| 0.0 : Hello and welcome to the fourth and final Test of the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy. England have ensured that they cannot lose this series courtesy of their two wins prior to this while South Africa will be playing for a draw. If South Africa pull it off, they will extend their unbeaten run in England that goes back to 1998. They have already shown their character after bouncing back strongly in the second match. |
| The big news is that both Vernon Philander and Chris Morris have been ruled out of this all-important game for the Proteas. It will be interesting to see how they compensate for the duo. |
| ENGLAND HAVE WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BAT FIRST! |
| TEAM NEWS - England have fielded an unchanged side from the last Test. South Africa on the other hand have been forced to make some drastic changes. Vernon Philander who played an inspirational role in second Test has been ruled out due to his back injury. Also, Chris Morris misses out with Duanne Olivier and Theunis de Bruyn replacing the duo. |
| The openers are walking out to the middle. Morne Morkel is marking his run up, he will be bowling from the Statham End. Here we go! |
| 0.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Starts off with a good length ball outside off. Cook leaves it alone as he judges the bounce of the pitch. |
| 0.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Another one outside the line of the off stump. Left alone by Cook. |
| 0.3 : M Morkel to Cook, That's a beauty by Morkel! Jags this one back at Cook who decides to leave it. In the end, it is well left. Just misses the off stump there. |
| 0.4 : M Morkel to Cook, On a good length but going down leg. Cook looks to flick but misses. The ball brushes his pads and goes into the gloves of the diving keeper. |
| 0.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Good length ball outside off, Cook looks to defend but misses. This was very close to the bat. |
| 0.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Cook looks jittery in the middle. Another play and miss outside the line of the off stump. |
| Rabada will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Starts with a good length ball outside off. Jennings misses his attempted drive. |
| 1.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, On the stumps this time, Jennings does well to get his bat on it. |
| 1.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, FOUR! First runs of the day and it comes in the form of a boundary. This was on a good length down the leg side. Jennings flicks it off his pads and gets a four behind square on the leg side. This should give him some confidence. |
| 1.4 : Rabada to K Jennings, Dropped! A good length ball on middle. Jennings looks to defend it but gets an inside edge. The ball goes on to hit his pads and flies in the air. Rabada tries his best and puts in a dive but fails to keep the ball in his clutches. This was difficult but a very good attempt. Hope it's not too costly for the visitors. |
| 1.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, On off, Jennings pushes it covers. |
| 1.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Defends this length ball off his front foot and into the ground. |
| 2.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Cook shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 2.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Good length ball outside off this time. Cook wants nothing to do with it. Leaves it alone. |
| 2.3 : M Morkel to A Cook, Finds the edge of the bat but falls safely this time. Morkel is really causing some problems in the middle. |
| 2.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Big shout for lbw but the umpire dismisses it. That was a good length ball jutting in. Cook looks to defend but misses. The height factor saves him this time. |
| 2.5 : M Morkel to Cook, On middle and leg, Cook plays it to mid-wicket. |
| 2.6 : Morkel to Cook, Another shout for lbw which the umpire shows no interest. Same as the previous shout, this was going down leg. Cook does not look too comfortable in the middle at all. The overcast conditions are not helping him. |
| Short leg has come in. Good point from Michael Holding on air - Why not start with a bat-pad in the first place? Especially if the plan is to bowl short. |
| 3.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, On the pads, Jennings works it down the leg side and picks up a couple of runs. |
| 3.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Outside off, Jennings goes for it but misses. |
| 3.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Length ball, Jennings defends it solidly off his front foot. |
| 3.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Struck on the pads and a loud shout has been turned down. This was pitching outside leg and missing leg as well. Nevertheless the bowlers are causing some problems early on. Jennings looked to defend and misses it. |
| 3.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, Once again struck on the pads. This was also pitching outside leg. Jennings needs to get his bat on the ball or his time will come soon. |
| 3.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Outside off, left alone. Jennings will not mid such balls for sure. They are safer then the ones coming on to his pads. |
| 4.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook pushes it covers off his front foot and picks up a couple. |
| 4.2 : M Morkel to Cook, On the pads once again but hit him high this time. Cook looked to play at it but missed it. |
| 4.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Outside off this time. Cook leaves it all alone. |
| 4.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Defended solidly off his back foot this time. This looked better from the batsman. |
| 4.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Struck high on the pads once again. The height of Morkel is playing against him at the moment as his balls are going on to miss the top of the stumps. |
| 4.6 : M Morkel to A Cook, Inside edge this time. Length ball on off and Cook looked for the drive. The ball goes on to thud against the pads. |
| 5.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Jennings shows the full face of the bat and defends this good length ball off the back foot. |
| 5.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Solid defense from within the crease. Good length ball once again, good discipline shown by the bowlers. |
| 5.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Another back of a length ball defended off the back foot. |
| 5.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Down the leg side this time, Jennings leaves it alone. |
| 5.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, Jennings shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 5.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Bouncer! Jennings ducks in time to let that one go over him. Maiden over for Rabada. |
| 6.1 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! Class from Cook! Length ball on off, Cook drives it beautifully past mid off and the ball races away. This was a really well timed shot from the veteran. Hopefully it goes on to give him some confidence. |
| 6.2 : M Morkel to Cook, On the pads, worked down the leg side for a single. |
| 6.3 : M Morkel to Jennings, Outside off this time, Jennings leaves it alone. |
| 6.4 : M Morkel to Jennings, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 6.5 : M Morkel to Jennings, Play and miss this time. Jennings does not look confident at all. This was a good length ball outside off and Jennings went for the drive. |
| 6.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, Struck on the pads this time. A good length ball coming into the batsman. Jennings went for the flick, missed it and the ball struck him high on the pads. |
| 7.1 : K Rabada to A Cook, Outside edge lands but does not carry. That was length ball outside on off. Cook looked to defend but the timing was off. The ball took a thick edge and flew towards third slip but landed just in front of him. |
| 7.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Good length ball on off, defended solidly this time. The ball goes to straight to the fielder at point. |
| 7.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this one off his back foot. |
| 7.4 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on off this time, Cook drives it straight to covers. |
| 7.5 : K Rabada to A Cook, FOUR! Brilliantly timed by Cook. Width was on the offer and Cook obliged with a hard slash past point. The ball raced away to the boundary ropes in no time. It was slightly in the air but found the gap to perfection. England will need more of this. |
| 7.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Another one wide outside off, played to point this time. |
| Olivier come on to bowl. He replaces Morkel. |
| 8.1 : D Olivier to Jennings, Good length ball on off, Jennings looks to play at it but misses. |
| 8.2 : D Olivier to Jennings, Good length ball and Jennings is really flirting with danger. He looks to defend it but misses it completely. The ball just misses the outside edge. |
| 8.3 : D Olivier to Jennings, Outside off, left alone this time. |
| 8.4 : D Olivier to K Jennings, FOUR. |
| 8.5 : D Olivier to Jennings, No run. |
| 8.6 : D Olivier to Jennings, No run. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to Cook, No run. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Cannot control the swing and movement on this one, Rabada slips this down the leg side and Alastair looks to flick but misses. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Outside off now, left alone. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Cook, This is around off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to Cook, Oohhh..... this is straighter, Alastair looks to flick, is late but manages to flick it through backward square leg for a couple. |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Stays back in his crease and blocks. |
| It has grown considerably bright at the moment when it looked like the weather would play spoilsport. David Lloyd opines that the predicted bad weather will not be a problem as of now as the dark clouds have gone by. |
| 10.1 : D Olivier to Jennings, Struck on the pads this time but. It was a good length ball outside off which Jennings went to defend. He gets struck on his back pads and the appeal came in. The umpire however dismisses the shout as it was going on to miss the stumps. |
| 10.2 : D Olivier to Jennings, FOUR! Driven beautifully through covers! That was a full length ball on off and Jennings played it with the full face of the bat. |
| 10.3 : D Olivier to Jennings, On a good length, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 10.4 : D Olivier to Jennings, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this one off the back foot. |
| 10.5 : D Olivier to Jennings,Outside off, Jennings shoulders his arms at it. |
| 10.6 : D Olivier to Jennings, Outside off, driven straight past the bowler for a couple. |
| 11.1 : Rabada to A Cook, FOUR! Bouncer down the leg side by Rabada. Cook loves the short balls and he goes for it. He misses it but the ball brushes his gloves and goes past the diving keeper for a boundary. |
| 11.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this one off the back foot. |
| 11.3 : K Rabada to Cook, Length ball on off, pushed to covers. |
| 11.4 : K Rabada to Cook, On the pads, flicked away for a single. |
| 11.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, Full length this time, defended off the front foot. |
| 11.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Another full length ball on off. Jennings goes for the drive but it takes the edge of the bat and flies towards backward point. It was in the air but was finding the gap. Bavuma did well to save a boundary there. Single taken. |
| 12.1 : D Olivier to Jennings, Edged and gone! Another failure for Jennings who has been put out of his misery. It was a good length ball from Olivier and Jennings pushed at it. The ball found the outside edge of the bat and flew straight into the gloves of de Cock. It was a regulation catch for the keeper and he made no mistakes. South Africa have their first wicket and will be hoping to carry on with their good start. |
| 0.0 : Tom Westley is the new man in. |
| 12.2 : D Olivier to Westley, Wide outside off, left alone by the new batsman in. |
| 12.3 : D Olivier to Westley, Another one outside off, Westley fails to put bat on ball. |
| 12.4 : D Olivier to Westley, Westley is following the footsteps of the batsman he replaces. Another one outside off and he misses the shot. |
| 12.5 : D Olivier to Westley, Bouncer! Westley ducks under it and lets it go. |
| 12.6 : D Olivier to Westley, On the pads this time, flicked away for a single at mid-wicket. |
| 13.1 : K Rabada to Westley, Another one outside off by Rabada who has been following this line. Westley wants nothing to do with it. |
| 13.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Struck on the pads this time. It was a good length ball but was going on to miss the stumps. Westley needs to be more careful. |
| 13.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Outside off, Westley shoulders his arms at it. |
| 13.4 : K Rabada to Westley, Once again the ball outside off has been left alone. |
| 13.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Close! Westley is really having a torrid time so far. The ball jagged in from off onto his back pad as he looked to defend. It flew towards Ali at first slip who did not pouch it. Luckily for Westley there was no inside edge there. |
| 13.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Another escape for Westley. He looks to defend the ball on off but only bottom edges it past his stumps. |
| 14.1 : D Olivier to Cook, Outside off, Cook fails to put bat on ball. |
| 14.2 : D Olivier to Cook, Left alone by Cook this time as the ball goes outside off. |
| 14.3 : D Olivier to Cook, FOUR!! majestic shot from Cook this time. It was a full length ball on off and all Cook did was time it. He drove it past the bowler as the ball raced towards the boundary ropes at long off. Maharaj put in a desperate dive but failed to stop it. |
| 14.4 : D Olivier to Cook, Outside off this time, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 14.5 : D Olivier to Cook, On the pads, Cook flicks it away for a single. |
| 14.6 : D Olivier to Westley, Good length ball on off, Westley shoulders his arms at it. |
| Drinks break has been taken. South Africa have made a really good start as they have been tormenting the English batsmen with the balls aimed at the pads. The overcast conditions early on really helped the bowlers but the weather has improved lately. |
| Morkel begins the first over after drinks. |
| 15.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 15.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Cook has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 15.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Full length ball this time, driven straight down the ground. |
| 15.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Struck on the pads but going down the leg side. Cook has gotten his eye in but is till missing the ball time and again. |
| 15.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Good length ball on middle, defended off the back foot. |
| 15.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Outside off this time, pushed towards covers, straight to the fielder. |
| 16.1 : D Olivier to Westley, Bouncer! Westley picks this one early and leaves it alone. |
| 16.2 : D Olivier to Westley, Wide outside off this time, left alone by Westley. |
| 16.3 : D Olivier to Westley, Outside off this time, Westley once again leaves it alone. |
| 16.4 : D Olivier to Westley, Another one wide outside off, Westley shoulders his arms at it. |
| 16.5 : D Olivier to Westley, Beaten this time. It was going wide outside off but Westley missed the forward defense |
| 16.6 : D Olivier to Westley, Going towards leg, Westley works it down the leg side this time for a single. |
| 17.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Good length ball on middle, defended off the front foot by Westley. |
| 17.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Outside off, left alone by Westley. |
| 17.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 17.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 17.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Bouncer! Westley ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 17.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Westley was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| Keshav Maharaj comes on to bowl some spin. |
| 18.1 : K Maharaj to Cook, Loopy ball on off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 18.2 : K Maharaj to A Cook, Another similar ball, Cook drives it to mid on this time. |
| 18.3 : K Maharaj to Cook, Defended solidly off the front foot this time. |
| 18.4 : K Maharaj to Cook, Flighted on off, played into the ground back to the bowler. |
| 18.5 : K Maharaj to Cook, Once again bowls on a same length. Cook defends it solidly. |
| 18.6 : K Maharaj to Cook, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 19.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Outside off this time, Westley looks to defend but misses it. |
| 19.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Another one outside off, Westley chooses to leave it alone. |
| 19.3 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! Fuller length delivery by Morkel and it has been given the treatment. Westley drives it solidly past mid on for a boundary. Welcome runs for the new man in as he slowly settling in. |
| 19.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Gets right behind the line of the delivery this time and defends it solidly. |
| 19.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Outside off this time, Westley leaves it alone. |
| Nice observation from Shaun Pollock on air. He keenly sees the change in seam position from Duanne Olivier. In the second Test that he played, his seam position was more towards second slip and hence, he could not control it. Today, he landed the seam in a proper position and beat the outside edge of Westley and also got the wicket of Jennings. Brilliant point. |
| 19.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Good length ball on off, Westley lets it go. |
| Looks like Maharaj is having some problems. The physio has come but Maharaj looks good to go after the consultation. |
| 20.1 : K Maharaj to Cook, Loopy ball on middle, driven to mid on. |
| 20.2 : K Maharaj to Cook, On the pads, worked down the leg side. |
| 20.3 : K Maharaj to Cook, Flighted on middle, Cook looks to defend but gets an inside edge. Luckily for him it flies past the short leg fielder. |
| 20.4 : K Maharaj to Cook, Loopy ball on middle, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.5 : K Maharaj to Cook, On the pads this time, flicked away past fine leg for a single. |
| 20.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, Straighter one this time, driven through covers. |
| Maharaj is off the field. Looks like the injury is serious. South Africa will be ruing their luck as injuries have been haunting them throughout this series. |
| 21.1 : M Morkel to Cook, No run. |
| 21.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Fullish outsider off, driven through the covers for a couple. |
| 21.3 : M Morkel to Cook, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 21.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 21.5 : M Morkel to Westley, This is around off, Westley feels for it but misses. |
| 21.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Outside off, left alone. |
| Interesting. THEUNIS DE BRUYN has been given the ball. Bowls medium pace. Nasser Hussain says that these are the sort of bowlers who irritate Cook in domestic cricket. |
| 22.1 : de Bruyn to Cook, Slips this down the leg side, Cook misses his flick. |
| 22.2 : de Bruyn to Cook, Oohh.... looks to flick but gets a leading edge which dies down on the pitch. |
| 22.3 : de Bruyn to Cook, Goes further down the leg side, flicked away for a single. |
| 22.4 : de Bruyn to Westley, Outside off, left alone. |
| 22.5 : de Bruyn to Westley, Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 22.6 : de Bruyn to Cook, Lands this outside off, let through. |
| Good news for South Africa, Maharaj is back on the field. |
| 23.1 : M Morkel to Tom Westley, Good length ball on off, defended solidly into the ground by Westley. |
| 23.2 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! Fuller length ball and it has been dispatched nicley by Westley. He moves slightly across to make space for flick through mid-wicket. The ball races away as two fielders try to chase it down. |
| 23.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Full length ball on middle and off. Driven through mid-on by Westley. |
| 23.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Outside off this time, Westley lets it go this time. |
| 23.5 : M Morkel to Tom Westley, Outside edge but does not carry. That was a good length ball on off and Westley looked to defend it. The ball takes a faint edge but falls short of the fielder at third slip. |
| 23.6 : M Morkel to Westley, This time he defends this good length ball off the back foot. |
| Amla has now gone off the field possibly for a break. |
| 24.1 : de Bruyn to A Cook, Full length ball on middle, driven through mid on. |
| 24.2 : de Bruyn to Cook, Low full toss this time, driven through mid on. |
| 24.3 : de Bruyn to Cook, Struck on the pads this time but safe. This one was going down leg hence Cook got away with it. |
| 24.4 : de Bruyn to Cook, On the pads, worked away down the leg side for a single. |
| 24.5 : de Bruyn to Westley, FOUR! Good length ball by de Bruyn and Westley times it well. He gets on his back foot and punches it past covers for a boundary. That was a sweet shot by Westley there. |
| 24.6 : de Bruyn to Westley, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this off the back foot. |
| Change of ends for Olivier. |
| 25.1 : D Olivier to Cook, On the pads, flicked away for a single down the leg side. |
| 25.2 : D Olivier to Westley, FOUR! Short and wide outside off and Westley wings his bat at it. He is lucky that he went hard as the ball flew over the first slip fielder for a boundary. Streaky runs but South Africa won't mind this. The bowlers are surely creating doubts in the batsman's mind. |
| 25.3 : D Olivier to Westley, Wide outside off once again, this time Westley sensibly leaves it alone. |
| 25.4 : D Olivier to Westley, Another one outside off, Westley leaves it alone once again. |
| 25.5 : D Olivier to Westley, Outside off, this time Westley goes for it and makes a mistake. He goes with soft hands and edges it towards gully. The ball falls short there. |
| 25.6 : D Olivier to Westley, This time Westley lets the ball outside off go. |
| Maharaj comes back on to bowl. |
| 26.1 : K Maharaj to Cook, Loopy ball on middle, Cook works it to the leg side. |
| 26.2 : K Maharaj to Cook, Floated on off, Cook plays it off his front foot towards covers. |
| 26.3 : K Maharaj to Cook, Wide outside off, Cook rocks back and plays a square cut towards point. Good stop by the fielder there. |
| 26.4 : K Maharaj to Cook, Flighted ball on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 26.5 : K Maharaj to Cook, On the pads, Cook works it down the leg side for an easy single. |
| 26.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, Back of a length, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 27.1 : D Olivier to Cook, Down the leg side this time, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 27.2 : D Olivier to Cook, Good length ball on middle, defends it from within the crease. |
| 27.3 : D Olivier to Cook, Shows the full face of the bat and defends it off his back foot. |
| 27.4 : D Olivier to Cook, Good length ball on middle, defended from within the crease. |
| 27.5 : D Olivier to Cook, On a length, defended off the back foot to the off side. |
| 27.6 : D Olivier to Cook, Straight and on the pads, Cook stays in his crease and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 28.1 : K Maharaj to Westley, That's a jaffa! Maharaj comes from around the wicket and bowls this one on the off stump. The ball turns slightly away from the bat of Westley who looked to play a forward defensive shot. It goes past his outside edge and into the gloves of the keeper. A spinners delight this! |
| 28.2 : K Maharaj to Westley, Loopy ball on middle, defended off the front foot by Westley. |
| 28.3 : K Maharaj to Westley, Loopy ball on middle, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 28.4 : K Maharaj to Westley, Loopy ball on middle, defended solidly by Westley. |
| 28.5 : K Maharaj to Westley, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, On middle, played to mid-wicket by Westley. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| Superb first session of cricket! South Africa, rocked by the ruling out of Morris and Philander have surprisingly started off on a strong footing. They caused early problems for the openers and the overcast conditions were surely helping them. Jennings was having a tough time in the middle and in the end, Olivier got his man with a regulation nick. |
| Cook has been fighting hard and looks settled in the middle now with Westley on the other end. The newcomer looked tentative at the start but he slowly played himself in and even played some good looking shots. It's turning into a good battle between the batsmen and bowlers with South Africa looking more dangerous. The scoring rate is very slow but England won't mind that. Towards the end, dark clouds seemed to be coming in but if they stay away, batting will surely get easier. The second sessio |
| ...Day 1, Session 2... |
| The players are back in the middle as we get ready for the second session. Will South Africa make more inroads or can England settle in and go on to make a good score? Let's find out. Olivier to start the proceedings with Cook on strike. |
| 29.1 : D Olivier to Cook, Good length ball on off, defended towards covers by Cook. |
| 29.2 : D Olivier to Cook, Another good length ball on middle, defended from within the crease. |
| Problems in the sightscreen for Cook but it gets sorted out. |
| 29.3 : D Olivier to Cook, On a good length outside off, left alone by Cook. |
| 29.4 : D Olivier to Cook, Cook stays adamant with the balls outside off. Leaves this one alone as well. |
| 29.5 : D Olivier to Cook, Fuller length ball on middle, driven to mid on. |
| 29.6 : D Olivier to Cook, Good length ball on off, defended into the ground on the off side. Maiden over by Olivier. |
| Maharaj to bowl from the other end. |
| 30.1 : K Maharaj to Westley, Loopy ball outside off, Cook moves to his front foot but watches it past go into the keepers gloves. |
| 30.2 : K Maharaj to Westley, Back of length this time, defended off the back foot this time. |
| 30.3 : K Maharaj to Westley, Fuller this time, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.4 : K Maharaj to Westley, Loopy ball on middle, played to mid-wicket by Westley. |
| 30.5 : K Maharaj to Westley, Floated on middle and off, played straight back to the bowler. |
| 30.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, Flighted on off, played off the front foot towards the off side. |
| 31.1 : D Olivier to Cook, Good length ball on off, played off the front foot towards the off side. Solid defense by Cook. |
| 31.2 : D Olivier to Cook, FOUR! Cook finds the gap to perfection square on the off side. It was full length ball outside off, Cook just opened the face of his bat to find the boundary. Superb timing by the former England skipper. |
| 31.3 : D Olivier to Cook, Full length ball on middle, defended off the back foot this time. Cook looks to have settled himself in the middle now. |
| 31.4 : D Olivier to Cook, Another full length ball on off. Cook drives it through the off side for a couple. |
| 31.5 : D Olivier to Cook, Good length ball on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 31.6 : D Olivier to A Cook, Back of a length ball and Cook was ready for it. He got into the position to pull it over mid-wicket and find the boundary. de Bruyn put in a dove but it was in vain as the ball went past the ropes. |
| 32.1 : K Maharaj to Tom Westley, Loopy ball on off, Westley looks to defend it but finds an outside edge. The ball goes past slips and they manage a couple. |
| 32.2 : K Maharaj to Westley, Floated on middle, punched off the back foot this time. |
| 32.3 : K Maharaj to Westley, Flighted on off, pushed to the cover region. |
| 32.4 : K Maharaj to Westley, Westley defends this by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 32.5 : K Maharaj to Tom Westley, Loopy ball on off, driven through covers by Westley. |
| 32.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, FOUR! Brilliant shot this time by Westley. Floated on middle, Westley drives it through mid on for a boundary. Westley has started to find the touch now. |
| 33.1 : D Olivier to Cook, Full length ball on middle, driven straight back down the ground. |
| 33.2 : D Olivier to Cook, On middle, Cook plays this one to mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 33.3 : D Olivier to Cook, Full length ball on off, defended off the front foot by Cook. |
| 33.4 : D Olivier to Cook, Outside off, Cook plays s good looking square drive but it is a good stop by Bavuma at point. |
| 33.5 : D Olivier to Cook, Back of a length this time, defends it from within the crease towards gully. |
| 33.6 : D Olivier to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook plays a forward defense straight down the ground. |
| 34.1 : K Maharaj to Westley, Loopy ball but it's full on middle, defended easily by Westley. |
| 34.2 : K Maharaj to Westley, Another loopy ball on middle, Westley gets on his front foot and defends it well. |
| 34.3 : K Maharaj to Westley, Floated on middle and leg, smacked to mid-wicket. |
| 34.4 : K Maharaj to Westley, Straight on middle, driven towards mid on by Westley. |
| 34.5 : K Maharaj to Westley, Floated on middle and off, pushed to covers this time. |
| 34.6 : K Maharaj to Westley, Westley has defended the loopy ball on middle by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Rababa comes back on to bowl. |
| 35.1 : K Rabada to Cook, Good length ball on middle, defended solidly by Cook. |
| 35.2 : K Rabada to Cook, Good length ball wide outside off. Cook cuts it past point and takes three runs. Bavuma does really well to chase it down and stop the boundary. |
| 35.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Good length ball outside off, Westley leaves it alone. |
| 35.4 : K Rabada to Westley, Way wide outside off this time, left alone by Westley. |
| 35.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Straight and on middle, played through mid-wicket by Westley. The ball looks to be going for a boundary but it's stopped. Three runs taken. |
| 35.6 : K Rabada to Cook, Good length ball on middle, played to mid-wicket this time. |
| 36.1 : K Maharaj to Westley, On the pads, flicked away by Westley. |
| 36.2 : K Maharaj to Westley, Full length ball on middle, driven through mid on for a single. |
| 36.3 : K Maharaj to Cook, OUT! Cook has been done in by the spinner on 46! Just short of a half-century and this will hurt the opener. He did all the hard work of settling in and then gets done in by the straighter one. Cook got on his front foot and looked to push it through covers but the ball took a faint outside edge which went into the gloves of the keeper. Cook has been dismissed by a spinner for the first time in this series. South Africa will be delighted with this start! |
| Joe Root walks in the middle now. |
| 36.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Good length ball on middle, defended solidly by Root. |
| 36.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Good length ball on middle, defended from within the crease by Root. |
| 37.1 : K Rabada to Westley, Loopy ball on middle, Westley defends it off his back foot. |
| 37.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Outside off, Westley leaves it alone. |
| 37.3 : K Rabada to Westley, Westley shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 37.4 : K Rabada to Westley, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 37.5 : K Rabada to Westley, Westley shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 37.6 : K Rabada to Westley, Bouncer! Westley ducks under it. |
| 38.1 : K Maharaj to Root, On the pads, Root plays it to square leg. |
| 38.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 38.3 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Full length ball on middle, driven through mid off this time. |
| 38.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle, defended from within the crease by Root. |
| 38.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend this straight one. |
| 38.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Root shows the full face of the bat to defend this into the ground. |
| 39.1 : K Rabada to Westley, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 39.2 : K Rabada to Westley, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 39.3 : K Rabada to Tom Westley, OUT c Quinton de Kock b Kagiso Rabada. England have lost their third wicket. |
| Dawid Malan is the new man in. |
| 39.4 : K Rabada to Malan, Outside off, Malan fails to put bat on ball. |
| 39.5 : K Rabada to Malan, Wide outside off, Malan shoulders his arms at it. |
| 39.6 : K Rabada to Malan, On the pads, Malan looks to play but misses it completely. The ball strikes him on the pads but the umpire is not interested. |
| 40.1 : K Maharaj to Malan, Back of a length ball, defended off the back foot this time by Malan. |
| 40.2 : K Maharaj to Malan, Good length ball on middle, played towards to mid-wicket. |
| 40.3 : K Maharaj to Malan, Good length ball on middle, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 40.4 : K Maharaj to Malan, Malan gets right behind the line of the delivery and defends this one solidly. |
| 40.5 : K Maharaj to Malan, Another front foot defensive shot by Malan there. |
| 40.6 : K Maharaj to Malan, Gets to the pitch of the delivery and defends this one. |
| 41.1 : K Rabada to Root, Wide outside off, Root plays a square cut this time. |
| 41.2 : K Rabada to Root, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend this one. |
| 41.3 : K Rabada to Root, Big shout for lbw but the umpire is not interested. It was a good length ball on middle and Root failed to get his bat on ball. Replays showed that the ball was anyways going on to miss the top of the stumps. Good decision by the umpire there. |
| 41.4 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length this time, Root looks to defend but gets a bottom edge and falls to the leg side. Cook did not take any chance and made sure he was ready to block it if the ball would go on to hot the stumps. |
| 41.5 : K Rabada to Root, Bouncer! Root gets under it to duck the delivery. |
| 41.6 : K Rabada to Root, Outside off, Root misses the line of the delivery this time. |
| 42.1 : K Maharaj to Malan, Outside off and slightly full, pushed to the cover region for a single. |
| 42.2 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! That's a very good shot by Root. It was a loopy ball on off and Root got to the pitch of the delivery to drive it through covers for the boundary. |
| 42.3 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, On the pads, Root looks to play at it but gets an edge. He manages to pick up a single. |
| 42.4 : K Maharaj to Malan, Gets to the picth of the ball and plays this one for a single. |
| 42.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Root gets right behind the line of the delivery to defends this one. |
| 42.6 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Wide outside off, Root plays a square cut and picks up three runs. |
| 43.1 : K Rabada to Root, Outside off, played to the point region by Root. |
| 43.2 : Rabada to Root, Loud appeal for an lbw but the umpire is not interested. It was a good length ball on middle and Root looked to defend. The ball took an inside edge before hitting the pads which is what saved him. |
