| 0.0 : Hello and a warm welcome for the opening day of the first Test match between England and South Africa at Lord's. Joe Root is all set to lead the English side in whites and there can be no better place in the world to make a new beginning. He has some quality players in the wings who can be match-winners on their day. 2016 was poor for the hosts in the longest format of the game but this is a different affair altogether. |
| On the other hand, the Proteas have been lackluster in the limited overs so far. However, they are a brilliant side in the red-ball format. The stand-in skipper, Dean Elgar will be eager to stamp his authority in this game. The visitors have been on a roll in Tests as they are coming off series wins against Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. However, they will be wary of how dangerous the home side can be in familiar conditions. Bright skies welcome us today. Expect a cracking day of cricket. |
| Joe Root, the 80th Test captain of England gets lucky with the toss. They opt to bat. Heino Kuhn makes his Test debut for South Africa at the age of 33. |
| England (Playing XI) - Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow(wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson. |
| South Africa (Playing XI) - Heino Kuhn, Dean Elgar(c), Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock(wk), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel. |
| The players and the umpires are out in the middle. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings will open the batting for England. Morne Morkel will bowl the first over. |
| 0.1 : M Morkel to Cook, That's a beauty to begin with! Back of a length delivery around off, Cook pokes at it but gets beaten all ends up. |
| 0.2 : M Morkel to Cook, Sprays this one down the leg side, Alastair looks to clip it but misses. |
| 0.3 : M Morkel to Cook, Very full and well outside off, Cook looks to play at it initially but decides to bail out of it at the last moment. |
| 0.4 : M Morkel to Cook, Full on off, Cook works it to wide mid on for a run. First runs for England. |
| Morne Morkel has started off pretty well here. It promises to be an exciting day of cricket. |
| 0.5 : M Morkel to Jennings, Morkel comes around the wicket and bowls a fullish delivery outside off, Jennings covers his off stump and lets it go. |
| 0.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, In the channel outside off, Keaton lets it go. Good over to begin with by Morkel. |
| Vernon Philander will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : V Philander to Cook, Good length delivery around off, Cook doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 1.2 : V Philander to Cook, Back of a length on off, Alastair camps back and pushes it to mid off. |
| 1.3 : V Philander to Cook, Fuller length ball in line of the stumps, Cook pats it back to Philander. |
| 1.4 : V Philander to Cook, No ball! On a length on off, defended solidly off the back foot. Philander overstepped on that occasion. |
| V Philander to Cook, Wider outside off this time, the southpaw doesn't flirt with it. |
| 1.5 : V Philander to Cook, Full length and straight on this occasion, Alastair clips it through backward square leg. The fine leg fielder hares to his right and cuts it off. Two runs taken. |
| 1.6 : V Philander to Cook, No ball! Fullish on middle, Cook turns it to short mid-wicket. Philander has again missed his mark as he has overstepped. |
| V Philander to Cook, Full on off, Alastair punches it crisply to mid off. |
| 2.1 : M Morkel to Jennings, Back of a length delivery, angling in from outside off. Jennings points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 2.2 : M Morkel to Jennings, FOUR! Well played! Short of a length and straighter this time, Jennings hops back and tickles it past the keeper for a boundary. First one of the match. |
| 2.3 : M Morkel to Jennings, Length delivery outside off, Keaton hangs his bat late and pushes it with an open face to third slip. |
| 2.4 : M Morkel to Jennings, Fullish delivery wide outside off, Jennings pokes at it with minimal foot movement but gets beaten. |
| 2.5 : M Morkel to Jennings, FOUR! Easy pickings! Full and angling into pads, Jennings stays well- balanced and flicks it beautifully through mid-wicket to find the fence. Made use of the depth of the crease. |
| M Morkel to Jennings, Full and well outside off, left alone. |
| 2.6 : M Morkel to Jennings, Back of a length around off, nips in sharply. Jennings plays inside the line and lets it go. 8 from the over. |
| 3.1 : V Philander to Cook, OUT! Philander strikes! He has bowled this one right on the money and induced a false stroke. Big breakthrough for South Africa this. Philander keeps this on a good length in the channel around off, shapes away after pitching. Cook shuffles a touch and pokes at it. Ends up getting a thick outside edge and the ball flies towards de Kock behind the stumps. He moves to his left and takes a regulation catch. The Proteas are overjoyed. Great start to the game. |
| 0.0 : Gary Ballance walks in at No. 3. |
| 3.2 : V Philander to Ballance, Good length delivery outside off, moves away after landing. Ballance shuffles a touch and allows it through. |
| 3.3 : V Philander to Ballance, Length delivery outside off, Gary stays circumspect and leaves it alone. |
| 3.4 : V Philander to Ballance, Beautifully bowled! Fuller in length this time on off, Ballance prods forward to defend it but is beaten by the away seam movement. |
| 3.5 : V Philander to Ballance, Back of a length on off, Gary plays it with an angled bat past backward point. Three runs taken. |
| 3.6 : V Philander to Jennings, Full length ball on off, played with an open face to point. End of a successful over for South Africa. |
| 4.1 : M Morkel to Ballance, Morkel comes around the wicket and bangs this one short on off, Ballance ducks under it and allows it through. |
| 4.2 : M Morkel to Ballance, Length delivery outside off, a bit of inward nip in that. Gary covers his off pole and lets it on its way. |
| 4.3 : M Morkel to Ballance, Fuller this time and tailing in appreciably to Ballance. He gets a bit off-balanced as he looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits his pads and falls to the left side of short leg. A bit of excitement in the Proteas regarding this one. |
| 4.4 : M Morkel to Ballance, Fullish on off this time, Ballance prods forward in defense. |
| 4.5 : M Morkel to Ballance, On a length on off, Ballance hangs back and works it to the leg side. |
| 4.6 : M Morkel to Ballance, Dug in short on off, Ballance arches his back to evade it. |
| 5.1 : V Philander to Jennings, Fullish and angling in this time, Jennings looks to work it across but is pinged on the pads. |
| 5.2 : V Philander to Jennings, OUT! Philander continues to impress! He has kept it tight from the beginning and gets rewarded again. Length delivery around leg stump, Jennings camps back and looks to block it but is pinged on the pads. A confident appeal for an LBW and up goes the umpire's finger. Keaton walks across to his partner and thinks about the review but decides against it. The replays show that it pitched marginally outside leg. So, he is a bit unlucky. Should have taken the DRS. |
| Joe Root comes out to bat. The skipper will have to play a long innings here. England are in a spot of bother. |
| 5.3 : V Philander to Root, Fullish and on middle, Root pushes at it and gets it off the inner half through backward square leg. A run taken and he is off the mark. |
| 5.4 : V Philander to Ballance, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 5.5 : V Philander to Ballance, Fullish on middle and leg, Ballance turns it through square leg. The long leg fielder comes across to his right and keeps it down to a couple. |
| 5.6 : V Philander to Ballance, Fuller in length on off, Ballance pushes it with an open face to gully. |
| Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack. He has a short leg, three slips and a gully in place for him. |
| 6.1 : K Rabada to Root, In the channel outside off, Root doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 6.2 : K Rabada to Root, That's a peach! Rabada bowls it in the corridor of uncertainty and gets it to shape away after pitching. Root feels for it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 6.3 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Short and width on offer, Root chances his arms and looks to upper cut it over point but gets a thick outside edge over the slip region for a boundary. There was no third man in place and so a safe shot in the end. |
| 6.4 : K Rabada to Root, Fuller in length wide outside off, Root lets it go. |
| 6.5 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, Root looks to defend it off the back foot but perhaps is foxed by a bit of lack of bounce. |
| 6.6 : K Rabada to Root, Full length delivery outside off, Joe doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 7.1 : V Philander to Ballance, Short of a length on off, Ballance points his bat skywards and lets it go. |
| 7.2 : V Philander to Ballance, Fullish delivery outside off, Gary shuffles a bit and pushes it to covers. |
| 7.3 : V Philander to G Ballance, Fuller once more on off, Gary plays it late with an open face to gully. |
| 7.4 : V Philander to Ballance, Good length delivery outside off, Ballance shapes for the cut but decides against it. |
| 7.5 : V Philander to Ballance, Fullish once again and tailing in a touch. Ballance is squared up a touch but manages to keep it out on the off side. |
| 7.6 : V Philander to Ballance, Full in length once again and in line of the stumps, Gary works it to the leg side. Good testing over from Philander. |
| 8.1 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length delivery well outside off, Root shuffles a touch and sees it carry through to the keeper. |
| 8.2 : K Rabada to Root, Shorter in length again but pretty far away to make the English skipper play as he lets it go again. |
| 8.3 : K Rabada to Root, A bit closer this time but Root is in no mood to fiddle with those. Makes the third leave in a row. |
| 8.4 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, Root goes for the cut but gets beaten. |
| 8.5 : K Rabada to Root, Wide outside off on this occasion, Root leaves it alone. |
| 8.6 : K Rabada to Root, Fullish and well outside off, left alone. Ends a maiden from Rabada. |
| Change of boot for Philander. |
| 9.1 : V Philander to Ballance, Length delivery on off, Ballance stays back and pushes at it but gets an outside edge that doesn't carry to third slip. |
