on off and middle, flicked away for a run. |
| 50 partnership up between Jennings and Westley. |
| 22.3 : M Morkel to Tom Westley, Length ball around off, driven away to covers. |
| 22.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball outside off, Tom doesn't bother playing that. |
| 22.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Fuller ball on off, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 22.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball on off, played off the back foot. |
| 23.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Full ball on middle and leg, flicked away towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 0.0 : Nasser Hussain on air informs that Philander cannot bowl immediately as he was out of the field for most of the time yesterday. |
| 23.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball on off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 23.3 : K Rabada to Westley, that's bowled on off and middle, defended from within the crease. |
| 23.4 : K Rabada to Westley, Aah! Length ball outside off, inviting the drive. England's position in the match allows him to go for his shots, and hence he goes for it, only to see the ball whiz past the edge. |
| 23.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 23.6 : K Rabada to Westley, A defensive shot off the full face of the bat to that length ball on off. |
| 24.1 : M Morkel to K Jennings, FOUR! That's the first boundary of the day with the bat! Length ball just outside off, Keaton pushes his bat to block that delivery. The ball takes the outside edge and runs away for a boundary between the slips and the gully. |
| 24.2 : M Morkel to K Jennings, That's speared in on a length, he gets an inside edge and the ball thuds on to his pads. |
| 24.3 : M Morkel to K Jennings, Fuller ball on off, Keaton edges that towards the slip cordon. |
| 24.4 : M Morkel to Jennings, Back of a length ball on middle and going towards leg, it hits the batter high on his pads as he misses his flick. |
| 24.5 : M Morkel to K Jennings, FOUR! Streaky runs, but runs nevertheless. Good length ball around off, Jennings tries to push it towards covers. He ends up getting an outside edge that runs to the right of a diving Bavuma at point and rushes away slowly to the boundary. The outfield seems pretty owing to the incessant rains yesterday. |
| 24.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, Much better shot this time. Full ball outside off, Jennings drives it through covers. Kuhn chases it from mid off and as he slides to stop the ball, the wet outfield makes him slide a couple of yards further leaving the ball behind. He is successful in saving a run though. |
| 25.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 25.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Length ball on middle and leg, played to mid on. |
| 25.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 25.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Another length ball outside off, he leaves it alone. |
| 25.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, That's bowled in the corridor of uncertainty outside off, Jennings tries playing at that and ends up missing the ball. |
| 25.6 : Rabada to K Jennings, OUT! EXCELLENT STUFF BY RABADA! He set Jennings up wonderfully well there. The entire over he kept bowling it fuller and outside off. Jennings had a played and miss the previous ball. This time he surprises the batsman with a good short ball on middle and off. The opener jabs his bat at that only to glove the ball, which goes in the air to gully where Morris took a jumping catch. Terrific strategy there. Jennings departs without a well deserved fifty. England two dow |
| The English skipper, Joe Root walks in next. |
| 26.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball on off, driven down the ground. |
| 26.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball on middle and leg, flicked away to the leg side for a run. |
| 26.3 : M Morkel to Root, Length ball outside off, left alone by Root. |
| 26.4 : M Morkel to Root, Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 26.5 : M Morkel to Root, That's bowled on middle and leg, flicked away on the leg side. |
| 26.6 : M Morkel to Root, Root doesn't play that length ball outside off. |
| 27.1 : K Rabada to Westley, That's good judgement shown by the batsman. Length ball just outside off, left alone. |
| 27.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball outside off, Westley leaves that one. |
| 27.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Good length ball outside off, Westley drives it through covers where Kuhn chases that. As he slides to save it, he slips again due to the wet outfield, and that allows them three runs. |
| 27.4 : K Rabada to Root, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 27.5 : K Rabada to Root, Good yorker on off, dug out by Root. |
| 27.6 : K Rabada to Root, Bowled a tad fuller outside off, played towards point. |
| Since the start of play today, the Proteas were feeding Jennings with fuller and good length balls. The one that got him was the short one. Atherton makes a nice point on air. He says that if you want to surprise the batsman with a bouncer, it'd better be on the batsman in the line of the stumps, for it to be effective. That's what's consumed Jennings today. |
| 28.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball on middle, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 28.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Bouncer on off, Westley evades that. |
| 28.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 28.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Yet another bouncer on off and middle, Westley ducks under that. |
| 28.5 : M Morkel to Westley, That's bowled outside off, shouldered arms to by the batsman. |
| 28.6 : M Morkel to Westley, WIDE! Aptly described on air by Nasser Hussain as 'easily his worst ball'. That was an attempted bouncer, but way outside off and over the batsman's head. Wide signaled. |
| M Morkel to Westley, Length ball on off and middle, it strikes him high on his pads. |
| 29.1 : K Rabada to Root, Length ball on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on. |
| 29.2 : K Rabada to Root, Length ball outside off, left alone by Root. |
| 29.3 : K Rabada to Root, That's seamed just outside off, Root fails to get bat on that. |
| 29.4 : K Rabada to Root, A tad fuller on off, pushed towards covers. |
| 29.5 : K Rabada to Root, Length ball on off, defended from within the crease. |
| 29.6 : K Rabada to Root, Root gets going! That's a full ball outside off, he drives it to deep cover-point for a run. |
| 30.1 : M Morkel to Root, Length ball outside off, left alone by the skipper. |
| 30.2 : M Morkel to Root, Aah! Peach! Root escapes. That's on a back of a length around off, Root gets beaten on the inside. Previously, the balls were moving away, but this one came in and caught him unawares. The ball didn't miss the edge and the off stump by much. |
| 30.3 : M Morkel to Root, That's bowled on a length on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 30.4 : M Morkel to Root, Length ball outside off, driven square on the off side for a single. |
| 30.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball outside off, Westley points his bat skywards and lets it go. |
| 30.6 : M Morkel to Westley, A tad fuller on off, defended showing the full face. |
| 31.1 : K Rabada to Root, Speared in on a length outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 31.2 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! That's bowled a tad fuller on middle and leg, flicked away towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. The big Vern gave it a chase from mid on, yet couldn't cut that off. |
| 31.3 : K Rabada to Root, Length ball outside off, punched away towards point for a run. |
| 31.4 : K Rabada to Westley, That's a good length ball just outside off, draws Westley forward who misses it. |
| 31.5 : K Rabada to Westley, That's full down the leg side, he misses his flick. |
| 31.6 : K Rabada to Westley, That's a tad fuller around off, Tom gets an inside edge that rolls to the keeper as he pokes his bat at that. |
| Vernon Philander into the attack. |
| 32.1 : V Philander to Root, FOUR! Well played skip! That's bowled on a length just outside off, Root opens the face of the bat at the last moment and guides it from between the third slip and gully. The ball races away to the third man fence. |
| 32.2 : V Philander to Root, Fuller on off, driven towards mid on. |
| 32.3 : V Philander to Root, That's bowled on middle, played to mid-wicket. |
| 32.4 : V Philander to Root, Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 32.5 : V Philander to Root, That's on a length around off, punched away on the off for a run. |
| 32.6 : V Philander to Westley, That's bowled on off and middle, defended from within the crease. |
| 33.1 : K Rabada to Root, Short ball on off and middle, pulled away to fine leg for a single. |
| 33.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Length ball on off, defended from within the crease. That seems to have stayed a touch low. |
| 33.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Fuller ball in the line of the stumps, defended from with the crease. |
| 33.4 : K Rabada to Westley, That's flicked away on the leg side straight to the fielder. |
| As a part of charity, some caricatures of the ex-cricketers are up for auction there. Warne on air suggests Pollock to auction his cartoon at 27 million pounds! |
| 33.5 : K Rabada to Westley, FOUR! That's driven wonderfully well, and the batsman has maintained his balance. It's on a length on off angling into him, he plays it through mid on and into the fence. |
| 33.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Yorker on off, dug out by Westley. |
| 34.1 : V Philander to Root, Full outside off, Root drives it crisply to cover-point for a single. That short deserved more than a run. |
| 34.2 : V Philander to Westley, Length ball on off, punched off the back foot. |
| 34.3 : V Philander to Westley, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 34.4 : V Philander to Westley, That's a good length ball outside off, punched away to covers. |
| 34.5 : V Philander to Westley, A tad fuller ball on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 34.6 : V Philander to Westley, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| David Gower on air analysis Westley's skills. As Westley got out by trying to play a ball on off towards leg, his practice session was done keeping in mind that. The coach was seen bowling under-arms to him outside off and Tom tried to play it in the area from mid off to cover-point, consciously trying to not play towards the on side. |
| Chris Morris into the attack. |
| 35.1 : C Morris to Root, That's bowled full outside off, left alone. |
| 35.2 : C Morris to Root, Length ball on middle, flicked away towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 35.3 : C Morris to Westley, That's fuller and wide of off, left alone. |
| 35.4 : C Morris to Westley, Length ball on middle and off, Westley gets a leading edge back to the bowler. |
| 35.5 : C Morris to Westley, That's a length ball outside off, tapped towards cover-point for a quick single. |
| 35.6 : C Morris to Joe Root, FOUR! GLORIOUS, GRACIOUS, GORGEOUS! That's a perfect cover drive. It is a full ball outside off, Root gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it through covers. Bavuma runs from deep cover-point to covers in a hope to get to the fence before the ball, but it is not to be. That is timed perfectly. |
| The first hour of the day has led to the umps calling for Drinks! England have swelled the lead to 299 runs and are scoring runs at a fair clip. They would look to maintain the pressure on the visitors. On the other hand, the Proteas need something heroic to stay in the contest. |
| 36.1 : V Philander to Westley, Good length delivery around off, Westley camps back and taps it to short cover. |
| 36.2 : V Philander to Westley, In the zone outside off, Tom doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 36.3 : V Philander to Westley, Good length delivery sliding down leg, Westley looks to play it through but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 36.4 : V Philander to Westley, Back of a length delivery on off, Westley uses the depth of the crease and plays it with an angled blade to gully. |
| 36.5 : V Philander to Westley, Pitched further up outside off, swinging away. It evokes no interest from Tom. |
| 36.6 : V Philander to Westley, Another outswinger outside off which is left alone by Westley. |
| 37.1 : C Morris to Root, Morris goes wide of the crease and angles in a length delivery from outside off. Root stays back and blocks it to short cover. |
| 37.2 : C Morris to Root, Back of a length on off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 37.3 : C Morris to Root, Shortish delivery outside off, Root shapes to play it behind square on the off side but the inward angle suprises him a bit. He gets cramped up and only manages to chop it to widish first slip. |
| 37.4 : C Morris to Root Fullish delivery around off, pushed off the front foot to the off side. |
| 37.5 : C Morris to Root, Goes back to the good length delivery and dabs it to the man at gully. |
| 37.6 : C Morris to Root, Short and room on offer, the English skipper makes good use of the depth of the crease and punches it through cover-point. Bavuma from deep point comes across, picks it up and throws it back to Morris. Good running between the batsmen allows them to take a couple. |
| 38.1 : V Philander to Westley, Length delivery in the fifth stump channel, Westley hangs back and defends it to covers. |
| 38.2 : V Philander to Westley, Well bowled! Maintains a similar line and length around off. Westley pushes at it tentatively but the ball seams away after hitting the deck to fox him. |
| 38.3 : V Philander to Westley, Camps back to the length delivery and pushes it beside the bowler on the off side. |
| 38.4 : V Philander to Westley, Straighter on this occasion, Tom works it to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 38.5 : V Philander to Westley, Defended off the back foot by Tom Westley. |