| Nasser Hussain provides an interesting observation regarding Malan's footwork. Ever since Rabada knocked his stumps the previous time he was dismissed by the youngster, Malan has stopped twitching with his back foot. He has looked to be more compact and more composed. In that Test, he kept falling over to fullish deliveries. Even today, when he arrived a crease, Rabada attempted a similar delivery, it was full and Dawid did miss the flick but he did not fall over as much as he did the other day. |
| 43.3 : K Rabada to Root, On the pads, Root flicked away for a couple. |
| 43.4 : Rabada to Root, Another inside edge this time. Aloud appeal has been turned down by the umpire. Once again Root mistimes his shot but is saved by the inside edge off the good length ball. |
| There seems to be some issue within the crowd. Does not look like it is going to be sorted quickly and the umpires call for a Drinks Break. Common sense prevails. Good period of play for the Proteas. Since the Lunch break, they have kept the run flow in check, conceding just 38 runs in 14.4 overs. That has resulted in the wickets of Cook and Westley. They will now hope to get rid of Root as quickly as possible and burst through that middle order. Easily said than done though. |
| We are still not quite ready to resume. There is some issue regarding the seating arrangement of the crowd near the sightscreen. It is regarding some serious medical issue to someone in the crowd. Good sportsmanship shown by the players, as they feel it is disrespectful to continue when someone is getting medical attention. It is right behind the bowler's arm. |
| Okay... Good news coming up. The gentleman who had fainted in the crowd has regained consciousness and seems fairly okay. The resumption should not take long now. The ambulance is taking the gentleman to the hospital, perhaps. |
| 43.5 : K Rabada to Joe Root, EDGED, FOUR! The break almost does the batsman in! Root gets away with that one. Full and wide outside off, Root is sucked into the drive and goes hard after it. Gets a thick outside edge which flies past second slip to the third man fence. |
| 43.6 : K Rabada to Root, Around off, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 44.1 : K Maharaj to Malan, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 44.2 : K Maharaj to Malan, Full and outside off, Malan watches that out comfortably. |
| 44.3 : K Maharaj to Malan, Slips this on the pads, Malan tucks it through fine leg. Temba Bavuma gives it a good chase from backward square leg, slides and slips, conceding the second. |
| 44.4 : K Maharaj to Malan, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 44.5 : K Maharaj to Malan, Flighted outside off, Dawid comes down the track and defends. |
| 44.6 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Gets that very fine, does the skipper. This is down the leg side and Root gets down and sweeps it very fine. Morne Morkel starts to give it a chase from fine leg but the ball wins the race. |
| 45.1 : K Rabada to Malan, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 45.2 : K Rabada to Malan, Goes back in his crease this time and blocks. |
| 45.3 : K Rabada to Malan, Wider outside off, left alone. |
| 45.4 : K Rabada to Malan, FOUR! HANDSOME! Almost similar to the previous ball but this time Malan does not let it go. The ball is not exactly a half volley, perhaps a touch shorter than that, Malan leans into it and drives it beautifully through the covers. Beautiful shot. |
| 45.5 : K Rabada to Malan, Rabada holds the length back a touch now, angles it across the southpaw and respecting Kagiso's respect, DM lets it go. |
| 45.6 : K Rabada to Malan, Feels for this one outside off and gets beaten. |
| Interesting. Having seen Root play a shot very fine in his previous over Maharaj has asked for a leg gully. |
| 46.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Fullish on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 46.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Landed around off, watchfully defended. |
| 46.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Similar ball, watchfully blocked out. |
| 46.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 46.5 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, This time he drives it towards mid off again but Maharaj stops it. |
| 46.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| Okay... so South Africa have taken a review here. It has come after a lot of deliberation. Rabada wanted it and Faf du Plessis has decided to go with his bowler. Let's see... this could be a big wicket if they get it. |
| 47.1 : Rabada to Root, NOT OUT. Height was the issue. |
| 47.2 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length outside off, forced through the off side for a couple. |
| 47.3 : K Rabada to Root, The arm ball outside off, let through. |
| 47.4 : K Rabada to Root, Gets the flick shot this time, past square leg for a single. |
| 47.5 : K Rabada to Malan, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 47.6 : K Rabada to Malan, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. |
| 48.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Full and outside off, Root looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 48.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 48.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Full and outside off, watchfully driven towards cover. |
| 48.4 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, On middle and leg, pushed towards mid on. |
| 48.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 48.6 : K Maharaj to Root, ALMOST! Maharaj nearly gets his man. Full on middle, Root chips this uppishly but luckily for him, it does not carry to short mid-wicket. |
| MORNE MORKEL is back into the attack. |
| 49.1 : M Morkel to Malan, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 49.2 : M Morkel to Malan, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 49.3 : M Morkel to Root, Falls over a bit, does Root but manages to flick it fine for a run. |
| 49.4 : M Morkel to Malan, Around off, watchfully defended from the crease. |
| 49.5 : M Morkel to Malan, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 49.6 : M Morkel to Malan, Landed outside off, fairly wide to be playing at, Dawid lets it through. |
| 50.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball in middle, defended towards short extra cover. |
| 50.2 : K Maharaj to Root, On the pads, defended into the ground back to the bowler. |
| 50.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Forward defense this time back to the bowler. |
| 50.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle. flicked to mid wicket for a single. |
| 50.5 : K Maharaj to Malan, Drives this straight one back to the bowler. |
| 50.6 : K Maharaj to Malan, Comes down the track and plays this one back to the bowler. |
| 51.1 : M Morkel to Root, Slightly full outside on off. Root plays a forward defense to the off side. |
| 51.2 : M Morkel to Root, Full and straight on off, another solid forward defense by the English skipper. |
| 51.3 : M Morkel to Root, Once again bowls a full length ball, played straight back to the bowler. |
| 51.4 : M Morkel to Joe Root, FOUR! Slightly outside off, on a good length. Root uses the widht given to cut the ball past backward point for the boundary. Good shot by Joe Root. |
| 51.5 : M Morkel to Root, Full length ball on middle, Root plays across the line to the mid-wicket region for a couple. Bavuma does well to chase it down and stop the boundary. |
| 51.6 : M Morkel to Root, Wide outside off, Root shoulders arms at it. |
| 52.1 : K Maharaj to Malan, Loopy ball on the pads, flicked to the leg side for a single. |
| 52.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on off, driven through the covers. |
| 52.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle, played straight back to the bowler. |
| 52.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Slightly outside off, Root looks to cut but gets a bottom edge that goes to the slip fielder. |
| 52.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Root goes for the sweep but it goes straight to the fielder at square leg. |
| 52.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 53.1 : M Morkel to Malan, FOUR! Good length going down the leg side and all Malan needed was to get something on it. He flicks and helps the ball to fine leg for the boundary. De Kock put in a despairing dive but gets nowhere near the ball. |
| 53.2 : M Morkel to Malan, Another one on the pads, Malan flicks it to the leg side for a single this time. |
| 53.3 : M Morkel to Root, Back of a length, defended off the back foot by Root. |
| 53.4 : M Morkel to Root, Slightly outside off, Root cuts it towards point for a single. |
| 53.5 : M Morkel to Malan, Once again outside off, played to the point region. No runs taken this time. |
| 53.6 : M Morkel to Malan, Full length ball on off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 54.1 : K Maharaj to Malan, Floated on middle, played straight back to the bowler. |
| 54.2 : K Maharaj to Malan, Loopy ball on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 54.3 : K Maharaj to D Malan, Floated on middle and off, driven towards mid off for a single. These two consolidated the innings so far. |
| 50 run partnership between the two. |
| 54.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Air given to this one on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 54.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 54.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Another front foot defense by Root. |
| 55.1 : M Morkel to Malan, Good length ball on off, defended solidly by Malan. |
| 0.0 : Morkel goes from around to over the wicket. |
| 55.2 : M Morkel to Malan, Edges this one wide outside off ball as he goes for the ball. However it lands just in front of the fielder at gully. Malan needs to be careful. |
| 55.3 : M Morkel to Malan, Bye. Second extra of the day and it's a bye. This was wide outside off and Malan left it alone. The ball goes through the slips and the batsmen sneak in a single. |
| 55.4 : M Morkel to Root, Once again wide outside off, Root plays a square cut for a single. |
| 55.5 : M Morkel to Malan, Wide outside off, Malan leaves it alone. |
| 55.6 : M Morkel to D Malan, OUT! The change of angle does the trick for Morkel. It was a good length ball outside off and Malan went for the drive. He did not time it well enough and the ball found the nick. Du Plessis at second slip took a good sharp catch to dismiss Malan. South Africa will be delighted to get their man right before Tea. |
| Ben Stokes is the new man in. |
| 56.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Fraction short and Root punches it off his back foot to the off side for a single. |
| 56.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 56.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Outside off, played towards point this time. |
| 56.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes goes for it but finds the edge. The ball goes through the slip region for a single. Luckily for him it was well wide of the slip fielder. |
| 56.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Outside off, played towards the point region. |
| 56.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Another one wide outside off, Root plays it to point for a single. THAT IS TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Not a bad session at all, if you are a South African fan. Cook, Westley and Malan have been sent back to the hut and not a single half century has been scored. The runs continue to come in trifles, with only 80 runs coming in 28 overs in this session. |
| Joe Root has Ben Stokes with him in the middle now and will hope that they can stitch a partnership. England are not exactly in a mire but they are not out of the woods either. As the great Geoffrey Boycott says - Add two wickets to the total and then view the game. The hosts have a deep batting line-up and will back themselves to avert a collapse. Root today, has been very cautious, unlike his flashy innings earlier in this series. |
| Overall, South Africa will be very pleased with how they have bowled so far. The quicks have fairly tight, not giving anything away and the run rate is still under 3 an over. They will aim to get at least 3 more wickets before close, given the purchase present on this pitch. Join us back at 1600 local (1500 GMT) for the final session. The over-rate has been decent, which means, only 33 overs left to be bowled. |
| ... DAY 1, SESSION 3 ... |
| The players are back in the middle. It will be MORNE MORKEL vs JOE ROOT first up... |
| 57.1 : M Morkel to Root, Short and outside off, cut past Temba Bavuma at gully for a single. |
| 57.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Landed outside off, allowed to go through. |
| 57.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, The line is around off, but the length is slightly short of full, Stokes comes forward and pushes it towards mid on. |
| Shane Warne on air feels that it has been a great contest between bat and ball so far. He also reckons that the pitch will quicken up as the game progresses, so batting will actually be easier on Days 2 and 3. |
| 57.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, The length is dragged even shorter and this time Ben pushes it towards mid off. |
| 57.5 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, A tempter, full and just outside off, BS looks for the drive but mistimes it towards mid off. |
| 57.6 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, A similar line, not as full as the previous one, Stokes drives it in a better manner but cannot beat mid off. |
| DUANNE OLIVIER to bowl from the other end. Maharaj bowled 16 overs on the bounce before Tea. Wasn't given a rest, he is given now. |
| 58.1 : D Olivier to Joe Root, FOUR! LOVELY! Loosener from Olivier, bowls a half volley wide outside off, Root leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! 3000 TEST RUNS AT HOME for the skipper. Third youngest after his predecessor and the great Sachin Tendulkar to achieve this feat. |
| 58.2 : D Olivier to Root, Around middle and leg, Joe tucks it through square leg, wants two, takes the single but then changes his mind. |
| 58.3 : D Olivier to Stokes, FOUR! Bad ball, short and around middle, Stokes swivels and pulls it to the fine leg fence. |
| 58.4 : D Olivier to Stokes, FOUR! The runs are leaking. It has been a poor start from Olivier after Tea. He overcompensates for the previous ball by bowling this too full and Stokes promptly flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Third of the over. |
| 58.5 : D Olivier to Stokes, Around middle and off, very tight, better from Olivier and Ben defends. |
| 58.6 : D Olivier to Stokes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 13 from the over! |
| 59.1 : M Morkel to Root, Landed outside off, Root pushes it towards point. |
| 59.2 : M Morkel to Root, Oooh... nearly! Full and outside off, Root looks to drive, a bit loosely too, no feet movement and almost pays the price by nearly nicking it. The ball moves away late and beats the outside edge. |
| 59.3 : M Morkel to Root, Fullish and around off, coming in, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 59.4 : M Morkel to Root, Outside off, quietly left alone. |
| 59.5 : M Morkel to Root, Short and wide outside off, curving away after pitching, Joe flashes hard but misses out. |
| 59.6 : M Morkel to Root, EDGED, BUT NOT TAKEN! FOUR! For once, de Kock does not dive. Big moment in the game. Poor, poor Morkel. He cannot believe it. He has bowled his heart out. He was trying to work Root over and bowled a pearler. He bowled this on a length, just outside off and forced Root to defend. Then he got the ball to move away and take the outside edge. It is a simple regulation catch for Quinton de Kock but he does not budge. Neither does Amla at first slip, who is hoping that de Kock |
| Maharaj is back on. Just the one over for Olivier after the break. |
| 60.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowls this one a fraction short and Stokes cuts through the square on the off side. Three runs taken. |
| 60.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball outside off, played to point for a single. |
| 60.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Edged but safe! That was flighted on off and Stokes looked to defend. he ball took the edge and flew past the outstretched arms of the fielder at slip. Three runs taken as the ball trickles towards third man. |
| 60.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Fullish in length, Root defends it off his front foot. |
| 60.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle, driven through mid on. |
| 60.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Flighted on middle again, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 61.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Stokes chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 61.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Good length ball, played straight back to the bowler. |
| 61.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, On a good length, Stokes stays in his crease and punches it through mid-wicket. They manage three runs there. |
| 61.4 : M Morkel to Root, Wide outside off, Root leaves it alone. |
| 61.5 : M Morkel to Root, Full on off, driven through mid off three runs. |
| 5000 Test runs for Joe Root! Fifth fastest English batsman to achieve this feat in terms of innings. |
| 61.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, Back of a length ball on off, Stokes rocks onto his back foot and punches it away for a couple. |
| 62.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Outside off, Root plays a square cut but it goes straight to the fielder. |
| 62.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Another one outside off, played straight to point. |
| 62.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Slightly shorter from Root, defended off the front foot by Root. |
| 62.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Fuller in length this time. Root drives it to mid on for a single. |
| 62.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Loud shout for lbw but the umpire stays put. This one was floated on off and Stokes went for sweep. He missed the ball completely and and got struck on the pads. The ball was going to miss the stumps and hence Stokes is saved. |
| 62.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Stokes defends this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Duanne Olvier gets a change of ends. |
| 63.1 : D Olivier to Root, On the pads, worked down the leg side. |
| 63.2 : D Olivier to Root, Angling into the pads, Root looks to clip but misses. He gets struck on the pads. |
| 63.3 : D Olivier to Root, Full length ball, driven straight back by Root. |
| 63.4 : D Olivier to Root, Back of a length ball, defended off the back foot. |
| 63.5 : D Olivier to Root, On the pads, nudged down fine leg for a single. |
| Root gets to his 30th Test fifty. It is his 10th consecutive half century in Tests. |
| 63.6 : D Olivier to Ben Stokes, Back of a length ball, defended off the back foot towards mid off. Single taken. |
| 64.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Floated on middle and leg, worked down the leg side. |
| 64.2 : Maharaj to Stokes, Tries to sweep this fullish delivery but misses it completely. He gets struck on the pads and fielders appeal. The umpire says no as it was way across the line there. |
| 64.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Shows the full face of the delivery and defends it off the back foot. |
| 64.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this one off the back foot. |
| 64.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full pn middle, driven through mid on for a single. |
| 64.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Slightly short, punched off the back foot for a single. |
| 65.1 : D Olivier to Root, Good length ball on middle, played to mid-wicket. |
| 65.2 : D Olivier to Root, Wide outside off, Root leaves it alone. |
| 65.3 : D Olivier to Root, Another wide outside the line of the ball. Root leaves it alone. |
| 65.4 : D Olivier to Root, Full length ball, driven straight back. |
| 65.5 : D Olivier to Joe Root, Full length ball, driven towards mid on. No runs taken. |
| 65.6 : D Olivier to Root, Another full length ball, defended off the front foot. |
| 66.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and almost a yorker, Stokes hits it hard into the ground. |
| 66.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Another full length ball, driven straight past the bowler to his left for a single. |
| Change of gloves for Root. |
| 66.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle, defended solidly by Root. |
| 66.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Root gets to the pitch of the delivery and drives this towards mid off for a single. |
| 66.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, Stokes looks to drive but finds covers. |
| 66.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Again, he looks to drive but does not quite time this ball that well. It goes off the toe end of the bat towards the bowler. |
| Joe Root has been adjudged lbw! He has a long chat with Stokes and eventually takes the review. It looks very close... |
| 67.1 : D Olivier to Root, Full length ball on off and swinging in late. Root went across for the flick but missed the ball completely. This looked plumb to the naked eye and the umpire immediately raised his finger. Root walked up to Stokes asking what he felt about the review. Ben thought about before asking him to go for it. The replays showed that the ball was going on to hit the stumps and Root had to walk back to the pavilion. Olivier gets his first wicket of the day and he is pumped up beca |
| 0.0 : JONNY BAIRSTOW walks in at number 7, replacing Root. |
| 67.2 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Full on middle, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 67.3 : D Olivier to Bairstow, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 67.4 : D Olivier to Bairstow, FOUR! Fullish and on the pads, Bairstow clips it to the square leg fence. |
| 67.5 : D Olivier to J Bairstow, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 67.6 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Outside off, left alone. |
| 68.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 68.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Landed around off, watchfully defended. |
| 68.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a single from the crease. |
| 68.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 68.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 68.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full and around off, spinning away, Bairstow lunges and defends. |
| 69.1 : D Olivier to Stokes, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 69.2 : D Olivier to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 69.3 : D Olivier to Stokes, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 69.4 : D Olivier to Stokes, Comes forward and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 69.5 : D Olivier to Stokes, FOUR! Nice shot. Half volley outside off, driven through the covers for a boundary! |
| 69.6 : D Olivier to Stokes, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| Excitement and drama! There has been an LBW appeal against Bairstow which has been turned down by umpire Dharmasena. Now, the Proteas appeal for a catch and after some discussion, Dharmasena raises his finger! Stokes and Bairstow are bemused and coax the umpire into checking it upstairs... |
| 70.1 : K Maharaj to J Bairstow, NOT OUT! The ball is short and the crowd boos Elgar! Well, well, well. Full and outside off, Bairstow looked to defend. He was hit on the pads and immediately de Kock and Maharaj went up in an appeal. Umpire Dharmasena shook his head, indicating bat. |
| 70.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, Bairstow defends it into the ground. |
| 70.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Another one floated on off, Bairstow gets on his back foot and punches it into the ground. |
| 70.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floated on middle this time, punches off the front foot back to the middle. |
| 70.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 70.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend it. |
| 71.1 : D Olivier to Stokes, Length ball driven straight back to the bowler. Bairstow at the non-strikers end dives back into the crease as Olivier collects the ball. However, he was aiming to throw it back to the batsman instead. |
| 71.2 : D Olivier to Stokes, On the pads, flicked away down the leg side. |
| 71.3 : D Olivier to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Wide outside off and Stokes slashes hard at it. He cuts it past the fielder at point to find the boundary. The ball races away as four more runs are added to the total. 200 runs are on the board! |
| 71.4 : D Olivier to Stokes, Another length ball on off, driven towards mid off by Stokes. |
| 71.5 : D Olivier to Stokes, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this one off the back foot. |
| 71.6 : D Olivier to Stokes, Stokes gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend this one into the ground. |
| Drinks has been taken. South Africa are making more inroads into the England batting order. The two batsmen in the middle now have to make sure that they see the day through. However, South Africa are not pulling back on the aggression. This final 18 overs are going to decide whether England can get to a respectable total. |
| Maharaj to continue. |
| 72.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, defended from within the crease by Bairstow. |
| 72.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Width given, Bairstow plays it to point but straight to the fielder. |
| 72.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 72.4 : K Maharaj to J Bairstow, Floated on off, Bairstow gets on his front foot and drives it through the covers. |
| 72.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Similar ball, Bairstow pushes it through covers for a single. |
| 72.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 73.1 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Full length ball on off, played off the front foot past the bowler to mid off. |
| 73.2 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Good length ball just outside off. Too close for the cut but Stokes still goes for it. He misses the ball and it goes straight into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 73.3 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Good length ball outside off, pushed towards covers straight to the fielder. |
| 73.4 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Another good length ball, played back to the bowler off the front foot. |
| 73.5 : D Olivier to Bairstow, On a good length ball but this time towards the pads. Bairstow flicks it past square leg for a single. |
| 73.6 : D Olivier to Stokes, Back of a length ball on off, played off the back foot back to the bowler. |
| 74.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Flighted on off, gets on his front foot and defends it into the ground. |
| 74.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, On the pads this time, worked down the leg side. |
| 74.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Flighted on off, played off the front foot towards covers. |
| 74.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Another loopy ball on off, played towards point. |
| 74.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full length ball on middle. Played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 74.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, FOUR! That is fullish and Bairstow goes down to sweep it. He connects well and gts it through gap on square leg. The ball races away to the boundary. |
| Theunis de Bruyn comes on to bowl |
| 75.1 : de Bruyn to Stokes, FOUR! No Ball for overstepping, not a good start at all! Starts the over with a boundary! This was a low full toss and it was asking for the treatment. Stokes smacks it through mid off and gets four runs for his efforts. |
| de Bruyn to Stokes, This one is wide outside off and Stokes leaves it alone. |
| 75.2 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 75.3 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Short ball on middle and Stokes pulls it away. He finds the gap through mid-wicket but only manages to take a single as there is a fielder in the deep. |
| 75.4 : de Bruyn to Bairstow, Full on middle, driven through mid on for a couple. |
| 75.5 : de Bruyn to Bairstow, Good length ball on middle, defended from within the crease. |
| 75.6 : de Bruyn to Bairstow, Full length ball on off, defended towards covers this time. |
| 76.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full length ball on middle, driven towards mid on. |
| 76.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Loopy ball on middle, played through mid-wicket. |
| 76.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Again a loopy ball on off, played straight back to the bowler. |
| 76.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Floated on middle, played towards mid-wicket this time. |
| 76.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Stokes sweeps this one hard through square leg only for a single. |
| 76.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 77.1 : de Bruyn to Stokes,Full length ball on off, played towards covers by Stokes. |
| 77.2 : de Bruyn to Stokes, On a good length outside off, left alone by Stokes. |
| 77.3 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Slightly short and Stokes looks to pull it across the line off his front foot. He gets a bottom edge and the ball goes past his stumps behind to the right of the keeper. They manage to sneak a single there. |
| 77.4 : de Bruyn to Bairstow, Full in length ball outside off. Looks to defend but it hits the inner half of his bat and goes to square leg. They pick up a single. |
| 77.5 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 77.6 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Plays the square cut this time but straight to the fielder. |
| 78.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 78.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floated on off, Bairstow gets a bottom edge on this one. |
| 78.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Flighted on off, played towards point but straight to the fielder. |
| 78.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow looks for the swep but mistimes it. He plays straight behind the keeper and picks up a single. That could have easily been a catch. |
| 78.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Good length ball on middle, played it towards mid-wicket this time. |
| 78.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full length ball on middle, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 79.1 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Gets right behind the line of this good length ball and defends it. |
| 79.2 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Outside off, pushed towards covers but straight to the fielder. |
| 79.3 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Fuller in length, driven towards mid off. |
| 79.4 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Back of a length, punched off the back foot by Stokes. |
| 79.5 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Stokes goes across and looks to flick this one. The shot was on as the ball was on good length towards his pads but he misses it completely. He gets struck on the pads but it was outside the line of the leg stump. |
| 79.6 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Length ball outside off, pushed towards covers for a single. |
| The second new ball is available. The Proteas are deliberating on whether to take it or not. Looks like they will wait it out. Reviews have been refreshed as well. |
| 80.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Landed outside off, spinning in nicely, punched towards mid off. |
| 80.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 80.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and wide outside off, Stokes looks to drive but gets it from the inner half of the bat towards silly mid on. |
| 80.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Fullish on middle, pushed towards the bowler. |
| 80.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Ha ha ha, sloppy from Bavuma. Ben defends this to the leg side and both Bavuma from silly mid on and Maharaj look to get to the ball. Bavuma gets there first but Maharaj is almost there as well. However, Bavuma does not know that and back-flicks the ball, thinking that Maharaj will take it. But Maharaj is beside him and as a result, the ball goes past the stumps. Maharaj quickly rushes to collect it and then turns out, only to see neither of Bairstow or Stokes even the |
| 80.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| THE SECOND NEW BALL has been taken. Wonder why this 1-over delay. Perhaps Faf wanted Morne to make the first use of the second new ball and the latter wanted this particular end. |
| MORNE MORKEL to make the first use of the nww cherry. |
| 81.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 81.2 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Outside off, comes in a long way, Bairstow gets his bat down at the last moment and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 81.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full and outside off, Stokes feels for it and just about nicks it! Luckily for him, the ball shapes away to beat the outside edge. |
| 81.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Landed outside off, angling away, Ben takes his bat out of the way this time but is late again, getting beaten once more. |
| 81.5 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, EDGED! FOUR! Well, you have taken the new ball for a reason. Wickets. Why not keep an attacking field? Morne keeps it on a length outside off and induces the drive and later, the outside edge. The ball flies to the slip cordon but to an unmanned third slip and then to the third man fence! Surprised to see Faf not attacking, especially with only a few overs to the close. |
| 81.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, The batsman goes after a wide one and misses. |
| KAGISO RABADA to share the second new ball with the Giraffe. |
| 82.1 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Landed outside off, on a length, then moves away off the pitch, Bairstow feels for it but misses. |
| 82.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 82.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow punches it through point where Temba Bavuma makes a good stop to keep the batsmen yo a single. |
| 82.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Outside off, a play and a miss. |
| 82.5 : K Rabada to Ben Stokes, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. |
| 82.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket. Maharaj and de Bruyn chase it in pairs with the former getting to the ball and sliding to save the boundary. Three runs taken. |
| 83.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 83.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. |
| 83.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, 1 run. |
| 83.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, No run. |
| 83.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, No run. |
| 83.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, 2 runs. |
| 84.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, No run. |
| 84.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Fullish on middle and leg, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 84.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 84.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Angles this across the left-hander, Ben lets it go past. |
| 84.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. |
| 84.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, A length ball outside off, driven wide of mid off for a couple. Another quality innings from the southpaw. |
| 10th Test Fifty for Ben Stokes! What a player. Century in the last game, half century so far. |
| 85.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Full on middle, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 85.2 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Around middle and off, pushed straight to mid on. |