| 9.2 : V Philander to Ballance, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 9.3 : V Philander to Ballance, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Ballance strokes it through extra cover for a brace. |
| 9.4 : V Philander to Ballance, That's a peach! Philander bowls it on a back of a length on off, shapes away after pitching. Ballance has no option but to play at it and the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 9.5 : V Philander to Ballance, FOUR! First shot of authority from Ballance. Ful in length outside off, the southpaw leans into it and drives it crisply through covers for an exquisite boundary. |
| 9.6 : V Philander to Ballance, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| V Philander to Ballance, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 10.1 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length in the fifth stump channel, holding its line. The English skipper points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 10.2 : K Rabada to Root, Well bowled! Good length delivery outside off, nips in substantially. Root knows where his off stump is and makes a watchful leave. |
| 10.3 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Just over the fielder in the deep! Dug in short on middle and leg, Root goes for the pull but gets a top edge towards fine leg. The ball flies towards the substitue who is standing a fair bit inside from the ropes. He backtracks and leaps but the ball goes over him and goes over the rope on one bounce. |
| 10.4 : K Rabada to Root, On a good length outside off, punched nicely through covers for three runs. |
| 10.5 : K Rabada to Ballance, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 10.6 : K Rabada to Ballance, Full outside off, left alone. |
| Morne Morkel comes back into the attack. |
| 11.1 : M Morkel to Root, Straying on the pads, flicked through backward square leg for a run. |
| 11.2 : M Morkel to Ballance, Fullish on off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 11.3 : M Morkel to Ballance, FOUR! Sublime! Fractionally overpitched outside off, Balance creams it through covers and the ball whistles away to the fence. |
| 11.4 : M Morkel to Ballance, A loud appeal for an LBW denied! Good length delivery angling in sharply from around off, Ballance looks to work it across but is hit high on the pads. The Proteas appeal confidently but the umpire shakes his head. The replays show that height was a factor. |
| 11.5 : M Morkel to Ballance, Straying on the pads, worked through square leg for a brace. |
| 11.6 : M Morkel to G Ballance, Fullish outside off, Gary strokes it through covers. Good timing on that he picks up three runs for doing so. |
| 12.1 : K Rabada to Ballance, Short and room on offer, Ballance goes for a slash but misses it completely. That was a loose shot. |
| 12.2 : K Rabada to Ballance, Fuller in length on off, Ballance pushes at it tentatively but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 12.3 : K Rabada to Ballance, Good length delivery outside off, Gary lets it go. |
| 12.4 : K Rabada to Ballance, Length delivery around off, shapes in a touch. Ballance stays back and pushes it to mid off. |
| 12.5 : K Rabada to Ballance, On a length, angling away from the southpaw who doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 12.6 : K Rabada to Ballance, Rabada comes around the wicket and bowls a length delivery outside off, angling in. Ballance plants his front foot across and leaves it alone. |
| Time for Drinks. A good first hour of play for the Proteas and they have kept the home side guessing. They got rid of the openers quickly and have bowled consistent lines and lengths. England need their skipper, Joe Root to stand up and score a big one. |
| 13.1 : M Morkel to Root, Fuller in length on off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. |
| 13.2 : M Morkel to Root, Loose shot! Good length delivery outside off, Root looks to place it through square of the wicket on the off side but gets beaten. There was no need to fiddle with that one. |
| 13.3 : M Morkel to Root, There has been good carry on this track. Morkel bowls this one outside off on a length and gets it to zip through the deck. Root plants his front foot across and makes a watchful leave. |
| 13.4 : M Morkel to Root, Length delivery outside off, Joe taps this one wide of point to rotate strike. |
| 13.5 : M Morkel to Ballance, Morkel comes around the wicket and bangs in a bouncer outside off, Ballance drops his wrists to let it go. |
| Gary Ballance has taken a review against an LBW decision. Seems gone to the naked eye. But is it sliding down leg? |
| 13.6 : Morkel to Ballance, OUT! No, it is crashing into the middle and leg stump! The on-field call is upheld. Fuller in length on off, shapes in appreciably after pitching. Ballance hangs his weight on the back foot and looks to defend it but misses to get rapped on the pads. Morkel appeals loudly and the umpire has no hesitation in ruling that out. Gary walks across to his skipper and consults with him. Decides to go for the review. There is no inside edge on that and the Hawk Eye shows three |
| Jonny Bairstow comes out to bat. |
| 14.1 : K Rabada to Root, A tad fuller angling in, Root flicks it to the wide of mid on and calls wait. Morkel fumbles there and they scamper through for a run. |
| 14.2 : K Rabada to Bairstow, BEAUTY! A great delivery first up to Jonny. Length on off, straightens a bit. Bairstow pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 14.3 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Good length on off, the batsman defends it off the back foot to gully where Dumminy makes a good stop to his right. |
| 14.4 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Wide outside off, Bairstow lets it through to the keeper. |
| 14.5 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Lands it on a length angling into the batsman. Jonny defends it onto the ground. |
| 14.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, FOUR! Length outside off, Jonny plays it with an angled bat through the slip cordon and it races away to the third man fence. Bairstow is off the mark with a boundary. |
| 15.1 : M Morkel to Root, Good length on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 15.2 : M Morkel to Root, Bouncer outside off, Root does well to evade it. |
| 15.3 : M Morkel to Root, Drifts on the pads, Root flicks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 15.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Short and outside off, Jonny tries to cut but gets an inside edge onto the ground to covers. |
| 15.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, BEATEN! Back of a length on off, Jonny pokes at it but gets beaten. That was a beautiful delivery from Morkel. |
| 15.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, FOUR! A poor follow up ball there. Short and wide, Jonny cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 16.1 : K Rabada to Joe Root, FOUR! DROPPED! A big drop there. Full and wide outside off, Root goes for the drive but gets an outside edge which flies to gully. Dumminy tries to get two hands at it but is late. It goes through his hands and races away to the third man fence. He was standing too close maybe. He is not someone you want to give a chance. |
| 16.2 : K Rabada to Root, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 16.3 : K Rabada to Root, Length on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 16.4 : K Rabada to Root, A tad shorter, Root plays it with soft hands on the off side and they take a single. |
| 16.5 : K Rabada to J Bairstow, ALMOST! Length ball outside off, Bairstow tries to drive it on the up but gets an outside edge just short of gully. |
| 16.6 : K Rabada to Bairstow, Good length outside off, Bairstow does not bother playing a shot at it. |
| 17.1 : M Morkel to Joe Root, Length ball on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 17.2 : M Morkel to Joe Root, A tad fuller on off, Root tries to drive but gets an outside edge to third slip, who dives to his right and half stops it. The batsmen run a single. Root is living dangerously. |
| 17.3 : M Morkel to Bairstow, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 17.4 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Full on off, Bairstow drives it back to the bowler. |
| 17.5 : M Morkel to Bairstow, A tad short outside off. Jonny thinks about cutting it but then pulls out due to the extra bounce. |
| 17.6 : M Morkel to Bairstow, Wide outside off, Bairstow lets it through to the keeper. |
| 18.1 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length on off, Root pushes it to point. |
| 18.2 : K Rabada to Root, Length outside off, Root lets it through to the keeper. |
| 18.3 : K Rabada to Root, Good length aroun off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 18.4 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Full on the pads, Root flicks it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 18.5 : K Rabada to Root, Just ahead of a length, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 18.6 : K Rabada to Root, A tad fuller outside off, Root square drives it but straight to the fielder. A good shot for no runs. |
| Keshav Maharaj into the attack. |
| 19.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Tosses it up on middle, Jonny drives it back to the bowler. |
| 19.2 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floats it on the stumps, Bairstow drives it to mid off. |
| 19.3 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Bowls it on the pads, Bairstow tries to sweep but gets it off the toe end to mid-wicket. He was early into the shot. |
| 19.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 19.5 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Flatter on off, Jonny defends it with his bat and pad close together. |
| 19.6 : K Maharaj to J Bairstow, Tosses it up outside off, Bairstow tries to drive it but gets an inside edge onto his boots. There are shouts of catch it but it falls short of the bowler. |
| Vernon Philander is back on. He was probing in his first spell. Can he continue the good work? |
| 20.1 : V Philander to Joe Root, Length on off, nips away a little. Root gets it off the outer half on the off side. |
| 20.2 : V Philander to Root, Back of a length outside off, Root plays it to the point region. |
| 20.3 : V Philander to Root, Good length ball on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 20.4 : V Philander to Root, Wide outside off, Root leaves it through to the keeper. |