| 38.6 : V Philander to Westley, In the channel around off, Westley works it to the man at mid-wicket. |
| A bit of drizzle is in the air. Up go the umbrellas in the crowd. However, it is not dark and hopefully it is a passing shower. |
| 39.1 : C Morris to Root, FOUR! Well played! Good length delivery angling in sharply, Root hangs back and works it expertly through square leg. The timing is spot on and the ball whistles away to the fence. |
| 39.2 : C Morris to Root, Fuller length ball outside off, shaping away. Root plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 39.3 : C Morris to Root, Morris goes wider of the crease and angles this on substantially. Root is a bit tentative as he pushes at it. Gets a thick inside edge through backward square leg. There is urgency in the running and the skipper calls Westley back for the second. Good running there! |
| 39.4 : C Morris to Root, Good length around off, pushed off the back foot to covers. |
| 39.5 : C Morris to Root, FOUR! Root is not going to miss out on those! Short and width on offer. Root stands tall and cuts it through backward point. Bavuma sprints across to his left and puts in a desperate dive but fails to stop the boundary. |
| 39.6 : C Morris to Root, Shortish well outside off, Joe cuts it to deep point for a single and will retain the strike. 11 from the over. |
| 40.1 : V Philander to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, swinging away. Joe cuts it through point. He is again interested in the second but the fielder is quick to the ball. Returns an accurate throw at the bowler's end which denies the second. |
| 40.2 : V Philander to Westley, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 40.3 : V Philander to Westley, FOUR! Shot! Runs are flowing at the moment! Short of a length outside off and width on this occasion. Westley hangs back and punches it towards backward point. The fielder there dives to his left but the ball goes past him in a jiffy. Another boundary results. |
| 40.4 : V Philander to Westley, That's a beauty and well played in the end! Short of a length around off, shapes away substantially after pitching. Westley follows it initially but manages to bail out at the last moment. |
| 40.5 : V Philander to Westley, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 40.6 : V Philander to Westley, Philander is varying his lines and length nicely. Goes full outside off this time and induces a false stroke. Westley is drawn into the drive but is beaten all ends up due to the away movement. |
| 41.1 : C Morris to Root, Length delivery outside off, tapped to point. |
| 41.2 : C Morris to Root, Similar length delivery angling in this time. Joe goes for the clip but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 41.3 : C Morris to Root, Back of a length outside off, Joe punches it crisply towards cover-point. Elgar dives to his left but the ball sneaks past him. A run taken. |
| 41.4 : C Morris to Westley, Jaffa! On a good length around off coming in with the angle. Westley offers a straight bat in defense but the ball seams away after landing to catch him off guard. |
| 41.5 : C Morris to Westley, Length delivery on off, straightens a touch. Westley does well to play it with an angled bat to gully. |
| 41.6 : C Morris to Westley, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| Philander has gone off the field. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj comes on for a bowl. Can he break this partnership? But there is a change in plan now. Rabada is called back into the attack. Phehlukwayo is the substitute fielder in Vernon's place. |
| 42.1 : K Rabada to Root, Full delivery outside off, driven through cover-point for an easy run. |
| 42.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Fullish ball outside off, Westley goes for an expansive drive but ends up getting it off the outer half to backward point. The fielder dives to his left and makes a good half stop. A run taken. |
| 50-run stand up between Root and Westley. |
| 42.3 : K Rabada to Root, Good length delivery just outside off, straightens a touch after pitching. Root has no choice but to play it and is comprehensively beaten. |
| 42.4 : K Rabada to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 42.5 : K Rabada to Root, Outside off, Root lets it go. |
| 42.6 : K Rabada to Root, Beauty! A bit fuller outside off, Root shuffles across to negotiate it but the ball angles in sharply to beat him on the inside. |
| David Gower on air informs that Chris Morris left the field a few minutes earlier. Not sure of the reason though. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj finally gets to bowl. |
| 43.1 : K Maharaj to Westley, Shortish delivery on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 43.2 : K Maharaj to Westley, Turns this with the angle to mid-wicket. |
| 43.3 : K Maharaj to Westley, Slow through the air this time, Westley uses his feet and swings across the line but ends up dragging it towards mid-wicket. The fielder dives to his right to stop it. |
| 43.4 : K Maharaj to Westley, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.5 : K Maharaj to Westley, Floated in line of the stumps, worked to mid-wicket. |
| 43.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, Westley works this one with the angle through wide mid on for a run. |
| 44.1 : K Rabada to Westley, Shortish delivery around the rib cage area. Westley hops back and tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 44.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Wide outside off this time, Tom doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 44.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Fullish in length outside off, swinging away. Westley plants his front foot across to let it go. |
| Nasser Hussain analyses and says that Philander is more dangerous when he seams the bowl rather than swing it. His bowling average supports the views - 46.5 when trying to swing as against 14.1 when trying to bowl seam-up. While he has been wayward in swinging the ball, he is more accurate with seaming deliveries. |
| 44.4 : K Rabada to Westley, This one swings in sharply from a length outside off, Westley goes for the flick but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 44.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Westley with a bit of an open face drives it through covers. Two runs taken. He moves to 45 with that. He has played a gritty knock so far. |
| 44.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Fuller length ball outside off, holding its line. Tom leaves it alone. |
| 45.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Fullish delivery on off, turned to mid-wicket. |
| 45.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated outside off, driven crisply to short extra cover. |
| 45.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Root is nimble on his feet and works it through square leg. The batsmen take the single quickly but rightly decide against the second run as the fielder is quick to the ball. |
| 45.4 : K Maharaj to Westley, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 45.5 : K Maharaj to Westley, Fullish delivery, Westley wrists it through wide mid on. Rabada at deepish mid on moves across to his right to stop it. A run taken. |
| 45.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Tossed up on middle, spinning away. Root drives it to short extra cover. England lead by 325 runs. A great position to be in. They are in the driver's seat. |
| Morne Morkel is back into the attack. |
| 46.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Fuller in length outside off, seaming away after hitting the deck. Westley goes for a drive down the ground but gets beaten. |
| 46.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Half-volley outside off, driven crisply towards Bavuma at short cover. He dives to his left to save a certain boundary. |
| 46.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Morkel is bowling beautifully! Keeps it outside off and gets it to swing away prodigiously. Westley is again drawn into the drive but gets foxed. |
| 46.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Morkel gets this one to shape back in on a fullish length. Westley has the line covered and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 46.5 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! What a way to reach his fifty on debut! Well played young man! Fullish delivery angling in sharply to Westley. He clips it authoritatively through mid-wicket and the ball whistles away to the fence. He has a smile on his face and his captain appreciates his effort. It has been a good innings by him. |
| Maiden Test fifty for Tom Westley. |
| 46.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 47.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 47.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated ball, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 47.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 47.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Deft! A bit short outside off, Root waits for it and guides it past first slip. Picks up a couple to his name. |
| 47.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Fullish on middle, eased to mid-wicket. |
| 47.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy delivery, kept out watchfully. |
| 48.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Length delivery well outside off, Westley covers his off stump and sees it through. |
| 48.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Fuller in length, shaping into Westley. He covers the line and defends it. |
| 48.3 : M Morkel to Westley, This is well outside off, Westley doesn't bother to play at that. |
| 48.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Morkel hits the deck hard but the line is wayward. It is wide outside off. Westley keeps his bat inside the line and ignores it. |
| 48.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Good length delivery outside off, seams away after hitting the deck. Westley leaves it alone. |
| Westley has got most of his boundaries towards the on side. That just goes on to show how strong he has been on the leg side. Anything on middle and leg, the ball has only one place to go - the boundary fence! |
| 48.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Another one that is way outside off, left alone again. |
| 49.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 49.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 49.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy delivery, Joe prods forward and pushes it to the off side. |
| 49.4 : K Maharaj to Root, A bit flatter this time, Joe hangs back and pushes it to covers. |
| 49.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Quick delivery on off, kept out on the off side. |
| 49.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Coming in with the arm, Root pushes at it tentatively but gets it off the inner half to mid-wicket. THAT SHALL BE LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| Good session for England and they are dictating the terms at the moment. The lead has swelled to 331 runs with still five sessions left in this Test match. The debutant, Westley has been solid and has worked hard to earn his maiden half century. He has got Root for company who has taken the initiative to put away the loose deliveries. |
| It all looks gloomy for the African side and the game is going away from them. Morkel and Rabada have been good but they have been negotiated smartly. Philander has not quite looked his usual self after the illness. The home side will look to bat with more intent going forward. A score of around 400 might be an uphill task for the visitors to chase. Join us in a while for the afternoon session. |
| ...DAY 4, SESSION 2... |
| 50.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Fullish delivery around off, driven crisply to mid off. |
| 0.0 : Tom Westley and Joe Root will look to bat with more intent. The English skipper might decide to enforce the follow-on in this session itself. Shane Warne on air informs that there was a bit of rain during the lunch break but the weather has cleared up now. Morne Morkel to continue his spell. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 50.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Length delivery outside off, moving away after pitching. Westley points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 50.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball outside off, swinging away, Westley doesn't bother playing that. |
| 50.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Angling down the leg side, Westley tries a flick and misses. |
| 50.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Length outside off, that swung after it passed the batsman. Westley shoulders arms to that. |
| 50.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Bouncer but off target. Tom ducks under that as it goes to the keeper. Maiden to start off. |
| Keshav Maharaj will continue. |
| 51.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle, played to covers. |
| 51.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle and off, defended showing the full face of the bat. |
| 51.3 : K Maharaj to Root, That's pushed on a good length on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 51.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball just outside off, cut away to point. |
| 51.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on off, played towards covers. |
| 51.6 : K Maharaj to Root, That's tossed up on off, Root places it with soft hands towards point and sets off for a quick single. |
| 52.1 : M Morkel to Root, Length ball on off, played off the back foot into the ground. |
| 52.2 : M Morkel to Root, Fuller ball around off, he gets it off the inside half of the bat towards mid on. |
| 52.3 : M Morkel to Root, A tad fuller outside off, played to covers. |
| 52.4 : M Morkel to Root, Back of a length outside off, Root feels for it and gets beaten. |
| 52.5 : M Morkel to Root, fuller ball outside off, Root looks to push it on the off side, ends up getting an inside edge onto his back pad. On another day, it could have gone on to the stumps. |