| 85.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, FOUR BYES! That went away a long way. It was pitched on a length, outside off, Bairstow felt for it and nearly nicked it. However, the ball moved away a long way and found its way through the slip cordon to the third man fence. |
| 50-run stand comes up as well. Runs coming thick and fast with this second new ball. |
| 85.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 85.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, 3 runs. |
| 85.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, No run. |
| 86.1 : K Rabada to Bairstow, No run. |
| 86.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Short and outside off, cut straight to cover-point. |
| 86.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Another lovely ball, this time keeping it back of a length, outside off, a tentative Jonny feels for it and misses. |
| 86.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 86.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 86.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| DUANNE OLIVIER back into the attack from the newly named Jimmy Anderson end. Can he replicate what Jimmy usually does at the fag end of the day? |
| 87.1 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 87.2 : D Olivier to Bairstow, That comes in a long way from outside off, Bairstow misses his tuck and is hit high on the pads, above the knee roll. |
| 87.3 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Landed outside off, a tad fuller, left alone. |
| 87.4 : D Olivier to Bairstow, UPPISH, BUT SAFE! Full and outside off, swinging away, Jonny plays at the ball away from his body and does so uppishly, but luckily for him, it goes in the gap behind point. Two runs taken. |
| 87.5 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Landed outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 87.6 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Outside off, pretty wide, left alone. |
| 88.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Landed around middle and off, watchfully defended. |
| 88.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, EDGED, FOUR! A good testing ball, that too, at this time of the day. Rabada bangs it in short and Stokes is beaten by pace. He is late into the pull shot and is cramped for room. Halfway through the shot, he looks to abort it but is late and gets a top edge which goes over de Kock to the fine leg fence. |
| 88.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 88.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. |
| 88.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR! A bit streaky in my opinion. On a length outside off, seaming away, Stokes looks to run it down to third man but the ball runs off the outer half of the bat, behind point to the fence. |
| 88.6 : Rabada to Stokes, OUT! Perfect yorker! Rabada roars. Old Trafford is plunged into silence. What a ball at what an hour. He gives it his best on his very last ball of the day. Delivers a terrific yorker, around middle and off, watches Stokes' bat come down late and then sees and hears timbaaaa!!!! Beautiful ball. Excellent innings from Stokes but England would have wished to see him tomorrow with the willow. |
| TOBY ROLAND-JONES walks in ahead of Moeen Ali at number 8, replacing Stokes. |
| 89.1 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Landed outside off, coming in a long way, Bairstow looks to tuck it away but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 89.2 : D Olivier to Bairstow, FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Half volley outside off, Bairstow leans and drives it through extra cover for a boundary! |
| 89.3 : D Olivier to Bairstow, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 89.4 : D Olivier to J Bairstow, FOUR! A bit streaky now. On a good length outside off, Bairstow looks to defend but then decides to withdraw his bat. Is late and the ball goes off the outside edge behind gully to third man. |
| 89.5 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Outside off, left alone. |
| 89.6 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Landed outside off, Bairstow does not flirt with that. STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| South Africa walk off the field, feeling pretty satisfied with themselves. They have bowled their heart out, taking 6 wickets on the opening day. Also, they have not allowed a terrific batting line-up like England's to score quickly which gives them full marks. |
| One can be a bit critical and say the Proteas DID NOT make full use of the conditions in the morning. If they had bowled better, they could have got more than a solitary wicket. They managed to keep the runs in check though and kept pegging away. Towards the end of the day, with the second new ball, they leaked a few runs but managed to get the dangerous Ben Stokes in the penultimate over. Morne Morkel picked up just one wicket but the figures don't show how well he bowled. He constantly kept as |
| England will be a bit disappointed at the way they batted today. Four batsmen got starts but failed to convert them into big ones. Especially that wicket of Ben Stokes will hurt them the most as he could have been very destructive on Saturday with the bat. They still have some batting left with Moeen Ali in the wings. |
| What is the verdict? Whom does Day 1 belong to? It has been an even one but guess because of the batting line-up that England possess and also because South Africa are without Vernon Philander, taking 6 wickets gives them a 60 percent share. They will look to restrict England under 300 who themselves will aim to get as close to 400 as possible. Join us at 1100 local (1000 GMT) to find out how Day 2 pans out. In the meanwhile, you can also check out how the second Sri Lanka-India Test is going ab |
| ...Day 2, Session 1... |
| Welcome back to Old Trafford for the second day of the fourth Test between England and South Africa. The hosts have not had the kind of start they would have expected. Nevertheless it is an all new day and a fresh good start can take them to a respectable position. |
| How can they do that? First things first, survive the morning conditions and try not to lose wickets in the first session. We have seen that the batting conditions were getting better as the day progressed so they can get to that elusive score of 400. |
| From South Africa's perspective, early wickets will be the key. If they can bowl like how they did yesterday, we can expect Dean Elgar and Heino Kuhn to come in to bat soon. Lastly, the rain gods are keeping away and the forecast is good for the start of the day with showers expected later on. Let's hope the wind pushes the dark clouds away if and when they come! Stay tuned for another action-packed day of cricket! |
| It's bright and sunny at Old Trafford as the players walk out! Rabada will begin proceedings with ball and the nightwatchman Toby Roland-Jones will take the strike. |
| 90.1 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Starts off with a testing ball on middle and leg. Toby looked to flick but got a leading edge which went to covers. Good start by Rabada! |
| 90.2 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Bowls this one wide outside off looking for an edge again, Toby leaves it alone. |
| 90.3 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, On a length on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. Solid defense there. |
| 90.4 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Back of a length this time, Roland-Jones defends it off his back foot. |
| 90.5 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Hint of swing there as Toby goes for one outside off. The ball goes just past his outside edge on this occasion. |
| 90.6 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Beaten once again! This one was angling in with the arm. Roland-Jones went for a drive but missed it completely. Maiden over and a good start by Rabada! |
| Morne Morkel will be bowling from the other end. |
| 91.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Starts off with a good length ball just outside off. Bairstow tries to punch it off his back foot but misses. |
| 91.2 : M Morkel to Bairstow,This one is aimed at middle and leg, on a good length. Bairstow displays a good looking front foot defense. |
| 91.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Similar delivery as the one before this. Bairstow deals with it in the same way as well. |
| 91.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, On a good length but outside off this time. Left alone. |
| 91.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Fuller length ball on middle. Drives it towards mid on. |
| 91.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Good length ball on off, defended towards the off side towards covers. No runs again, another maiden over. |
| 92.1 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Fullish on off, pushed towards covers this time. |
| 0.0 : Silly point is in place! |
| 92.2 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Back of a length on middle and leg. Roland-Jones looks to pull but misses. The ball brushes off his thigh pad and goes towards fine leg. Leg bye has been taken. |
| 92.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Bouncer this time, ducked well by Bairstow. It was going well down the leg side but de Kock did very well to gather it. |
| 92.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Another one on a good length, played to mid-wicket. |
| 92.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Once again back of a length around off, played nicely to mid-wicket. |
| 92.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Bye! Down the leg side but Bairstow goes for it. He misses and the ball goes past the keeper to fine leg. Byes taken. |
| 93.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, No ball! Oooh! Hint of away movement as he bowls a good length ball just outside off. Bairstow misses it comepletely. Could have easily been an edge to the keeper. However it would not have mattered as Morkel overstepped. |
| M Morkel to Bairstow, This time he finds the edge but the ball lands safely towards point. That was a good length ball on middle and off as Bairstow looked to play at it. |
| 93.2 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Back of a length on middle and leg, played to mid-wicket this time. |
| 93.3 : Morkel to Bairstow, Shout for lbw not given! That was full angling towards the leg side. Bairstow looked for the flick but misses. The umpire was not interested as the ball was going on to miss the leg stump. |
| 93.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, On the corridor of uncertainty. Bairstow looks to play but misses it completely. Morkel is coming very close to getting a wicket. |
| 93.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Another play and miss. Morkel is really on top of Bairstow! |
| 93.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, FOUR! Wristy shot! This was on middle and leg, Bairstow flicks it nicely through the leg side at the square leg region for a boundary. |
| 94.1 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, FOUR! Good shot from Roland-Jones this time. Back-to-back boundaries from England. This was full on covers and Toby drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 94.2 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Out! Gone! Smart catch at short point by Bavuma as Rabada gets his man! The nightwatchman has done his part you can say. This was again a full length ball on off. Toby went for the drive but played it straight into the hands of Bavuma. The South African took a good sharp catch as there as he had very little time to react. South Africa will be delighted with this start! |
| Moeen Ali is the new man in. |
| 94.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Bouncer! Ali ducks under it. |
| 94.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Ali misses this one outside off. That was close to the edge of the bat and the new man needs to be careful. |
| 94.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length this time, defended off the back foot by Ali. |
| 94.6 : K Rabada to Ali, FOUR! Full on middle. Ali drives it beautifully through mid on for a boundary. Well timed by the all-rounder on this occasion. |
| 95.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Bairstow chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 95.2 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, FOUR! Edged this one but it goes safely over gully. That was a full length ball outside off and Bairstow drives hard at it, good that he did as well. Welcome runs for England and Bairstow. |
| 95.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this one on middle off his back foot. |
| 95.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, FOUR! Punched off the back foot through the covers this time. The fielder gave a hearty chase but it was all in vain. Two boundaries already in this over. |
| 95.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this one. |
| 95.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, 4 Leg byes! On the pads this time. Bairstow looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards the boundary rope at fine leg. What an expensive over this! 12 runs come from this one. |
| 96.1 : K Rabada to Ali, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back oot. |
| 96.2 : K Rabada to M Ali, FOUR! Short ball on leg this time. Ali looks to pull and it looks like he manages to get something off his bat. The ball goes very fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 96.3 : K Rabada to M Ali, Driven through the covers this time. That was full and the shot was well timed. Two runs taken. |
| 96.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this one off the back foot. |
| 96.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Pushed towards covers but straight to the fielder. That was slightly full from Rabada. |
| 96.6 : K Rabada to M Ali, FOUR! What a shot from Ali! That was a short from Rabada and it got the treatment. Ali rocked back back pulled it past mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 97.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 97.2 : M Morkel to Bairstow, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 97.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Struck on the pads but it looks safe. |
| 97.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, On the pad once again. This time Bairstow works it down the leg side for a couple. |
| 97.5 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, FOUR! Good looking square cut from Bairstow for a boundary. He is looking in good touch at the moment. Another 50 for the batsman as he fights on for England. |
| 17th Test fifty for Bairstow, 3rd of this series. It has been a fighting knock which includes eight boundaries so far. |
| 97.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow shoulders his arms at it. |
| 98.1 : K Rabada to Ali, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 98.2 : K Rabada to Ali, OUT! Ali has to go! His aggressiveness gets the better of him. It was a length ball just outside off and Ali went a punch off his back foot. The ball took an outside edge and went straight to Faf du Plessis at second slip. Good clean catch from the South African skipper. England are in trouble now! |
| Stuart Broad is the new man in. |
| 98.3 : K Rabada to Broad, Full length ball outside off, pushed towards covers for three runs. |
| 98.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Outside off, play and miss from Bairstow. |
| 98.5 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, Gets an inside edge this time as it goes on to strike his pads. This was on off and middle and Bairstow is lucky to get some bat on it. |
| 98.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Nudged down fine leg this time for a single. |
| 99.1 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, Short ball outside off, Bairstow stays on his back foot and cuts it past pint for a single. |
| 99.2 : M Morkel to Broad, Streaky! FOUR nevertheless. That was slightly short outside off and Broad went for the cut which flew over gully for the boundary. Broad won't mid them as long as they keep coming. |
| 99.3 : Morkel to S Broad, OUT! Bowled 'em! Morne Morkel gets his man! This was a straight ball on middle and off, angling away from the bat. Broad was all over this ball as he missed the straight drive completely. The ball went on to strike the timber as England lose their ninth wicket! |
| James Anderson is the new man in. |
| 99.4 : M Morkel to Anderson, Back of a length, defended solidly by Anderson. |
| 99.5 : M Morkel to Anderson, Beaten outside off. That was asking for a drive but Anderson failed to get any bat to it. |
| 99.6 : M Morkel to Anderson, Struck on the pads this time but it was not in front of the stumps. |
| 100.1 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, Full on off. Driven towards the mid-off region. |
| 100.2 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, Dropped! A full length ball asking for the drive but Bairstow gets an outside edge. De Kock dives for it but fails to keep it in his gloves. The keeper is capable of taking such cases and will not be too pleased. |
| 100.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Outside off this time, left alone. |
| 100.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Edged and through the slips this time. Bairstow is looking tentative after his half-century which is odd. He should be settled by now. |
| 100.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Outside off, beaten this time. |
| 100.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Leading edge towards covers this time. Single taken. |
| 101.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Good length ball on middle, Bairstow looks to flick but gets a leading edge. The ball goes to covers this time. |
| 101.2 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Another inside edge onto the pads towards the left of the bowler. |
| 101.3 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, Full on off, driven through the covers this time. |
| 101.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, On the pads, nudged behind for a single. |
| 101.5 : M Morkel to Anderson, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| No rain forecast but there is a bit of clouds around. |
| 101.6 : M Morkel to Anderson, This one is also down the leg side and the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 102.1 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Bouncer! Bairstow ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| 102.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Full outside off, played towards point this time. |
| 102.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, FOUR! Good shot from Bairstow and England will need more of these. That was full on off and driven straight down the ground for a boundary. |
| 102.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Good length ball on middle, played to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 102.5 : K Rabada to Anderson, Wide down the leg side, left alone. |
| 102.6 : K Rabada to Anderson, Defended off the front foot by Anderson presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Time for the drinks break! South Africa will be very happy with this start for sure. Only one wicket before we see the South African batsmen in the middle. |
| 103.1 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 103.2 : M Morkel to Bairstow, FOUR! Outstanding timing. Half volley on the pads, Bairstow flicks it a bit uppishly through mid-wicket and the ball races away! |
| 103.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 103.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Outside off, punched through the off side. |
| 103.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, FOUR! MURDERED! Full and wide outside off, Bairstow reaches out to this one and lofts it over cover for a boundary! |
| 103.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, ALMOST A RUN OUT! Landed outside off, Jonny pushes it towards gully and sets off for a run. Anderson responds blindly, without even waiting to see whether the ball has gone past gully. Bairstow stops on seeing the ball being stopped but because Anderson is halfway through, he decides to run again. The fielder misses his shy at the striker's end and could have had Jimmy. |
| 104.1 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, Full and outside off, pushed towards long on. Anderson jogs halfway through, only to be sent back. |
| 104.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Outside off, chipped over cover for a couple. |
| 104.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Another useful stroke. Clips it through the leg side and earns a brace. |
| 104.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Outside off, Jonny flashes but misses. |
| 104.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, FOUR! Very late cut. Nicely played. He likes that shot. Stays back to this one and dabs it pretty late behind gully to third man. |
| 104.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Poor bowling, on the pads, that too on the final ball, easy single given away as JB works it behind square leg. |
| DUANNE OLIVIER to bowl now. |
| 105.1 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 105.2 : D Olivier to Bairstow, A length ball outside off, Bairstow flashes hard but does not move his feet and misses. |
| 105.3 : D Olivier to Bairstow, FOUR! Improvisation! Bairstow into limited-overs mode! He walks across his stumps, picks this from a length and scoops it over fine leg for a boundary! Olivier smiles. That is all he can do. Unexpected from the batsman. |
| 105.4 : D Olivier to Bairstow, SIX! Ho ho ho! This is serious batting. Bairstow charges into the 90s with a terrific shot. If the previous ball was a scoop, the batsman understands in advance that the length will be shorter. Jumps down the track and smashes it past Anderson into the Jimmy Anderson end! |
| 105.5 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow walks across and defends. |
| 105.6 : D Olivier to Bairstow, FOUR! Moves to 94 but Anderson will be on strike in the next over. Back of a length outside off, Bairstow goes back and across and guides it behind point. Third man starts to race across but the ball wins the race. To be honest, he would be happy that the ball won the race. |
| KESHAV MAHARAJ into the attack now. Can he break this partnership? |
| 106.1 : K Maharaj to Anderson, Landed outside off, spinning in a long way, Anderson pushes but misses. |
| 0.0 : Huge appeal for LBW! Is Anderson gone? He has been adjudged not out and South Africa want it reviewed... |
| 106.2 : K Maharaj to Anderson, NOT OUT! But a risky shot with your partner 6 short of a ton. Landed outside off, Anderson shaped to play the reverse sweep but missed with the ball spinning in. He got hit on the pads and Maharaj appealed. It was not given and du Plessis reviewed it, only to find the ball clipping the top of leg stump. Close. Very close. Immediately Bairstow has a word with his partner. |
| 106.3 : K Maharaj to Anderson, Around off and middle, Anderson gets across and defends it towards the leg side. Better from Jimmy. |
| 106.4 : K Maharaj to Anderson, FOUR! Outside off, Anderson gets off the mark with a cut behind point. |
| 106.5 : K Maharaj to Anderson, Outside off, a play and a miss as he plays inside the line. |
| 106.6 : K Maharaj to Anderson, Outside off, left alone. |
| 107.1 : D Olivier to J Bairstow, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 107.2 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Excellent running! Outside off, Bairstow punches it through the covers, calls for two and runs hard. Anderson puts on his roller skates and in the end, he has to dive to get in. Bairstow applauds the effort. |
| 107.3 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Full and outside off, a touch wide, eased through the covers for another couple. Dean Elgar in the deep takes his own sweet time to release the ball and the brace is completed with ease. |
| 107.4 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Is that a mistake? Bairstow takes the single with two balls to spare. Short and wide outside off, Jonny cuts it to the man in the deep at point and this time he gets only a single. Moves to 99... |
| 50-run stand is up as well! South Africa losing the plot a bit here. |
| 107.5 : D Olivier to Anderson, A short ball down the leg side, Jimmy instinctively goes to tuck it away but misses. |
| 107.6 : D Olivier to Anderson, On middle and leg, stays low a touch, defended to the leg side. Over to you, Jonny! Massive applause from the crowd. |
| 108.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full and outside off, pushed to the off side. |
| 108.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, On middle and leg, defended from the crease. |
| 108.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Full and around middle, Bairstow goes inside out and drives it towards cover. |
| Bairstow has been adjudged LBW on 99! He reviews it though... Tick, tick, tick... Bairstow's heartbeat... |
| 108.4 : Maharaj to Bairstow, OUT! LBW! The decision stays! Bairstow has to depart on 99. It was full and outside off, Bairstow got down with a huge stride to sweep but missed. Umpire Dharmasena thought for a while and then raised his finger. Bairstow immediately went for the review, given that he had no other choice and the impact was UMPIRE'S CALL. Only just. Tough luck for him. A thin line of difference between 99 and 100. ENGLAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 362! |
| England are in a much better position thanks to this 50-run stand between Bairstow and Anderson. They would have come this morning to try and get as close to 400 but they lost their way, with 3 wickets down for 41 runs. But Bairstow then exploded from 53 to reach 99, unluckily missing his century. |
| A decent batting effort from England, looking at the final score. As mentioned yesterday, apart from Bairstow, no one converted the start. Today morning it was all about Jonny Bairstow and how crucial he is to this English side. Might be a good case to try and push him up the order. Wonder how de Kock must be feeling - he dropped Bairstow on 53 with the partnership on 0 then. |
| South Africa bowled pretty well for most part of the innings but the counter-attack from Bairstow ruffled them. Morne Morkel was probably the unluckiest bowler with only 2 wickets while Rabada was the best with 4 scalps. Olivier and Maharaj picked up 2 apiece. |
| The Proteas will have around 15-20 minutes to bat till Lunch. Their sole aim will be to see off this period without any wickets lost. England, on the other hand, will look for a wicket or two, especially that of Kuhn. Stay tuned... |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Was that a drop? Anderson comes steaming in from the newly crowned James Anderson end and almost gets his man with the first ball. Bowls a very full length ball just outside off and Elgar looks to dig it. The ball goes just past the outside edge as the bat hits the ground. Keeper does not collect it anyways so an edge would not have mattered. What a start this would have been for Anderson! |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, Two Byes! Superb stop from Cook at fine leg! That was wide down the leg side but Elgar went for it. He missed and the ball raced away towards the ropes. Cook brilliantly dived and stoppd it just inches away from the boundary. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, Out! Anderson gets his man in the third ball itself! What a way to start for James Anderson from this end. The man gets his first wicket from there and it he would not have had it any other way. This wicket had Anderson's name all over it. A full length ball on middle, swinging further inside. Elgar had no chance as he went for the flick and got struck on the pads. Aleem Dar wasted no time in taking the decision as Anderson celebrated gleefully. Elgar thought of the rev |
| Hashim Amla is the new man in. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Amla, On the pads, flicked away for a single. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Another one outside of, Kuhn shoulders his arms at it. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Anderson is really going for it. Angles this one on off, Kuhn goes to flick but gets a leading edge which falls short of gully. That could easily have been a second wicket for Jimmy! |
| Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Amla, Amla defends this one from within his crease. |
| 1.2 : S Broad to Amla, On the pads, worked to fine leg for a couple. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Amla, Another one on the pads, worked to fine leg once again for another two runs. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Amla, Keeping the same line there, Amla flicks but straight to the fielder at square leg. |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Amla, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Amla, On middle, Amla looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes to covers. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Full in length, pitches and moves slightly away. Kuhn looks to play at it but misses. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, FOUR! Another full length ball on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for the boundary. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Outside off, played to point. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Full length ball outside off, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Good length ball on off, played towards mid-wicket. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Beaten outside off, Kuhn is flirting with danger here! |
| 3.1 : S Broad to Amla, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground off the front foot. There is some confusion in the middle between the two. Amla sets off for a single but there is a mix up before they eventually complete it. The fielder was slow to pick the ball or else it could have been trouble. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, Good length ball wide outside off. Kuhn gets a bottom edge as the ball is chopped just past the stumps. Risky shot just before lunch, he could easily have left it alone. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, Another one outside off, Kuhn goes for it but misses. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to Kuhn, Played to the point region this time. Kuhn is taking a risk by playing these wide deliveries. |
| 3.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, Smartly lets this one outside off go. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. THAT IS LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| South Africa wouldn't have been happy when they went into the innings break and will be further rocked by the early wicket of Elgar. The Proteas started the day slightly ahead but the last wicket partnership and the fact that Amla has had to come in early will not be satisfying as they have lunch. Early on, it was the Bairstow show as he played a lone innings but sadly he departed on 99. He was given good company by Anderson for the last wicket which helped them go past 350. |
| The weather has been great and England will hope it stays this way. James Anderson is looking really positive and the added incentive of taking a wicket from his own end will be on his mind. England will come into the second session with renewed confidence but we all know what Amla is capable of. The game is still in balance but the next session could prove to be decisive in terms of the series. Join us for the post lunch session at 1340 local (1240 GMT). |
| ...Day 2, Second Session... |
| We are set for the post lunch session. Anderson to continue! Amla is on strike. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Good length ball on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Another good length ball outside off, dabbed towards gully. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Amla, Good length ball, this time on middle, rocks on his back foot and plays it to mid-wicket. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Amla, Back of a length this time on off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Amla, Solid defense from Amla, length ball on off, played off the front foot. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Full length ball on the stumps, Amla watchfully defends it from within the crease. |
| Stuart Broad to continue from the other end. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, Starts off with a good length ball on off, played into the ground by Kuhn. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, Wide outside off, on a good length this time. Left alone. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, FOUR! Cuts this one through point for a boundary. This was wide outside off and Kuhn rocks onto his back foot and time his shot to perfection. The ball races away to boundary goving the fielders no chance. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Kuhn, Kuhn shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, Leaves this one outside off all alone. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, On a good length towards the off stump. Defended solidly towards gully. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Back of a length, defended off the back foot. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Fullish this time outside off, Amla promptly leaves it alone. |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Amla, FOUR! Top shot this! It was full outside off and Amla creams it through covers for the boundary. The ball right off the middle of the bat. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Amla, Well outside off, left alone this time. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to Amla, Back of a length, rocks onto his back foot and punches it through covers for three runs. |
| 6.6 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Well outside off, left alone this time. |
| Root questions the shape of the ball, the umpire checks but thinks it is fine. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Amla, Back of a length, wobbled seam delivery this time. Amla rocks onto his back foot and plays it square on the off side. |
| 7.2 : S Broad to Amla, Another one back of a length, defended solidly once again by Amla. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Amla, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this one as well. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to Amla, Back of a length and slightly wide outside off. Amla guides it nicely past gully but Bairstow goes chases it. He does really well as he prevents the boundary with a well timed dive. Three runs taken. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, Good length, defended from within the crease. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, FOUR! Outside off, cut through point for a boundary. Superb shot from Kuhn. The Proteas have started the session very positively. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Bye. Ouch that must have stung. Outside off, Amla leaves it alone. Bairstow has to deal with an awkward bounce and the ball hits him on the hand. It goes to his left and they sneak in a bye. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Back of a length, defended off the back foot. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Outside off, left alone by Kuhn. |
| 8.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Flashy from Kuhn! This was wide outside off and Kuhn slashes hard at it. He does not time it well enough and flies past the fielder at covers. They manage two runs there. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, On a good length, played to the mid-wicket region this time. |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Fullish on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 9.1 : S Broad to Amla, Outside off, Amla leaves it alone. |
| 9.2 : S Broad to Amla, FOUR! Full length ball, minimum feet movement there. Amla times it very well past the bowler to get a boundary at long off. That goes off the middle of the bat and races away to the boundary. No chance for the fielders as Amla looks to be coming into his own. |