| 20.5 : V Philander to Root, FOUR! Sprays this one on the pads, Root flicks it past the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. You cannot bowl there to him, he will hit you all day. |
| 20.6 : V Philander to Root, Length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 21.1 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Drags his length back a little outside off, Jonny pushes it to the left of cover and sets off for a run. Bavuma has a shy at the striker's end but misses. One run is added to the total. |
| 21.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it up on off, Root drives it to mid off. |
| 21.3 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Root comes down the track and drives it to mid on. He sets off for a run. The fielder there scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end but Root is safe. |
| 21.4 : K Maharaj to Bairstow, Floats it on off, Bairstow drives it towards cover for a run. |
| 21.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Flatter on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 21.6 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 22.1 : V Philander to Bairstow, Bowled on middle, Jonny flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 22.2 : V Philander to Bairstow, Fullish on off, swinging away. Jonny lets it through to the keeper. |
| 22.3 : V Philander to Bairstow, OUT! Bairstow has to depart. Big wicket for South Africa. Length ball on off, nips back off the deck. Bairstow tries to defend it off the back foot but misses and is struck on the pads. They all go up in an appeal and the umpire rules it out. He looks towards Root and then turns and starts walking. That was quite plumb. Philander gets his third. England are struggling at the moment. Not the start they wanted after they opted to bat first. |
| Ben Stokes comes out to bat. England need a big partnership to steady things. |
| 22.4 : V Philander to Stokes, FOUR! That's an absoulte gift first up. Full on the pads, Stokes flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 22.5 : V Philander to Stokes, Length outside off, Stokes lets it through to the keeper. |
| 22.6 : V Philander to Stokes, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 23.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it up on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 23.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floats it on the stumps, Joe Root defends it by covering the line of ball. |
| 23.3 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.4 : K Maharaj to Root,Bowled on the leg stump, Root paddles it around the corner for a run. |
| 23.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Comes over the wicket. Flights it on off, Stokes defends it off the front foot. |
| 23.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Quicker on off, Stokes defends it off the back foot. |
| 24.1 : V Philander to Root, Length outside off, Root pushes it to point. |
| 24.2 : V Philander to Root, Length ball swinging into the batsman, Root tries to flick but is struck high on the pads. There is a stifled appeal by the bowler but the ball must be missing leg. |
| 24.3 : V Philander to Root, Good length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 24.4 : V Philander to Root, A tad fuller on middle, Root flicks it to the right of mid off. Rabada dives and stops it. They run a single. |
| 24.5 : V Philander to Stokes, Length outside off, Stokes defends it off the front foot. Last ball to go before lunch. |
| 24.6 : V Philander to Stokes, A tad fuller on off, Stokes defends it off the back foot. THAT IS LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| A great start to the Test series for South Africa. They were right on the money and troubled the batsmen after losing the toss. Keaton Jennings and Alastair Cook looked a bit shaky early on and fell cheaply to Philander. The Englishmen kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Credit to the visitors for making the first session of the match count. |
| The English skipper, Joe Root is not looking that assured at the crease. He had a few nervy moments with the notable one being the drop on 16 by JP Duminy. The home side are on the back foot at the moment and the tourists need to keep attacking. Dean Elgar was aggressive with his captaincy and he needs to continue that way. The Root-Stokes partnership needs to flourish to get themselves back on track. England bat deep but a few more wickets might trigger a collapse. Join us for the afternoon ses |
| ...Day 1, Session 2... |
| We are back for the second session. Joe Root and Ben Stokes will continue their innings. Morne Morkel to bowl first up after Lunch. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 25.1 : M Morkel to Root, Starts off with a fuller length delivery outside off, zips through the pitch. Root points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 25.2 : M Morkel to Root, Similar length delivery close to off stump this time, played with an angled bat to point. |
| 25.3 : M Morkel to Root, That's a jaffa! Good length length delivery around off, angling in and straightening after pitching. Makes Joe Root play who gets completely foxed by it. |
| 25.4 : M Morkel to Joe Root, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Joe strokes it through extra cover for a brace. |
| 25.5 : M Morkel to Root, FOUR! If you bowl him on the pads he will keep picking you all day long. Full and straight, Root clips it beautifully through mid-wicket and the ball whistles away to the fence. |
| 25.6 : M Morkel to Root, Full delivery outside off, pushed off the front foot to short extra cover. |
| Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end. Two slips and a gully in place for him. |
| 26.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, A tad fuller outside off, Stokes lets it through to the keeper. |
| 26.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Good length outside off, Stokes shoulders his arms to it. Rabada has bowled too far outside off today. |
| 26.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full on off, Ben Stokes plays it off the front foot. A better line from Rabada. |
| 26.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Back of a length angling across, Stokes punches it to covers. |
| 26.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, A tad short outside off, Stokes punches it to point. |
| 26.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, Bowls it on a length on off, the batsman defends it off the front foot. A maiden by Rabada. |
| 27.1 : M Morkel to Root, Lands it on a length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. He likes to wait for the ball before playing it. |
| 27.2 : M Morkel to Root, Slants it into the pads, Root flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 27.3 : M Morkel to Root, Fullish on off, Root defends it to mid on. |
| 27.4 : M Morkel to Root, Length outside off, Root cuts it to gully. |
| 27.5 : M Morkel to Root, Peach of a delivery! Bowls it on a length on off, straightens a touch after pitching. Root pokes at it but gets beaten. |
| 27.6 : M Morkel to Root, A tad fuller on off, Root drives it straight down the ground. The big man goes down to his left and stops the ball in his followthrough. He saved some runs for the team there. Good work. |
| 28.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length ball, angling across. Stokes defends it off the front foot. |
| 28.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR! Cracking shot! Back of a length outside off, Stokes punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 28.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, A tad fuller on off, Stokes defends it off the front foot. |
| 28.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Good length on off, Ben Stokes plays it off the back foot. |
| 28.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Fuller length outside off, Stokes lets it through to the keeper. |
| 28.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, A brave leave! Length ball outside off, comes in after pitching. Stokes lets it through to the keeper. That was close to the off stump. |
| 29.1 : M Morkel to Root, Back of a length on middle, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 29.2 : M Morkel to Root, Good length outside off, Root lets it through to the keeper. |
| 29.3 : M Morkel to Joe Root, A tad fuller on middle, Root flicks it down to mid on. |
| 29.4 : M Morkel to Root, Full on off, Root tries to play across the line but gets a leading edge to point. He got himself into a tangle there. |
| 29.5 : M Morkel to Root, A tad fuller on the stumps, Root drives it back to the bowler. |
| 29.6 : M Morkel to Root, FOUR! LOVELY SHOT! A tad short outside off, Root guides it between point and gully for a boundary. He has got his eye in now. |
| 30.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length ball, angling into the batsman. Stokes flicks it to square leg. |
| 30.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full ball around off, Stokes drives it back to the bowler. |
| 30.3 : K Rabada to Ben Stokes, EDGY FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Stokes slashes at it and gets a thick outside edge through the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 30.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full on off, Stokes defends it off the front foot. |
| 30.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Bowls it on a length outside off, Stokes tries to cut it but gets it off the bottom edge to covers. He went too hard at the ball there. |
| 30.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, Very full and very wide, Stokes reaches out to it and hits it straight to point. |
| 31.1 : M Morkel to Root, A tad short on off, Root shuffles in and pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 31.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length ball outside off, Stokes shoulders his arms to it. |
| 31.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Bowls it outside off, Ben Stokes does not bother playing a shot at it. |
| 31.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, FOUR! WOW! He looks a fine player when he plays this shot. Full ball on off, Stokes leans into it and drives it back past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 31.5 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length on middle, Stokes tries to defend it but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 31.6 : M Morkel to Root, A tad fuller around off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 32.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Strays on the pads, Stokes flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 32.2 : K Rabada to Root, Good length on off, Root plays it to point. |