| 52.6 : M Morkel to Root, Fuller ball on off, Root gets it off the inner half of his bat on the leg side. Good probing over by Morkel. Another maiden. |
| 53.1 : K Maharaj to Westley, Looped up on middle, Tom drives it towards mid off. |
| 53.2 : K Maharaj to Westley, FOUR! SHOT! That was pushed flatter around off, but it was a tad short. Westley thrashes it from between the gap between short mid off and short covers and that crashes into the boundary cushions. It is dealt with disdain. |
| 53.3 : K Maharaj to Westley, fuller ball on off, driven to long off for a run. |
| 53.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on off, played to long off for yet another run. |
| 53.5 : K Maharaj to Westley, Flighted on off and middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 53.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, Looped on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 54.1 : M Morkel to Root, Length ball outside off, Root looks to flay and misses. |
| 54.2 : M Morkel to Root, that was a tad fuller angled down the leg, it hits Root low on his pads. |
| 54.3 : M Morkel to Root, Length ball outside off, punched off the back foot for a run. |
| 54.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 54.5 : M Morkel to Westley, A tad fuller on off, Tom plays it from within the crease.. |
| 54.6 : M Morkel to Tom Westley, FOUR! Frustration for South Africa. Back of a length ball just outside off, Westley pokes his bat at that. To his credit, he did so with soft hands. The ball went between gully and the third slip and through to the third man fence. Though it wasn't a boundary ball, England collect four off that! |
| 55.1 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Aaah! Misfield from Philander. That was pushed flatter and quicker just outside off, Root cuts it through point. The fielder at cover-point does all the work of running there. |
| 55.2 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 55.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball outside off, guided to short third man by opening the face of his bat. |
| 55.4 : K Maharaj to Root, He defends off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 55.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Flighted on middle, driven to mid on. |
| 55.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, OUT! What great spin bowling! WESTLEY DECEIVED IN FLIGHT! Maharaj tossed it up outside off, invited the batsman down. Tom fell for that as he chipped down, but he couldn't get to the pitch of the ball to account for the spin. The ball spins and goes through to de Kock who does the rest. End of a good knock by the debutant, England lose their third. |
| Dawid Malan walks in next. |
| Vernon Philander comes back for a bowl. |
| 56.1 : V Philander to Root, 2 runs. |
| 56.2 : V Philander to Root, That's bowled just outside off, Root drives it to covers for a run. |
| 56.3 : V Philander to Malan, WIDE! That's full wide outswinging delivery, malan lets it go. De Kock gets in the dive but is unable to stop that as they collect two byes. |
| V Philander to Root, Length ball outside off, driven towards backward point for a single to bring up his fifty. |
| Joe Root gets to his 29th half century in Tests. |
| 56.4 : V Philander to Malan, FOUR! Crashed to get off the mark! That was full on middle and leg, Malan flicks it away off his pads to send the ball rushing into the mid-wicket boundary. |
| 56.5 : V Philander to Malan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.6 : V Philander to Malan, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 57.1 : K Maharaj to Root, That's a shortish ball on off, punched off the back foot. |
| 57.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Tossed up on middle, he has inside edged that on to his pads. |
| 57.3 : K Maharaj to Root, OUT! Of all the ways to get out in a Test match, this is the one that Root chooses today! Flighted ball on off and spinning away, Root tries to slog sweep it and ends up getting a top edge. The ball flies high up and towards deep square leg, where Morkel gleefully accepts the catch. Root departs as soon as he gets to a landmark, something that he wouldn't like. And in a Test, he gets out in a limited overs fashion! England four down! |
| Ben Stokes strides out to the center at No.6. A bit of drizzle is also in the air. Let's hope it goes away. |
| 57.4 : K Maharaj to Malan, The batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. |
| 57.5 : K Maharaj to Malan, Loopy ball on off, played towards mid-wicket. |
| 57.6 : K Maharaj to Malan, No run. |
| 58.1 : V Philander to Stokes, No run. |
| 58.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| The floodlights are switched on. It certainly is getting gloomy out there. |
| 58.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Fuller ball outside off, driven straight to covers. |
| 58.4 : V Philander to Stokes, Another ball outside off left alone. |
| 58.5 : V Philander to Stokes, That's a length ball on the stumps, played off the back foot. |
| 58.6 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 59.1 : K Maharaj to Malan, Tossed up on off and middle, flicked away on the on side for a single. |
| 59.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Fired in around off, Stokes defends showing the full face of the bat. |
| 59.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Looped on off and middle, Stokes gets off the mark with a sweep shot. |
| 59.4 : K Maharaj to Malan, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 59.5 : K Maharaj to Malan, The flight in that ball invites Malan down the track, but he defends it after stepping down the track. |
| 59.6 : K Maharaj to Malan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball on middle and off, defended by Stokes from within the crease. |
| 60.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Another length ball defended from the crease by Stokes. |
| 60.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Back of a length ball on middle, blocked off the back foot. |
| Hashim Amla is off the field informs Mike Atherton on air. Seems to have hurt his finger as he tried to stop a wide ball in the previous Philander over. |
| 60.4 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball on off, played towards point for a single. |
| 60.5 : V Philander to Malan, Defended off the front foot by Malan presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 60.6 : V Philander to Malan, Length ball outside off, Malan hangs his bat out but doesn't make any contact with it. Thankfully! |
| 61.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Expect such shots when Stokes is in an aggressive mood against a tweaker. Tossed up delivery outside off is an invitation for the big Ben to go for the reverse sweep, and he doesn't disappoint. He crunches it through the point region for a boundary. |
| 0.0 : Deep backward point in place now. |
| 61.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, IN THE AIR, BUT SAFE! Flighted ball on off and turning into him, Stokes goes for the slog sweep and tried to hit that out of The Oval! He ends up skying that and fortunately for him it lands between mid-wicket and long on. They collect a brace before Rabada, who ran there from mid on, returns the throw. |
| 61.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Crunched off the back foot this time! That was flatter outside off and a tad short too, Stokes goes on the back foot and smashes it through wide mid off for a boundary. He is taking a liking to the left arm orthodox bowler here. |
| 61.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Fires that on off, Stokes defends. |
| 61.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 61.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Looped outside off, Stokes goes to defends it and gets hit high on his pads. The ball rolls over towards slip. |
| 62.1 : V Philander to D Malan, Full ball on off, Malan tries to flick it and gets an outside edge. The ball rolls towards gully, where a slight misfield allows them a run. |
| 62.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Length ball on off, defended from within the crease. |
| 62.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Full ball on middle and leg, Stokes tries to play it towards long on but ends up getting a leading edge that carries to long off for a run. |
| 62.4 : V Philander to Malan, Played to the point region by the batsman for no run. |
| 62.5 : V Philander to Malan, Length ball played from within the crease. |
| 62.6 : V Philander to Malan, Length ball in line of the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| Chris Morris is back on. |
| 63.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Full ball flicked straight to mid-wicket. |
| 63.2 : C Morris to Ben Stokes, Short ball on middle, pulled away to square leg. |
| 63.3 : C Morris to Stokes, Length ball outside off, stokes punches that off the back foot through covers. Morkel chases that down and saves a run for their side. |
| 63.4 : C Morris to D Malan, FOUR! EDGED AND FOUR! Morris bowls it back of a length on off and draws Malan's bat. The ball takes the outside edge and crawls away through the slip cordon and into the third man fence. |
| Faf du Plessis has immediately reviewed an LBW decision against Malan. Seems close to the naked eye. |
| 63.5 : Morris to Malan, OUT! YES HE'S GOT HIM! That was a back of length ball that started on middle and shaped into the batsman. Malan misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. The Proteas appeal only to see it turned down by umpire Wilson. Faf reviews that immediately, and boy, what a review that is! There was no bat on that, and the ball tracker returned three reds for the LBW call. This means the end of Malan's stay. As he played that shot, he seems to fall over, in sort of a similar way li |
| Jonny Bairstow walks in at the fall of the 5th wicket. |
| 63.6 : C Morris to Bairstow, Length ball outside off and swinging away, Bairstow shoulders arms. |
| Rabada to bowl another spell now. |
| 64.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Starts off with a delivery on the pads, Stokes helps it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 64.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Going down the leg side, Bairstow looks to clip it across but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 64.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Back of a length delivery outside off, Jonny punches it towards covers where the fielder fumbles a bit and the ball goes through. Two runs taken. |
| 64.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Similar length delivery outside off, placed to gully. |
| 64.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Good length delivery angling in sharply. Bairstow camps back and defends it to the right side of Rabada. |
| 64.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Leg stump line, turned around the corner for a single. |
| 65.1 : C Morris to Bairstow, Length ball just outside off and swinging away, Bairstow pokes his bat at that to defend. The ball takes the outside edge and lands just short of a diving du Plessis at second slip. They cross over for a run. The first slip fielder has a shy at the striker's end and manages to hit the bull's eye, but the batsman was well in. |
| 65.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Shortish ball just outside off, Stokes cuts that away to deep point for a run. |
| 65.3 : C Morris to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, played off the back foot for a single. |
| 65.4 : C Morris to Stokes, The full ball on off and middle is defended showing the full face of the bat. |
| 65.5 : C Morris to Ben Stokes, Length ball on middle and leg, Stokes inside edges it on to his pads. They take a single as the ball rolls just past the stumps towards fine leg. |
| 65.6 : C Morris to Bairstow, Very full ball outside off, Bairstow tries to get bat to that and misses. |
| Time for Drinks. England have taken the lead to 388 and a declaration seems to be around the corner. Stokes might choose to unleash himself completely now. |
| 66.1 : K Rabada to Ben Stokes, Fullish delivery in line of the stumps, driven crisply to mid on. |
| 66.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Well-directed short delivery, climbing on Stokes. He is hurried a touch and ends up top edging his pull safely to fine leg. A run taken. |
| 66.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Rabada loses his radar and slips this one down the leg side, Bairstow fails to clip it. De Kock dives to his left and fails to gather it cleanly. Amla at first slip is alert and goes across quickly to the ball to deny the single. |
| 66.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Fuller in length outside off, Bairstow pushes at it tentatively but gets it off the inner half to mid-wicket. Wants a run but it is not there on offer. |
| 66.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Back of a length outside off, played with an open face to gully. |
| 66.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Very full on off, targeting the off stick. Jonny does well to jam it back towards Rabada. |
| 67.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Full length delivery around off, Stokes drives it to long on for a single. |
| 67.2 : C Morris to Bairstow, Going down the leg side, Bairstow looks to whip it across but misses. |
| 67.3 : C Morris to Bairstow, Good length delivery jagging back sharply. Bairstow is caught in the crease as he looks to play it across but gets hit on the thigh pad. No such appeal as height was a factor. |
| 67.4 : C Morris to Bairstow, Outside off, dabbed to gully. |
| 67.5 : C Morris to J Bairstow, FOUR! Streaky but effective! On a fuller length outside off, Bairstow flashes at it and flashes hard. Gets it off the outer half towards gully. Kuhn stationed there leaps to his right like a goal keeper but the ball goes past him in a jiffy. A boundary results. |
| 67.6 : C Morris to Bairstow, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! The lead swells to 398. The Proteas will be worried. Angling into Bairstow. He clips it nicely through square leg and the ball races to the fence. |
| 68.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, On a length outside off, Stokes flays it through cover-point for a single. |