| 9.3 : S Broad to Amla, FOUR! Another boundary for Amla! This was punched off the back foot through covers. Amla has been very positive and South Africa will want him to stay this way. Broad has been slightly expensive with his spell. |
| 9.4 : S Broad to Amla, Shoulders his arms at this one outside off. |
| 9.5 : S Broad to Amla, Back of a length, punched off the back foot to the off side for a couple. |
| 9.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, Leaves this one outside off all alone. |
| 10.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Fullish on middle, played off the front foot and to the leg side. |
| 10.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Once again a full length ball, driven towards mid off. |
| Bavuma is seen meditating with his pads on. Sitting beside him is Keshav Maharaj who seems to be pondering something, wonder what. De Kock is not in his whites, so that should confirm Bavuma moving ahead of QdK. |
| 10.3 : J Anderson to Amla, Close! Back of a length ball just outside off. Amla looks to defend it off his back foot but gets a bottom edge. Almost chops it onto his stumps but the ball flies past it the leg side past the keeper. Amla takes a single. |
| 10.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Slightly outside off, it kept low as well. Kuhn needs to be careful as this will happen as the day goes on. The ball takes a thick edge and bounces to the slip. |
| 10.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| Excellent observation from Michael Atherton on air. He compares the standing of the slip fielders for South Africa yesterday and today. Day 1 saw the fielders spread out a bit, thereby causing gaps in the slip cordon. Today, they were pretty much well-spaced. If only they had done this last evening, de Kock and Amla would not have had to look at each other and see the ball race away to the fence! |
| 10.6 : J Anderson to H Kuhn, On middle, takes an inside edge this time. The ball goes to fine leg. |
| Toby Roland-Jones comes on to bowl. |
| 11.1 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 11.2 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, FOUR! Good shot by Amla! That was slightly back of a length and Amla goes deep into his crease and flicks it past square leg. The ball races away to the boundary ropes as Amla looks even more confident with each passing ball. |
| 11.3 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Out! Amla has to depart! Soft, soft dismissal. That was going down the leg side and Amla who has been dispatching such balls to the boundary fails to connect well this time. He looks to nudge it gently towards fine leg but plays it way too fine. It takes the inner half of the bat and goes into the gloves of Bairstow. Very easy catch for the keeper and South Africa are in a spot of bother now. The big fish has been caught cheaply. Three out of three for Roland-Jones, |
| Temba Bavuma is the new man in. |
| 11.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Bavuma defends this well from within the crease. |
| 11.5 : T Roland-Jones to T Bavuma, FOUR. |
| 11.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, No run. |
| 12.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Back of a length ball, defended off the back foot. |
| 12.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Full outside off, driven straight down the ground for a couple. |
| 12.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend it. |
| 12.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, On a good length and on middle, played to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 12.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Leaves this one outside off all alone. |
| 12.6 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Another one outside off, Bavuma shoulders his arms at it. |
| 13.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Kuhn defends this well from within the crease. |
| 13.2 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Another good length ball, defended from inside his crease. |
| 13.3 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, On a length, Kuhn defends it well. |
| 13.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, This time it is outside off, Kuhn leaves it alone. |
| 13.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Fullish in length, defended off the front foot presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 13.6 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Wide outside off, Kuhn leaves it all alone. |
| 14.1 : J Anderson to Bavuma, On a good length just outside off, defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| 14.2 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Good leave by Bavuma. This was on a good length, shaping slightly in. Bavuma watches it go past his off stump into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 14.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Another one outside of, Bavuma plays at it with gentle hands and gets an outside edge. However it does now carry to the slip region. |
| 14.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Slightly outside off, Bavuma chooses to leave it alone. |
| 14.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Good looking shot this. Shortish outside off, Bavuma rocks onto his back foot and opens the face of the bat. He plays it plays it past point for a couple. |
| 14.6 : J Anderson to Bavuma, The ball strikes the batsman very low on the pads The fielding side are asking the question. The Umpire isn't interested in the appeal. |
| 15.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 15.2 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 15.3 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Works this one straight to mid-wicket. |
| 15.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, On middle, played to mid-wicket once again. |
| 15.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Back of a length, defended off the back foot. |
| 15.6 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Once again,played to mid-wicket. The ball was on a good length on middle. |
| Broad comes back on to bowl. |
| 16.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length ball just slightly outside off, left alone. |
| 16.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Back of a length, defended off the back foot. |
| 16.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Wide outside, left alone. |
| 16.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Good fielding by Malan from mid on. Bavuma flicks a full length ball on middle past mid-wicket and races off for. The ball looks to be going to the boundary but Malan's last ditched dive stops it. He pulls it back to the substitute fielder who gathers it and throws it back. Three runs taken. |
| 16.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, No run. |
| 16.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, No run. |
| Review time! England feel Bavuma is caught behind and have taken the review. |
| 17.1 : Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Not out! It was a good length ball angling down the leg side. Bavuma looked to nudge it towards fine leg but missed it. Roland-Jones and Bairstow both thought there was a faint edge and they went up in unison asking the question. The umpire was not interested, a small discussion ensued before Root asked for the review. Replays shows the ball was clearly missing the bat and hence the on-field decision stays. |
| 17.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Outside off this time, Bavuma leaves it alone. |
| 17.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this one off the back foot. |
| 17.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Full length ball on off, driven straight back. |
| 17.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Back of a length, defended from within the crease. |
| 17.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Back of a length, punched off the back foot through covers for a couple. |
| It is time for drinks! A solid start made by England as they get two dangermen out. Both Elgar and Amla have been sent back. England will hope for a couple more before Tea. |
| 18.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, Full and outside off, swinging in, Kuhn plays a loose-looking drive through the off side but misses. That was not far from the inside edge or the off stump. |
| 18.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, Around off and outside, on a length, watchfully defended towards cover. |
| 18.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, Similar delivery, pushed to the off side again. |
| 18.4 : S Broad to H Kuhn, Lovely ball. Angles in from a length outside off, Heino looks to drive but the ball takes the inside edge onto his pads and lobs up in the air. Broad rushes to catch it but cannot get to the ball. |
| Root and Broad get together for a chat. Short leg comes in for Kuhn. |
| 18.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 18.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 19.1 : T Roland-Jones to T Bavuma, Full and outside off, Bavuma leans and pushes it behind point. Three runs taken. |
| 19.2 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Landed outside off, Kuhn stays back and dabs it to gully. |
| 19.3 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Fullish and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 19.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 19.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 19.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Works this wide of mid on for a single. |
| 20.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, No run. |
| 20.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Full and outside off, Temba gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it towards mid off. |
| 20.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Outside off, left alone. |
| 20.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Around off, works it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 20.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, OUCH! That would have hurt. On a good length outside off, Bavuma falls over in his attempt to flick and is hit near the unmentionables. He does not show any pain. |
| 21.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, The batsman has played it fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 21.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, On a length outside off, Bavuma once again falls over in his attempt to flick and misses the ball once more. He is hit around the thighs and there is a stifled appeal for LBW. Turned down. |
| 21.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Full and outside off, driven straight back. Stopped well in his follow-through by the bowler. |
| 21.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Down the leg side, played through to fine leg for a single. |
| 21.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, A bit wider outside off, left alone. |
| 21.6 : T Roland-Jones to Kuhn, Landed outside off, Kuhn looks to punch but gets it off the bottom half of the bat towards the off side. |
| 22.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, On a good length outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 0.0 : Balloon stops play. Not sure from where it came but it has been taken off the field now. |
| 22.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Landed outside off, played towards gully. |
| 22.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 22.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Fuller in length now, outside off, Bavuma defends coming forward. |
| 22.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 22.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Another back foot defense to end the over. |
| 23.1 : T Roland-Jones to H Kuhn, DIRECT HIT would have had Kuhn. Full and outside off, Kuhn leans and drives it wide of mid off. James Anderson quickly gets to the ball to his left and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Replays show that Kuhn was short. |
| 23.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Better from Bavuma as he drives it wide of mid off and gets a couple. |
| 23.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 23.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, FOUR! On middle and off, Bavuma leans and flicks it through square leg for a boundary! |
| 23.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Outside off, left alone. |
| 23.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 24.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, On a good length outside off, Kuhn looks to flick but misses and is hit on the thigh pads. Broad starts to appeal but then bails out. Height was the factor. |
| 24.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 24.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, Full and outside off, Heino leans and looks to push but the ball goes off the outer half of the bat to point. |
| 24.4 : S Broad to H Kuhn, ALMOST A CATCH! Root smiles. That is precisely the reason why short leg has been placed. A length ball outside off, HK looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge, deflects onto the thigh, then lobs up a bit in the air. But short leg is too deep to take that catch. The place where is standing is good for a catch off the flick but Broad is not bowling that length at the moment. |
| 24.5 : S Broad to H Kuhn, There comes the half volley outside off and Kuhn's eyes light up as he looks to drive. But he gets a thick inside edge which hits him on the back of his left ankle. Immediately hobbles in pain. |
| 24.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, Outside off, left alone. |
| Moeen Ali comes on to bowl spin before tea. Meanwhile, Toby Roland-Jones goes off the field. |
| 25.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Starts off with a loopy ball on off, played to the fielder at silly mid on. |
| 25.2 : M Ali to T Bavuma, Another one flighted on middle, played to silly mid on again. |
| 25.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Flighted on off, driven towards covers for a single. |
| 25.4 : M Ali to Kuhn, Loopy ball on off, Kuhn plays a forward defense to the off side for a single through covers. |
| 25.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Flights this on off, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 25.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated on middle, driven towards mid on this time. |
| Double change, Ben Stokes to bowl now. |
| 26.1 : Ben Stokes to H Kuhn, Starts off with a short ball. Kuhn gets in position for a pull and times it well. The ball goes past square leg and they pick up three runs. |
| 26.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Fullish this time, driven straight back. |
| 26.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Oooh! A Chinese cut this time. It was a full length ball outside off, Bavuma went for the drive. He got an inside edge and the ball flew past his stumps behind towards fine leg. Bairstow gave a good chase while the batsmen take three runs. |
| 26.4 : Ben Stokes to Kuhn, Outside off, Kuhn leaves it all alone. |
| 26.5 : Ben Stokes to Kuhn, Outside off, Kuhn plays it point. |
| 26.6 : Ben Stokes to Kuhn, Action replay of the previous ball. |
| A bit of hammering going around. It is not from the end from where Moeen is bowling but from the opposite one. |
| Confusion, mix-up, run out chance, has he messed it up? Temba Bavuma could be in trouble. Referred upstairs... |
| 27.1 : Ali to Bavuma, Flights this one one on off, driven to the off side and there's chaos in the middle. Both the batsmen are stranded in the middle as Cook picks the ball up. Bavuma has to put in a dive before Ali belatedly takes the bails off. The dive really saves him there but what were the two thinking in the middle. Not what you expect from two top order batsmen. In the end it is a single. |
| 27.2 : M Ali to Kuhn, Another chance there! Kuhn looks to sweep and the ball goes off his gloves. It falls just beside the batsman there. Bairstow was interested for a second there. |
| 27.3 : M Ali to H Kuhn, OU! Kuhn departs! The signs were there and Kuhn finally departs. He could easily have gone before this ball. Ali floated this one just outside off. Kuhn went forward for a push at it but the ball took an outside edge thanks to a slight turn away from the bat. Stokes at first slip goes really low to complete the catch. Ali picks up his first wicket of the match, we all know what he can do once he gets going. South Africa have lost their third with the skipper coming in next |
| Faf du Plessis is the new man in. |
| 27.4 : M Ali to Plessis, Landed outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 27.5 : M Ali to Plessis, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 27.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Goes back in his crease and blocks. |
| 28.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, On a length outside off, Bavuma blocks. |
| 28.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 28.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Fullish on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 28.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, On a good length, this time on middle. Bavuma plays it past mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 28.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Fullish on middle and leg. Bavuma uses the angle and flicks it to the leg side for a single. |
| 28.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Well outside off, du Plessis shoulders arms to it. |
| 29.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Flighted one outside off, turning in slightly. Bavuma gets his front foot towards the pitch of the delivery but leaves it alone. |
| 29.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Defends this one off the front foot this time. |
| 29.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 29.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Driven towards extra cover this time, straight to the fielder. |
| 29.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Bavuma shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 29.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.1 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Wide down the leg side, du Plessis leaves it alone. |
| 30.2 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Fullish on off, pushed wide of mid off. The fielder gets across to his left to stop. |
| 30.3 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Good length ball on off, du Plussis looks to play it towards third man but the ball goes off the outer half of the bat past gully for a couple. |
| 30.4 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Length ball outside off. Left alone by du Plessis. |
| 30.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, FOUR! Du Plessis almost gets caught behind as the ball takes an outside edge. It flies past the slip region for a boundary. That was quick on middle and off, du Plessis looked to play it towards mid on but was squared up a touch. Luckily for him it did not go straight to any of the slip fielders. |
| 30.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, On middle, this time, du Plessis manages to play it to mid-wicket. THAT IS TEA ON DAY 2! |
| England will be pleased with how this session has unfolded. Kuhn and Amla struck a good partnership though the former looked like he was struggling. Amla was looking good but got dismissed rather cheaply. Kuhn stuck in but his 37-run partnership with Bavuma came to end as Moeen Ali joined the party with his first wicket of the match. |
| South Africa will be hoping that Bavuma and du Plessis can add on to the 93 runs scored up until now. The scoring rate was slow and the loss of wickets really hurt them. They will want to improve on both fronts. |
| The Englishmen have been on the money with their bowling efforts. The ball is turning for Ali while the seamers are getting some slight seam movements as well. They are sticking to their plans and have been miserly in terms of giving away the runs. The hosts will want to carry on with more of the same for the final session of the day. The final session is moments away so do join us then. |
| ...Day 2, Final session... |
| Ali to continue post tea, Bavuma will take strike. |
| 31.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loopy ball on off, played off the front foot towards covers for a single. |
| 31.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Fullish on middle, driven through mid on this time. |
| 31.3 : M Ali to Plessis, Flighted outside off, played off the back foot past covers for a couple. |
| 31.4 : M Ali to Plessis, Slightly full from Ali, defends it off the front foot. |
| 31.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 31.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Ben Stokes to continue from the Jimmy Anderson end. |
| 32.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Slightly full, Bavuma looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It carries on just miss the off stump as Bavuma tried to get his back foot in the way. Close shave for the batsman there. |
| 32.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Outside off, left alone this time. |
| 32.3 : Ben Stokes to T Bavuma, FOUR! Streaky stuff! Back of a length ball wide outside off and. Bavuma looks to push it past point off his back foot. The ball takes an outside edge and flies over the slip fielders. Stokes won't mind this, he is creating doubts in the batsman's mind. |
| 32.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Leaves the ball outside off this time. |
| 32.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, On middle, played straight to mid-wicket. |
| 32.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 33.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball wide outside off. Du Plessis puts his front foot in the way to block it with his pads. |
| 33.2 : M Ali to Plessis, FOUR! Creamed through the covers superbly by du Plessis. That was a fullish delivery and asking to be hit. du Plessis obliged by playing the cover drive to perfection off his front foot for a boundary. |
| 33.3 : M Ali to Plessis, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 33.4 : M Ali to Plessis, On middle, played to mid-wicket this time. |
| 33.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Another loopy ball on middle, played to mid-wicket once again. |
| 33.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Floated on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 34.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Good length ball outside off. Bavuma leaves it alone. |
| 34.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Down the leg side this time, Bavuma nudges it fine for a couple. |
| 34.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, No ball! Outside off left alone. He will have to bowl that one again for overstepping. |
| Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Down the leg side this time, Bavuma goes for it but misses. |
| 34.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Good looking pull through mid-wicket by Bavuma. It was a back of a length ball and deserved more than just the couple. Deep backward square leg got there as the ball was slowing down on it's way to the boundary. |
| 34.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Outside off, played to point. |
| 34.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Another one outside off, left alone this time. |
| 35.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Flights this one outside off, du Plessis gets his front foot in the way to block it with his pads. It goes on to the fielder at first slip. |
| 35.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy one on middle, played off the front foot to the bowler. |
| 35.3 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy again on middle, du Plessis down not close the face of his bat in time. He edges it to point and takes a single. |
| 35.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Bavuma manages to play the ball to mid-wicket. It was on middle and he did well to connect. |
| 35.5 : M Ali to Bavuma, Outside off, left alone by Bavuma. |
| 35.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loopy ball outside off, Bavuma gets his front foot to the pitch of the ball and goes for the defensive shot. He misses and gets struck on the pads. |
| 36.1 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, On the pads, flicked away for a couple. |
| 36.2 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, No what he intended but gets four runs! du Plessis went for the square drive but gets a thickish edge that goes through for the boundary. Luck is not favouring stokes. He is inducing the false shots but they are not resulting in the wickets. |
| 36.3 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Length ball defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.4 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, FOUR! Stokes continues to give away runs. Good length ball on the pads, du Plessis plays a wristy shot there. The ball travels through square leg for a boundary. Good shot by the South Africa skipper. |
| 36.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Full on middle and off, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 37.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated on middle, played to mid-wicket by Bavuma. |
| 37.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 37.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Fullisj on middle, swept away for a single. |
| 37.4 : M Ali to Plessis, On middle, played to mid-wicket this time. |
| 37.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 37.6 : M Ali to Plessis, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| Anderson comes on to bowl now. |
| 38.1 : J Anderson to Bavuma, FOUR! Starts off by conceding a boundary! It was a good length ball on off. Bavuma rocked to his back foot and punched it though the cover-point for a boundary. Not the start Anderson wanted. |
| 38.2 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Outside off, played to the point region this time. |
| 38.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, The batsman gets a bottom edge of the bat on that one. |
| 38.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 38.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 38.6 : J Anderson to Plessis, The batsman gets an inside edge on that which goes fine down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 39.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 39.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Landed outside off, flicked through the leg side for a single. |
| 39.3 : M Ali to Bavuma, Fullish and outside off, Bavuma lunges and defends it right in front of him. |
| 39.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Full and wider outside off, eased wide of mid off for a single. |
| 39.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Landed outside off, defended from his crease. |
| 39.6 : M Ali to du Plessis, Close! That was a loopy ball on off and du Plessis looked to defend it off his front foot. The ball was straight and it took the outside edge but fell just short of Stokes at slip. |
| 40.1 : J Anderson to Bavuma, No run. |
| 40.2 : J Anderson to Bavuma, One more leave outside off. |
| 40.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Gets right behind this one to defend. |
| 40.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, OUT! Bavuma has been bowled! Anderson gets his man with a superb delivery! The ball was slightly full just outside off. Bavuma looked to leave it but the ball seamed in and took the top of his off stump. This is exactly England were looking for. They kept bowling at this line and have been rewarded with this crucial wicket. Bavuma was fighting hard and will be very disappointed by what has happened. |
| Quinton de Kock is the new man in. |
| 40.5 : J Anderson to Kock, Around middle and leg, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 40.6 : J Anderson to Plessis, OUT! Bowled! Two in the over! Well, he left the ball at the Oval and was bowled. Today, he has played at one and got bowled again! |
| Theunis de Bruyn is in next. |
| 41.1 : M Ali to Kock, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 41.2 : M Ali to Kock, Outside off again, another leave. |
| 41.3 : M Ali to Kock, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 41.4 : M Ali to de Kock, Outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 41.5 : M Ali to Kock, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 41.6 : M Ali to Kock, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. That is a very quick maiden over from Moeen. |
| 42.1 : J Anderson to Bruyn, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 42.2 : J Anderson to Bruyn, One more leave outside off. |
| 42.3 : J Anderson to Bruyn, This is straighter, de Bruyn gets in line and defends. |
| 42.4 : J Anderson to Bruyn, Third leave of the over. |
| 42.5 : J Anderson to Bruyn, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 42.6 : J Anderson to Bruyn, EDGED, DROPPED! Top effort from Jennings. On a length outside off, de Bruyn pushes at it but the ball kicks off the surface. He fends at it and the ball flies off the gloves behind point. De Bruyn leaps to his left at gully but cannot hang on. |
| 43.1 : M Ali to de Kock, DROPPED! Second chance in two balls. Landed outside off, a touch short, de Kock looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies thick and fast to first slip where Ben Stokes is probably a touch late in reacting. The ball hits his right wrist, then lobs behind him. |
| 43.2 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.3 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 43.4 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 43.5 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 43.6 : M Ali to Bruyn, FOUR! Loopy ball on off, de Bruyn plays a superb reverse sweep and gets it past backward point for the boundary. That was struck really well by de Bruyn who has just come in. |
| 44.1 : J Anderson to Kock, Good length ball on off, played to point. |
| 44.2 : J Anderson to Kock, Action replay of the previous ball. |
| 44.3 : J Anderson to Kock, Good length ball outside off, defended into the ground and towards slips. |
| 44.4 : J Anderson to Kock, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 44.5 : J Anderson to Kock, Slightly back of a length, played to the point region this time. |
| 44.6 : J Anderson to Kock, On a good length on off. Defended off the back foot back to the bowler. |
| 45.1 : M Ali to Bruyn, Loopy ball on off, played back to the left of the bowler who gathers it. |
| 45.2 : M Ali to Bruyn, Floated on middle and off, played off the back foot towards to the leg side. |
| 45.3 : M Ali to Bruyn, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend this time. |
| 45.4 : M Ali to Bruyn, Looks to defend this to the leg side but gets an outside edge. Falls safely beside him on the off side. |
| 45.5 : M Ali to Bruyn, Floated on middle, played to mid-wicket. |
| 45.6 : M Ali to Bruyn, Loopy ball on off and a good looking square drive there. It goes straight to the fielder. |
| 46.1 : J Anderson to Kock, Gets behind this one to defend it safely. |
| 46.2 : J Anderson to Kock, Angled away from the batsman and he leaves it well. |
| 46.3 : J Anderson to Kock, Simlilar ball this time but de Kock defends it solidly towards point. |
| 46.4 : J Anderson to Kock, What a yorker! Right on the money. De Kock looked to dig it out and got a bottom edge on it. It goes straight behind to the keeper who does manage to get down on time. He manages a glove to it as the ball goes behind. Single taken. |
| 46.5 : J Anderson to Bruyn, Outside off this time, de Bruyn goes for it but misses. |
| 46.6 : J Anderson to Bruyn, Length ball on middle, played towards mid on off the back foot. |
| 47.1 : M Ali to de Kock, Loopy ball on middle and off, driven towards covers. |
| 47.2 : M Ali to Kock, Charges down the track but decides to defend. The was floated right on middle and off. |
| 47.3 : M Ali to Kock, On the pads this time, worked away for a single. |
| 47.4 : M Ali to Bruyn, Floated on middle and leg. De Bruyn plays a reverse sweep and the ball goes past backward point tricking towards the boundary line. Roland-Jones does well to get there and stop the boundary with a diving effort. Couple of runs have been taken. |
| 47.5 : M Ali to Bruyn, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 47.6 : M Ali to Bruyn, On the pads, worked down the leg side for a single. |
| 48.1 : J Anderson to Bruyn, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 48.2 : J Anderson to de Bruyn, FOUR! Nicely done. Fullish on middle and off, de Bruyn flicks it wide of mid on and gets a boundary! |
| 48.3 : J Anderson to Bruyn, OUT! Edged and gone next ball! Anderson is on fire. 5.3-2-12-3 in this spell so far. It was a full length ball outside off and de Bruyn looked to push it off his front foot towards covers. The ball took an outside edge and flew into the arms of Joe Root at second slip. Anderson is taking down South Africa one batsman at a time. The visitors still trail by 216 runs! |
| Keshav Maharaj is the new man in. |
| 48.4 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Fullish on off, pushed to covers for a single. |
| 48.5 : J Anderson to Kock, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 48.6 : J Anderson to Kock, Outside off, played towards point. |
| 49.1 : M Ali to Maharaj, Outside off, Maharaj shoulders his arms at it. |
| 49.2 : M Ali to Maharaj, Beats the outside edge by a whisker! The ball was floated just outside off and drifted slightly away. It went straight while Maharaj looked to play for the turn. He missed the line as the ball went past his outside edge into the keeper's gloves. |
| 49.3 : M Ali to Maharaj, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 49.4 : M Ali to Maharaj, Floated outside off, pushed towards covers. |
| 49.5 : M Ali to Maharaj, Slightly on the shorter side, defended off he back foot. |
| 49.6 : M Ali to Maharaj, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 50.1 : J Anderson to Kock, Outside off and slightly full, de Kock plays a square drive. |
| 50.2 : J Anderson to Kock, Wide outside off, de Kock cuts it towards point. He is not able to pierce the tight field on the off side. |
| 50.3 : J Anderson to de Kock, Full and in middle, de Kock drives it through mid on this time. |
| 50.4 : J Anderson to Kock, Wide outside off again, played towards point. |
| 50.5 : J Anderson to Kock, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 50.6 : J Anderson to Kock, Full outside off, pushed towards mid off by de Kock. |
| Drinks are on the field. The session has so belonged to England. South Africa have lost three wickets so far this session all taken by Jimmy Anderson. South Africa will hope they don't lose anymore wickets till the end of day's play. |
| 51.1 : M Ali to Maharaj, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 51.2 : M Ali to Maharaj, Edged and dropped! It was a loopy ball on off and Maharaj looked to defend it off his front foot. He missed the line completely and the ball took the outside edge. Bairstow behind the wickets failed react in time as the ball hit his gloves and went under his feet. Single taken. |
| 51.3 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 51.4 : M Ali to Kock, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 51.5 : M Ali to Maharaj, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They have run through for a single. |
| 51.6 : M Ali to de Kock, Driven through mid on this time, it was full length ball. |
| Toby Roland-Jones replaces Anderson. |
| 52.1 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 52.2 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Good length ball on off, defended from within the crease. |
| 52.3 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this off the back foot. |
| 52.4 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Outside off, Maharaj leaves it alone. |
| 52.5 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 52.6 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Full length ball outside off. Straightens a touch and beats the outside edge of Maharaj. |
| 53.1 : M Ali to Kock, Floated outside off, left alone. |