| 32.3 : K Rabada to Root, Lands it on a length, Joe Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 32.4 : K Rabada to Root, Angles it into the pads, Root flicks it through mid-wicket. Couple of runs taken. |
| The batsman moves away as the bowler reaches his mark. Not sure of the reason. |
| 32.5 : K Rabada to Root, Shorter in length on off, Root jumps and defends it down onto the ground. |
| 32.6 : K Rabada to Root, Full and wide outside off, Root lets it through to the keeper. Rabada has not been at his best today. He is a little wayward with his lines. |
| Keshav Maharaj comes back into the attack. |
| 33.1 : K Maharaj to Ben Stokes, Loopy ball outside off, Stokes drives it to mid off. |
| 33.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! That is going, going and gone. Stokes comes down the wicket and hits the ball over the bowler's head for a biggie. First maximum of the match. |
| 33.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 33.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowls the arm ball on off, Stokes defends it off the front foot. |
| 33.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowled on off, Stokes defends it by covering the line of the ball. |
| 33.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Drags his length back a little, Stokes flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 34.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, A well-directed bouncer, Stokes ducks under it. |
| 34.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, No ball! Length on off, Stokes punches it to mid off. He has overstepped there. |
| K Rabada to Stokes, A tad fuller on middle, Stokes drives it to the left of mid on. Morne Morkel dives and stops the ball. |
| 34.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Shorter in length, angling across the batsman. Stokes defends it off the back foot. |
| 34.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Fuller length ball outside off, Stokes punches it to covers. |
| 34.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full ball on off, Stokes drives it back to Rabada. |
| 34.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, Very full ball outside off, Stokes plays it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 35.1 : K Maharaj to Ben Stokes, Flighted ball on off, Stokes drives it to mid off. |
| 35.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 35.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowls a off spinner on off, Stokes defends it off the front foot. |
| 35.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Drags his length back a little, Stokes tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 35.5 : Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Gives the ball air on off, Stokes tries to go big but does not get it off the middle. It goes over Duminy at mid on who runs back to take the catch but does not reach it. He tries to pull it back but fails to do so. Stokes was lucky there. |
| 35.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Full on middle, Stokes drives it through mid on for a run. |
| 36.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length ball on middle, Stokes tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 36.2 : K Rabada to Ben Stokes, Short ball on middle, Stokes pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 50-run stand between Joe Root and Ben Stokes. |
| 36.3 : K Rabada to Root, Bouncer again outside off, Root ducks under it. |
| 36.4 : K Rabada to Root, Sprays it down the leg side, Root attempts the flick but misses it. |
| 36.5 : K Rabada to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 36.6 : K Rabada to Root, Full ball on middle, Root flicks it to mid on. |
| 37.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Loopy ball outside off, Stokes drives it to mid off. |
| 37.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowls it full, Stokes drives it firmly to mid off. |
| 37.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowls an off spinner on middle, Stokes works it with the turn to long on for a run. |
| 37.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it outside off, Root drives it to covers. |
| 37.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated on middle, Root drags it to mid on. |
| 37.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Flighted ball outside off, Root drives it towards covers and they take a run. There is a shy at the non-striker's end but he misses. A direct hit would have been close there. |
| 38.1 : K Rabada to Root, Angles it onto the pads, Root flicks it through square leg for a run. It also brings up his fifty. He has made good use of the chances given to him but there is still a long way to go. |
| 0.0 : 28th Test fifty for Joe Root. |
| 38.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Length on middle, Stokes flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 38.3 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 38.4 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! TOP SHOT! Short ball on middle, Root pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. He placed it really well. |
| Dean Elgar has opted to take a review against Joe Root. It is regarding a catch. Looks to the naked eye that it came straight off the helmet. |
| 38.5 : Rabada to Root, NOT OUT! South Africa lose a review. Rabada bangs it in short, Root tries to pull it but misses and is struck on the helmet. The ball lobs towards the slip cordon, Heino Kuhn from third slip comes running in and claims a catch. The umpire gives it not out. After a chat with his teammates, Elgar decides to review it and it is taken upstairs. They first check the no ball and it is pretty close there. The third umpire gives the benefit of the doubt to the bowler. There is no s |
| Drinks has been taken. Joe Root has settled in and is getting good support from Ben Stokes. The pitch has lost its sheen and the pitch is getting better for strokeplay. The English skipper will be eyeing a big one. Can the Proteas break this promising partnership? |
| 38.6 : K Rabada to Root, Good length ball on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 39.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Bowls a arm ball on the stumps, Root drives it to short mid-wicket. |
| 39.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Tosses it up on off, Stokes tries to play the sweep but gets it off the inner half to short fine leg. |
| 39.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Flatter ball on off, Stokes defends it off the back foot. |
| 39.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Loopy ball on off, Stokes flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 39.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Driven towards the mid-off region. |
| 39.6 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, FOUR! Floats it outside off, Root drives it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| Vernon Philander is back into the attack. |
| Vernon Philander is back on. |
| 40.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Good length delivery outside off, punched to covers. |
| 40.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Stokes comes down the track and defends the length delivery. Intent from him. |
| 40.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Fullish on middle and leg, Stokes pushes it nicely to mid on. |
| 40.4 : V Philander to Stokes, Straying on the hips, tucked around the corner for a single. |
| 40.5 : V Philander to Root, Nice shape on that one. Bowls this in the channel outside off and gets it to curve away. Root plants his front foot across and allows it through. |
| 40.6 : V Philander to Root, Straighter this time, worked to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 41.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 41.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Tossed up on off, Stokes eases it down to long on for a single. |
| 41.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Floated outside off, patted gently to covers. |
| 41.4 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Well played! Slow through the air, Root uses his feet and wrists it through mid-wicket. No protection in the deep and he picks up a boundary. Picked his spot nicely. |
| 41.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Root strides forward to the flighted delivery and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 41.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Root plays this with an open to backward point. |
| 42.1 : V Philander to Stokes, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, pushed to mid on. |
| 42.2 : V Philander to Stokes, Length delivery on off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 42.3 : V Philander to Stokes, Short of a length delivery in the same channel. Ben camps back and punches it to mid off. |
| 42.4 : V Philander to Stokes, Stays back to the length delivery and blocks it to the off side. |
| 42.5 : V Philander to Stokes, Sloppy from Rabada! Full length delivery on off, Stokes pats it towards mid off. The South African quickie jogs towards it and lets it through his legs. Concedes a run. |
| 42.6 : V Philander to Root, Back of a length outside off, Root camps back and plays it with an angled bat to point. |
| 43.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, That one gripped! Tossed up outside off, Stokes plants his front foot across and lets it go. That one turned in sharply and wasn't far from the off stump. |
| 43.2 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Stokes takes a couple of steps down the track and pushes it towards the short mid on fielder. |
| 43.3 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Stokes pushes it again towards the short mid on fielder and fumbles this time. A run taken. |
| 43.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 43.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Root is nimble on his feet and turns this one through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 43.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Good effort, Bavuma! A bit short outside off, Root rocks back and cuts it through covers. Bavuma sprints after it and puts in a slide near the fence to keep the ball in play. The umpires check for it but he is fine. Saves a run for his side. |
| 44.1 : V Philander to Root, Back of a length delivery around off, keeps a touch low. Root camps back and does well to keep it out. |