| 68.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Two Leg byes! Going down the leg side, Bairstow looks to clip it but misses. The ball brushes his pads and rolls to fine leg. Two leg byes taken. |
| 68.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Fullish delivery outside off, eased towards wide mid off. |
| 68.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Jagging in from outside off, Jonny looks to keep it out but gets a thick inside edge to backward square leg. Bairstow pushes for the second but the fielder is quick to attack the ball. The batsmen settle for a single. |
| 68.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length delivery angling across the southpaw. Placed to deep point for a single. |
| Warne wants some of the popcorn that the small boy among the spectators is seen having! Yummy!! |
| 68.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, FOUR! Innovation at its best! Root plays this shot really well. Jonny has taken inspiration from his skipper it seems. Shortish delivery angling into Bairstow. He arches back and ramps it over the keeper's head for a boundary. |
| 69.1 : C Morris to Stokes, Fullish delivery, Stokes uses his feet and drills it to mid on. |
| 0.0 : Rain is in the air as the sight of umbrellas opening up in the crowd just suggests! |
| 69.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Fuller length ball angling across Ben. He attempts a wild hit through the line but it seems to have gone over extra cover as the cameras show so. However, it has gone down to third man. A run taken. |
| 69.3 : C Morris to Bairstow, FOUR! Easy pickings! Angling into Bairstow. He clips it through fine leg to find the fence. |
| 69.4 : C Morris to Bairstow, FOUR! This is class batting! Shortish delivery outside off, Bairstow waits for it and guides it late to the third man boundary. |
| 69.5 : C Morris to Bairstow, The batsman plays the square cut. |
| 69.6 : C Morris to Bairstow, Fullish delivery, Bairstow pushes at it but gets it off the inner half to backward square leg. A run taken. |
| While in his followthrough, the ball slips out of Rabada's hand. The batsman ran across towards it and sees the funny side of it. Rabada has a wry smile on his face. |
| 70.1 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Bairstow looks to play it square of the wicket on the off side but ends up chopping it beside the pitch. |
| 70.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Good length delivery outside off, tapped through backward point. The batsmen take on the fielder. The throw is at striker's end as Bairstow goes to the danger end. He fails to collect it cleanly. Two safely taken in the end. |
| 70.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Slower short delivery down the leg side, Bairstow looks to help it but misses. |
| 70.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 70.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Short delivery, pulled to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| The talk on air is about declaration. Shane Warne feels 425-430 runs are enough. Nasser Hussain feels that England should have a go at the Proteas with the ball, before tea. He also felt 450 would be an ideal lead to have. |
| 70.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Length delivery outside off, dabbed towards deep backward point again. Good running between the wickets allows the batsmen to come back for the second. |
| 71.1 : C Morris to Stokes, SIX! That's a mighty hit from the big man! Fuller length ball on middle, Stokes with a high backlift heaves it over deep mid-wicket. He has struck it nicely and the ball clears the fence with ease. |
| 71.2 : C Morris to Stokes, Length delivery around off, punched hard to extra cover. |
| Seems that it was a passing shower, as the umbrellas in the stands have been closed. It has also become brighter out there. Talking about brightness, things at the moment are looking bright for the Englishmen, but not so for the African team! |
| 71.3 : C Morris to Stokes, OUT! Bowled 'em! Stokes sacrifices his wicket for the cause of his side. Slower good length delivery on middle, stays a bit low. Stokes goes for the pull but is early into the shot. Misses it altogether to see the furniture behind him get shattered. He has done his job by helping himself to a breezy knock. England lead by 429 runs. |
| Moeen Ali is the next man in. Yes, you read it right! The declaration isn't here yet. England continue to bat on. |
| 71.4 : C Morris to Ali, Fullish delivery, driven to mid off for a quick single. Ali is off the mark. |
| 71.5 : C Morris to Bairstow, Good length delivery outside off, Bairstow looks to dab it but gets it off the outer half to third man. Two runs taken. |
| 71.6 : C Morris to Bairstow, Stays back and taps it to gully for a single. |
| 72.1 : K Rabada to Bairstow, On a length outside off, steered to third man for a run. |
| 72.2 : K Rabada to Ali, FOUR! Poor delivery and taken full toll of! Straying on the pads, Ali manages to get a fine tickle on it and the ball rolls to the fine leg fence. |
| 72.3 : K Rabada to Ali, In the air... but safe! Good length delivery on off, Ali has a wild slog across the line but gets a top edge towards deep backward point. Thankfully, it falls short of the fielder. Two runs taken. |
| 72.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length delivery, cut to backward point. |
| 72.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Length delivery around off, Bairstow looks to tonk it over mid-wicket but gets beaten completely. Declaration batting going on at the moment. |
| If England want to field before Tea, they have to declare after this delivery. |
| 72.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Fullish delivery, hit to long on for a single. |
| England bat on, Keshav Maharaj to bowl now. |
| There is a run out appeal against Ali. Seems close and the Proteas are confident. |
| 73.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, OUT! Great piece of work from Temba Bavuma! |
| 0.0 : Toby Roland-Jones comes out to bat. |
| 73.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 73.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 73.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Plays this one with an open face to backward point. |
| 73.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Pushed to covers this time. |
| 73.6 : K Maharaj to J Bairstow, Fullish delivery, eased through mid off for a single. |
| Well, well! Dean Elgar to bowl his left arm orthodox now. |
| 74.1 : D Elgar to Bairstow, Tossed up ball, clipped to backward square leg for a single. |
| 74.2 : D Elgar to T Roland-Jones, Roland-Jones eases this one to long on for a run. |
| 74.3 : D Elgar to Bairstow, Tossed up delivery, Bairstow sweeps it uppisly towards deep square leg. Rabada runs to his right but the ball falls short of him. A run taken. |
| 74.4 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, Uses his feet and taps it down the track. |
| 74.5 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, Floated delivery, kept out watchfully. |
| 74.6 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, Fullish delivery on middle, Toby comes down the track and checks his drive towards Elgar. It carries to him on the bounce. |
| 75.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Fullish delivery, wristed through wide mid on for a single. |
| 75.2 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Shortish delivery, punched through cover-point for a single. |
| 75.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Flatter delivery, knocked down to long on for a single. |
| 75.4 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Stays back and defends it. |
| 75.5 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Close shave! Coming in with the arm. Roland-Jones uses his feet and gets into a tangle. Ends up getting a nick behind. It goes past de Kock who is blinded a bit. Faf at first slip leaps but fails to take it. The wicket-keeper runs after it, taking his helmet off. Keeps the batsmen down to a couple. |
| 75.6 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Cut towards backward point this time. |
| 76.1 : D Elgar to Bairstow, Bairstow uses his feet and milks it down to wide long off. Two runs taken. |
| 76.2 : D Elgar to Bairstow, Tossed up delivery, reverse swept to backward point. |
| 76.3 : D Elgar to Bairstow, Floated delivery, Jonny uses his feet and jams it towards Elgar. It is hit hard and Dean looks to stop it. It bursts through his hands and goes to long on. A run taken. He seems to have hurt himself. |
| 76.4 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, Roland-Jones comes down the track and drags it through wide mid on for a run. |
| 76.5 : D Elgar to Bairstow, FOUR! Brings up his half fifty in style! Tossed up delivery, Bairstow kneels and reverse sweeps it through short third man to find the fence. It is been an enterprising knock from him, takes the lead to 460 with that. |
| 16th Test fifty for Bairstow. |
| 76.6 : D Elgar to Bairstow, The batsman works it down the leg side. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 77.1 : K Maharaj to T Roland-Jones, Tossed up delivery, eased to long on for a single. |
| 0.0 : Elgar is tending to his injured right hand middle finger with the Protea physio's aid. |
| 77.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floated delivery on leg, Bairstow goes for the sweep but gets it off the inside edge. The ball lobs over the keeper and just evades the saw dust. Two runs taken. |
| 77.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, SIX! Shot! Tossed up delivery, Bairstow kneels and slog sweeps it over deep square leg for a maximum. |
| 77.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Bairstow eases this one through covers for a run. He is struggling a bit. Seems to be having an issue with his ankle. |
| 77.5 : K Maharaj to T Roland-Jones, Fullish delivery, eased to long off for a single. |
| 77.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Tossed up delivery, tapped to covers. |
| 78.1 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, SIX! He is showing that he has the capability to impress with the bat. He started his career as a batsman. Tossed up delivery, Roland-Jones slog sweeps it with authority over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. |
| 78.2 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, Roland-Jones uses his feet and takes it on the full. Slogs it to long on for a single. |
| 78.3 : D Elgar to Bairstow, Knocked through mid off. A run taken. |
| 78.4 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, SIX! Tossed up delivery, Toby kneels and tonks it over long on for a biggie. England are surely aiming for the 500 run-mark lead. |
| 78.5 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 78.6 : D Elgar to Roland-Jones, Comes down the track and plays it to long off for a single. |
| 79.1 : K Maharaj to T Roland-Jones, Floated delivery, punched to extra cover. |
| 79.2 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Coming in with the arm, Roland-Jones whips it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 79.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Tossed up delivery, spinning away. Bairstow backs away and plays it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 79.4 : K Maharaj to T Roland-Jones, Flatter and quicker, dragged to long on for a single. |
| 79.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, OUT! Bairstow holes out! Low full toss on off, Jonny clears his front leg and lifts it towards long off. He has not got enough power behind it and the ball flies towards Rabada at long off. He catches it with both hands at first but then fumbles. The ball pops out and he slips as well but he is aware. Recovers well to grab it with his left hand. Finally, Root feels that England have enough on the board and signals for the DECLARATION! TEA HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN! |
| The nagging question 'when would England declare?' is solved finally - now, with 491 runs on the board. For most parts of this session, it seemed more of an ODI than a Test. The English batsmen had their slog modes on. Westley, Root and Bairstow scored clinical fifties. The South African bowlers brought in their change of pace variations. Bairstow combined first with Stokes to strike up a quick 49-run stand, and then with Roland-Jones for another brisk 48-run partnership. |
| Keshav Maharaj picked up three wickets, and looking at the spin that he got, Moeen would be licking his fingers. Morris picked up two but was too expensive to the skipper's liking. Stokes and Bairstow just toyed with his bowling. 492-run chase may well be about match-saving for South Africa, but would they be able to sustain for about 140 overs? Join us in a while to find out. |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Starts with a fullish ball on pads, flicked away towards square leg to get off the mark. |
| 0.2 : Anderson to Elgar, That's back of a length on middle and leg, Elgar misses the ball. The ball strikes him high on the front pad, which draws appeal from the Englishmen. The umpire stays unmoved. Replays and the Ball Tracker shows that it was just clipping the stumps. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball outside off, the ball rolls through the slip cordon off the outer half of the bat. The gully fielder chases that and the batsmen take a brace. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, Elgar shoulders arms to that ball outside off. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Fuller ball on middle and off, defended from within the crease. |
| Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, Starts off with a fullish ball around off, Kuhn gets and inside edge that rolls towards fine leg. They cross over for a run. |