| 53.2 : M Ali to Kock, On middle and leg, played to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 53.3 : M Ali to Maharaj, Charges down the track but only manages to drive it to covers on the full. |
| 53.4 : M Ali to Maharaj, Defends this one off the back foot. |
| 53.5 : M Ali to Maharaj, On the pads and flicked away but straight to the fielder at backward square leg. |
| 53.6 : M Ali to Maharaj, Looks to smash this down the ground but down the ground but not really connect well enough. Ali looks to stop it but parries it to mid off. |
| 54.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 54.2 : T Roland-Jones to de Kock, FOUR! Short ball on middle and de Kock pulls it away comfortably for the boundary. It travels fast and through square leg. No chance to stop this one. |
| 54.3 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Outside off, played to point. |
| 54.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 54.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, On middle, played to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 54.6 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 55.1 : M Ali to Kock, Loopy ball outside off, de Kock plays a square drive for a single. |
| 55.2 : M Ali to Maharaj, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 55.3 : M Ali to Maharaj, SIX! What a shot! Loopy ball on middle and Maharaj charges down and gets to the pitch of the ball. He powers it over wide long on the for the first of the innings. God aggression shown by the batsman there. |
| Follow-on has been saved! |
| 55.4 : M Ali to Maharaj, FOUR! FOUR! Loopy ball outside off and Maharaj cuts it past backward point for the boundary. |
| 55.5 : M Ali to Maharaj, Driven through mid off by the batsman. |
| 55.6 : Ali to Maharaj, OUT! LBW! Ali gets his man! He has the last laugh after getting struck for a six and four in this over. Maharaj looked like he had stepped on the gear but does not last long. This was slightly quicker and skidding into the batsman. Maharaj played all over it as he looked to flick but misses. The ball struck him right in front of the stumps and the umpire took no time in taking the decision. Maharaj asked his partner about the review but it was plumb. He has to walk back now |
| Kagiso Rabada is the new man in. |
| 56.1 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Full and outside off, de Kock comes forward and defends. |
| 56.2 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Landed outside off, on a length, played straight to point. |
| 56.3 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, A short ball outside off, de Kock swivels to pull but is beaten by the lack of bounce on that. |
| 56.4 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Fullish now, Quinton defends. |
| 56.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, A length ball outside off, QdK drives this straight down the ground. It is too straight and the ball deflects off the stumps at the other end wide of mid off. Kagiso Rabada wants a single but is sent back. |
| 56.6 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, EDGED, FOUR! Some luck for de Kock. He pushes at this length ball away from his body, trying to force this through point but gets a thick outside edge through the vacant area between second slip and gully to the third man fence! |
| 57.1 : M Ali to Rabada, Full and outside off, driven sweetly wide of mid off. |
| 57.2 : M Ali to Rabada, Similar ball, similar shot, same result. |
| 57.3 : M Ali to Rabada, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 57.4 : M Ali to Rabada, Full and outside off, driven straight back. |
| 57.5 : M Ali to K Rabada, Finally gets this through the gap at covers and earns a single. |
| 57.6 : M Ali to Kock, On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 58.1 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 58.2 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, Outside off, angling in, defended from the crease. |
| 58.3 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, One more leave outside off. |
| 58.4 : T Roland-Jones to K Rabada, FOUR! A bit fortuitous. It is a length ball outside off and Rabada slightly goes hard at his push. The ball takes the outside edge but escapes through the gap between the slips and gully to the third man fence. |
| 58.5 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, FOUR! More confident shot. On middle and leg, Rabada chips this uppishly over the man at short mid-wicket and gets consecutive boundaries. The stand moves to 13 now. |
| 58.6 : T Roland-Jones to Rabada, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 59.1 : M Ali to Kock, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 59.2 : M Ali to Kock, STUMPING MISSED! That could have been done. Flighted outside off, de Kock comes down the track to drive but is beaten in the flight. Luckily for him, just as he misses, Bairstow does too and Quinton gets back in time. |
| 59.3 : M Ali to Kock, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a couple. |
| 59.4 : M Ali to Kock, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. |
| 59.5 : M Ali to Kock, Tossed up outside off, spinning a long way away from the southpaw, watchfully let go. |
| 59.6 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| STUART BROAD comes back on for a final burst in the day... |
| 60.1 : S Broad to Rabada, On a good length outside off, angling in, Rabada defends it from his crease. |
| 60.2 : S Broad to Rabada, This one bites off the pitch, Kagiso is surprised but somehow manages to push it away. |
| 60.3 : S Broad to Rabada, On middle and leg, worked through the leg side for a single. The deficit is now 179. |
| 60.4 : S Broad to Kock, Around middle and leg, watchfully defended. |
| 60.5 : S Broad to Kock, Similar ball, Quinton de Kock gets across and looks to tuck it fine but gets a thick inside edge which runs fine. A single taken. |
| 60.6 : S Broad to Rabada, Outside off, left alone. |
| 61.1 : M Ali to Kock, Outside off, punched through the off side. |
| 61.2 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 61.3 : M Ali to Kock, FOUR! Finally gets one away in his area of liking. Short and outside off, de Kock goes back and cuts it through point. There is a sweeper cover in place but he cannot cut it off. Puts in a desperate dive to his right but in vain. The stand moves to 21 now. |
| 61.4 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 61.5 : M Ali to Kock, Outside off, left alone. |
| Run out appeal! Is Rabada in trouble? Referred upstairs... |
| 61.6 : M Ali to Kock, SAFE AS A HOUSE. Short and outside off, de Kock cuts it through point and calls for a quick single. The throw comes in at the keeper's end and Bairstow whips off the bails and appeals. On referring upstairs, replays confirm that Rabada is home. |
| 62.1 : S Broad to Kock, OUT! Broad strikes and de Kock's struggle ends. Broad gets this to jag away off the seam from around off, de Kock pushes at it and gets a healthy outside edge behind. England lost a wicket late yesterday and today they have given back the honours. Guess de Kock could have stepped on the gas at some point. 24 from 66 is not what he himself would have had in his mind. Having said that, England had stifled him to no extent. |
| 0.0 : MORNE MORKEL walks in at number 10, replacing de Kock. |
| 62.2 : S Broad to Morkel, Around off and outside off, Morne walks across and brings his bat down at the last moment to defend. |
| 62.3 : S Broad to Morkel, Outside off, Morne looks to punch but gets a bottom edge. |
| 62.4 : S Broad to Morkel, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 62.5 : S Broad to Morkel, Excellent fielding. MM punches this through cover-point but Ben Stokes dives acrobatically to his left and stops the ball. |
| Comes around the wicket now... |
| 62.6 : S Broad to Morkel, Off the mark now. Works the ball with the angle through mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 63.1 : M Ali to Morkel, Full and on off, Morkel blasts this straight back but Moeen gets a hand on it and half stops it. |
| 63.2 : M Ali to Morkel, Dangerous. Morne goes back to this straight ball and punches it from the line of off stump. Just about gets bat on ball. |
| Silly point is moved back to short cover. Sensible decision as Morne likes to punch the ball hard through that region. Silly point could be risking himself. |
| 63.3 : M Ali to Morkel, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 63.4 : M Ali to Morkel, Very full and straight, blocked in front of short leg. |
| 63.5 : M Ali to Morkel, The arm ball, outside off, MM lets it go. |
| 63.6 : M Ali to Morkel, Fuller on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 64.1 : S Broad to Rabada, Landed outside off, Rabada feels for the ball outside off and misses. |
| 64.2 : S Broad to Rabada, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 64.3 : S Broad to Rabada, Action replay of the previous delivery, |
| 64.4 : S Broad to Rabada, This is on a length outside off, Kagiso looks to defend, then decides to keep his bat inside the line. Comprehensively beaten. |
| 64.5 : S Broad to K Rabada, FOUR! Streaky! A length ball wide outside off, Rabada throws his bat at it and ends up slicing it over gully to third man! The deficit is now 168. |
| 64.6 : S Broad to Rabada, Stays back in his crease and blocks. |
| 65.1 : M Ali to Morkel, Landed on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 65.2 : M Ali to Morkel, Fuller on middle, Morkel swings hard, but mistimes it to Stuart Broad at mid on. |
| 65.3 : M Ali to Morkel, FOUR! Just over! Morkel is not going to die wondering how to play the off spinner. Gets a tossed up ball and he does not care there are 21 balls left for the day. Swings it over mid on and just clears Broad over there. |
| 65.4 : Ali to Morkel, FOUR! Nice hit. Tossed up outside off, Morkel swings it cleanly through the line and almost clears the fence at long off. The ball lands just in front. |
| 65.5 : M Ali to M Morkel, Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a single. Well, a respect for Morne with mid off pushed back. |
| 65.6 : M Ali to Rabada, Outside off, left alone. |
| 66.1 : S Broad to Morkel, Around off and outside, watchfully defended. |
| 66.2 : S Broad to M Morkel, FOUR! 'Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!' screams Broad in agony and frustration. He pitches this up to the batsman and invites the drive. Morkel obliges and gets an outside edge, but it is wide of Joe Root at second slip to the third man fence! |
| 66.3 : S Broad to Morkel, Straighter from Broad, Morne defends. |
| 66.4 : S Broad to Morkel, Full on middle, MM pushes it through mid on and calls for a quick single. Mid on gets across to his right and puts in a dive, only to parry it wide of mid off. Morne quickly takes a single. He is behaving like a senior partner at the moment, trying to farm the strike. Or, he is trying to protect Rabada with the latter being the better batsman. |
| 66.5 : S Broad to Rabada, On middle and off, watchfully defended. |
| 66.6 : S Broad to Rabada, FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Half volley outside off, Rabada leans and drives this through extra cover and gets a boundary! The stand moves to 23 from 29 balls. |
| Moeen Ali is done for the day. No more for him. Here comes DAWID MALAN. He bowls leg breaks. |
| 67.1 : D Malan to Morkel, Not a bad start, nicely tossing it up and getting it to spin a bit, Morkel calmly works it through square leg for a single. The deficit is now 149. |
| 67.2 : D Malan to Rabada, On middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 67.3 : D Malan to K Rabada, Pushes this through mid on and gets a quick single. |
| 67.4 : D Malan to Morkel, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 67.5 : D Malan to Morkel, Full and wide outside off, Morkel looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge which squirts behind point. A run taken. |
| 67.6 : Malan to Rabada, FOUR! PLUNDERED! Full and around off, Rabada blasts it straight back over the bowler for a boundary! Some shots being played, eh! This stand is worth 30 from 35 balls now. Rabada moves to 23 from 27 balls and that is his 5th boundary. |
| The last over of this long day... |
| 68.1 : S Broad to Morkel, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 68.2 : S Broad to M Morkel, Full and wide outside off, Morkel looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge which flies through point. Moeen Ali dives at backward point to keep the batsmen to a single. |
| 68.3 : S Broad to K Rabada, OUT! Stokes plucks a stunner! What a way to end the day. Broad eventually gets a reward for persisting with his fuller length. Rabada is sucked into the drive and gets a thick outside edge. It seems like the ball will fly through the gap but Ben Stokes at gully throws himself to his left and takes it one-handed, just above the surface. The umpires check for the legality of the catch but replays confirm it is fine. Stokes gets up in style and indicates four to the dress |
| No doubt about who will be the happier of the two sides after the end of the second day. Most of the South African batsmen got starts but none of them carried on. In fact, not a single half century with Temba Bavuma coming closest with his 46. This is exactly why they find themselves on the back foot. With Rabada's wicket at the stroke of stumps, England will be confident of cleaning the last wicket early tomorrow. |
| England were on the front foot since the start of the day as Bairstow and Anderson added 50 runs for the last wicket with the former doing the bulk of the scoring. He was unlucky though to be dismissed on 99. The visitors then came on to bat but the trouble started right from the word go. Elgar was dismissed for nought with Anderson getting the wicket from the end named after him. |
| The batsmen coming after Elgar, all got starts but failed to convert as England kept picking the wickets at regular intervals. Anderson was the pick of the bowlers with his four wickets. Broad and Ali picked a couple each with Toby Roland-Jones picking up one. South Africa are on the back foot and will have to really think about how they can comeback into the game. |
| Day 3 will give us an even clearer picture as to what the result will be for this game. For now Joe Root will sleep peacefully while Faf du Plessis will have lots of things to ponder about. All in all it was an entertaining day of cricket with Day 3 promising more of the same. Do join us at 1100 local and 1000 GMT for all the action. Until then, goodbye and take care! |
| ...Day 3, Session 1... |
| Welcome back to the coverage of the final Test between England and South Africa. Yesterday it was all England with Anderson's 4-fer putting his team on the front foot. Batting first, England managed 362 with Bairstow making 99. In reply, South Africa have only managed 220 runs for the loss of nine wickets with Bavuma making 46. |
| The visitors will be itching to pave a way back for themselves in this game and the only way for them to do that will be wickets once the inevitable third innings begins. It will be interesting to see how much Maharaj will be used with the pitch showing hint of turn, we can expect him to play a crucial role with the ball later on in the day. For England it is simple, bat fast and build on to the lead which at the moment is 142. Unless Morkel and Olivier do the unexpected and add some extra runs |
| The weather is perfect for the game with a shade of cloud cover but showers are expected later on in the day. Let's hope they stay away though. So stay tuned for an exhilarating third day of Test match cricket! |
| The players are out in the middle, looks windy so let's see what Stuart Broad can do as he marks his run up. Morne Morkel will be joined by Duanne Olivier in the middle after the loss of Rabada at the stroke of stumps. Three slips and a gully, here we go! |
| 68.4 : S Broad to Olivier, Starts off with a wide one outside off, left alone. |
| 68.5 : S Broad to Olivier, Bowls this one just in the corridor of uncertainty. Olivier looks to defend but misses it completely. Could have easily nicked this one. |
| 68.6 : S Broad to Olivier, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Jimmy Anderson to bowl from the other end, for the first time in this Test match. He bowled from the Anderson end the whole of yesterday. |
| 69.1 : J Anderson to Morkel, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 69.2 : J Anderson to Morkel, On a good length, played to mid-wicket off the back foot. |
| 69.3 : J Anderson to Morkel, That was close! A direct hit would have been interesting. The first run of the morning could have resulted in a run out. Morkel played this one to mid-wicket and set off for the single. Olivier had to stretch to get in the crease as the throw came in from the fielder but since he was off balance, he missed the stumps. |
| 69.4 : J Anderson to D Olivier, On a good length, gets the edge of the bat but falls just beside him. |
| 69.5 : J Anderson to Olivier, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 69.6 : J Anderson to Olivier, FOUR! Great effort from Stokes. A length ball outside off, Olivier plays that with soft hands and gets it off the outer half of the bat wide of gully. Stokes and Moeen chase it in pairs from the slip cordon and the former gets to the ball, slides and pulls it back in. However, unluckily for him, the ball rolls back into the ropes! The deficit is now 137. |
| 70.1 : S Broad to Morkel, Fullish ball on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 70.2 : S Broad to Olivier, Slightly full once again, played off the front foot back past the bowler to mid off. |
| 70.3 : S Broad to Olivier, Another good length ball played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 70.4 : S Broad to Olivier, Back of a length this time. Olivier does well to adjust and play tap it down to forward short leg. |
| 70.5 : S Broad to Olivier, Down the leg side, Olivier tries to play but is struck high on the pad. |
| 70.6 : S Broad to Olivier, Another back of a length ball, defended off the back behind leg. |
| 71.1 : J Anderson to Morkel, Good length ball, angling away from the batsman. Left alone. |
| 71.2 : J Anderson to Morkel, Another ball outside off left alone. |
| 71.3 : J Anderson to Morkel, Morkerl seems to know exactly where his off stump is. He leaves this good length ball just outside off alone. It went very close past the stump there. |
| 71.4 : J Anderson to Morkel, Gets an inside edge on this one. It was a good length ball on off. Morkel looked to defend it off the back foot and got an inside edge. The ball went just past his leg stump there. |
| 71.5 : J Anderson to Morkel, Leaves this one outside off all alone. |
| 71.6 : J Anderson to Morkel, Good length ball outside off, played straight to point. |
| 72.1 : Broad to D Olivier, OUT! Broad ends South Africa's inning early in the day! Just what England would have planned when they came onto the field. He bowls this one very short around off and hurries Olivier into the pull shot. The ball takes a thick edge and flies high in the air behind the keeper. Both Bairstow and Cook are interested as they converge under it. However, Cook avoids the mishap and his experience shows as he leaves the catch to his keeper. Good decision by the former skipper a |
| So it has taken England 22 balls this morning to wrap the South African innings up. They have managed to get a lead of 136 which is more than handy. In that, the last wicket stand between Anderson and Bairstow has played a big role. |
| Having made 362, it always looked like England had the momentum with them. An early wicket of Elgar just complimented that and then, a freakish leg side dismissal of Amla kind of put brakes on the scoring. The Proteas did not exactly collapse but the slow scoring took heavy toll as when they eventually did collapse, the runs were not enough on the board. |
| Perhaps the plan was to bat and bat and bat as long as possible and not play flashy shots and we have a lot of time left in this Test. But not a single batsman could convert his vigil into a strong one, as the highest score was only 46. They say, you should always bat well in the first innings and South Africa have failed top do that thrice now in this series. |
| Another brilliant bowling performance from England. In this innings, the senior duo of Anderson and Broad stepped up, sharing 7 wickets between themselves with the former registering his best figures at his home venue. Moeen Ali got a couple of crucial wickets as well. What was impressive about this bowling performance was even when wickets were not coming easily yesterday, the field settings did not allow the runs to be leaked. They bottled up pressure and eventually got the wickets. They will |
| 0.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Loosener from Morkel to begin with. Bowls this one on a good length down the leg side. Left alone by Cook. |
| 0.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Better from Morkel. Forces Cook to play at it. Slightly full on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 0.3 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! Leg byes. Loud and interesting shout for lbw! This was slightly short, pituching outside off but angling in. Cook looked to defend but missed and the ball brushed off his pads and went behinf fine leg. It raced away to the boundary but Cook could have been in trouble there. |
| 0.4 : M Morkel to Cook, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump |
| 0.5 : M Morkel to Cook, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 0.6 : M Morkel to Cook, Cook lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| RABADA to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Jennings was interested for a while he went to poke at it. However he left it alone at the last moment as the ball went past his outside edge. |
| 1.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 1.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Another tentative leave by Jennings. It was a good length ball outside off and Jennings went to play but miss. However it did look like he decided to leave it alone at the last moment. |
| 1.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 1.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 1.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 2.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Struck on the pads this time but that was way outside the line of the stumps. Going down leg. |
| 2.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Outside off, Cook fails to put bat on ball. |
| 2.3 : M Morkel to Cook, FOUR! Full length ball on middle. Cook stays back and flicks it through mid-wicket. The ball races away through the vacant region for a boundary. |
| 2.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 2.5 : M Morkel to Cook, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 2.6 : M Morkel to A Cook, FOUR! An outside edge flies past the fielder at gully and races away to the boundary at third man. The was slightly full and Cook looked to defend but got the edge. Luckily it went through the gap between slip and gully there. |
| 3.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 3.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 3.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Bouncer! But this is interesting, it kept relatively low. Cook ducked under it but the ball went just past his head there. The ball dipped further down as it went on it's way to the keeper. |
| 3.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Good length ball outside on off, played to point. |
| 3.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 3.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 4.1 : M Morkel to Cook, Slightly full angling into the batsmen. Cook defends it from within his crease with soft hands. |
| 4.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Wide outside off, Cook looks to play a flashy cut but misses it completely. |
| 4.3 : M Morkel to Cook, The batsman gets up on his toes to play that one. |
| 4.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Played to the point region this time. |
| 4.5 : M Morkel to Cook, Fullish on off, Cook drives it past point for a brace. |
| 4.6 : M Morkel to Cook, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Outside off, Jennings plays it to gully. |
| 5.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Dropped! Jennings has been flirting with danger today. Could have easily gone for a duck. That was full outside off and he looked to defend. There was an outside edge which flew sharply to Elgar at second slip who dived to left but failed to keep it in his clutches. It was a good attempt by the fielder but his outstretched dive was not enough. |
| 5.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 5.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Full outside off, Jennings drives it through the covers for a couple. Jennings finally gets off the mark after 16 balls faced. That should give him some relief. |
| 5.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, No run. |
| 6.1 : M Morkel to A Cook, OUT! Edged and gone! Surprise surprise as Cook is the batsman that departs! This is unexpected as Jennings was the batsman who looked uncomfortable while Cook was playing rather freely. However anything can happen in cricket and that is exactly what happens. Coming back to the ball, it was on a length outside off and Cook went to drive at it. He got a thick outside edge and Theunis de Bruyn at gully completes the catch. Morkel gets the first wicket of the third innings a |
| 0.0 : WESTLEY is the new man in. |
| 6.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Bouncer first up! Westley ducks under it. |
| 6.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Chooses to leave this one outside off. |
| 6.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Outside off, Westley lets this one go. |
| 6.5 : M Morkel to Westley, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 6.6 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! Westley gets off the mark with a boundary. Outside off, Westley drives it through the square on the off side for a beautiful boundary. |
| 7.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 7.2 : K Rabada to Jennings, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 7.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| Oho....there is plenty of breeze blowing across. One of the bails has fallen off the stumps at the bowling end. Rabada comes running in but then pulls out as he notices what happens. |
| 7.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, FOUR! Full length ball on middle and leg. Jennings flicked it nicely through mid-wicket for a boundary. He looked uncomfortable at first but is slowly getting better as he spends more time in middle. |
| 7.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 7.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Pushed to the cover region this time. |
| 8.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Back of a length ball just outside off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 8.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 8.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Lucky there! The ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and beats the batsman. |
| 8.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 8.5 : M Morkel to Westley, Bouncer! Westley does well to get out of the way. |
| 8.6 : M Morkel to Westley, Back of a length outside off. Westley goes for it but misses. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to K Jennings, Another back of a length ball on off defended into the ground. Bavuma rushes from point and has a shy at the non strikers end but misses. Replays show that Jennings would have been safe. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Westley, Fullish outside off, pushed towards covers for a single. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Jennings, Slightly short this time. Jennings stays back and flicks it to mid-wicket this time. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Jennings, Full and outside off, left alone by Jennings. |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to Jennings, On a good length just on off. Defended into the ground to the off side at point. |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Fullish on middle this time. Played off the front foot towards mid off. |
| 10.1 : M Morkel to Westley, Good length ball on middle, played to mid-wicket this time. |
| 10.2 : M Morkel to Westley, Full on middle and off, driven towards mid off. |
| 10.3 : M Morkel to Westley, Slightly wider this time, on a good length. Played to point off the back foot. |
| 10.4 : M Morkel to Westley, Oooh! That seamed after pitching! It was on a good length and Westley left it alone. The ball went just past the stumps there. |
| 10.5 : M Morkel to Westley, FOUR! Superb shot off the back foot! That was a back of a length and Westley rocked back to punch it through the covers. The ball raced away off the middle of the bat towards the boundary. |
| 10.6 : M Morkel to Tom Westley, OUT! Morkel gets another as Westley departs! That was a length ball around off and Westley looked to play an on drive. However he got an outside edge which flew towards gully who took a rather straightforward catch. Great comeback from Morkel after conceding a boundary just before this. England have lost two early wickets. Aiden Markram the substitute fielder will be happy with his contribution. |
| JOE ROOT is new man in. |
| 11.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Full and around off, Jennings pushes it towards covers and sets off for a quick single. That was very well run. |
| 11.2 : K Rabada to Root, Around off, on a length, Root defends solidly. |
| 11.3 : K Rabada to Root, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 11.4 : K Rabada to Root, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 11.5 : K Rabada to J Root, Good running again. Outside off, Root taps this towards point and sets off for a single. Temba Bavuma scurries across to his left, picks up the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Jennings was in though. Root gets off the mark. |
| 11.6 : K Rabada to Jennings, Outside off, left alone. |
| 12.1 : M Morkel to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 12.2 : M Morkel to Root, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 12.3 : M Morkel to Root, Full on off and Root gets a leading edge on this one. Root looked to play it towards the leg side but failed was too quick on it. The ball flew off his edge and went through the point region. Single taken as Root smirks at his false shot. |
| 12.4 : M Morkel to Jennings, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 12.5 : M Morkel to Jennings, What a ball! This was angling in before straightening off the pitch. Jennings was totally outdone by this. Any top batsman in the world would have been to be honest. |
| 12.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Spin is introduced for the first time in this innings. KESHAV MAHARAJ comes on. |
| 13.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle, played to mid-wicket by Root. |
| 13.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle this time. Root gets on his front foot and defends it solidly. |
| 13.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 13.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Fullish this time on middle and leg. Root goes deep into his crease and flicks it to mid-wicket |
| Maharaj changes to over the wicket for the left hander. |
| A bit of drama as Jennings pads one away. De Kock thinks that is close. He convinces du Plessis to go for the review. |
| 13.5 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Not Out! Bad review taken there. Faf will not be too pleased with de Kock. The ball was loopy and way outside off. Jennings stretched his front foot towards the pitch of the delivery and blocked it smartly. Maharaj appealed for the lbw but the umpire said no. There was a small discussion between Maharaj, de Kock and the skipper. It took some convincing from de Kock before Faf went for it. Replays showed the ball would have gone on to miss the off stump comfortably. |
| 13.6 : K Maharaj to Jennings, FOUR! There comes the reverse sweep now. Jennings played this very shot very well in Mumbai against India against the spinners. Maharaj fires this on the stumps but Jennings reverse sweeps this past short third man for a boundary. De Bruyn gives it a chase and gets to the ball with a slide but is unable to pull it back. |
| 14.1 : M Morkel to Root, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a couple. Morkel is in the midst of a long spell here. He is bowling his 8th currently. |
| 14.2 : M Morkel to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 14.3 : M Morkel to Root, One more leave outside off, This curves away after pitching. |
| 14.4 : M Morkel to Root, Full and outside off, driven back sweetly but the bowler intercepts it. |
| 14.5 : M Morkel to Root, Outside off, on a length, tapped towards point for a brisk single. |
| 14.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, Full and around off, defended watchfully towards cover. |
| 15.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Full and on middle, watchfully defended. |
| 15.2 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! That is a powerful shot. Full and on middle and leg, Root gets down and powerfully sweeps it through square leg for a boundary! |
| Now the fielder at square leg goes back. |
| 15.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Gets on the front foot and plays this one to point. |
| 15.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 15.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle this time. Root flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 15.6 : K Maharaj to Jennings, In the air but that was off the pads. It was floated around off and Jennings leaned forward to defend. The ball went off the pad and flew towards the keeper but fell short. |
| DUANNE OLIVIER comes on to replace Morkel. |
| 16.1 : D Olivier to Root, Starts off with a good length ball wide outside off. Root leaves it alone. |
| 16.2 : D Olivier to Root, Bowls this one on off. Defended off the front towards short cover. |
| 16.3 : D Olivier to Root, Slashes and misses! That was slightly back of a length and Root went hard at it. He missed it completely. |
| 16.4 : D Olivier to Root, Slightly full on middle, Root plays it uppishly towards mid-wicket. |
| 16.5 : D Olivier to Root, On the pads this time, worked down fine leg for a single. |
| 16.6 : D Olivier to Jennings, Outside off this time, Jennings shoulders his arms at it. |
| 17.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle and leg. Played straight back to the bowler. |
| 17.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Turn there for Maharaj. Bowls it slightly on the shorter side and the ball turns rather sharply away from Root who adjusts well to play it towards point. |
| 17.3 : K Maharaj to Root, On the pads this time, worked down the leg side. |
| 17.4 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 17.5 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Driven through the covers by the batsman. |
| 17.6 : Maharaj to Root, Loud shout for lbw but the umpire is not interested. That was a loopy ball on middle and leg and Root looked to defend it towards the leg side. He was late on the shot as the ball struck his pads. The ball was anyway going on to miss the leg stump there. Good shout nevertheless, giving the umpire some thinking to do. |
| 18.1 : D Olivier to Jennings, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 18.2 : D Olivier to Jennings, FOUR! Jennings is somehow getting his runs. He has looked rather uncomfortable throughout the inning but still gets the boundary. The ball was full and on off as Jennings drove it off his front foot uppishly past short cover for the boundary. That raced away to the ropes giving the fielders no chance. |
| 18.3 : D Olivier to Jennings, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 18.4 : D Olivier to Jennings, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 18.5 : D Olivier to Jennings, Jennings chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 18.6 : D Olivier to Jennings, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 19.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on middle, defended off the back foot this time. |
| 19.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend this one. |