| 44.2 : V Philander to Root, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 44.3 : V Philander to Root, Length delivery around off, Joe pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 44.4 : V Philander to Root, Fullish delivery on off, driven crisply to mid on. |
| 44.5 : V Philander to Root, Length delivery outside off, Root hangs back and defends it solidly to covers. |
| 44.6 : V Philander to Root, Similar length delivery outside off, Joe hangs back and defends it calmly. Good head position when he played that. |
| 45.1 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Slow through the air on off, Stokes kneels and sweeps it hard to Hashim Amla at deep mid-wicket. |
| 45.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Tossed up delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 45.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Joe stays back and punches it to cover-point for a run. |
| 45.4 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Stokes comes forward in defense to the flighted delivery. |
| 45.5 : K Maharaj to Stokes, Turning into Stokes. He stays back and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 45.6 : K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Shot! This time he finds the gap! Floated on off, Stokes kneels and nails the sweep past the square leg umpire. Amla at deep mid-wicket hares to his left but fails to stop the boundary. |
| Morne Morkel is called back into the attack. |
| 46.1 : M Morkel to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, Root rises up on his toes and punches it nicely behind point. A run taken. |
| 46.2 : M Morkel to Stokes, Morkel comes around the wicket to the southpaw and bowls it on a similar length. Pushed off the back foot towards wide mid off. |
| 46.3 : M Morkel to Stokes, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Stokes creams it but straight to the fielder at extra cover. |
| 46.4 : M Morkel to Stokes, Length delivery on off, punched off the back foot to mid off. |
| Morne Morkel stopped in his delivery stride this time. May be lost his rhythm. |
| 46.5 : Morkel to Ben Stokes, No ball! What have you done Morkel? He has bowled a beauty but unfortunately, he has overstepped and what a time to do it. He steams in and bowls a length delivery on off, Stokes hangs back but is beaten for pace. Fails to defend it and the ball brushes his pads and goes onto disturb the stumps. The replays show that his front foot was way over the line. He will be kicking himself. |
| M Morkel to Stokes, Fullish on off, Stokes strokes it to extra cover where the fielder dives to his right and makes a great stop. A run taken. |
| 46.6 : M Morkel to Root, FOUR! Streaky runs! Good length delivery and well outside off, Root looks to force it through the off side but gets a thick outside edge through the slip region to find the fence. |
| Theunis de Bruyn comes into the attack. |
| 47.1 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Fullish delivery in line of the stumps, patted to mid off. |
| 47.2 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Fuller in length on middle and leg, Ben defends it down the track. |
| 47.3 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Very full on off, Stokes jams it to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 47.4 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Same length again, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 47.5 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Driven through mid on by the batsman. |
| 47.6 : de Bruyn to Stokes, FOUR! Low full toss on middle, Stokes clips it through backward square leg and the ball races away towards the fence. The tall Morne Morkel runs to his right but fails to prevent it from reaching the fence. The southpaw is celebrating but he is on 49. The scoreboard showed that he reached his fifty, hence the confusion. |
| 48.1 : M Morkel to Root, Straying on the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 48.2 : M Morkel to Root, Short and width on offer, Root goes for the cut but misses. |
| 48.3 : M Morkel to Root, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 48.4 : M Morkel to Joe Root, Length delivery outside off, Root is indecisive with his footwork as he gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 48.5 : M Morkel to Root, That was close! Back of a length outside off, Root pokes at it but gets an inside edge and the ball bounces over the stumps. Luck is not going Morkel's way today. |
| 48.6 : M Morkel to Root, On a fuller length outside off, shapes away after pitching. Root feels for it but gets beaten all ends up. End of a testing over from Morkel. |
| 49.1 : de Bruyn to Stokes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 49.2 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Full length ball on middle and leg, turned to mid on. |
| 49.3 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Length delivery on middle, Stokes clips it to mid-wicket. |
| 49.4 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Very full on off, Ben squeezes it past the bowler. |
| 49.5 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Stokes takes a couple of steps down the track and hits it to mid off. |
| 49.6 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Length delivery on middle, Ben stays back and keeps it out. |
| 50.1 : M Morkel to Root, Straying on the pads, Root works it through square leg. Good running between the wickets allows them to come back for two. Root goes across to Stokes and they punch their gloves. It is been a really good partnership. |
| 0.0 : 100-run stand up between Root and Stokes. |
| 50.2 : M Morkel to Joe Root, Fullish on off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. |
| 50.3 : M Morkel to Root, That's a jaffa! Good length delivery outside off, shapes away after pitching. Root feels for it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 50.4 : M Morkel to Root, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 50.5 : M Morkel to Root, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 50.6 : M Morkel to Root, Fullish in length on off, defended solidly. |
| 51.1 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Full length ball on middle and leg, Stokes turns it through square leg. Runs hard between the wickets and hares back to complete the couple easily. He has been solid apart from the fact that he got bowled off a no ball. He will look to make it count today. |
| 0.0 : 9th Test fifty for Ben Stokes. |
| 51.2 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Fullish on off, pushed to mid off. |
| 51.3 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Drives this one sweetly but finds the mid off fielder. |
| 51.4 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Stokes drives it crisply to short cover. |
| 51.5 : de Bruyn to Stokes, Down the leg side, Stokes nudges it to fine leg. A run taken. |
| 51.6 : de Bruyn to Root, Good game awareness! Straighter in line this time from the bowler, Root takes a couple of steps down the track and works it through backward square leg. The batsmen run hard between the wickets and come back for the second. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 1! |
| A good fightback by the hosts. The England captain and vice-captain have steadied the ship here for England. These two have stitched an unbeaten partnership of 106 runs. They have managed to score 100 runs in 27 overs in this session. Stokes batted with great intent but was lucky when he was bowled off a no ball. Root has been calm and composed and they both know they still have a long way to go. |
| The South African bowling on the other hand has been a little wayward. Morne Morkel has been the pick of the bowlers but was unlucky at times. The Proteas would look to come back hard after the break. Both the teams have had one session to their name. Join us in a while for the final session. |
| ...Day 1, Session 3... |
| We are back for the evening session. Joe Root and Ben Stokes to continue their innings. Kagiso Rabada to bowl first up after Tea. Two slips in place. Here we go... |
| 52.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, Shorter in length outside off, Stokes tries to cut but gets a bottom edge to covers. |
| 52.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Back of a length angling into the batsman, Stokes defends it off the back foot. |
| 52.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, Good length on off, Ben Stokes defends it off the front foot. |
| First official warning to Kagiso Rabada for running on the danger area. He needs to be careful now. |
| 52.4 : K Rabada to Stokes, Lands it on a length on off, Stokes plays it to covers. |
| 52.5 : K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR! Beautifully timed! Back of a length ball outside off, Stokes camps back and pushes it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 52.6 : K Rabada to Stokes, A tad shorter outside off, Stokes tries to pull but misses it. |
| Keshav Maharaj to roll his arm from the other end. |
| 53.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Floats it up on off, Root drives it to covers. |
| 53.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Loopy delivery, Root dances down the track and defends it down. |
| 53.3 : K Maharaj to Root, The ball goes straight on with the arm, Root tries to defend it but gets it off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 53.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 53.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Drags his length back a little outside off, Root punches it off the back foot to the left of cover-point. Bavuma dives and makes a good stop. They think about a run but then decide against it. They should have taken a run there. |
| 53.6 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Bowled on leg stump, Root paddles is fine past the keeper for a boundary. |
| 54.1 : K Rabada to Stokes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 54.2 : K Rabada to Stokes, Full ball on middle, Stokes drives it to mid on. |
| 54.3 : K Rabada to Stokes, OUT! GONE! This is the start South Africa wanted after the break. They have got Ben Stokes. Rabada gets his first and he has broken the 114-run stand between the two. He bangs it in short around off, Stokes goes for the pull but gets a feather to the keeper. De Kock throws the ball in the air and appeals and the umpire gives it. Ben Stokes walks. Rabada is pumped about it and you can see it in his celebration. Five down for England. The visitors would want to build on t |