| 1.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball on off, played towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, Fuller ball around off, played off the front foot. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Kuhn, FOUR! Wow! What a short! That's a full ball outside off, Kuhn gets out his stride and drives it through covers for a boundary. Nobody moves, except, of course, the ball! |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, Length ball around off, driven back to the bowler. Such was the class of the previous shot, that it hurt Broad, which makes him throw the ball back towards the keeper. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Fullish ball outside off, placed towards covers for a single. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, That's a good length seaming ball, blocked off the front foot by Kuhn. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, A tad fuller, played on to the ground. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Back of a length ball that moved into him a bit, Kuhn plays it on to the ground. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Length ball on off and middle, played towards square leg for a single. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Aah! Similar to the one that got him in the first innings. Anderson bowls it fuller on off going away from the batsman, Elgar feels for it and watches the ball whiz past the outside edge of his bat. |
| 3.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, Length ball on off and middle, blocked from the crease. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, Kuhn doesn't bother playing at that ball outside off. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, FOUR! And another gorgeous shot fetches him a boundary. This is almost like the earlier boundary. That is a fullish ball outside off, he strides out and caresses it to the cover fence. Class all the way. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to Kuhn, this is sprayed well outside off to draw any interest from the batsman. |
| 3.5 : Broad to Kuhn, A LOUD APPEAL FOR LBW, TURNED DOWN! A good length ball around off hits Kuhn's pads as he strides forward in defense. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to Elgar, 1 run. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, FOUR. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball played from within the crease. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball around off, Deano jabs his bat at that and finds the ball flying past his outside edge. Nervy moments for the lad! |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, No run. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, No run. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, OUT! Jaffa! Broad you beauty! It was a back of a length ball outside off and seamed into Kuhn. The batsman looks to defends it off the back foot but fails to account for the lateral movement. The woodwork behind him shattered and England are elated! Top class stuff, Kuhn departs. South Africa lose an early one yet again. |
| Hashim Amla walks in to bat now. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Amla, Back of a length ball outside off and bouncing a bit more, Amla leaves it. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Amla, 1 run. |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Elgar, No run. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Elgar, 2 runs. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Amla, No run. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Length ball around off, punched off the back foot for a single. |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball outside off, well left by Elgar. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, Fuller ball on middle and off, front foot defense on display. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, A tad fuller, pushed towards covers for a single. |
| 6.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Length ball on off and middle, played off the back foot. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Elgar, That's bowled on a length on middle and off, defended off the front foot. |
| 7.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Another ball outside off, left alone. |
| Naseer Hussain on air makes a good analysis about Elgar. He is uncomfortable around that off stump channel and his technique is all over the place. As he looks to counter the away going deliveries, his bat comes down from an angle. He got out in that zone in the first innings and just survived a scare in this innings when he got dropped by Jennings at third slip on 9. However, he is a fighter and he will surely put on a brave show. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to D Elgar, FOUR! STREAKY YET EFFECTIVE! Back of a length delivery going across Elgar, habitually he pokes his bat it, albeit with soft hands this time. The ball runs through the slip cordon off the outer half of the bat to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball, defended by Dean. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to D Elgar, Fuller ball on middle and leg, driven through mid on for a couple. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Back of a length ball just outside off, Amla hangs on the back foot and just fends his bat at it. The ball just travels past his outside edge. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Length ball outside off angling into Amla, the ball misses his bat and strikes him high on the thigh pad and rolls towards the slip cordon. It draws in a stifled appeal which is turned down. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to Amla, A tad fuller on off and middle, Amla gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a single. |
| 8.4 : Anderson to Elgar, Back of a length ball around leg, strikes him high on his pads as he misses the flick. Anderson appeals, but the umpire stays unmoved. Height is a factor there. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, Elgar defends it from within the crease |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 9.1 : S Broad to Amla, Length ball on off, presented with the full face of the bat. |
| 9.2 : S Broad to Amla, Length ball outside off left alone. |
| 9.3 : S Broad to Amla, FOUR LEG BYES! That's a length ball angling down the leg side, Amla misses his flick. The ball takes is thigh pad and goes past the diving keeper into the fine leg boundary. |
| 9.4 : S Broad to Amla, That's bowled in line of the stumps, defended by Amla. |
| 9.5 : S Broad to Amla, Length ball which is blocked off the back foot by the batter. |
| 9.6 : S Broad to Amla, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 10.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Back of a length ball on middle, it strikes Elgar high on his pads as he misses the ball. |
| 10.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, Fuller ball on off and middle, Dean inside edges it onto his pads. |
| 10.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 10.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball around off, played it to point. |
| 10.5 : J Anderson to D Elgar, FOUR! ELEGANT AND CLASSY! That's bowled fuller around of, Elgar just pushes it through mid off for a boundary. The fielder at wide mid off didn't stand a chance to stop that. |
| 10.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| The first innings star, Toby Roland-Jones, is introduced into the attack. |
| 11.1 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Starts of with a length ball down the leg side, left alone. |
| 11.2 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Back of a length ball on off and middle, defended off the back foot. |
| 11.3 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Shortish ball on off, defended from within the crease. |
| 11.4 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Length ball, blocked from with the crease. |
| 11.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Back of a length ball on middle and leg, flicked away towards square leg for a single. |
| 11.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Fuller ball outside off, left alone. |
| Stuart Broad is seen running off the field as Ben Stokes comes into bowl now. |
| 12.1 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Starts off with agood length ball outside off angling into Amla, he blocks it from within the crease. |
| 12.2 : Ben Stokes to Amla, NO BALL! Ben oversteps. Amla shows full face of the bat to defend that fuller ball. |
| Ben Stokes to Amla, NO BALL! Again he oversteps. Amla blocks it from within the crease. |
| Ben Stokes to Amla, This one is on a length outside off, left alone. |
| 12.3 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Fuller ball around off, bunted off the front foot. |
| 12.4 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Again Amla shoulders arms to the ball that's way outside off. |
| There is some issue as Amla backs away. Stokes has to stop it in his followthrough. |
| 12.5 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Back of a length ball on off and middle, Amla hops and blocks that from within the crease. |
| Meanwhile, there is a ball from the crowd that rolls into the ground. A slight halt. |
| 12.6 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Steams in and bowls it full, Amla presents the full face of the bat and blocks. |
| 13.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Elgar points his bat skywards to let the keeper do the rest. |
| 13.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, This fuller ball on off and middle draws a defensive push from Dean. |
| 13.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Length ball around off, played with soft hands towards covers and a single taken. The fielder had a shy at the striker's end stumps and missed. |
| 13.4 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Fuller ball on middle and leg, played to mid-wicket. |
| 13.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Another full bat played with the full face of the bat. |
| 13.6 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Length ball on off, solidly defended by Amla. |
| Drinks have been taken. While South Africa have lost Kuhn early but Amla and Elgar have consolidated well till now. Broad and Anderson started off well with the ball, even though Broad was hit for a couple of boundaries by Kuhn before he was dismissed. |
| 14.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length delivery around off, tapped to covers for a quick single. |
| 14.2 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Well-directed bouncer on off, climbing on Amla. He sways away from the line, drops his wrists and does well to evade it. |
| 14.3 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Angling in sharply, Hashim moves inside the line and tucks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 14.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Good length delivery, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 14.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Full length delivery attacking the base of stump, Dean drives it crisply to mid off. |
| 14.6 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, That's a ripper! Short delivery, climbing up on Elgar. He is hurried on by it and looks to keep it out. Ends up getting it off the glove and the ball falls short of Anderson at gully. |
| 15.1 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Length delivery on off, Amla hangs back and blocks it. |
| 15.2 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, A bit fuller this time, swinging in from around off, Hashim leans forward to tackle it. |
| 15.3 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 15.4 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Bouncer but it is too short this time. He lets out a grunt while delivering it. Amla has enough time to drops his wrists and let it be. |
| Amla has been caught at second slip by Root but the umpires have told him to wait. They are checking whether it is a clean grab or not. |
| 15.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, OUT! The hero of the first innings for England gets the big fish once again! Roland-Jones steams in and delivers a fuller length ball around off. Amla looks to leave it initially as he points his bat skywards. However, he is late in doing so and the ball catches the bottom part of the bat. It goes at a fast pace towards Root at second slip but stays low. The English skipper stays composed, bends a touch and pouches it. The umpires walk across to each other and deci |
| Quinton de Kock comes out to bat. |
| 15.6 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. De Kock is away. |
| 16.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 16.2 : Ben Stokes to Kock, FOUR! Streaky runs! Short outside off, de Kock chances his arms and goes for the cut. Gets a thick outside edge over the slip cordon and the ball runs to the third man fence. He needs to be careful. |
| Feel that South Africa have missed a trick here. They could have sent Bavuma up the order. He could have provided the solidity that they would have liked. Also, he would have his tails up after the knock that he played in the first innings. De Kock can be used when they require quick runs, than stability. |
| 16.3 : Ben Stokes to Kock, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 16.4 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Short delivery outside off, de Kock doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 16.5 : Stokes to Kock, OUT! Bowled 'em! That's the perfect definition of a toe-crushing yorker and de Kock doesn't have any clue about off. He runs in and bowls it in the blockhole. De Kock hurriedly looks to bring his bat down. However, it is too quick and it goes under his bat to shatter the off pole. Quinton is a top class batsman but he was undone completely. England continue to dominate. |
| The skipper, Faf du Plessis walks out to bat with his team in a state of bother. |
| Du Plessis does a blunder! Doesn't offer a shot, and gets hit on his pads. He reviews the LBW decision that is ruled out! |
| 16.6 : Stokes to Plessis, OUT! South Africa are in dire straits! Their backbone has been broken and it seems all gloomy for them at the moment. Stokes bowls this one a fuller length outside off and gets it to curl in appreciably. Faf plants his front foot across and once again makes an error in judgement. He opts to leave it and up go the Englishmen in unison. Umpire Aleem Dar after a thought decides to rule it out. The Protea skipper walks across to Elgar and decides to take the review. He is n |