| 19.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. Root is looking comfortable against the spin now. |
| 19.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Slightly outside off, played off the back foot towards point. |
| 19.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on off, Root plays a square drive through covers for a single. |
| 19.6 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Floated around off, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.1 : D Olivier to Root, Good shot but gets no purchase for it. That was a straight ball on middle and Root played the straightest of straight drives. Olivier gets his hand to it as the ball strikes the stumps at the non strikers end. Jennings did well to show awareness and get back in the crease. |
| 20.2 : D Olivier to Root, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.3 : D Olivier to Root, Fullish on off, Root gets a bottom edge on this one.It goes behind towards the keeper. |
| 20.4 : D Olivier to Root, Wide outside off, Root cuts it off the back foot towards backward point |
| 20.5 : D Olivier to Root, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 20.6 : D Olivier to Root, Slightly full and wide outside off. Root looks to drive hard but misses it completely. |
| 21.1 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Loopy ball wide outside off. Jennings gets his pad on with as he stretches his front foot towards it. Good thing they don't got for another lbw appeal. |
| 21.2 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Loopy ball on middle, played through mid-wicket this time. |
| 21.3 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Floated outside off, Jennings goes for it but misses it this time. Risky shot there. |
| 21.4 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Once again Jennings offers no shot. This looked more interesting as the ball spun and could have possibly gone on to hit the stumps. Maharaj appeals softly but does not think further. |
| 21.5 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Plays a reverse sweep this time and gets a single. |
| 21.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Tries to sweep this one but fails to connect. |
| Last over before lunch. |
| 22.1 : D Olivier to Jennings, Full and outside off, played off the front foot presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 22.2 : D Olivier to Jennings, Outside off, Jennings fails to get his bat on it. |
| 22.3 : D Olivier to Jennings, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 22.4 : D Olivier to Jennings, Good length ball on middle, defended straight back to the bowler. |
| 22.5 : D Olivier to Jennings, Fullish outside off, played off the front foot towards covers. |
| 22.6 : D Olivier to Jennings, Played to the point region by Jennings. That is LUNCH ON DAY 3! |
| 59 runs and 3 wickets were on offer for us in the first session of Day 3. England got exactly what they wanted with the early wicket and came on to bat with confidence. However it was not the most ideal of starts as they lost two quick wickets. Morkel was on the mark in his first spell as he removed Alastair Cook and Tom Westley. Both these batsmen looked positive while Keaton Jennings was looking edgy. However, he is still in the middle with Joe Root and the duo will look to add more runs as th |
| South Africa and Morkel will hope they can take more wickets, especially that of the skipper who can be dangerous once he sets himself in. However, it is going to be a long day as the bowlers have to remove some aggressive batsmen in the English middle order. The session was great, rain is expected later on but let's hope it keeps away. Join us for the second session in a bit! |
| ...Day 3, Session 2... |
| We're all set for the session after lunch. KESHAV MAHARAJ to continue. |
| 23.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Starts off with a loopy ball on off, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 23.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Flights this one slightly outside off, played to the off side for a single. |
| 23.3 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Jennings continues with his habit of padding those balls outside off. Once again he pads this away. Loud shout for lbw but that is all. |
| 23.4 : K Maharaj to K Jennings, Fullish on middle, driven straight to mid on. |
| 23.5 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Jennings offers no stroke to this one as he gets struck high on the pads. It was way outside off once again and did not turn much. |
| 23.6 : K Maharaj to Jennings, Loopy ball on middle and leg, flicked away for a single. |
| RABADA comes on to bowl from the other end now. |
| 24.1 : K Rabada to Jennings, Full this time, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 24.2 : K Rabada to K Jennings, OUT! Jennings departs after struggling for 63 balls! It was a back of a length ball wide outside off which he tries to push through the line. The ball takes an outside edge and flies into the grateful hands of Amla at first slip. Jennings was cramped for room and the ball bounced steeply on this occasion which led to his downfall. Faf du Plessis goes and gives him a hug for taking the catch. South Africa strike immediately after the break. |
| DAWID MALAN walks in to bat. |
| 24.3 : K Rabada to Malan, On a length on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 24.4 : K Rabada to Malan, Stays inside the line of this one and allows the ball to angle it away from him to the keeper. |
| 24.5 : K Rabada to Malan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 24.6 : K Rabada to Malan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 25.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Landed around off, watchfully defended. |
| 25.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Full and outside off, Root looks to push but misses. |
| 25.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Fullish on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 25.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Landed around off, watchfully defended. |
| 25.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Full and outside off, swept through square leg for a single. |
| 25.6 : K Maharaj to Malan, Full and outside off, swept powerfully through square leg for a run. |
| 26.1 : K Rabada to Malan, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 26.2 : K Rabada to Malan, Works this down the leg side for a single. |
| 26.3 : K Rabada to Root, Full and outside off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 26.4 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR LEG BYES! A rare bad ball, slipped down the leg side, Root misses his tuck but the ball goes off his pads to the fine leg fence. |
| 26.5 : K Rabada to Root, Nips back in from outside off, Joe looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit high on the thigh pads. |
| 26.6 : K Rabada to Root, Landed around off, defended from the crease. |
| 27.1 : K Maharaj to Malan, Loopy ball on off, played into the ground off the front foot. |
| 27.2 : K Maharaj to Malan, Floated on off, played off the back foot to the off side for a single. |
| 27.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 27.4 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Loopy ball on middle, driven through mid on. |
| 27.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Played to the point region this time. |
| 27.6 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Bad delivery there from Maharaj. He bowls a low full toss which Root dispatches. He sweeps it hard through square leg for the boundary. Root will be happy if Maharaj bowls more of these. |
| 28.1 : K Rabada to Malan, Length ball on leg, Malan looks to flick but misses. He gets struck on the pads. |
| 28.2 : K Rabada to Malan, On the pads again, worked down the leg side this time. |
| 28.3 : K Rabada to Malan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 28.4 : K Rabada to Malan, In the air and dropped! It was a tough chance for Bavuma to be fair! Rabada banged this short on off and Jennings looked to pull but he was late on the shot. The ball ballooned off the edge of his bat and flew high in the air behind point. Bavuma gave the chase and did the hard work of getting there, He even put in a div but failed to pouch the ball. Very good effort but Malan survives. |
| 28.5 : K Rabada to Root, Around off, defended watchfully from the crease. |
| 28.6 : K Rabada to Root, The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total. |
| 29.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Outside off, pushed through point for a single. |
| 29.2 : K Maharaj to Malan, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 29.3 : K Maharaj to Malan, OUT! Maharaj strikes and Malan has to walk. It was a loopy ball outside on which Malan looked to defend off his front foot as he danced down the track. The ball landed on the rough, took the inside edge of his bat, brushed off his pads and flew in the air. Theunis de Bruyn kept his eyes on the ball and took the catch comfortably. South Africa are getting back in the game as England lose their fourth. The lead is now effectively 208-4. |
| BEN STOKES is the new man in. |
| 29.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, Stokes looks to defend but gets hit on the pads, just outside off. An appeal for LBW ensues but nothing in it. |
| 29.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 29.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, HUGE SHOUT FOR LBW! Turned down! De Kock wants the review. Faf has only one answer - NO. De Kock coaxes but Faf does not budge. Let's see what happened. It was tossed up outside off and Stokes decided to pad it away. The ball spins in a long way and the Proteas get excited bu umpire Aleem Dar asks them to calm down. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be missing off stump. Good call by Faf not to review. |
| 30.1 : K Rabada to Root, Landed around off, defended from his crease. |
| 30.2 : K Rabada to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 30.3 : K Rabada to Root, A short ball outside off, Root looks to pull but misses. |
| 30.4 : K Rabada to Joe Root, FOUR! That is short and outside off, Root latches onto it and cuts it behind point for a boundary. That raced away. |
| 30.5 : K Rabada to Root, Slips this down the leg side, Joe misses his flick. |
| 30.6 : K Rabada to Root, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 31.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 31.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 31.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR BYES! That kept horrendously low. Poor de Kock is on his back side. Full and outside off, Stokes looks to push but the ball spins in a long way, beats the outside edge, keeps low and goes beneath de Kock's gloves to the third man fence. |
| 31.4 : K Maharaj to Ben Stokes, INSIDE EDGE, GOES WIDE! Things are happening. Full and outside off, Ben lunges to defend but the ball spins in off the rough, takes the inside edge, pops in the air but lands much straighter and wider of short leg! |
| 31.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! That is nicely played. Full and around off, Stokes gets down and sweeps it powerfully behind square leg for a boundary. The lead is worth 220 now. Stokes gets off the mark. The stand moves to 12 from 14 balls. |
| 31.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Around off, comfortably defended this time. |
| 32.1 : K Rabada to Root, Outside off, played through point for a single. |
| 32.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 32.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Around off, defended from his crease. |
| 32.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Angles this away from the southpaw, on a length on middle, Ben defends. |
| 32.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Fullish on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 32.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, Brilliant fielding. Temba Bavuma it is. Short and outside off, Stokes cuts it fiercely but Bavuma throws himself to his left at point to stop it cleanly. Excellent effort. |
| 33.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy ball on off, played off the front foot to the off side towards covers. |
| 33.2 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Slightly outside off this time, plays a square cut this time. |
| 33.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Defends this one off the back. |
| 33.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Rushes this outside off and Joe Root waits before playing a late cut past slip. Good chase by backward point to get there and deny a boundary. He sets off to take a couple. |
| 33.5 : K Maharaj to Root, On middle and off, defended off the back foot. |
| 33.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Rocks on the back foot and pushes this towards point for a single. |
| MORKEL comes on to bowl. |
| 34.1 : M Morkel to Root, Full on middle, played to mid on. |
| 34.2 : M Morkel to Root, On a good length, Root hangs back and pushes this past point for a couple. Good running in the middle by the two. |
| 34.3 : M Morkel to Root, On the pads this time, worked down the leg side for a couple. |
| 34.4 : Morkel to Root, LEG BYE! Full and angling down leg. Root looks to flick but misses it completely. The ball goes down fine leg and they sneak a leg bye. There was a stifled appeal for lbw but the umpire showed no interest. |
| 34.5 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, Full on middle, driven towards mid on. |
| 34.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, Wide outside off, left alone by Stokes. |
| It has grown a bit dark out there. The clouds are approaching. There is rain forecast later this evening. Meanwhile, Maharaj changes angle and comes over the wicket. |
| 35.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Floats this one on the rough area and Root blocks it with his pad. |
| 35.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Action replay of the last ball. |
| 35.3 : K Maharaj to Root, The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side. |
| 35.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 35.5 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Root has had enough of this negative bowling line. He gets down and sweeps the floated ball on leg through mid-wicket for a boundary. That was travelling fast and gave no chance to the fielders. |
| 35.6 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.1 : M Morkel to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 36.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full and just outside off. Stokes plays a superb cover drive for a single. |
| 36.3 : M Morkel to Root, No ball! Wide outside off and Root cuts it superbly past point for a single. There is a no ball for overstepping as well which means England reach 100 in this inning. |
| M Morkel to Stokes, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 36.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 36.5 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full and just outside off. Stokes looks for an expensive looking drive but misses it completely. The goes just past his outside edge on this occasion. Hello? What does Snickometer detect? An OUTSIDE EDGE! No one heard it, no one appealed. Even we did not realize. Stroke of luck for Stokes. |
| 36.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full on off, driven superbly through the covers. |
| Drinks are on the field. South Africa will be pleased with how the session is unfolding so far. They will hope to take more wickets after the break. |
| 37.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Pitched well outside leg, Root pads it away. |
| 37.2 : K Maharaj to Root, WHOA! That turned a mile! Is this Dambulla or Old Trafford? What a ball. Landed well outside leg, Root looks to play the reverse sweep but misses it altogether. The ball lands on the rough, then spins and bounces well over Root. De Kock tries to gather but the ball hits his right shoulder and lobs over slip. Dean Elgar anticipates a catch and hence moves to his right pretty early but the ball goes to his left. He has to run in circles but even then does not get to the ba |
| 37.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full and outside off, there is an explosion as the ball lands, Stokes looks to push but misses. |
| 37.4 : Maharaj to Stokes, Full and well outside off, Ben gets well across to sweep but misses. De Kock appeals for LBW but nothing in it. |
| 37.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Around middle and off, BS looks to flick but the ball goes off something to short leg. South Africa appeal for a bat-pad but nothing in it. No bat involved. |
| 37.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR BYES! This one spins as well. This pitch is spitting. Outside off, spins in a long way, Stokes looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball bounces and goes past him and de Kock to the fine leg fence. The lead moves to 241. |
| 38.1 : M Morkel to Root, Landed around off, watchfully defended. |
| 38.2 : M Morkel to Root, Down the leg side, played through mid-wicket for a couple. Moves to 41. |
| 38.3 : M Morkel to Root, Full and wide outside off, played straight to point. |
| 38.4 : M Morkel to Root, FOUR! Bad ball, full and down the leg side, Root clips it to the fine leg fence. |
| 38.5 : M Morkel to Root, On middle and off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 38.6 : M Morkel to Root, Full and outside off, driven sweetly but straight to mid off. |
| 39.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, First signs that Ben Stokes is looking to attack. Full and outside off, Stokes gets down and sweeps it powerfully to deep mid-wicket for a single. the stand is worth 40 from just 58 balls now. England are picking up their run rate. |
| 39.2 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! This line is certainly not helping the Proteas. Another one outside leg, Root plays one more sweep, only this is more of a paddle. Gets it to the fine leg fence. THE LEAD CROSSES 250. |
| 39.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Pitched outside leg, padded away. |
| 39.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Now he looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 39.5 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman offers no stroke and is wrapped on the pads. |
| 39.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Again, pitched well outside leg, Joe pads it away. |
| 40.1 : M Morkel to Ben Stokes, Fullish on middle, Stokes comes forward and pushes it to mid on. |
| 40.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 40.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Full and wide outside off, Stokes looks to drive but gets a bottom edge. |
| 40.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Landed outside off, Ben gets across and then defends. |
| 40.5 : M Morkel to Stokes, Outside off, watchfully blocked. |
| 40.6 : M Morkel to Stokes, FOUR! That has been hit with some swagger. Stokes advances down the track and then flicks this length ball nonchalantly behind square leg. There is a fielder in the deep but he is at mid-wicket. No chance of stopping that. Stokes moves to 10 with his second boundary. |
| Oh dear.... A few umbrellas are slowly opening up in the stands. There was bad weather forecast for this evening and looks like it is on time. Play continues for now though. Just a drizzle. |
| 41.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Full and outside leg, Root lunges and pads it away. |
| 41.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Well watched and well played. Pitched outside leg, Root gets back, waits for the ball to turn and pushes it through point for a single. Moves to 49. |
| Not quite sure what happened. The crowd is cheering and Root is smiling. Ah... now we realize. One of the cameramen was fooling around. Nothing wrong with that. After all, cricket is all about entertainment. |
| 41.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Outside off, a play and a miss for Stokes. |
| 41.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Stays back in his crease and defends. |
| 41.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Fine shot. Full and outside off, Stokes brings out his reverse sweep and gets it behind point for a boundary! The lead is worth 261 now. |
| 50-run stand is up! Just 74 balls. Good counter-attack from these two in the last hour or so. South Africa losing their grip on this match and series. |
| 41.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! PUMMELED! Danger signs for South Africa with Stokes in his mood. He dances down the track and clubs this length ball over widish mid on for a boundary. |
| One of the footholes is irritating Morne Morkel. There is an issue with his landing area. A bit of hammering goes around. All this drama and Morne Morkel is taken off the attack. Here comes DUANNE OLIVIER. |
| 42.1 : D Olivier to Root, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 42.2 : D Olivier to Root, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 42.3 : D Olivier to Root, Swish and a miss. This is landed wide outside off, Root is in run-scoring mode, does not bother to move his feet and slashes hard. No contact. |
| 42.4 : D Olivier to Root, Full and down the leg side, Joe misses his flick. |
| 42.5 : Olivier to Joe Root, OUT! Dragged on! South Africa manage to hold on to the game. Massive wicket. The English skipper is gone one short of a fifty. Low bounce does Root in. On a length outside off, Root comes forward and looks to punch it on the up through the covers. But the ball stays low, hits the bottom part of the bat and hits the base of off stump. Contrasting emotions. Olivier is pumped up and runs towards his keeper while Root is a bit disappointed. ENGLAND ARE EFFECTIVELY 265/5. |
| JONNY BAIRSTOW walks in at number 7, replacing his skipper. |
| 42.6 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 43.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowls this slightly full on the rough. Stokes looks to sweep but misses and struck on the pads. Maharaj looked interested for a second there. |
| 43.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, On the pads this time, flicked away to the leg side for a single. |
| 43.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Outside of, left alone. |
| 43.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 43.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Gets behind in his crease and defends this well. It has been a good fight between Stokes and Maharaj. |
| 44.1 : D Olivier to Ben Stokes, What a shot and even better effort. That would have been a blinder! It was slightly short and Stokes went for the pull. He got the connection that he wanted but Kuhn at short cover reacted very well to attempt a catch. He gets his hands to it and the ball goes up giving him another chance. However, he had lost his balance and could not react quickly enough. It goes down as a drop catch but have to say he saved some runs there. |
| 44.2 : D Olivier to Stokes, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 44.3 : D Olivier to Stokes, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 44.4 : D Olivier to Stokes, The ball is way wide on the leg side but Stokes still goes after it, he misses. |
| 44.5 : D Olivier to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes looks to run it down but does not connect well enough. There is a bottom edge as the ball goes towards slips. |
| 44.6 : D Olivier to Stokes, Driven towards mid on this time. |
| 45.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, defended off the front foot this time. |
| 45.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 45.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this one. |
| 45.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, On the pads, Bairstow looks to sweep but misses it. The ball strikes him on the pads and Maharaj asks the question. The umpire shows no interest. |
| 45.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot this time. |
| 45.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 46.1 : D Olivier to Stokes, Good length ball on off, defended towards covers. |
| 46.2 : D Olivier to Stokes, Stokes has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 46.3 : D Olivier to Stokes, Full on off, driven towards mid off this time. |
| 46.4 : D Olivier to Stokes, Slightly full on middle and off, bunted towards covers. |
| 46.5 : D Olivier to Stokes, Good length ball on middle, defended into the ground once again. |
| 46.6 : D Olivier to Stokes, Full outside off, Stokes puts his bottom hand to use as he drives it towards mid on. |
| 47.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle and ff, driven towards mid off. |
| 47.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 47.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floated on middle, played off the front and into the ground. |
| 47.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Outside off, Bairstow leaves it alone. |
| 47.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floated on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket. The fielder makes a very good stop to save some runs. |
| 47.6 : K Maharaj to J Bairstow, Driven towards mid off this time. No runs. Maharaj ends with another maiden, that is his fourth in a row. |
| 48.1 : D Olivier to Ben Stokes, FOUR! In the air but through the gap! That was slightly fuller and Stokes looked to defend it watchfully. However, the ball finds an outside edge and flied past the gap between slip and gully. The ball races away to the boundary as England get their first runs after 29 balls. |
| 48.2 : D Olivier to Stokes, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball, but fails. |
| 48.3 : D Olivier to Ben Stokes, OUT! Olivier gets another! He is really proving to be the man with a golden arm this innings after getting both set batsmen out. First Root and now Stokes. This was a good length ball angling away as Stokes looked for a front foot drive. The ball went off the outside edge and flew straight into the hands of Faf du Plessis at first slip. England lose their 6th wicket now! |
| Moeen Ali is the new man in. |
| 48.4 : D Olivier to Ali, FOUR! ALMOST ANOTHER! On a length outside off, Moeen looks to push at that but the ball comes in, takes the inside edge and goes past the off stump to the fine leg fence! |
| 48.5 : D Olivier to Ali, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 48.6 : D Olivier to Ali, Outside off, pushed straight to mid off. Excellent spell from Olivier - 8-5-13-2! |
| 49.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 49.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 49.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floated on middle, defended solidly by Bairstow. |
| 49.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Flighted on middle and off, defended from within the crease. |
| 49.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Another defense off the front foot as Bairstow shows the full face of the bat. |
| 49.6 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, played off the front foot and into the ground. That is TEA ON DAY 3! |
| Excellent session for South Africa. 27 overs, 85 runs and 4 WICKETS. Those of Jennings, Malan early in the session and then those of Root and Stokes near the end. They are still keeping themselves in the game by taking scalps. |
| England would not be too unhappy though - the pitch is spitting venom and turning a big deal. It is definitely not going to be easy to bat last on this track. The lead is inching closer to 300 and anything in excess will be bonus for the home side. |
| This session was all about Duanne Olivier for the Proteas. He bottled one end up, with good support from Maharaj. His spell of 8-5-13-2 has kept the hosts cautious. The Proteas will hope to keep the target under 300. England have a deep batting line-up but remember, they collapsed in the first innings. Join us back at 1600 local (1500 GMT) for the final session. 34 overs left in the day. |
| ...Day 3, Final Session... |
| The players are walking out into the middle for the third and final session of the day. De Bruyn to continue. |
| 50.1 : D Olivier to Ali, Starts off with a superb ball, good length ball just outside off. Goes just past the outside edge this time. |
| 50.2 : D Olivier to Ali, Ali shows the full face of his bat and defends this one. |
| 50.3 : D Olivier to Ali, Back of a length ball, defended off the back foot. |
| 50.4 : D Olivier to Ali, On the pads this time, worked down the leg side for a single. |
| 50.5 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Good length ball on middle, worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 50.6 : D Olivier to Bairstow, FOUR! Bairstow gets off the mark on the 25th delivery with a superb drive through covers. It was a full length ball outside off and Bairstow gets on his front foot to play a superb drive. That raced away towards the ropes in no time. |
| KESHAV MAHARAJ to continue from the other end. |
| 51.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, Loopy ball on middle, defended from within the crease. |
| 51.2 : K Maharaj to M Ali, Full on off, driven through mid off. |
| 51.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, Gets right right behind the line of the delivery to defend this. |
| 51.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 51.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, Offers no stroke on this one as it turns sharpy off the rough. The ball strikes off the pads and Maharaj appeals elatedly. The umpire shows no interest there. Wonder why Maharaj was asking the question with so much vigor. |
| 51.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Floated on off, pushed towards cover for a single. |
| 52.1 : D Olivier to Ali, Full on and on the pads, flicked away brilliantly for three runs. |
| 52.2 : D Olivier to Bairstow, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 52.3 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Good length ball outside off, cut through point for a couple. |
| 52.4 : D Olivier to Bairstow, FOUR! Shot! Superbly whacked through mid-wicket there. That was slightly on the shorter side and Bairstow got back to power it with a controlled pull past Amla at short mid-wicket. The ball raced away to the boundary. |
| 52.5 : D Olivier to Bairstow, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 52.6 : D Olivier to Bairstow, OUT! Olivier gets yet another and it is the dangerman Bairstow! He has been the highest scorer of this match so far thanks to his 99 in the first innings. The wicket-keeper batsman looked in good touch as he hit a boundary before this but it does not work out for him this time. It was a shortish ball in middle and leg and Bairstow looked to pull it over fine leg looking for a maximum. However, Rabada in the deep does really well to cover some ground and even over ran |
| TOBY ROLAND-JONES is the new man in. |
| 53.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, Landed outside off, Moeen goes back and chops it in front of first slip. |
| 53.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Full and on middle, Moeen comes down the track and swings it over mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 53.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, FOUR! That is a cracking shot. Fractionally short outside off, Moeen rocks back and punches it off the covers. Amla gives it a chase but the ball wins the race down the slope. |
| 53.4 : K Maharaj to M Ali, EDGED, DROPPED! Now, now, now, South Africa cannot afford this! Big moment in the game. Maharaj tosses this one outside off and Ali comes forward to drive. He gets an outside edge as the ball spins away towards Dean Elgar at first slip. The catch is taken but while tumbling to his left, Elgar's elbow hits the ground and the ball pops up, onto his right knee, in the air and plop. Onto the ground. As usual, Elgar smiles. Maharaj doesn't. Faf might not, at the end of the g |
| 53.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, Full and around off, Moeen sweeps it straight to short leg. |
| 53.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 54.1 : D Olivier to Roland-Jones, Around middle and off, watchfully defended. |
| 54.2 : D Olivier to Roland-Jones, Outside off, left alone. |
| 54.3 : D Olivier to Roland-Jones, FOUR! Ohh lovely shot. Slightly full outside off, Roland-Jones reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary! |
| 54.4 : D Olivier to Roland-Jones, This is outside off again, Toby lets it through. |
| 54.5 : D Olivier to Roland-Jones, Prodigious swing. Olivier bowls this outside off and gets it to come back in a long way. Roland-Jones misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Olivier appeals but umpire Dharmasena moves away. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be missing leg. |
| 54.6 : D Olivier to Roland-Jones, Down the leg side, TRJ flicks it superbly through mid-wicket. Kagiso Rabada covers a lot of ground from deep backward square leg, gets to the ball and then dives to save the boundary. Every run is precious. Two runs taken. |
| 55.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, Pushes this through point for a single. |
| 55.2 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 55.3 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Fullish on middle, played straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 55.4 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 55.5 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 55.6 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 56.1 : D Olivier to Ali, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 56.2 : D Olivier to M Ali, Full and outside off, Ali rocks back and punches it towards covers but Rabada does really well to get down and make the stop. He has been fielding really. First taking a catch, then stopping a boundary and now saving another four runs. |
| 56.3 : D Olivier to Ali, Ali fails to put bat on ball. |
| 56.4 : D Olivier to Ali, Back of a length, punched off the back foot for a single. |
| 56.5 : D Olivier to T Roland-Jones, FOUR! Plays a pull shot this time. That was shortish and asking to be hit. Roland-Jones obliged with a powerful shot through mid-wicket for the boundary. |
| 56.6 : D Olivier to Roland-Jones, Good length ball ball outside off, Toby looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 57.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, FOUR! Swept away effortlessly by Ali! Ali played in on the full from off through fine leg and the ball raced away towards the boundary. |
| 57.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, FOUR! Another boundary as Ali plays one more sweep shot. Ali is looking aggressive as he looks to add some quick runs. |
| 57.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 57.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 57.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, Ali has offered no stroke to an incoming delivery. |
| 57.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Plays another sweep shot but straight to the fielder. |
| Rabada comes on to bowl. |
| 58.1 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Full on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 58.2 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Defened off the back foot by Roland-Jones. |
| 58.3 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Struck on the pads, that was going down leg as Roland-Jones missed his flick. |
| 58.4 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Struck on the pads and there's a loud shout. That was on a good length and angling. Roland-Jones looked to defend but gets a slight inside edge onto his pads. |
| 58.5 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, The batsman goes for the pull but misses it completely. The ball goes over his stumps there. |
| 58.6 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Defends this one from within his crease. |
| 59.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, Full and outside off, Moeen reaches out and defends it in front of short leg. |
| 59.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Thought about a couple of shots there - the sweep and the drive, does neither. Full and wide outside off, Ali is caught in two minds as he gets a bottom edge. |