| Moeen Ali strides out to bat. |
| 54.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Yorker, great delivery. Moeen Ali does well to dig it out. |
| 54.5 : K Rabada to Ali, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 54.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Length on off, Ali defends it off the front foot. |
| 55.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Flighted on off, Root pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 55.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Comes down the track and drives it against the spin to mid on. |
| 55.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it up on off, Root drives it to cover. |
| 55.4 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Drags his length back a little, Root punches it past the diving fielder at point for a boundary. |
| 55.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Gives it air, Root comes down the track and flicks it to the right of mid on for a run. |
| The fielder at short leg is getting his protective gears on. |
| 55.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Loopy ball on off, turning in. Moeen Ali defends it off the front foot. |
| 56.1 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Bowls it on a good length outside off, Root gets an outside edge through the slip cordon for a boundary. He moves into the 90s. |
| 56.2 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! This will frustrate Rabada. Length outside off, Root plays it between gully and slip for a boundary. |
| Third man in place now. |
| 56.3 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length on off, Root guides it down to third man for a run. |
| 56.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Bangs it in short on the body of the batsman. Ali ducks under it. |
| 56.5 : K Rabada to M Ali, A tad fuller on middle, Ali drives it to mid on. |
| 56.6 : K Rabada to Ali, Length outside off, Ali lets it through to the keeper. |
| 57.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Floats it on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 57.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Bowled on off, skids on with the arm. Root defends covering the line of the ball. |
| 57.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Comes down the track and drives it to covers. |
| 57.4 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 57.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Full ball outside off, Root plays it through covers for a run. |
| 57.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Flatter on middle, Ali defends it off the back foot. |
| 58.1 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 58.2 : K Rabada to Root, A tad shorter outside off, Root cuts it through backward point for a run. He moves onto 99. |
| 58.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Full ball angling across, Moeen drives it to mid off. |
| 58.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Very full again on off, Ali flicks it to mid on. Two full deliveries now. Is he setting him up for the bouncer? |
| 58.5 : K Rabada to Ali, A tad fuller on off, Ali tries to push at it but gets it off the inner half to short leg who is a little deep. |
| 58.6 : K Rabada to Ali, A tad shorter on off, Moeen lets it through to the keeper. |
| 59.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it on leg stump, Root goes down on one knee and paddles it through short fine leg for three. It also brings up his hundred. It has been a brilliant knock. His first game as captain. He came out to bat at a difficult situation and has played with great responsibility. |
| 0.0 : 12th Test ton for Joe Root. |
| 59.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Plays it with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 59.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, Flatter on off, Ali defends it off the back foot. |
| 59.4 : K Maharaj to M Ali, Gives it air on off, Ali tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 59.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 59.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, FOUR! He is off the mark with a boundary. Floats it on off, Ali sweeps it through backward square leg and the ball races to the fence. |
| 60.1 : K Rabada to Root, Sprays on the pads, Root flicks it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 60.2 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length on off, Ali defends it off the back foot. |
| 60.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Full ball on off, Ali on drives it. Morne Morkel at mid on runs to his right and stops it. |
| 60.4 : K Rabada to Ali, In the air... but safe! Bangs it in short, Ali plays the pull but gets a top edge towards deep backward square leg. Philander runs to his right from fine leg but the ball falls down safely. Two runs taken. |
| 60.5 : K Rabada to M Ali, FOUR! LOVELY SHOT! Full outside off, Ali creams it through covers for a boundary. |
| 60.6 : K Rabada to Ali, FOUR! This is even better. Full and wide outside off, Moeen leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary. Great shot. Two boundaries in the over. 11 runs from the over. |
| Joe Root is taking a bit of breather. He has been out there since a long time and is hydrating himself. |
| 61.1 : K Maharaj to Root, SIX! BANG! Maharaj gives it air, Root comes down the track and hits it over the long off fence for a maximum. |
| 61.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it up on off, Root drives it to long off for a run. |
| 61.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, Floats it on off, turning back into the batsman. Ali plays it down to long on for a run. |
| It has turned a bit overcast out there. |
| 61.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Bowled on off, turns away a little. Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 61.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Root comes down the track and flicks it to square leg. |
| 61.6 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Bowls it on middle, Root goes down on one knee and plays a paddle fine past the keeper. Rabada gives a chase from short fine leg and tries to pull the ball back with a slide. However, the ball rolls back towards the ropes because of the slope and Joe get a boundary. A good effort there by him but he can consider himself unlucky. |
| Vernon Philander comes back into the attack. |
| 62.1 : V Philander to Ali, Length ball outside off, Ali shoulders arms to it. |
| 62.2 : V Philander to Ali, Good length outside off, Ali leaves it through to the keeper. |
| 62.3 : V Philander to Ali, A tad fuller outside off, Ali does not bother playing a shot at it. |
| 62.4 : V Philander to Ali, Bowls on the pads, Ali flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| Wide long leg and deep square leg in place. |
| 62.5 : V Philander to Root, Length on middle, Root flicks it to mid on. |
| 62.6 : V Philander to Root, No ball! Lands it on a length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. Philander has overstepped here. |
| V Philander to Root, Back of a length outside off, Root guides it to point. |
| 63.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, Gives it a lot of air outside off, Moeen square drives it for a couple. |
| 63.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Bowls it on off, turning back in. Moeen Ali tries to defend it but gets it off the inner half to the leg side. |
| 63.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 63.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, FOUR! Tosses it up on the stumps, Ali comes down the track and lofts it over mid on for a boundary. These two are taking the attack to the spinner. |
| 63.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, BRAVE LEAVE! Floats it outside off, gets some turn from the wicket. Ali opts to leave it. That was close to the off pole. |
| 63.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Loopy ball on off, gets some turn into the batsman. Ali tries to defend off the front foot but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls on the leg side for a run. |
| 64.1 : V Philander to M Ali, Length ball on off, jags in a bit. Ali tries to defend it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. There is a stifled appeal from the keeper and slip fielder but the umpire is not interested. |
| 64.2 : V Philander to Ali, Full ball outside off, Ali drives it through extra cover. Where the fielder dives to hsi right and makes a good stop. Two runs taken. |
| 64.3 : V Philander to Ali, Angling into the pads, Ali flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 64.4 : V Philander to Root, A tad fuller, tailing into the batsman, Root gets it off the inner half down to fine leg for a run. |
| 64.5 : V Philander to Ali, Length ball on off, Ali defends it off the back foot. |
| 64.6 : V Philander to M Ali, A tad fuller outside off, Ali drives it to covers. |
| 65.1 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Tosses up on middle, Root drives it to mid on. |
| 65.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Floats it on off, Root plays it with the turn through covers for a run. |
| 65.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, Loopy ball on off, Ali defends it off the front foot. |
| 65.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, Bowled outside off, turning back in. Ali plays it on the leg side for a run. |
| 65.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Flights it on off, Root tries to sweep it but gets a top edge and hits the wicket keepers helmet and the ball goes through third man for a couple. |
| 65.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Gives it air outside off, Root drives it through cover point for a run. |
| Morne Morkel comes back into the attack. |
| 66.1 : M Morkel to Root, A tad fuller on off, Root drives it to mid off. |
| 66.2 : M Morkel to Root, BEATEN! Back of a length ball outside off, Root tries to push it through the off side but gets beaten. |
| 66.3 : M Morkel to Root, Lands it on a length on off, Root plays it through cover-point for a run. |
| 66.4 : M Morkel to Ali, Comes around the wicket. Bowls it a tad full on middle, Ali drives it to mid on. |
| 66.5 : M Morkel to Ali, Bangs it in short, Ali lets it through to the keeper. |
| 66.6 : M Morkel to Ali, Length ball outside off, Ali lets it through to the keeper. |
| Theunis de Bruyn comes back into the attack. |
| 67.1 : de Bruyn to Root, A tad fuller outside off, Root walks down the wicket a little and drives it to the left of mid off for a run. |