| Temba Bavuma, the first innings half centurion, walks out with South Africa in deep trouble. |
| 17.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, No run. |
| 17.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, On a length and angling across, left alone. |
| 17.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, FOUR! Down the leg side, tickled to fine leg for a boundary. |
| 17.4 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 17.5 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, FOUR! Well played! Short outside of, Elgar places it wide of backward point to find the fence. |
| 17.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Short of a length delivery, defended off the back foot. |
| Four slips and a gully, short leg and short mid on for Stokes' hat-trick ball! Here we go... |
| 18.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, On a length straying on the pads, tickled to fine leg for a single. Bavuma survives the hat-trick ball. |
| 18.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 18.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length delivery, Bavuma stays back and defends it. |
| 18.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, No ball! Wide outside off, left alone. Stokes oversteps again. |
| Ben Stokes to Bavuma, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 18.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 18.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Shortish outside off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 19.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Slanting across from Elgar. He pokes at it and edges it towards the slip cordon. |
| 19.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Once again a batsman is unsure in his approach. Fuller length delivery, leaving Elgar. He looks to defend it initially but bails out of it at the last moment. Amla got foxed in a similar manner before a while. |
| Michael Holding makes a valid point about Amla's downfall. In the first innings, he didn't bother too much about saving his wicket, so he brought out his long stride while driving balls. Inj the second innings, he had sort of a defensive mindset, which meant he didn't entirely get to the pitch of the ball. What cost him his wicket was the his indecision whether to play or leave that bowl, and in the end he ended up edging the ball. |
| 19.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 19.4 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, On a length on middle, defended off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Fuller length on middle, Dean covers the line and defends it. |
| 19.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Ouch, that must have hurt! Short of a length around leg stump, Elgar looks to tuck it away but is hit on the rib area. He holds it in pain. |
| 20.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, That was risky! Fuller length ball outside off, shapes in appreciably. Bavuma plants his front foot across and chooses to leave it. He must have had his heart in his mouth as the ball just missed the off pole. |
| 20.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, On a length, Bavuma shuffles and tucks it to fine leg for a single. |
| 20.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Back of a length delivery, angling in. It takes off and catches Elgar off guard who manages to keep it out from the splice of the bat. |
| 20.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Fullish outside off, steered to point for a run. |
| 20.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Outside off, Temba lets it go. |
| Elgar is getting some attention from the physio on the left hand. He seems to have been struck on that hand in the previous over. |
| 21.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Elgar is being tested! Back of a length delivery on middle, shoots off the pitch. Elgar gets surprised as he fends it off from the splice of the bat. His injured hand must have ringed there. |
| 21.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Fullish around off, tapped to mid off. |
| 21.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Dug in short on middle and leg, Elgar ducks under it. |
| 21.4 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Short of a length around leg, tucked on the bounce to forward short leg. |
| 21.5 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Shortish ball around leg stump, tucked through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 21.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Similar length delivery outside off, patted to covers for a single. |
| 22.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Back of a length delivery, skidding through the surface. Elgar hops back to defend but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 22.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Short delivery way outside off, Elgar can do nothing about it. |
| 22.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Short of a length around off, climbing on Elgar. He rides the bounce and guides it to gully. |
| 22.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Good length delivery around off, Elgar hops back and keeps it out with an angled bat. He is an enterprising batsman and South Africa will need every bit of his grit to battle on. |
| 22.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Fuller length ball around off, Elgar plays it with soft hands to the slip cordon. |
| 22.6 : Ben Stokes to D Elgar, FOUR! Take that, Stokes! He got a taste of his own medicine on that occasion. Short delivery on off, Elgar stands tall and pulls it with authority through mid-wicket. The ball reaches thee fence like a tracer bullet. |
| 23.1 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Shortish delivery and room on offer, Bavuma uses the depth of the crease and punches it through covers. The timing is good and he will get three runs for it. |
| 23.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Around the hips, tucked nicely through square leg. SA get another three. |
| 23.3 : T Roland-Jones to T Bavuma, Ouch! Length delivery just outside off, shapes in after pitching. Bavuma looks to counter it but ends up gloving it near his box area. |
| 23.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Good reflexes at forward short leg! Length delivery on the pads, clipped nicely towards Malan stationed there who makes a great stop. |
| 23.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, That's a beauty! A real effort ball. Roland-Jones hits the deck hard outside off and gets it to jag back in. Bavuma looks to ride the bounce by hanging his bat in defense but is beaten all ends up by the slight away seam movement. |
| 23.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Fullish delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 24.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Round the wicket bowls it at a length on off, Elgar hops and bunts it down. |
| 24.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, FOUR! STREAKY, LUCKY AND EFFECTIVE! That was bowled a tad short outside off, Elgar tries to pull it on the on side. He fetches it from outside off and ends up getting a thick bottom edge that runs away from next to the off stump and into the fine leg boundary. |
| 24.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, back of a length ball on off and middle, flicked away towards square leg for a single. |
| 24.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 24.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, length ball on off, driven towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 24.6 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Escapes! Back of a length ball outside off and angling into Elgar. He fails to get bat to ball as the ball goes through his defense and strikes him high on his back thigh before rolling over towards the keeper. |
| It's time for the players to have a drink. Seemingly with England on top, South Africa would look to bat time. |
| Moeen Ali to have a bowl now. |
| 25.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Tossed up on of, Bavuma defends off the front foot. |
| 25.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loopy ball on off and middle, flicked away for no run. |
| 25.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, The loop outside off draws Bavuma forward, but the ball went straight on, beating the outside edge of the bat. |
| 25.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Flighted ball outside off, played with an angle bat towards short third man for a brace. |
| 25.5 : Ali to Bavuma, Fuller ball outside off, srikes Bavuma on the pads as he strides forward. The players appeal but the umpire stays unmoved. |
| 25.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, FOUR! Floated outside off, Bavuma gets to the pitch of the ball and crunches it through covers for a glorious boundary. |
| 26.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Full ans straight down the leg side, Elgar misses the flick. |
| 26.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Fuller ball outside off, played towards point for a single. |
| 9th Test fifty for Dean Elgar. |
| 26.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, BAVUMA SURVIVES! That was a length ball outside off and came into the batsman. He looked to push the ball with a straight ball and the ball passed the outside edge and went to the keeper. England appealed as there was a slight noise as the ball passed the bat. The umpire declined the appeal. They thought of a review before deciding against it. The sound was of the bat hitting the pad. Good umpiring by Dar. Bavuma lives. |
| 26.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, length ball on middle and leg tucked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 26.5 : Stokes to Elgar, Good yorker on leg and middle dug out by Elgar. |
| 26.6 : Ben Stokes to D Elgar, FOUR! Good shot to end the over. It was bowled on a length on middle and leg, flicked through mid on for a boundary. It was timed well. |
| 27.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Flatter and quicker on off, Bavuma defends it off the back foot. |
| 27.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loopy ball outside off, left alone. |
| 27.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated around off, TB punches it off the back foot. |
| 27.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Tossed up on off and middle, played in to the ground. |
| 27.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loopy ball outside off, left alone. |
| 27.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, That's fired in around off, Temba punches it off the back foot. |
| Stuart Broad is back on. 35 minutes of play is left for the day. Can Elgar and Bavuma battle on for the Proteas? |
| 28.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Length delivery around leg, angling away. Elgar shuffles across and blocks it stoutly. |
| 28.2 : S Broad to Elgar, FOUR! Elgar is a fighter and his grit and determination will give the Proteas some hope. On a length around off, angling away. Elgar steers it in a controlled manner past the diving gully fielder. A boundary results. |
| 28.3 : Broad to Elgar, Good call to not take the review! Fuller length ball on off, seaming away after hitting the deck. Elgar pokes at it but seems to have missed it. Bairstow collects it and goes up in an appeal. Root and Cook are also interested in the slip cordon. However, Broad signals to them he didn't hear any noise. The Ultra Edge shows that there was daylight between bat and ball. Broady has got sharp ears. |
| 28.4 : S Broad to Elgar, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.5 : S Broad to Elgar, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 28.6 : S Broad to Elgar, In the channel outside off, Elgar lets it go. |
| 29.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Quick delivery outside off, Bavuma leaves it alone. |
| 29.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Tossed up outside off, patted to covers. |
| 29.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Full outside off, played with an open face to point. |
| 29.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Ouch! Low full toss, Bavuma hits it straight on the shin pad of Malan at silly point. He shakes his leg in pain. That must have hurt. |
| 29.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Stays back and defends it to silly point. |
| 29.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Tossed up, kept out watchfully. |
| 30.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Back of a length delivery, rising on Elgar. He hops back, rides the bounce and handles it well. |
| 30.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Fuller length ball outside off, angling away. Elgar plants his front foot across to let it go. |
| 30.3 : S Broad to Elgar, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 30.4 : S Broad to Elgar, Length delivery around off, shaping away after pitching. Dean doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 30.5 : S Broad to Elgar, That's a beauty! Takes off from a length on off and goes past the tentative poke of Elgar. It was close to taking the glove. |
| 30.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Works this one to the leg side for a single. |
| 31.1 : M Ali to Elgar, Coming in with the arm, turned around the corner for a brace. |
| 0.0 : 50-run stand up between Elgar and Bavuma. |
| 31.2 : Ali to D Elgar, FOUR! Streaky runs! Floated around off, Elgar looks to drive it with the spin but gets an outside edge past first slip. No protection in the deep and Dean gets another boundary to his name. |
| 31.3 : M Ali to Elgar, That's a ripper! Tossed up on off, Elgar prods forward in defense to counter it but is beaten by the sharp away turn. That was not far from the off pole as well. |
| 31.4 : M Ali to Elgar, Stays in the crease and defends it. |
| 31.5 : M Ali to Elgar, Slider and quicker through the air. Elgar looks to work it away but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 31.6 : M Ali to Elgar, Full on off, driven back to Ali. |