| 59.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, MISFIELD! FOUR! Elgar is not enjoying his stay at first slip. Full and outside off, Moeen reverse sweeps but it goes straight to Dean Elgar at first slip. However, he exhibits a Sydney Harbour Bridge and the ball races through the tunnel to the third man fence! The stand is worth 30 from 39 balls. |
| 59.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, ALMOST DRAGS IT ON! Full and outside off, Moeen goes for another reverse sweep but the ball bounces off the rough and hits him on the chest. De Kock initially goes for the catch but then smartly lets the ball bounce. It spins back and nearly hits the stumps! De Kock has his hands on his helmet. Moeen could have been gone... |
| 59.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 59.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Full and around off, Moeen looks to come down the track and defend but gets hit on the pads. |
| 60.1 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Full and down the leg side, Roland-Jones misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. |
| 60.2 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Stays back in his crease and defends. |
| 60.3 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| Uh oh... umbrellas going up in the stands again... |
| 60.4 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Full and outside off, driven beautifully straight back but Rabada stops it. |
| 60.5 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, WIDE. That is banged in short, too high, Toby sways out of the way and the ball is wided. |
| K Rabada to Roland-Jones, Landed outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 60.6 : Rabada to Roland-Jones, Reverse swing on offer now. Roland-Jones somehow keeps the yorker coming into him, at bay. |
| 61.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, FOUR! PRISTINE! Full and wide outside off, Moeen leans and lofts it over cover for a boundary! Moeen moves to 33 from 38 balls with his 5th boundary! |
| 61.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Landed outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 61.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, SIX! That is a terrific shot! Full and outside off, Moeen waltzes down the track and swings this miles over mid-wicket! The lead moves to 330 and this stand is worth 41 from 51 balls! |
| 61.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, Outside off, defended watchfully. |
| 61.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, Full and outside off, Ali comes down the track and drives it back to the bowler. |
| 61.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, That's hit the batsman on his pads. |
| 62.1 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, FAF ALMOST PULLS OFF A BLINDER! Stunning attempt. A short ball outside off, a testing one at that, Roland-Jones is taken aback by that and looks to fend it away. Struggles to do so and the ball lobs off the top edge. It goes over the slip cordon and Faf du Plessis runs back from first slip, throws himself forward, takes the catch with one hand but just as his right elbow hits the ground, the cherry pops out. Faf is down in pain. Is that serious? A single taken. |
| 0.0 : The physio comes out to the middle. Faf seems to be in a bit of pain but is okay to continue. South Africa need him with the bat. And... this innings is not over yet. |
| 62.2 : K Rabada to M Ali, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. |
| 62.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 62.4 : K Rabada to Ali, A terrific yorker on middle and leg, Moeen digs it out to the leg side. |
| 62.5 : K Rabada to Ali, FOUR! Fine shot. Just a tad short, around middle, Moeen swivels and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary! Moves to 43 from 47 balls with his 7th boundary! |
| 62.6 : K Rabada to Ali, The batsman plays the pull shot. One run added to the total. |
| 63.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, SIX! Caught by Jonny Bairstow in the dressing room! Moeen is making Old Trafford dance to his tunes. What a knock this has been. A game-changing one. Flighted outside off, Moeen comes down the track and sends it wayyyyy over long on, right into the English balcony where Bairstow takes it with ease! The crowd cheers... England are on a roll here. The lead moves to 342. |
| 0.0 : 11th Test Fifty for Moeen Ali! |
| 63.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Landed outside off, Moeen looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to de Kock's pads. |
| 63.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, The batsman guides it to third man. One run added to the total. |
| 63.4 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 63.5 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 63.6 : K Maharaj to Roland-Jones, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 64.1 : K Rabada to Ali, Down the leg side, Ali helps this fine and races back for the second. |
| 64.2 : K Rabada to Ali, On a length and outside off, angling away, Moeen slashes but misses. |
| 64.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Goes wider of Ali this time, Moeen flashes hard but misses again. |
| 64.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 64.5 : K Rabada to Roland-Jones, OUT! Roland-Jones departs. Not the wicket South Africa would have wanted but they will take it. A short ball outside off, Roland-Jones goes for the hook but the delivery climbs onto him. The ball goes of the top edge. Keshav Maharaj runs back. keeps his eyes on the ball and dives to take the catch. ENGLAND ARE EFFECTIVELY 347/8! |
| DRINKS BREAK. |
| STUART BROAD walks out at number 10, replacing Roland-Jones. |
| K Rabada to Ali, Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 64.6 : K Rabada to Broad, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 65.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, SIX! Terrific shot! Full and outside off, Moeen comes down the track and sends it sailing over deep mid-wicket! |
| 65.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Sweeps this square for a single. |
| 65.3 : K Maharaj to Broad, Full and outside off, Broad sweeps this straight to square leg. |
| 65.4 : K Maharaj to Broad, The batsman goes for the sweep but fails to connect it. |
| 65.5 : K Maharaj to Broad, Comes down the track and pads it away. |
| 65.6 : K Maharaj to Broad, Around leg, Broad goes back and works it towards short leg. |
| 66.1 : K Rabada to Ali, FOUR! SLAM! Full on middle, Moeen slaps it straight back down the ground. Rabada puts out his right hand but the ball races to the fence. |
| 66.2 : K Rabada to Ali, Outside off, pushed through point for a single. |
| 1715 Local - Won't say this has come out of nowhere. The players are heading off as PLAY IS HALTED DUE TO RAIN. There was some drizzle which kept being persistent. Eventually, the umpires decided that it was enough and took the players off the field. |
| Neither side will be too unhappy with this break. South Africa will be desperate for this - they were being pummeled to all parts by Manic Moeen while England, on the other hand will consider this as an interval while watching an entertaining movie. Given the lead of 360 and the turning pitch, one would feel that this game has slipped out of South Africa's hands. Does not look like we could be coming back again, as the forecast is pretty bleak. Still stay tuned for updates... |
| 1730 Local Update - It is official, the rain has not stopped and hence play has been called off! |
| South Africa are losing their grip on this game, even if rain disrupts days 4 and 5. It will only earn them a draw and save the blushes of another loss but the series is more or less in England's hands. The Englishmen have totally entertained the crowd today and will be really happy with how the day has ended. |
| For South Africa, they seemed to claw their way back when they broke the partnership of Stokes and Root while restricting England to 153 for 7 at one point. Duanne Olivier played an inspirational role with the ball as he picked three crucial wickets. However, England with a bit of luck due to that dropped catch of Ali on 15 and then some really good hitting from the man himself ensured they ended the day on the front foot once again. The blistering knock of Ali included eight boundaries and thre |
| The hosts will hope to add even more runs before getting all out or declaring. The pitch looks really difficult to bat on as we have seen how the rough is assisting the bowlers. It will be a big ask for South Africa to chase any target set for them but hopefully, for a good game of cricket they can put up a fight. Join us tomorrow at 1000 local and 1100 GMT for the fourth day of this final Test. Until then, take care! Goodbye! |
| ... Day 4, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and a cloudy welcome to Old Trafford for the fourth day of the final Test between England and South Africa. First and foremost, if rain stays away we will have 98 overs of cricket. This is because of the early stumps yesterday due to the wet weather. Moeen Ali was firing on all cylinders as he propelled England to a 360-run lead before the early halt. He will be looking to take this further ahead, perhaps to a 400-plus lead. Let's see how he and the rest of the English batsmen tackle the m |
| The visitors on the other hand will hope they can wrap up the lower order soon. Even if they do so, they have a big task of chasing whatever runs are put on the board. However, that is the only option for them as a draw will still mean they lose the series. The Protease have proved to surprise everyone with some outstanding performances before. They will now have to conjure something extraordinary to finish with a victory in this game. The weather looks questionable with grey skies and also cons |
| The players are out in the middle and Rabada is getting ready to bowl the first over. Broad is on strike. |
| 66.3 : K Rabada to S Broad, FOUR! Straightaway Broad opens the face of his bat and pierces the gap through covers. The ideal start for the home side. It was fullish length ball outside off and Broad played it off the middle of his bat. |
| 66.4 : K Rabada to Broad, FOUR Leg byes! Off the pads this time! That was a good length ball angling away and Broad tried to guide it past point. He missed it though and the ball brushed off his pads through gully and slips for another boundary. |
| 66.5 : K Rabada to Broad, Defends this one from within the crease for a single. |
| 66.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Fullish on middle and leg. Ali flicks it through mid-wicket for three runs. That was a very wristy shot from Moeen. |
| MORNE MORKEL to share the attack. |
| 67.1 : M Morkel to Ali, On a good length, defended from within the crease. |
| 67.2 : M Morkel to Ali, Another one on the pads, flicked away to the leg side for a single. |
| 67.3 : M Morkel to Broad, Bouncer! Broad sways out of the way. |
| 67.4 : M Morkel to Broad, OUT! Broad's stay in the middle doesn't last long as Morne Morkel gets his man in his first over of the day. It was a full length ball around off which Broad looked to drive straight down the ground. However, he could not time it well enough and ball sliced off the outside half of his bat towards De Bruyn at point. |
| JIMMY ANDERSON is the new man in. |
| 67.5 : M Morkel to Anderson, On the pads, flicked away but straight to the fielder. |
| 67.6 : M Morkel to Anderson, Similar ball, this time it has been flicked away for a single. |
| 68.1 : K Rabada to Anderson, Defended off the back foot this time. |
| 68.2 : K Rabada to Anderson, Back of a length just outside off. Anderson guides it behind and past the gully region for a single. |
| The English players are wearing black-arm bands in memory of former England player DOUG INSOLE, who passed away yesterday. He was 91. May his soul rest in peace. |
| 68.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this off the back foot. |
| 68.4 : K Rabada to Ali, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 68.5 : K Rabada to Ali, FOUR! Super shot from Ali who is continuing from where he left off yesterday. This was a full length ball on middle, angling across and Ali promptly flicked it away. The ball raced away through mid-wicket for the boundary. |
| Man comes over from the off side in the deep. Bavuma comes in while mid-wicket drops back. |
| 68.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 69.1 : M Morkel to Anderson, OUT! Morkel gets his fourth of the innings and also the last English wicket of the series. It was a shortish ball on middle and leg. Anderson got on his toes and tried to defend it but was caught in an awkward position and ended up playing it towards de Bruyn at short leg. The fielder caught it but fumbled, he made sure though that he didn't let it slip by taking his hands close to his chest. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN SET A TARGET OF 380! |
| So it takes less than 3 overs for the Proteas to wrap the innings up this morning. They would have loved to end it last evening itself but bygones are bygones. Now, their main aim is to see how to approach this massive target. |
| Morne Morkel finished with 4/41, his best figures against England in the UK. Olivier was the refreshing change, with 3 scalps but thanks to the dropped catches, his efforts may not be enough to take the Proteas to a series-levelling win. |
| England were not at their best with the bat in this innings but Moeen Ali's blitzkrieg has perhaps taken them to a position of safety. Having said that, South Africa will back themselves to fight hard and who knows, could possibly chase this down if they manage to lose not more than 4 wickets today, weather permitting. Stay tuned for the final innings... |
| 1125 local time - The start of the South African inning has been delayed due to rain. Stay tuned for further updates. |
| Update 1140 local - Rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. PLAY WILL RESUME AT 1210 LOCAL TIME, provided there is no more rain. Lunch will be taken at 1330 local time. Tea will now be at 1640 and stumps has been pushed back to 1900. We have 89 overs left for the day. Just in case England have a chance to win today, we will have another half an hour extension. |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Starts off with a good length ball on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Flashy! That was full and swinging away from the batsman. Kuhn went for the drive but missed it completely. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, On a good length on middle. Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend it. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to H Kuhn, FOUR! Edged! Another away swinger and this time it gets the edge. Kuhn looked to play it to the on side but could not connect the way he wanted to. The ball flew between third slip and gully to race away for the boundary. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Goes past the outside edge once again. That was full and swinging away as Kuhn went to push at it. |
| STUART BROAD to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Elgar, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 1.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Outside off, left alone this time. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Elgar, What a ball! That was on a good length and swinging slightly away. Elgar looked to defend it and missed. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Elgar, On a good length to the off side. Defended towards covers for a single. Elgar avoids the pair! |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, Good length, wide outside off. Left alone by Kuhn. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Elgar, Full on off, pushed straight to mid on. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Elgar, FOUR! Top shot! Straight as an arrow! That was full on off and a gentle push was enough along with the precise timing to take the ball down the ground. Moeen Ali gave the chase from mid on but could not get there in time. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Elgar, Good length ball on leg. Elgar looked to defend but gets struck on the ribs. Could thing he is wearing protection else that could have been nasty. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Elgar, Goes for a wide one but misses this time. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Elgar, Another play and a miss outside the off stump line. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Elgar, Full on off, driven towards mid off this time. |
| 3.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, Good length ball on the line of the off stump. It is been defended off the back foot to the cover region for a quick single. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Elgar, That must have stung! That was slightly on the shorter side and it shot off the pitch. Elgar looked to defend it off his front foot but missed and got struck on the shoulder. Must have hurt though Elgar is not showing any signs of pain. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Elgar, This time, he lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| One can observe Dean Elgar using an extra padding on his left glove. This has come as a reaction to what happened in the previous Test after he suffered a lot of blows on his hand. Before that knock, he had refused to wear that extra padding but better sense has prevailed since. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to Elgar, OUT! Gone! Stuart Broad is fired up as South Africa lose their first wicket. It was an unplayable delivery! The ball pitched in middle and swung slightly away as Elgar looked to defend. It took a faint edge and went behind into the gloves of Bairstow. England are delighted with this start as Elgar walks off shaking his head. |
| HASHIM AMLA is the new man in. |
| 3.5 : S Broad to Amla, Full on the pads, worked down the leg side. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to Amla, Oooh! Just short! That was on a good length and angling towards leg. Amla looked to flick but there was a fielder at deepish short leg. Could have easily been a catch there. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Swinging away from outside off. Kuhn leaves it alone. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to H Kuhn, Good length ball just around off. Kuhn looks to defend off his back foot but gets an outside edge. The ball falls just short and beside the diving arms of the fielder at third slip. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Kuhn, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Anderson is asking some questions now! This was on a length on middle and leg. Kuhn looked to defend but missed as the ball struck his pads. There was a soft shout for lbw but nothing more than that. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Kuhn, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Amla, Amla was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Amla, Amla plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Amla, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Amla, Close! Whiskers past the outside edge there! Broad is getting some good swing going. It was slightly fuller and going away from the batsman. Amla looked to defend but missed it. |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Amla, Another play and a miss there. Amla is not at all looking comfortable. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Amla, This time Amla chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 0.0 : England are confident here about a caught behind appeal. They reckon Kuhn has nicked that one but umpire Dharmasena shakes his head. After a lot of deliberation, Root signals for the review. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Kuhn, NOT OUT! The umpire's decision stays as England lose one review! That was a full length ball around off and swinging away from Kuhn. He looked to push at it but missed as the ball whizzed past the outside edge. All the fielders behind the stumps and the bowler too were interested as they asked the umpire the question. Dharmasena was not interested but the English players looked adament that there was a nick. Root had a discussion with his mates before deciding to challen |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Kuhn, On middle, worked through the leg side for a single. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Amla, Outside off, on a length, swinging away, Amla lets it through. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to Amla, Holds the same line, Hashim lets it through again. |
| 6.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, On a good length outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 7.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, Short and wide outside off, Kuhn slashes hard but misses. Broad has some advice to give to the batsman there. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, Keeps this one very full and gets it to come into the batsman from outside off, Heino brings his bat down at the last moment and blocks it to the off side. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to Kuhn, Good shot for nothing. Half volley wide outside off, HK drives it beautifully but straight to extra cover. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to Kuhn, Landed outside off, on a length, left alone. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to Kuhn, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Amla chooses to leave this one outside his off stump. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Full around off, Amla looks to defend. There was extra bounce as the ball went off the spice to the off side. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to Amla, Outside off this time, Amla goes for it but misses. |
| 8.4 : J Anderson to Amla, Defended off the back foot solidly this time. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Amla, Wide outside off, left alone by Amla. |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Good length ball on off and swinging away. Amla gets behind it to defend the ball. |
| 9.1 : S Broad to Kuhn, That was sharp from Board as it looked slightly quick. Kuhn defends it awkwardly. |
| 9.2 : S Broad to Kuhn, Good length ball around off, Punched off the back foot through covers for a brace. |
| 9.3 : S Broad to Kuhn, Wide outside off. Left alone by Kuhn. |
| 9.4 : S Broad to Kuhn, Full around off. Driven past covers off the front foot. Anderson gives the chase from mid off as the ball slows down on its way to the boundary. Three runs taken. |
| 9.5 : S Broad to Amla, Good length ball on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. Amla finally gets off the mark after 17 deliveries. |
| 9.6 : S Broad to Amla, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 10.1 : J Anderson to Kuhn, OUT! Hint of away movement and it is enough to induce the edge. Heino Kuhn went to push at but could not get enough of his bat behind it. The ball went off the outside edge into the grateful arms of Cook at first slip. Not a very happy tour for Heino Kuhn as he fails yet again. |
| 0.0 : TEMBA BAVUMA is the new man in. |
| 10.2 : J Anderson to Bavuma, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 10.3 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Full and on off, driven towards extra cover. |
| 10.4 : J Anderson to Bavuma, Slightly short and wide outside off. Easy leave for Bavuma. |
| 10.5 : J Anderson to Bavuma, On a good length angling towards leg. Bavuma clips it through square leg for a single. |
| 10.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Defends this by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 11.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Full and on off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 11.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Another fullish ball wide outside off. Left alone by Bavuma. |
| 11.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Close! Bavuma is facing the heat now. That was unplayable from Broad. It was slightly on a length towards the off stump and swung after pitching away from the outside edge. On any other day that could have easily taken an outside edge. |
| Toby Roland-Jones is seen warming up. Might come on to bowl soon. |
| 11.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Plays this one off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 11.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Action replay off the previous ball. |
| 11.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Gets an inside edge this time. He played it really last as the ball was coming into the him. The ball falls just beside him as he gets his foot in the way. Blocking the ball from going towards the stumps. |
| 12.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Shows the full face of the bat and defends this one off the back foot. |
| 12.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Wide outside off, left alone by Amla. |
| 12.3 : J Anderson to Amla, This is way too good for any batsman. The ball is showing some really good swing movement away from the batsman. Too good to get an outside edge as well. It was pitching on off and jagged sharply away from the outside edge as Amla looked to defend. Super stuff from Jimmy! |
| 12.4 : J Anderson to Amla, Defended off the front foot towards the leg side this time. |
| 12.5 : J Anderson to Amla, Tries flicking this down the leg side but misses. |
| 12.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Leg bye! Struck on the pads as the ball was going down leg. Amla looked to flick but missed as the ball brushed off his pads towards fine leg. They sneak in a leg bye. |
| 13.1 : S Broad to Amla, Full, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 13.2 : S Broad to Amla, Back of a length, defended off the back foot by Amla. |
| 13.3 : S Broad to Amla, Swings this one into the batsman this time. Amla decided to leave it but the ball went just past the off stump there. |
| 13.4 : S Broad to Amla, Slightly full outside off, left alone by Amla. |
| 13.5 : S Broad to Amla, Good length ball on middle, defended straight back to the bowler. |
| 13.6 : S Broad to Amla, Good length ball wide outside off. Amla shoulders his arms at it. |
| As expected, Toby Roland-Jones comes on to bowl. |
| 14.1 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Wide and outside off. Bavuma leaves it alone. |
| 14.2 : T Roland-Jones to T Bavuma, FOUR! Full and outside off. Bavuma goes for a drive but ends up squirting it past gully. The ball races away to the boundary ropes for a welcome boundary. Not a good start by Roland-Jones. |
| 14.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 14.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Full and outside off, left alone by Bavuma this time. |
| 14.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Good length ball on off, defended off the front foot towards covers for a single. |
| 14.6 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| It's a double change! MOEEN ALI comes on to bowl from the other end. |
| 15.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loopy ball outside off and Bavuma stretches towards the pitch of the ball. He pads it away but the ball spun really sharply. Needs to be careful with these type of shots. |
| 15.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, Loopy on middle, swept to square leg for a single. |
| 15.3 : M Ali to Amla, Another sweep. This time towards fine leg for another single. |
| 15.4 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated on middle. Bavuma stretched forward and sweeps it hard. The ball strikes the man at forward short leg and goes to mid-wicket. Couple taken. |
| 15.5 : Ali to Bavuma, Loud appeal for a catch. There was no bat there but. It was a loopy ball on middle and leg and Bavuma went for the flick but missed as the ball spun sharply. Forward short leg took the catch but the umpire was not interested as the ball had gone off the pads. |
| 15.6 : M Ali to Bavuma, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 16.1 : T Roland-Jones to H Amla, Full and on middle. Amla shuffles and flicks it through mid-wicket. It looked like it could have gone to the ropes but Broad chased after it saved a run. Three runs taken in the end. |
| 16.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Fullish on middle, played to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.3 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Another fullish ball on middle, flicked off the pads for another single. |
| 16.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 16.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Full and on off, played off the front foot towards covers. |
| 16.6 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Another fullish ball on off, tapped towards covers for a quick single. |
| 17.1 : M Ali to Bavuma, Floated on middle, Bavuma looks to sweep but missed. Gets struck on the pads but that would have missed the stumps. |
| 17.2 : M Ali to Bavuma, This time Bavuma connects with his sweep. Gets it through square leg for a single. |
| 17.3 : M Ali to Amla, Ali bowls this wide outside off. It has been left alone. |
| 17.4 : M Ali to Amla, Loopy on middle, driven towards mid on. |
| 17.5 : M Ali to Amla, Played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 17.6 : M Ali to Amla, FOUR! Amla uses his feet well on this instance. It was floated on middle and Amla shuffled across before clipping it through mid-wicket for the boundary. He plays this shot really well. |
| 18.1 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 18.2 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Bavuma drives this straight down the ground towards the fielder. |
| 18.3 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Past the outside edge! That was on a good length ball outside off. Bavuma gets beaten as he played inside the line. |
| 18.4 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Good length ball outside off. Bavuma does well to defend it this time. |
| 18.5 : T Roland-Jones to Bavuma, Slightly short of a good length. Bavuma gets over it and plays it towards point. |
| Review for caught behind taken by Root. The skipper gets no help from the bowler who was not at all certain if there really was an edge. Nevertheless the fielders behind the stumps were confident and Root went for it. |
| 18.6 : Roland-Jones to Bavuma, OUT! It's given! It was a very very faint edge there but the 3rd umpire was convinced thanks to the snicko showing a slight edge. Questionable call as the ball seemed to miss the edge however snicko showed a small edge which was enough for the umpire to reverse the decision. The ball was on a good length, shaping slightly away and Bavuma looked to defend. He missed it as Bairstow behind took the catch and jumped with joy. All the slip fielders were also interested b |
| England are well on course towards victory as the players take lunch. After picking up two quick wickets of the English tail, they came out firing and removed the South African openers with ease before removing Bavuma at the stroke of lunch. The seamers are spitting venom with the help of some assistance from the deck. It is getting harder and harder for the visitors to bat. The Proteas are still 340 runs behind with seven wickets in hand. Can the home side wrap them up before the end of the day |
| ... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ... |
| Lunch has been done with as the players walk out for the second session. Faf du Plessis joins Amla in the middle with Ali to continue. |
| 19.1 : M Ali to Amla, Loopy ball on off, defended back down towards cover. |
| 19.2 : M Ali to Amla, Gets his bat down in time as the ball spins into Amla from off. He flicks it to the leg side. |
| 19.3 : M Ali to Amla, Another one on the pads, flicked away. |
| 19.4 : M Ali to Amla, Loopy one on the pads again. Flicked away for another single. |
| 19.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Defends this one solidly. Gets right behind the line of the delivery to do so. |
| Leg slip has been introduced. |
| 19.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Defended off the front foot by Amla presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 20.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Fullish on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. He gets struck on his glove there and looks in some pain. Not too serious though. |
| 20.3 : J Anderson to Amla, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 20.4 : J Anderson to Amla, Fuller and straighter, Amla defends watchfully. |
| 20.5 : J Anderson to Amla, On a length outside off, dabbed straight to gully. |
| 20.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Landed outside off, hint of away movement, left alone. Quality start from England after Lunch. |
| 21.1 : M Ali to Plessis, WAS THAT CATCH? Perhaps not. Full and around off, du Plessis looks to defend but the ball hits his pads and goes to Keaton Jennings at short leg. He dives in front but cannot hang on. |
| 21.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Full and around off, Faf gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single. |
| 21.3 : M Ali to Amla, On middle and leg, Amla gets across and works it straight to square leg. |
| 21.4 : Ali to Amla, Huge appeal for LBW, turned down. Full and outside off, Hashim comes forward to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Root ponders but does not take the review. Good call, because Hawk Eye tracks the impact to be outside off. But Shane Warne on air wonders whether that was a shot being played. On continuous replays, one actually gets the feeling that Amla got his bat behind the pad, which in actual sense, is not offering any shot. Now, that becomes out because impact is me |
| 21.5 : M Ali to Amla, Outside off, HA looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 21.6 : M Ali to Amla, Outside off, worked straight to mid-wicket. |
| 22.1 : J Anderson to Plessis, Outside off, du Plessis leaves it alone. |
| 22.2 : J Anderson to Plessis, On the pads this time. Worked away down the leg side for a single. |
| 22.3 : J Anderson to Amla, Another one outside off, left alone by Amla. |
| 22.4 : J Anderson to Amla, Defended off the back foot by Amla. |
| 22.5 : J Anderson to Amla, Shout for caught behind! Not given by the umpire. The Englishmen decide against going for the review this time. It was a back of a length ball on off and shaping away. Amla looked to defend but missed and the ball brushed off his thigh pad into the gloves of the keeper. Bairstow appealed but no said the umpire. |
| 22.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 23.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball on middle, flicked to the leg side but straight to the fielder. |
| 23.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Shows the full face of the bat and defends it off the back foot. |
| 23.3 : M Ali to Plessis, Gets right behind the line of this one to defend it. |
| 23.4 : M Ali to Plessis, Goes for the sweep but plays it straight to short fine leg. |
| 23.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Defends this one from within the crease. |
| 23.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball from Ali and du Plessis plays that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 24.1 : J Anderson to Amla, Slightly full on off, played straight back to the bowler. |
| 24.2 : J Anderson to Amla, Outside off this time. Amla shoulders his arms at it. |
| 24.3 : J Anderson to Amla, Good length ball on off. Defended by Amla as he got right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 24.4 : J Anderson to Amla, On a length and shaping slightly in. Amla fends it to the off side. |
| 24.5 : J Anderson to Amla, Good length on middle, played to the leg side off the back foot. |
| 24.6 : J Anderson to Amla, Length ball outside off, played to point but straight to the fielder. |
| 25.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Shout for lbw but the umpire says no. That was pitching outside off du Plessis went for the sweep. He missed and got struck on the pads but outside the line of the off stump. |
| 25.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Plays this sweep shot this time for a single. |
| 25.3 : M Ali to Amla, Fails to put bat on ball this time. |