| 67.2 : de Bruyn to Ali, Good effort by Maharaj! Full ball outside off, Ali drives it uppishly through covers. Maharaj makes good ground to his left and dives and pushes the ball back in. He saves a run for his team. The batsmen run three. |
| 67.3 : de Bruyn to Root, FOUR! LOVELY! Walks across the stumps, de Bruyn bowls it on a length on off. Root flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 67.4 : de Bruyn to Root, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 67.5 : de Bruyn to Root, FOUR! He has changed gears now. Walks across again and flicks the full ball on off through the mid-wicket region for another boundary. |
| 67.6 : de Bruyn to Root, Bowls it full on off, Root shuffles across and flicks it to square leg. |
| 68.1 : M Morkel to Ali, Back of a length on off, Ali punches it to point. |
| 68.2 : M Morkel to Ali, Angles it into the pads, Moeen flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 68.3 : M Morkel to Root, Lands it on a length outside off, stays a touch low. Root tries to punch it but gets beaten. |
| 68.4 : M Morkel to Root, Good length outside off, Root punches it off the back foot to covers. |
| 68.5 : M Morkel to Root, Bowls it on a length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 68.6 : M Morkel to Root, Full on middle, Root flicks it to mid on. |
| 69.1 : de Bruyn to Ali, A tad fuller tailing back in on leg stump, Ali flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 69.2 : de Bruyn to Root, Length ball on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 69.3 : de Bruyn to Root, Good length outside off, Root plays it with soft hands through point and they run two. Superb running there by these two. |
| 69.4 : de Bruyn to Root, A tad shorter outside off, Root tries to cut it but gets it off the inside edge to covers. |
| 69.5 : de Bruyn to Joe Root, FOUR! POOR LENGTH! Full toss outside off, Root flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. He would hit that to the boundary all day. |
| 69.6 : de Bruyn to Root, Length outside off, Root dabs it down to third man for a single. The fielder fumbles and they come back for the second. |
| Time for Drinks. England are gradually moving towards a healthy position. Root is in exquisite touch at the moment. He has played some eye-catching strokes and put pressure on the Protea bowlers who have been off color in this session. Moeen Ali is giving him good support from the other end. South Africa need to get the wicket of the English skipper or else he will run away with the show. The second new ball is due in 10 overs and the visitors need to make substantial use of it. |
| Keshav Maharaj is called back for a bowl. |
| 70.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, Comes down the track and pushes the ball back to the bowler. |
| 70.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Tosses it up outside off, Ali goes down on one knee and sweeps it through short fine leg for a couple. |
| 70.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, Loopy ball outside off, Maharaj gets some extra bounce. Ali tries to sweep but gets hit on the arm and the ball rolls on the leg side. |
| 70.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, Full ball outside off, Ali drives it to backward point for a run. |
| 70.5 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! He has played that shot so well. Maharaj gives it air on middle, Root sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 70.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Floats it outside off, Root drives it through point for a run. |
| Temba Bavuma is introduced into the attack. Sometimes, unorthodox bowling changes work. Can he throw in a surprise? A slip in place for him. |
| 71.1 : T Bavuma to Root, A tad fuller on off, Root drives ti to mid off. |
| 71.2 : T Bavuma to Joe Root, Length outside off, Root cuts it through point for a run. |
| 71.3 : T Bavuma to Ali, Good length angling across, Ali lets it through to the keeper. |
| 71.4 : T Bavuma to Ali, Bowls it on a length, Ali defends it off the front foot. |
| 71.5 : T Bavuma to Ali, Full ball outside off, Moeen tries to drive it but gets it off the inside edge to mid off. |
| 71.6 : T Bavuma to Ali, Almost an edge! Full and swinging away from Moeen. He slashes at it but gets beaten. |
| 72.1 : K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Tosses it outside off, Root kneels down and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 0.0 : 100-run stand up between Joe Root and Moeen Ali. |
| 72.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Flatter outside off, Root drives it through point for a run. |
| 72.3 : K Maharaj to M Ali, Full ball outside off, Ali drives it to mid on. |
| 72.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, Comes down the track, Maharaj pulls his length back a little. Ali flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 72.5 : K Maharaj to Joe Root, Dances down the track and pushes it to covers. |
| 72.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Drags his length back a little on off, Root dabs it to backward point. |
| 73.1 : T Bavuma to Ali, Good bowling by the part-timer. Length outside off, Ali tries to defend it but gets an inside edge which rolls to the keeper. |
| 73.2 : T Bavuma to Ali, Drifts down the leg side, Ali misses the flick and the ball brushes his pads and goes to the keeper. |
| 73.3 : T Bavuma to Ali, Length outside off, Ali drives it to covers. |
| 73.4 : T Bavuma to Ali, Yorker on middle, Ali does well to dig it out. |
| 73.5 : T Bavuma to Ali, A tad short outside off, Ali punches it off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 73.6 : T Bavuma to Root, Bowls it on the pads, Root flicks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 74.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Flighted ball on off, Root drives it to covers. |
| 0.0 : The umpires are checking for the front foot no ball. |
| 74.2 : K Maharaj to Root, Can you belevie it, Joe Root has been stumped of a no ball? This has happened the second time today. Maharaj tosses it up on off, Root comes down the track but does not quite get to the pitch of it. The ball turns away and Root is beaten. De Kock takes the bails off. The umpires ask Root to wait as they want to check the no ball and guess what it is one. Root survives a scare. Overstepping being a spinner is just criminal. A big let off here for England. It has been Jo |
| K Maharaj to Root, Drags his length back a little, Root punches it through the off side for a run. He has a smile on his face while completing the run. There is a loud cheer from the crowd. It his 6th score of 150 or above. |
| 74.3 : K Maharaj to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 74.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, He plays it with the spin on the leg side. |
| 74.5 : K Maharaj to Ali, Gives it air outside off, turns back in. Ali tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 74.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Turning down the leg side, Ali helps it down the corner for a run. |
| 75.1 : T Bavuma to Ali, Full length ball on off, pushed crisply to mid off. |
| 75.2 : T Bavuma to Ali, Good length delivery angling across Ali. He looks to punch it off his back foot but gets an inside edge that rolls to the keeper. |
| 75.3 : T Bavuma to Ali, Short and room on offer, stays low. Ali cuts it behind point for a single. |
| 75.4 : T Bavuma to Root, Root dabs the fuller length delivery through point for a run. |
| 75.5 : T Bavuma to Ali, Taps this one to the cover-point region and takes a single. Easy pickings these. 300 up for England and it has been met with a huge cheer from the crowd. |
| 75.6 : T Bavuma to Root, Slow delivery outside off, stroked through point for a single. |
| 76.1 : K Maharaj to Root, Tosses it full outside off, Root drives it through cover-point for a run. |
| 76.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Just wide of slips! How unlucky have South Africa been today, Loopy delivery outside off, goes on with the angle. Ali tries to defend it off the front foot but gets a thick outside edge. The fielder at slip dives to his right but he ball goes past him. They run three. |
| 76.3 : K Maharaj to Root, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. |
| 76.4 : K Maharaj to Root, Drags his length back a little, Root waits and guides it to point. |
| 76.5 : K Maharaj to Root, A tad shorter on off, Root plays it through covers and runs one. There is a misfield from the fielder and Root runs back for a second. |
| 76.6 : K Maharaj to Root, Floats it on off, Root sweeps it for a run. |
| 77.1 : T Bavuma to Root, Full ball on off, Root drives it to mid off. |
| 77.2 : T Bavuma to Root, Bowls it on the pads, Root flicks it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 77.3 : T Bavuma to Ali, Bangs it in short on middle, Ali does well to evade it. |
| 77.4 : T Bavuma to Ali, Length outside off, Ali pushes it to covers. |
| 77.5 : T Bavuma to Ali, Full toss outside off, Moeen drives it to mid off. |
| 77.6 : T Bavuma to Ali, Drifts on the pads, Ali flicks it through squre leg for a run. |
| 78.1 : K Maharaj to Ali, Dances down the track and flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 78.2 : K Maharaj to Ali, Drifts on the pads, Ali flicks it down to fine leg for a run. |
| 78.3 : K Maharaj to Root, Gives it air outside off, Root drives it through mid off for a run. He wants a second but is sent back by Ali. |
| 78.4 : K Maharaj to Ali, Loopy ball on middle, ALi comes down the track and drags it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 78.5 : K Maharaj to Root, Flighted on off, Root drives it uppishly through covers for a run. |
| 78.6 : K Maharaj to Ali, Quicker on middle, Moeen drives it back to the bowler. |
| 79.1 : T Bavuma to Root, Length ball on middle, Root punches it to mid on. |
| 79.2 : T Bavuma to Root, Sprays on the pads, Root flicks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 79.3 : T Bavuma to Ali, Full on the pads, Moeen flicks it uppishly through square leg for a couple. |
| 79.4 : T Bavuma to Ali, Good length on middle, Ali flicks it through backward square leg for a couple. Good running. It also brings up his fifty. He has played a very good knock here and has supported Root well. |
| 10th Test fifty for Moeen Ali. |
| 79.5 : T Bavuma to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 79.6 : T Bavuma to Ali, Bouncer on middle, Ali ducks under him |
| The second new ball is due and it has been taken straightaway. The reviews will be refreshed for both the sides. |