| 32.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fullish delivery outside off, Bavuma doesn't flirt with it. |
| 32.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fullish and tailing in nicely, Bavuma closes his bat face and blocks it to mid-wicket. |
| 32.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Good length delivery, Bavuma stays back and remains composed in defense. |
| 32.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fuller in length around off, seaming away after pitching. Played with soft hands to the off side. |
| 32.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, In the zone outside off, not bothered with. |
| 32.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fullish outside off, swinging away. Bavuma lets it go. |
| 33.1 : M Ali to Elgar, Fullish delivery, driven crisply to mid off. |
| 33.2 : M Ali to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 33.3 : M Ali to Elgar, Floated delivery, negotiated off the front foot. |
| 33.4 : M Ali to Elgar, Flat delivery outside off, Elgar leaves it alone. |
| 33.5 : M Ali to Elgar, Loopy delivery around off, spinning away. Elgar leans forward and defends it with authority. |
| 33.6 : M Ali to Elgar, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Short and flat outside off, Elgar stands tall and punches it through covers to find the fence. These two are going along well, need to carry on. |
| 34.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length delivery outside off, holding its line. Bavuma points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 34.2 : S Broad to T Bavuma, Fullish delivery and angling into Bavuma. Wristed to mid on. |
| 34.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Angling in from outside off, played with an angled bat to backward point. |
| 34.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Goes back to the good length delivery and blocks it. |
| 34.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Around the hips, turned through square leg for a couple. |
| 34.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Outside off, Bavuma doesn't flirt with it. |
| James Anderson is back on. |
| 35.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Good length delivery slanting across Elgar. He walks across his stumps and watches it land into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 35.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 35.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, Straying on the hips, tucked towards Aleem Dar who lets it go through his legs. A single taken. |
| 35.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, Plays this one gently towards point. |
| 35.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length delivery, seaming away after hitting the deck. Dean doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 35.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Back of a length delivery in line of the stumps, kept out of the back foot. |
| 36.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length delivery outside off, played with an open face to gully. |
| 36.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Wide outside off, Temba leaves it alone. |
| 36.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Full length delivery outside off, a bit closer this time. Bavuma plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 36.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fullish delivery around off, Bavuma leans forward and blocks it. |
| 36.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Plays this one with soft hands towards backward point. |
| 36.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length delivery around off, Bavuma hangs back and dabs it to cover-point. Looks for a single but it is not on. |
| The last over of the day is coming up. Can Bavuma and Elgar see it off? |
| 37.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Length delivery around off, Elgar shuffles across and defends it stoutly. |
| 37.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, Anderson goes wider of the crease and angles this one on a fullish length. It takes off a bit after pitching. Elgar prods forward to defend but gets a thick inside edge to square leg. His bottom hand again came off while playing that. A run taken. |
| 37.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Shaping in from around off, Temba covers the line and defends it. |
| 37.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Full length delivery on off, patted back to Anderson. |
| 37.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Fullish and swinging in substantially. Bavuma shuffles a touch and keeps it out to mid on. |
| 37.6 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Good ball by Anderson to finish off but Bavuma lives on! Fullish in length outside off, tailing in nicely. Bavuma pushes at it tentatively but gets a thick inside edge to square leg. A run taken. THAT IS STUMPS ON DAY 4! |
| Elgar and Bavuma see off South Africa till stumps without losing any more wickets. They would walk off the park believing they can - that they can survive various periods of play. While the visitors require 375 more for an unlikely win, England need 6 more wickets to take a lead in the series. Kuhn and de Kock got beauties that were quite difficult to play. Du Plessis yet again got out without offering a shot while indecisiveness got the better of the mighty Hash. |
| Once again the England pace bowlers were breathing fire, too hot for the Protea top order to handle. They never let the opposition batsmen off the hook, at various points it seemed that they were bowling on a different surface than what the visitors did. Stokes bowled a fiery spell that almost broke the back of the South African batting. Do join us tomorrow at 1100 local time (1000 GMT) for what could be a good battle between aggression and stubbornness! Till then ciao! Take care! |
| ... DAY FIVE, SESSION ONE ... |
| Hello! Welcome to the last day of what has been more of a lopsided Test between England and South Africa. 98 overs of play possible, but it remains to be seen whether most of those would be needed. Knowing South Africa, they won't go down easily without a fight. Elgar and Bavuma have been able to arrest their batting slide in this innings so far. Anderson and Co. would give their all, in ensuring their side come up triumphs, to take a lead in the series. Stay with us for the decisive day in this |
| We are set to get underway. Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma to continue their innings. Can they survive the first session and give some hope to their side to save this Test? However, England who have been dominating the proceedings will fancy themselves to come out on top. Ben Stokes to bowl first up this morning. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 38.1 : B Stokes to T Bavuma, Starts off with a back of a length ball on off, Bavuma gets an inside edge as he tries defending that. |
| 38.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball on off, played it off the back foot. |
| 38.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Fuller outside off, left alone by Bavuma. |
| 38.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on middle angling into him, Bavuma flicks it through mid-wicket. They collect three. |
| 38.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Fuller ball on middle and leg, flicked away towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 38.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Fuller ball on off, played off the front foot. |
| Stuart Broad into the attack. |
| 39.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Starts off over the wicket and spears it on a length down the leg side. The balls swings away a bit as Elgar tries to flick and misses. |
| 39.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball again down the leg side, Dean plays a flick again and misses. The bowler and the keeper put up a stifled appeal. Umpire stays unmoved. Snicko shows a bit of spike as the ball passes the bat, but to the naked eye a daylight between bat and ball is visible. |
| 39.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball on his pads, tucked away towards fine leg for a brace. |
| 39.4 : S Broad to Elgar, That's bowled across the batsman on a length, Elgar pokes his bat at that as the ball thuds into the keeper's gloves passing the edge of the bat. |
| 39.5 : S Broad to Elgar, Fuller on middle and off, played on to the ground. |
| 39.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball around middle, played from the crease. |
| 40.1 : Ben Stokes to T Bavuma, Good looking shot towards point is chased down by the fielder and three runs are taken. That was a length ball outside off. |
| 40.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Fuller ball on middle and leg, flicked away for a single. |
| 40.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball around off and middle played towards mid-wicket. |
| 40.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball on off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 40.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on off, Bavuma blocks off the back foot. As he does that, he takes his bottom hand off the bat. |
| 40.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Shortish ball on middle, bunted back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 41.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball on middle and off, played off the back foot showing the full face of the bat. |
| 41.2 : S Broad to Elgar, That's seamed a tad fuller around off, pushed through covers for a single. |
| 41.3 : S Broad to T Bavuma, Back of a length ball outside off, Bavuma pokes at that with soft hands. The ball takes the edge and rolls towards slip cordon. |
| 41.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Shorter ball on middle and leg, it hits Bavuma on his thigh pads and rolls past short leg. He thinks about a single but decides against it. |
| 41.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length ball just outside off, shouldered arms to. |
| 41.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, FOUR! This time Bavuma times his glance to perfection. Back of a length ball on middle and angling in to him, he plays it in front of square on the leg side. The ball rolls over slowly into the fence. |
| 42.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Short ball just outside off, defended off the back foot by getting on top of the bounce. |
| 42.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Fuller ball on off, played from within the crease. |
| 42.3 : Ben Stokes to D Elgar, FOUR! If any shot displays Elgar's authority over the bowler, this is is it! Short ball outside off, he fetches the pull from outside off, through mid-wicket and into the fence for a boundary. Good to watch. |
| 42.4 : Ben Stokes to D Elgar, FOUR! If the previous shot was good, this one's wonderful! Similar back of a length ball outside off, Deano pulls and pulls it with disdain. The ball races away through square leg for another boundary. |
| 42.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Fuller ball on off and middle, played towards short leg. |
| 42.6 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length around off, Elgar gets a bottom edge to that as the ball rolls down the track. Stokes gives him a stare as Elgar returns the favour with a shrug! |
| 43.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 43.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Another ball outside off shouldered arms to. |
| 43.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, A tad fuller , Bavuma defends off the front foot showing full face of the bat. |
| 43.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, TB points his bat skywards to the length ball outside off. |
| 43.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length ball on off, played off the front foot. |
| 43.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Back of a length ball just around off, Bavuma gets squared up as the ball rolls off the edge of the bat to the slip cordon. |
| 44.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball outside off, shouldered arms to. |
| 44.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Bowled on off and middle, pushed towards mid-wicket. |
| 44.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Back of a length ball angling into him, Elgar hops and keeps it down. |
| 44.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, FOUR! ELGAR SHOWS ELEGANCE! Shortish ball outside off, he plays it to the right of point, who stood no chance of stopping that. The ball rushed to the fence like people in the morning rush to their offices! What's more, Stokes has overstepped. |
| Ben Stokes to Elgar, Short ball just outside off, Elgar drops his hand and lets it through to the keeper. |
| 44.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Bouncer on off, left alone. |
| 44.6 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length on off, played showing full face of the bat. |
| Naseer Hussain on air analyzes the surface. He says at one end there are not much roughs on either side of the wicket. A few roughs which are there are wide on the pitch for the left-hander. On the other hand, at the pavilion end there are a lot of roughs on either side of the wicket. He reckons that Moeen Ali can exploit those to great effect. |
| 45.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Broad bowls it back of a length outside off, Bavuma shoulders arms. |
| 45.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Another length ball outside off , left alone by Temba. |
| 45.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Good length ball on off, he defends off the front foot. |
| 45.4 : S Broad to T Bavuma, Fuller ball around off, driven nicely through covers. The fielder chases it and saves a run for their side. |
| 45.5 : S Broad to Elgar, Fuller on middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a brace. |
| 45.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball away from off, doesn't draw DE's interest to play that. |
| Toby Roland-Jones is brought into the attack. |