| 25.4 : M Ali to Amla, FOUR! Amla reverse sweeps this away for the boundary at third man. Stokes at slip did really well to anticipate the shot but he overran and missed the ball as it raced away to the ropes. Good shot by Amla on this occasion. |
| 25.5 : M Ali to Amla, Loopy ball on middle, flicked away off the pads for a single. |
| 25.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Plays this off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Toby Roland-Jones replaces Anderson. |
| 26.1 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Starts off with a good length ball on off. Defended off the back foot. |
| 26.2 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, FOUR! In the air but in the gap! That goes uppishly through the cover-point region for the boundary. It was a fullish ball on off as Amla went for the drive. The ball goes off the outside edge of his bat and races away. Finally some runs for South Africa! |
| 26.3 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 26.4 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Fullish and on middle, driven towards mid off this time. |
| 26.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, FOUR! Super shot! That's an Amla special! It was a full length ball on off and he timed his cover drive to perfection. He got to the pitch of the ball and creamed it through covers off the middle of the bat. The ball raced away for a well-deserved boundary. |
| 26.6 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Amla. This time he drives it through the mid off region for the boundary. It was a full length ball and asking to be hit. With that South Africa get 20 percent of their score through this over. |
| 27.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball on off, played to the point region for a single. |
| 27.2 : M Ali to Amla, Defended off the back foot this time. |
| 27.3 : M Ali to Amla, Full on middle, driven through mid on. |
| 27.4 : M Ali to Amla, FOUR! Reverse sweep this time by Amla and he gets the desired result. That was loopy and around off. Amla did really well to get some bat on the shot as the ball raced away to the third man boundary. |
| 27.5 : M Ali to Amla, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 27.6 : M Ali to Amla, On the pads and flicked away nicely but for no runs. All of a sudden South Africa are adding some quick runs. |
| 28.1 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Good length ball outside off. Played past the point region for a couple of runs. |
| 28.2 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Defended this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.3 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Full on middle, du Plessis plays an uppish drive towards mid on. |
| 28.4 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Oh my, that's got to hurt! It was a good length ball on middle as the ball jags in sharply as well. Du Plessis looked to defend but could not get any bat on it. He gets hit below his ribs and looks in pain. Over at point, Ben Stokes applauds the delivery. Faf shakes the pain away. |
| 28.5 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.6 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, FOUR! Good length ball outside off and du Plessis plays a good square-cut to get the boundary. That was timed to perfection from the South African batsman as he gives the perfect response to getting hit on the ribs. |
| 29.1 : M Ali to Amla, Loopy ball on middle, Amla gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend it. |
| 29.2 : M Ali to Amla, Floated on off, Amla fails to get any bat on it. |
| 29.3 : M Ali to Amla, Played off the front foot and into the ground this time. |
| 29.4 : M Ali to Plessis, On the pads, flicked away by du Plessis. |
| 29.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Floated on off. Defended off the front foot for a single. |
| 29.6 : M Ali to Amla, On the pads this time, flicked away for a single. |
| 30.1 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Good length ball on off, defended solidly by Amla. |
| 30.2 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend this one. |
| 30.3 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Full on off, Amla drives it back towards the bowler. Roland-Jones does well to get a hand to it as he parries the ball towards mid-off. |
| 30.4 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Full and on the pads, flicked away for a couple of runs. |
| 30.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, FOUR! That was another full length ball on off and Amla drove it through the covers for another boundary. That is his seventh boundary of the inning as he starts to look more and more confident. |
| 30.6 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 31.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball on off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 31.2 : M Ali to Amla, FOUR Byes! That was floated down leg and Amla left it alone. The ball went past the keeper and trickled to the boundary rope at deep fine leg. |
| 31.3 : M Ali to Amla, Floated outside off, Amla fails to get bat on the ball and is hit on the pad. |
| 31.4 : M Ali to Amla, Outside off, Amla offers no struck and is hit on the pads. |
| 31.5 : M Ali to Amla, Back of a length, punched off the back foot for a single on the off side. |
| 31.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Floated on middle, du Plessis gets into the position early and sweeps it through the leg side. Picks up a couple with that. |
| STUART BROAD replaces Roland-Jones. |
| 32.1 : S Broad to Amla, Full on off, driven straight down the ground. |
| 32.2 : S Broad to Amla, Back of a length ball outside off. Amla stays on his back foot and defends it. |
| 32.3 : S Broad to Amla, Full around off, defended off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 32.4 : S Broad to Amla, Slightly fuller and that kept pretty low. Amla did well to adjust the bounce as he got behind the line to defend it. |
| 32.5 : S Broad to Amla, Full and on off, driven towards covers for a single. |
| 50-run stand comes up between Amla and Faf du Plessis. South Africa would want this pair to carry on at least until the end of this session. |
| 32.6 : S Broad to Plessis, FOUR! Top shot from du Plessis and that should surely give him confidence. It was full length ball on middle. Du Plessis got behind it and drove straight past the bowler and through mid on for the boundary. Both these batsmen are looking comfortable now. |
| BEN STOKES replaces Moeen Ali now. |
| 33.1 : Ben Stokes to Amla, FOUR! On the pads this time and it has been worked fine down the leg side for the boundary. Not the best of starts. |
| 33.2 : Ben Stokes to Amla, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 33.3 : Ben Stokes to Amla, FOUR! Another boundary for Amla as he gets to his 35th Test Fifty. It was a short delivery and he pulled it past fine leg to get the boundary. With that, South Africa cross the 100-run mark. |
| 33.4 : Ben Stokes to Amla, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 33.5 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Outside off, Amla has been beaten as he missed the line of the delivery. |
| 33.6 : Ben Stokes to Amla, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 34.1 : S Broad to Plessis, On a good length outside off. It keeps a tad low this time and du Plessis only gets a bottom edge to it as he went to defend. The ball goes over and past the stumps. On another could easily have been dragged on. |
| 34.2 : S Broad to Plessis, FOUR! Top shot from du Plessis. That was full and on the pads and all du Plessis flicked it superbly through fine leg off his back foot for the boundary. |
| 34.3 : S Broad to Plessis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 34.4 : S Broad to Plessis, Shows the full face of the bat to defend this one off the back foot. |
| 34.5 : S Broad to Plessis, Full on middle, defended off the front foot towards mid on. |
| 34.6 : S Broad to Plessis, Good length ball just outside off. Defended off the back foot towards covers. |
| 35.1 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Good length ball outside off. Amla leaves it alone as he shoulders his arms at it. |
| 35.2 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Down the leg side, tries flicking but misses. |
| 35.3 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Back of a length ball, defended off the back foot. |
| 35.4 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Full on middle, driven straight back. |
| 35.5 : Ben Stokes to Amla, On the pads, worked away down the leg side for a single. |
| 35.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.1 : S Broad to Amla, Good length ball outside off. Left alone by Amla. |
| 36.2 : S Broad to Amla, Another good length ball outside off. Amla wants to do nothing with it. |
| 36.3 : S Broad to Amla, Good length ball around off and angling in. Amla closes the face of his bat to defend but gets a leading edge on it. |
| 36.4 : S Broad to Amla, Gets right behind the line of the delivery to defend this one from within the crease. |
| 36.5 : S Broad to Amla, Bouncer! Amla does really well to duck under it. |
| 36.6 : S Broad to Amla, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 37.1 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, In the air and safe! Full length ball on off and du Plessis goes for a drive. He does not time it well and gets it off the inside half of the bat. The ball goes uppishly towards the bowler but falls just short of Broad. |
| 37.2 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Full on off, driven through covers this time. |
| 37.3 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, On the pads this time, flicked away down the leg side for a single. |
| 37.4 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Full on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 37.5 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Full on off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 37.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, On the pads this time, worked down the leg side for a couple. |
| Drinks have been taken. South Africa have slowly looked stronger now in the middle as Amla and du Plessis start looking more comfortable. They are spending valuable time on the crease and if this goes longer, England might start getting worried. |
| 38.1 : S Broad to Amla, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 38.2 : S Broad to Amla, One more leave outside off. |
| 38.3 : S Broad to Amla, Full and around off, flicked straight to the man in front of square on the leg side. A single taken. |
| 38.4 : S Broad to Plessis, Lands it on a length outside off, Faf comes forward to defend but the ball lifts suddenly and his bottom hand comes off the bat while blocking it. |
| 38.5 : S Broad to Plessis, Angles this from outside off into Faf, he looks to tuck it away but the ball hits his thighs and goes behind square leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 38.6 : S Broad to Amla, WHOA! Was that from a crack? Serious movement. Broad lands this on a length wide outside off. Amla goes back to punch it through the off side but the ball cuts in a long way, cramps him for room and then gets the inside edge towards fine leg. He starts appealing for something, wonder what. A single taken. |
| 39.1 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 39.2 : Ben Stokes to Amla, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. |
| 39.3 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Goes back in his crease and defends. |
| 39.4 : Ben Stokes to H Amla, Full and outside off, driven beautifully but straight to mid off. |
| 39.5 : Ben Stokes to Amla, EDGED, DOES NOT CARRY! Are the slips standing a bit too deep? Not sure. Full and wide outside off, Amla looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge. However, the ball does not carry to Alastair Cook at first slip. Now, the keeper and first slip come up a step. |
| 39.6 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Stays back in his crease and blocks. |
| 40.1 : S Broad to Plessis, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 0.0 : Silly mid on comes in place now. |
| 40.2 : S Broad to Plessis, Another defensive shot from the crease. |
| 40.3 : S Broad to Plessis, Gets across and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 40.4 : S Broad to Plessis, Full and wide outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 40.5 : S Broad to Plessis, FOUR! Fabulous shot. The last ball he could not get it away but this time he does. Full and wide outside off, du Plessis reaches out to this one and drives it through the covers for a boundary! |
| 40.6 : S Broad to Plessis, Outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 41.1 : Ben Stokes to Amla, A bouncer but down the leg side, Amla ducks. |
| 41.2 : Ben Stokes to Amla, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 41.3 : Ben Stokes to Amla, On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 41.4 : Ben Stokes to Amla, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 41.5 : Ben Stokes to Amla, On a length outside off, watchfully defended from the crease. |
| 41.6 : Ben Stokes to Amla, FOUR! Guess that was bowled purposely. Amla was dismissed in a similar fashion down the leg side in the first innings. But this is far too wide outside leg and Amla flicks it to the fine leg fence. The stand moves to 82 now and South Africa need 258 more to win. |
| Root gets a change of pace. MOEEN ALI has been brought back on to bowl. |
| 42.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Full and outside off, flicked straight to short leg. |
| 42.2 : M Ali to Plessis, The batsman plays a sweep shot. They pick up a single. |
| 42.3 : M Ali to Amla, The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot. |
| 42.4 : M Ali to Amla, Full and outside off, Amla looks to play the reverse sweep but toe ends it to first slip. Ben Stokes at first slip overruns a bit again to his right but because the ball came slowly, he is able to stop it. |
| 42.5 : M Ali to Amla, Flighted outside off, Hashim comes down the track and defends it to the off side. |
| 42.6 : M Ali to Amla, Well bowled, loops this outside off, gets it to spin in, HA looks to defend from his crease but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| Root, Broad and Stokes get into a three-way chat. Broad seems to be doing all the talking and Root looks a bit pensive. |
| 43.1 : Ben Stokes to du Plessis, A short ball outside off, du Plessis plays a controlled pull shot behind square leg for a single. |
| 43.2 : Ben Stokes to Amla, FOUR! A good shot. Not as much venom in this pitch as it was earlier. So if you are going to bang it in, make sure you bang it very short. Else it will sit up for the batsman to play a shot he wishes. Amla punches this through the covers and gets a boundary. Moves to 63 with his 11th boundary. |
| 43.3 : Ben Stokes to Amla, A better bouncer, Hashim ducks. |
| 43.4 : Ben Stokes to Amla, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 43.5 : Ben Stokes to Amla, Another back foot defense. |
| 43.6 : Ben Stokes to Amla, FOUR! Short and outside off, not that bad a ball as the previous boundary, but this time Amla gets on top of the bounce, leaps and punches it through the covers for another boundary. The stand moves to 92 now and the Proteas need another 248 to win. |
| 44.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Down the leg side, worked towards short leg. |
| 44.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Full and miles outside off, du Plessis gets a long way across and shoulders arms, trying to pad it away but the ball goes straight on to Ben Stokes at first slip. |
| 44.3 : M Ali to Plessis, Pushes this through mid on for a single. |
| 44.4 : M Ali to Amla, Landed well outside off, Amla pads it away. |
| 44.5 : M Ali to Amla, Goes back and flicks it straight to short leg. |
| 44.6 : M Ali to Amla, Full and outside off, Hashim looks to reverse sweep this and does so. Stokes gets across to his right in anticipation but the ball goes very fine, just past the keeper. Two runs taken. |
| Interesting. JOE ROOT brings himself on. He has been reluctant to bowl ever since he has become the captain. |
| 45.1 : Joe Root to Plessis, Full and outside off, stays low, du Plessis defends. |
| 45.2 : Joe Root to Plessis, Full and outside off, swept powerfully through square leg for a single. |
| 45.3 : Joe Root to Amla, Full and tossed up outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. Amla moves to 71 now. |
| 45.4 : Joe Root to Amla, Dug in short, that seemed like a seam-up delivery, on middle, Amla works it straight to short leg. |
| 45.5 : Joe Root to Amla, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid on. |
| 45.6 : Joe Root to Plessis, Full on off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 46.1 : M Ali to Amla, FOUR! There comes the century stand. A good fight shown after the early hiccups. Landed outside off, Amla goes back and punches it behind point. There is a fielder in the deep but he is far too fine and Amla gets a boundary. 237 more needed to win now. |
| 0.0 : 100-run stand comes up! The fourth one for South Africa in this series and Amla has been involved in three of them. Shows his importance to the side. |
| 46.2 : M Ali to Amla, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 46.3 : M Ali to Amla, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 46.4 : M Ali to Amla, Full again, watchfully kept out. |
| 46.5 : M Ali to Amla, Tosses this up, Hashim is not interested and dead-bats it. |
| 46.6 : M Ali to Amla, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 47.1 : Joe Root to Plessis, Floated on the pads, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 47.2 : Joe Root to Plessis, Another one down the leg side. Du Plessis pads it to the leg side. |
| 47.3 : Joe Root to Plessis, Keeps the same line and du Plessis works it down the leg side. |
| Coming from over the wicket now! |
| 47.4 : Joe Root to Plessis, Plays this off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.5 : Joe Root to Plessis, FOUR! Smacked back down the ground! It was loopy and full on off. Du Plessis drove it past mid off for the boundary. Superb shot from the skipper against his counterpart. |
| 47.6 : Joe Root to Plessis, Floated on off, driven straight back to Root. He parries it back to the stumps at the non striker's end. |
| 48.1 : M Ali to Amla, SIX! Amla dances down the track and smacks this straight over the bowlers head. That sails all the way over the ropes for the first six of this innings. Superb shot from Amla! |
| 48.2 : M Ali to Amla, Loopy ball on off, driven straight back. |
| 48.3 : M Ali to Amla, Floated on the pads, flicked away for a single. |
| 48.4 : M Ali to Plessis, Defended from within the crease now. |
| 48.5 : M Ali to du Plessis, Floated on middle, gets an inside edge on the pads. |
| 48.6 : M Ali to Plessis, Flighted on middle, swept away for a single. |
| Toby Roland-Jones comes back to bowl. |
| 49.1 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Back of a length, punched off the back foot towards mid off. There was a misfield but it almost resulted in a run-out at the strikers end. Two runs taken with a bit of luck. |
| 49.2 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 49.3 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, FOUR! Could have been a caught and bowled! That was full on off and du Plessis played it uppishly past the bowler. Roland-Jones got his hands towards it but failed to get anything on the ball. The ball raced away to the boundary ropes at long off. |
| 49.4 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Leg bye! Down the leg side this time as du Plessis looks to flick it. The ball goes off his pads and down the leg side. They sneak in a leg bye. |
| 49.5 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, Struck on the pads once again. That was full on the pads and angling away. |
| 49.6 : T Roland-Jones to Amla, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| Silly point comes in place now. |
| 50.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball on the pads, flicked away down the leg side for a single. |
| 0.0 : England have gone for the review for lbw! Looks plumb to the naked eye, let's see what the replay shows. |
| 50.2 : Ali to Amla, OUT! Ali gets Amla! The review has proved to be a good one. It was pitching outside off but spinning sharply in. Struck him in line and was going on to hit the leg stump. Replays showed a small spike as the ball went past the bat but it was not enough to convince the umpire there was an edge. Amla missed his flick and this time he paid the penalty. The 123-run stand has come to an end along with what could be Amla's last knock in England. |
| Quinton de Kock comes in next. |
| 50.3 : M Ali to Kock, Landed outside off, de Kock looks to defend but the ball spins and bounces away sharply. |
| 50.4 : M Ali to Kock, Comes forward this time to meet the ball. |
| 50.5 : M Ali to Kock, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 50.6 : M Ali to Kock, Puts on his dancing shoes, gets to the pitch of the ball and defends. |
| 51.1 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Full outside off, it has been driven to wide mid off. |
| 51.2 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, On a good length, flicked to mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 51.3 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Goes back and blocks it out. |
| 51.4 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Around off, angling in, tucks it through square leg for a single. |
| 51.5 : T Roland-Jones to Kock, Full and wide outside off, de Kock leans and drives it wide of mid off for a run. |
| 51.6 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Drives this wide of cover now for one. |
| 52.1 : M Ali to Plessis, FOUR! Beautiful shot. Full and outside off, du Plessis gets across and whips this wide of mid on. Joe Root gets across to his right, dives, but the ball goes through. A fighting knock from the skipper. 208 more to win now... |
| 0.0 : 14th Test Fifty for Faf du Plessis, his second of the series. Can he get a fighting ton? |
| 52.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Full and outside off, swept through mid-wicket for a single. The stand moves to 10 from 12 balls. |
| 52.3 : M Ali to Kock, Full and outside off, de Kock comes down the track and defends. |
| 52.4 : M Ali to de Kock, OUT! Edged and gone! De Kock goes cheaply. Full and outside off, de Kock looks to drive but the ball spins away slightly and goes off the outside edge. Alastair Cook at second slip does the formalities. Forgetful Test for de Kock. Or even series. |
| THEUNIS DE BRUYN walks in next at number 7, replacing de Kock. |
| 52.5 : M Ali to Bruyn, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 52.6 : M Ali to de Bruyn, OUT! Second wicket in the over! This game has changed big time. Landed outside off, de Bruyn stays back to defend. Not quite sure whether the ball spun or went away off the drift but somehow, it took the edged. It was a low one to Ben Stokes at first slip and he makes no mistake. England 4 wickets away from a series win. |
| KESHAV MAHARAJ walks in next. |
| 53.1 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Slightly full on middle, defended to the leg side this time. |
| 53.2 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, FOUR! Charges down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball to smack it past the fielder at mid on. The ball races away to the boundary as Faf seems to step on the gas now. |
| 53.3 : T Roland-Jones to Plessis, Confusion between the two but safe. That was on a good length and finds the edge. That goes towards Ali at backward point. He does not gather the ball cleanly as it allows the two to complete the single. |
| 53.4 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Floated on middle, gets behind the line to defend it. |
| 53.5 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Play and miss! It was a length ball outside off and it squared Maharaj up. Good ball from Roland-Jones. |
| 53.6 : T Roland-Jones to Maharaj, Finds the edge of the bat this time as it goes behind point for a single. |
| 54.1 : M Ali to Maharaj, Dropped! That was floated on off and found the inside edge. Maharaj looked to defend it off his front foot but edged it onto his pads. The ball went behind and hit the glove of Bairstow before bouncing off his chest to fall beside the stumps. Could have easily been a catch for the keeper had he reacted swiftly. |
| 54.2 : M Ali to Maharaj, Defends this by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 54.3 : M Ali to Maharaj, Floated on off, played towards point for a single. |
| 54.4 : M Ali to Plessis, On the pads, worked down the leg side. |
| 54.5 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy ball on middle, swept away for a single. |
| 54.6 : M Ali to Maharaj, Comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball. Plays it to mid-wicket for a single. That is TEA ON DAY 4! |
| Big change in the game, this session. It was all going South Africa's way till Moeen Ali came back on to bowl a few minutes before Tea. They had made 142 runs in this session in 36 overs and lost 3 wickets but those dismissals came in the space of 15 balls, totally nullifying the fight shown by Amla and du Plessis. |
| Amla and Faf had added 123 for the 4th wicket before the former fell which is fine but then as more often than not happens - after such a big stand, a couple of wickets fall quickly and de Kock and de Bruyn fell cheaply. |
| Things were looking a bit worrisome for the home side but the last 15 minutes have brought back the momentum. It is now only a matter of time before they wrap it up, as they are just 4 wickets away from a series win. If truth be told, Faf du Plessis is the only recognized batsman left, so they should not have too much trouble in finishing this off. 34 overs are left in the day, so hard to see this game going till tomorrow. The weather looks set for the rest of the day. Join us back at 1700 local |
| ...Day 4, Final Session... |
| We're back for the third and final session of the day. Could well be the last session of the series as well. ANDERSON to bowl, MAHARAJ is on strike. |
| 55.1 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Bowls it on a length just outside off. Pushed to short cover off the back foot. |
| 55.2 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Gets right behind the line to defend this from within the crease. |
| 55.3 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Another solid back foot defense by Maharaj. |
| 55.4 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Good length on off, pushed to the leg side off the back foot. |
| 55.5 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Fullish on off, defended solidly once again. |
| 55.6 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Fullish outside off, defended nicely by Maharaj. Maiden over to begin with after Tea then! |
| ALI to continue. Slip, leg slip and a short leg in place. |
| 56.1 : M Ali to Plessis, Floated on middle, defended well by du Plessis. |
| 56.2 : M Ali to Plessis, Loopy on middle, bunted back to the bowler. |
| 56.3 : M Ali to Plessis, Floated on middle and leg, flicked away for a single. |
| 56.4 : M Ali to Maharaj, Gets behind this to defend the ball from within the crease. |
| 56.5 : M Ali to Maharaj, On the pads, worked down the leg side. |
| 56.6 : M Ali to Maharaj, Floated on off, driven towards mid off by Maharaj. |
| 57.1 : J Anderson to Plessis, OUT! Got 'em! Du Plessis is not pleased at all by himself. He had worked so hard up until this point but falls cheaply. It was a good length ball wide outside off and du Plessis went to cut it hard through point. The ball took a faint edge and went straight behind into the gloves of Bairstow. England are just three wickets from a well-deserved victory now. Jimmy Anderson gets his second of the inning now. |
| 0.0 : KAGISO RABADA walks in next. |
| 57.2 : J Anderson to Rabada, Rabada chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 57.3 : J Anderson to Rabada, Defends this off the back foot. |
| 57.4 : J Anderson to K Rabada, Full on off, driven towards covers this time. |
| 57.5 : J Anderson to Rabada, Good length ball outside off, left alone by Rabada. |
| 57.6 : J Anderson to Rabada, Yorker and it looked really good. Rabada did very well to get his bat down and dig the ball out. Well played in the end. |
| 58.1 : M Ali to Maharaj, Loopy ball on off, played off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 58.2 : M Ali to Maharaj, Defends this one off the back foot this time. |
| Run out appeal! England are excited as they feel Rabada is gone at the non-striker's end off a deflection from Moeen Ali's arm. |
| 58.3 : M Ali to Maharaj, Not out! Rabada was safe. Floated on middle, Maharaj drives straight down the ground. |
| 58.4 : M Ali to Rabada, No run. |
| 58.5 : M Ali to K Rabada, No run. |
| 58.6 : M Ali to Rabada, No run. |
| 59.1 : J Anderson to Maharaj, FOUR! Short and outside off, Maharaj punches it behind point. The fielder gets a hand to it and deflects it behind. There is a fielder in the deep but the ball wins the race. |
| 59.2 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 59.3 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Stays back in his crease now to block. |
| 59.4 : J Anderson to Maharaj, A bouncer now, to test Maharaj's footwork, the batsman ducks. |
| 59.5 : J Anderson to Maharaj, A length ball outside off, punched beautifully but straight to short cover. |
| 59.6 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Outside off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 60.1 : M Ali to Rabada, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 60.2 : M Ali to K Rabada, Full and outside off, Rabada looks to push but gets a thick outside edge behind gully to third man for a single. |
| 60.3 : M Ali to Maharaj, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 60.4 : Ali to Maharaj, FOUR! That is a fine shot. Full and outside off, Maharaj comes down the track and blasts this down the ground. Mid off barely moved and mid on had to go to long off to fetch the ball. |
| 60.5 : M Ali to Maharaj, Full and outside off, Keshav comes down the track and works it towards long on. A single taken. |
| 60.6 : M Ali to Rabada, Outside off, plenty of loop on offer, left alone. |
| 61.1 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Outside off, Maharaj pushes inside the line but is beaten. |
| 61.2 : J Anderson to Maharaj, Fuller and straighter, Keshav flicks across the line for a single. Ooohs and aaahhs from the fielders. |
| 61.3 : J Anderson to Rabada, Full and on middle, pushed back to the bowler off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 61.4 : J Anderson to Rabada, Fuller again, now Kagiso looks to play the off drive but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards the bowler. |
| Change of angle from Anderson... |
| 61.5 : J Anderson to Rabada, The length is a touch shorter and KG defends solidly. |
| 61.6 : Anderson to Rabada, OUT! Caught! Number 8 goes! Full and outside off, a touch wider, Rabada drove it uppishly. He could not get enough elevation but what a catch from Tom Westley at short cover. He leapt full stretch and took a wonderful catch. The end is nigh... |
| MORNE MORKEL walks in at number 10, replacing Rabada. |
| 62.1 : M Ali to Maharaj, A short ball on middle, pulled towards square leg. |
| 62.2 : M Ali to Maharaj, SIX! Some runs in the kitty for Maharaj. It was a tossed up delivery outside off, Maharaj came down the track and sent it sailing over long on. There was a fielder in the deep but only as a spectator. |
| 62.3 : M Ali to K Maharaj, Full and outside off again, driven towards long off for a single. |
| 62.4 : M Ali to Morkel, OUT! Morkel's stay in the middle has come to an end as Ali picks his fourth wicket. It was a loopy ball outside off and Morkel cleared his front leg to try and smack this over the bowlers head. He did not get the direction that he wanted as the ball flew towards mid off. Joe Root back-tracked and kept his eye on the ball, taking a good jumping catch. England are a wicket away from a win now! |
| DUANNE OLIVIER, the last man is in next. |
| 62.5 : M Ali to D Olivier, OUT! Ali cleans the last man straightaway to clinch the victory and series for England! How apt as he has been the star performer for the team in this series and he picks up another 5-fer. It was a loopy ball on off and Olivier tried to prod at it off his front foot. The ball took an outside edge and flew to Stokes at first slip who took a regulation catch. THE HOSTS WIN THE SERIES 3-1! |
| England will be very very happy as they win a home series against South Africa for the first time since 1998! The game never looked in doubt as the hosts looked in complete control of the match since day 2! A terrific knock of 99 from Bairstow ensured that England reached a commanding first innings total of 362. Things could have been very different had Bairstow not been dropped on 15. Root and Stokes played a good hand of 52 and 58 respectively in the innings as well. |
| In reply, South Africa managed to score just 226 runs as none of their batsmen could rack up a score over 50. Bavuma top scored with a score of 46 with Ali making 30. James Anderson was the pick of the bowler as he picked four wickets. He was given good support by Broad who picked up three scalps. By then, England looked pretty comfortable as they just had to add further on to their first innings lead. They did that courtesy of some quickfire runs off the bat of Ali who scored 75 off 66. Root ha |
| South Africa were given a total of 380 to chase. However with the way they had been batting throughout the series coupled with the difficult batting conditions, it was always going to be big ask. The openers did not bother scorers much But Amla played a fighting knock of 83. He was given good support from Faf du Plessis as the two added 123 runs together. However once their partnership was broken before Tea, the final session of the day looked certain to be the last of the series. The tail did n |
| South African Man of the series, Morne Morkel says he enjoyed getting the award. Also says he was happy with the way he bowled. Adds that he was committed to hit the lengths and get consistency and feels it was crucial to get a fuller length consistently which is something he has been working on. On his battle with Cook, he feels it has been quality and he enjoys bowling to left-handers. He does a lot of that with brothers in his backyard and ends by saying he was happy to lead the attack here. |
| MOEEN ALI is the MAN OF THE MATCH and also the England Man Of The Series by South African coach Russell Domingo for his consistency throughout the series with bat and ball. He is thankful to the crowd for egging him on throughout the series and says it helps a player a lot. On the thought in the English camp when Amla and du Plessis were going great, Moeen says that his team knows that they are great players and they were patient. Once a wicket fell, it just paved the way. Adds that he was looki |
| South Africa's skipper Faf du Plessis on it being a long tour, starts by congratulating the English team as they were consistently better. Feels that it has been a tough time ever since they came with the one days before the Champions Trophy which was disappointing. States that they tried their best but England kept coming up with answers. Feels that a combination of things went wrong for them. Further adds that the quality of the English was good. However his side did not take their chances. Me |
| England's skipper Joe Root says he is really pleased with the way things have gone and his guys have responded well. On the target set by them, says he knew it was a lot of runs but Faf and Hashim put them in pressure but his side bounced back strong by taking their chances. About his new ball attack (Broad and Anderson), he says it is fabulous and hopes they carry on for a few more years. Goes on to say his side faced different challenges but played well as a unit and need more hard work in the |
| Finally we come to end of this long and exciting series between England and South Africa. The latter go back home, bruised and tired, but to participate in an exciting revamped domestic T20 series. The English, on the other hand, do not have much of a break and get ready to face West Indies next. Hope you enjoyed all the action and see you again soon! Until then take goodbye and take care! |
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