| 46.1 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Starts off with a fuller ball outside off, Temba shoulders arms to let it go to the keeper. |
| 46.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Back of a length ball outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 46.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma initially thought of playing and then decides against it. No harm done. |
| 46.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Bowled on off, played from within the crease. |
| 46.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Length ball bowled a tad wider from the crease and angling in to the batsman, Bavuma gets it off the inside half of the bat and collects the single as the ball rolls towards fine leg. |
| 46.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Length ball on middle, takes the outside edge and goes to gully. |
| Elgar is seen changing the grip of his bat as Moeen Ali with figures of 5-2-16-0 is brought into the attack. |
| 47.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loops it generously outside off, left alone by Bavuma. |
| 47.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Tossed up outside off, driven to deep point for a single. |
| 100-run stand up between Elgar and Bavuma. They have been very resilient and courageous. They would be aiming to continue that. |
| 47.3 : M Ali to Elgar, Tossed up middle and off, Elgar drives it towards mid on, where the fielder makes a diving stop. |
| 47.4 : M Ali to Elgar, Flatter on his pads, Elgar fails to get bat on to that. The ball rolls towards short fine leg and they cross over for a leg bye. |
| 47.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated around off, Bavuma tries a reverse sweep. The ball rolls off to first slip. |
| 47.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Looped ball on off, played off the back foot. |
| 48.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Length ball around off, Elgar covers his stumps and shoulders arms. |
| 48.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Back of a length ball on leg, Dean plays it off the back foot on the leg side. |
| 48.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, FOUR! If Toby bowled it quick, the ball raced away to the boundary off Elgar's bat quicker. A full ball on middle and off, is pushed back down the ground and the ball travels through mid off. The opener moves to 95! |
| 48.4 : T Roland-Jones to D Elgar, Length ball around middle, Elgar gets squared up slightly and gets an edge that travels towards slip cordon. |
| 48.5 : T Roland-Jones to D Elgar, Length ball around middle and off, pushed back down the ground. They decide late and take a single as they saw the ball was far from the fielder. Broad from mid off chases it. |
| 48.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Length ball around off, played off the front foot. |
| 49.1 : M Ali to Elgar, Looped up around off, Elgar steps down and drives it to mid off. |
| 49.2 : M Ali to Elgar, Full toss around off, drives to the right off Root at mid off for a single. |
| 49.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated on off, Bavuma defends off the front foot. |
| 49.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated around off, Temba blocks that. |
| 49.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Flighted ball on off and middle, played down the ground for a single. |
| 49.6 : M Ali to Elgar, Flatter ball outside off, punched off the back foot straight to covers. |
| LBW APPEAL against Bavuma! Toby Roland-Jones convinces Root to review that. Seems very close to the naked eye. The impact might be umpire's call that might save him. |
| 50.1 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, OUT! Bavuma has to depart, nothing saves him! Excellent review by England! Roland-Jones bowls it on a length around off, angling into the batsman. Bavuma strides forward in defense and the ball strikes his pads as the bat was just behind the pad. The umpire gives it not out. After a short discussion, Root decides to review the decision. The replays roll in and the Ball Tracker returns three reds, which seals Bavuma's fate. The debutant strikes yet again, breaks th |
| 0.0 : Vernon Philander is the new man in. South Africa only have five more wickets in hand with more than two sessions to go in the game. They are in dire straits. |
| 50.2 : Roland-Jones to Philander, OUT! Roland-Jones on a roll on his Test debut! That's poor judgement by Philander. It was a tad fuller outside off and coming in to him. The big Vern decides to shoulder arms to that, and it proves fatal. He thinks unsurely about a review and rightfully decides against it. The Hawk Eye showed that it would have went on to hit the stumps. Toby picks up his 3rd wicket in this innings, 8th in the match. South Africa 6 down now. |
| Chris Morris comes out to bat. Three slips, a gully and a leg gully in place. Can he survive the hat-trick ball? This is the second time that an English bowler is on a hat-trick in this game. |
| 50.3 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Length ball just outside off, Morris pokes his bat and gets a thick edge. The ball takes the outside edge of his bat and lands a foot short of the diving Stokes at gully. That's as close to a hat-trick as you can get on a debut! |
| 50.4 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Length ball on off, played off the back foot. |
| 50.5 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, a tad fuller on off, played off the front foot on to the ground. |
| 50.6 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Back of a length ball around off, played off the back foot. |
| 51.1 : M Ali to Elgar, Full delivery, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 51.2 : M Ali to Elgar, FOUR! What a brilliant century under pressure! Take a bow, Dean Elgar! He has been the lone warrior for his side. Tossed up delivery around off, Elgar is nimble on his feet and lifts it over mid off for a boundary. That shot shows his character. The entire South African room applauds. The Oval crowd is up on its feet. He needs to battle on for his side but he needs a lot of support from the lower order. |
| 8th Test hundred for Dean Elgar. |
| 51.3 : M Ali to Elgar, Flatter delivery outside off, Dean lets it go. |
| 51.4 : M Ali to Elgar, Waits for this one and turns it to square leg for a single. |
| 51.5 : M Ali to Morris, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 51.6 : M Ali to Morris, Flaoted delivery, Morris lunges forward in defense. |
| 52.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, FOUR! Full ball just down the leg side, this time Elgar doesn't miss out on the flick. He hits it a tad aerially through backward square leg for a boundary. He's too well set to miss out on opportunities like that. |
| 52.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Length ball on off and middle, played of the back foot and into the ground. |
| 52.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Length ball around off, played defensively towards point. |
| 52.4 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Bowled on a length on off, pushed to cover. |
| 52.5 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Good length ball on off and middle, played in front of point. |
| 52.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Fuller ball on off, played straight to the point fielder. |
| Pollock describes the South African mindset. He feels that the wickets of Amla, du Plessis and Philander are all owing to their mindset to survive rather than play normally. |
| 53.1 : M Ali to Morris, Tossed up outside off, Morris drives it superbly through covers for a brace. |
| 53.2 : M Ali to Morris, Flighted ball on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 53.3 : M Ali to Morris, Loopy ball on off, played on to the ground. |
| 53.4 : M Ali to Morris, That one's given more air as Morris plays it showing the full face of the bat. |
| 53.5 : M Ali to Morris, Floated on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 53.6 : M Ali to Morris, This one's bowled flatter, punched back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 54.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Fuller ball outside off, Elgar covers the stumps and shoulders arms. |
| 54.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Bowled in the line of the stumps, Dean defends it from the crease. |
| 54.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, A tad fuller outside off, left alone. |
| 54.4 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, This one is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 54.5 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Speared in a tad fuller on off and middle, defended off the front foot on to the ground. |
| 54.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 55.1 : M Ali to Morris, That's tossed up outside off, Morris strides forward and blocks it. |
| 55.2 : M Ali to C Morris, FOUR! Tossed up half volley outside off, Morris reaches the ball and smashes it through covers. No fielder stood any chance of cutting that off. |
| 55.3 : M Ali to Morris, Loopy ball on off, Morris gets back and defends. |
| 55.4 : M Ali to Morris, Floated ball outside off, Morris plays for the turn, but it seems to be an arm ball. The ball takes the outside edge and rolls away from the slip towards third man for a brace. |
| Leg slip in place now. |
| 55.5 : M Ali to Morris, FOUR! SMASHED, literally! Coming from around the wicket, Ali tosses it just outside off. Morris charges down the track and just clobbers it over mid off, the ball goes one bounce into the ropes. That's the second boundary of the over. |
| 55.6 : M Ali to Morris, Fired on a length down the leg side, Morris lets it go. |
| James Anderson will bowl for the first time today. |
| 56.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Leg bye! Length delivery around leg stump, Elgar moves inside the line and looks to tuck it away. He is hit on the thigh pad and the ball rolls towards short fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 56.2 : J Anderson to Morris, Fullish delivery, angling into Morris. Turned to the leg side. |
| 56.3 : J Anderson to Morris, Fullish outside off, swinging away. Morris lets it go. |
| 56.4 : J Anderson to Morris, Angling appreciably into Morris. He goes deep in the crease and keeps it out to mid-wicket. |
| 56.5 : J Anderson to Morris, Going down the leg side, Chris looks to clip it but misses. |
| 56.6 : J Anderson to Morris, That's a beauty! Good length delivery on off, seaming away after pitching. Morris is squared up as the ball goes past the outside edge of his hanging bat. |
| 57.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, On a length outside off, coming in late. Elgar points his bat skywards and makes a good leave. |
| 57.2 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Fuller in length on off, swinging in. Elgar keeps his bat and pad close together to block it. |
| 57.3 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Back of a length delivery angling away from Dean. He goes for the cut but gets it off the bottom half of the bat down on the track. |
| 57.4 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Elgar almost throws his wicket away! He has played very few such strokes in this innings and is lucky, that he survived there. Full length delivery well outside off, swinging further away. Elgar is drawn into a booming drive but gets beaten all ends up. He was very close of getting a nick there. |
| 57.5 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Fuller in length outside off, left alone. |
| Nasser Hussain observes that Roland-Jones has a Flintoff-Stokes lean off in his bowling action just before his jump! |
| 57.6 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Angling away from the southpaw. He is opened up a touch in his stance as he pokes it to point. |
| 58.1 : J Anderson to Morris, Good length delivery, Morris plays it off the outer half of the bat to point. |
| 58.2 : J Anderson to Morris, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 58.3 : J Anderson to Morris, Length delivery around off, seaming away after hitting the deck. Chris hangs back and defends it tentatively. |
| 58.4 : J Anderson to Morris, Similar length delivery, angling into Chris. He makes good use of the crease to block it. |
| 58.5 : J Anderson to Morris, Similar delivery, once again Morris remains composed in his back foot defense. |
| 58.6 : J Anderson to Morris, Jaffa! Length delivery outside off, angling in initially. Morris feels for it but it seams away after hitting the deck to beat him comprehensively. Bairstow makes a muted appeal but Anderson is not interested. There was no bat involved. |
| 59.1 : T Roland-Jones to Elgar, Swinging into the pads, worked to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 59.2 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, FOUR! If he missed that, he was a candidate for LBW! Fullish and angling in sharply. Morris shuffles a touch and looks to clip it away. Ends up getting a thick inside edge that runs down to fine leg. The fielder runs to his right to save it but he has no chance to do so. |
| 59.3 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Stays back to the length delivery and defends it. |
| 59.4 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Back of a length delivery in line of the stumps, Morris hangs back and defends it. |
| 59.5 : T Roland-Jones to C Morris, Length delivery around off, shaping in. Morris shuffles a touch and drives it to mid on. He needs to be careful with the shuffle around that off stump channel. If he misses, he is in trouble. |
| 59.6 : T Roland-Jones to Morris, Length delivery outside off, Chris hangs back and plays it with an open face to point. |
| 60.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, On a length and slanting across the southpaw. He plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 60.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, No run. |
| 60.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, No run. |
| 60.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, No run. |
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