| 80.1 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Root cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. Not a good start with the new ball. |
| 80.2 : K Rabada to Root, Good comback ball. Length outside off, Root tries to drive it but gets beaten. |
| 80.3 : K Rabada to Root, A tad shorter outside off, Root cuts it straight to point. |
| 80.4 : K Rabada to Root, Good length angling into the batsman, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 80.5 : K Rabada to Root, Length close to off stump, Root tries to cut it but gets it off the inner half and the ball rolls to the slip cordon. |
| 80.6 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Uppish but safe! A tad fuller outside off, Root slashes at and over point for a boundary. The fielder jumped in an attempt to catch it but does not get a hand to it. |
| Vernon Philander comes back into the attack. |
| 81.1 : V Philander to Ali, Very full on off, Ali digs it out to covers. |
| 81.2 : V Philander to Ali, Just ahead of a length outside off, Moeen drives it to covers. |
| 81.3 : V Philander to Ali, That is a peach! Length ball, nips away after pitching. Moeen tries to defend it but gets beaten. |
| 81.4 : V Philander to Ali, Bowled on leg stump, Ali flicks it through backward square leg for a couple. |
| 81.5 : V Philander to Ali, Good length on off, Moeen punches it to covers. |
| 81.6 : V Philander to Ali, Good length on off, Ali defends it off the front foot. |
| 82.1 : K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Root punches it on the up through covers for a boundary. |
| 82.2 : K Rabada to Root, BEATEN! Back of a length around off, zips through the pitch. Root pokes at it but gets beaten. |
| 82.3 : K Rabada to Joe Root, FOUR! TOP SHOT! A tad short on off, Root pulls it through square leg for a boundary. They are leaking a lot of runs with the second new ball. |
| 82.4 : K Rabada to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 82.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Bowls on the pads, Ali tries to flick it but gets it but misses and it brushes his pads and rolls on the leg side. The batsmen run a leg bye. |
| 82.6 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 83.1 : V Philander to Ali, Good length outside off, Ali lets it through to the keeper. |
| 83.2 : V Philander to Ali, Fullish on middle, Ali defends it to mid on. |
| 83.3 : V Philander to Ali, Length outside off, Moeen lets it through to the keeper. |
| 83.4 : V Philander to Ali, A tad fuller on off, Ali drives it the left of mid off for a run. This brings up the 150-run partnership. |
| 83.5 : V Philander to Root, Back of a length on off, Root defends it off the back foot. |
| 83.6 : V Philander to Root, ALMOST! Bowls a full ball on middle, Root tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. There is a stifled appeal from the bowler but the umpire is not interested. South Africa desperately need a wicket here. |
| 84.1 : K Rabada to Ali, Bouncer on middle, MOeen does well to evade it. |
| 84.2 : K Rabada to Ali,The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. |
| 84.3 : K Rabada to M Ali, FOUR! POOR LINE! Back of a length outside off, Ali cuts it through point for a boundary. Rabada looks tired now. |
| 84.4 : K Rabada to Ali,Shorter in length, Ali defends it off the back foot. |
| 84.5 : K Rabada to Ali, Length on off, Ali plays it off the front foot. |
| 84.6 : K Rabada to Ali, On a fuller length on leg stump, Ali tries to flick it but misses and it hits his pads. The ball rolls on the leg side and they run through for a leg bye. |
| 85.1 : V Philander to Ali, Length outside off, Moeen does not bother playing a shot at it. |
| 85.2 : V Philander to Ali, Full ball on off, Ali drives it to the left of mid off. Maharaj dives and half-stops it. The ball slows down and the mid on fielder hares after it. Keeps it down to three. |
| 85.3 : V Philander to Root, FOUR! Pure class! Length outside off, Root jumps and places it through covers for a boundary. He has played a gem of a knock here. |
| 85.4 : V Philander to Root, Full outside off swinging away, Root moves across and defends it off the front foot. |
| 85.5 : V Philander to Root, Length ball on middle, Root checks his drive uppishly to mid on. |
| 85.6 : V Philander to Root, No ball! Full on the pads, Root flicks it through square leg for a run. It was signaled a no ball as Philander brushed the stumps with his hands in his delivery stride. |
| V Philander to Ali, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 86.1 : K Rabada to Root, Strays it down the leg side, Root tries to flick it but misses. |
| 86.2 : K Rabada to Joe Root, Bangs it in short, Root pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 86.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Bouncer on leg stump, Ali ducks under it. |
| 86.4 : K Rabada to Ali, Back of a length on off, Moeen tucks it on the leg side for a run. |
| 86.5 : K Rabada to Root, A tad fuller on off, Root drives it back to the bowler. Rabada does well to get down and stop it. |
| 86.6 : K Rabada to Root, Back of a length on off, Root guides it through backward point for a run. THAT IS STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| A brilliant comeback from England and it is safe to say that they have moved into a commanding position. Joe Root has been at the thick of it as he has played some breathtaking strokes in his first game as English Test captain. He has been lucky at times. He was dropped on 16 and he got stumped off a no ball when he was on 149. He has made them pay for the errors. The 114-run stand between him and Stokes led to the revival. After that, Ali came in and has been the perfect foil for the run-machin |
| South Africa tried hard and got the rewards in the first session. Philander was the star of the show as he kept nagging the batsmen with probing lines and lengths to scalp three wickets. However, after the sheen was lost, the South Africans lost the intensity. Credit to the home side for taking hold of the opportunity. They scored freely after the second new ball was taken. |
| The Proteas need to come out tomorrow and make use of the moisture in the morning. The first hour will be crucial. Breakthroughs are needed in quick succession. Joe Root is looking set for a double ton and will be eyeing to take the game away from the tourists. Join us tomorrow for Day 2 at 1100 local (1000 GMT) to catch all the action. It promises to be another absorbing day of Test cricket. Till then, goodbye and cheers! |
| ...Day 2, Session 1... |
| Hello and welcome to the 2nd day of the first Test between England and South Africa at Lord's. The hosts are in a commanding position and early wickets is what the visitors will need to get back into the game. The English side will want to get somewhere close to 500. Joe Root holds the key for them and he would require support from the lower order. The Proteas need to make good use of the second new ball which is only 7 overs old. They would hope that Vernon Philander maintains his consistency a |
| We are ready to get underway. It is bright and sunny in the middle. Morne Morkel will bowl the first over of the day. Joe Root and Moeen Ali will continue their innings. South Africa have two slips in place. |
| 87.1 : M Morkel to Root, Starts off with a length delivery on off, Root covers the line and defends it stoutly. |
| 87.2 : M Morkel to Root, First runs of the Day! Straying on the pads and fullish in length, the English skipper works it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 87.3 : M Morkel to Ali, On a length on off, Ali hangs back and defends it solidly. |
| 87.4 : M Morkel to Ali, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Moeen strokes it to short cover. |
| Morkel comes around the wicket to Moeen Ali. |
| 87.5 : M Morkel to Ali, Fullish delivery, angling in from outside off. Ali eases it to covers. |
| 87.6 : M Morkel to M Ali, FOUR! Pristine! On a driving length outside off, Ali accepts the invitation and creams it gloriously through covers and the ball whistles away to the fence. Confident start to the day for England. |
| Vernon Philander will bowl from the other end. He has two slips in place. |
| 88.1 : V Philander to Root, Fuller length ball on off, Root doesn't move his feet much but defends it nicely. |
| 88.2 : V Philander to Root, Fractionally overpitched outside off, eased to short cover. |
| 88.3 : V Philander to Root, FOUR! He brings out his signature stroke with authority! That's the first boundary of the day! Good length delivery outside off, holds its line. Root punches it elegantly through covers and the ball rolls downhill. Has timed it brilliantly to earn himself another boundary. |
| 88.4 : V Philander to Joe Root, Fuller in length ths time, around that off-stump channel and stays a bit low. Root pushes at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls to the leg side. Single taken. |
| 88.5 : V Philander to Ali, Full length delivery outside off, Ali defends it confidently. |
| 88.6 : V Philander to M Ali, Fullish in length, shaping away from Ali. He pushes at it but gets an outside edge that falls well short of Elgar at second slip. |
| 89.1 : M Morkel to Root, OUT! An amazing knock from Joe Root comes to an end! He would be disappointed to miss out on a double ton. Great bowling from Morkel and he gets the big fish. He hurls in that channel outside off and makes Root play at it. He pushes at it tentatively but gets a faint outside edge behind. De Kock moves to his right and accepts the catch gleefully. The Proteas celebrate. This time the umpires do not check for the front foot no ball. The English skipper makes his way back t |
| 0.0 : Liam Dawson comes out to bat. |
| 89.2 : M Morkel to Dawson, Fullish delivery outside off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| Liam Dawson has been given LBW and he has reviewed it. Looks a little high. |
| 89.3 : M Morkel to Dawson, OUT! No, it is not high. The on-field call is upheld! What a beginning to the day for the Proteas. Morkel is bending his back and getting the rewards. He has been outstanding this morning. He bowls this on a good length on off and gets it to shape in substantially. Dawson is rooted to the crease as he looks to defend it but misses it to get pinged on the pads. South Africa appeal confidently and the umpire S. Ravi rules it out. Dawson reviews it immediately. The Hawk E |
| Stuart Broad strides out to the middle. |
| 89.4 : M Morkel to Broad, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 89.5 : M Morkel to Broad, That's a peach! Good length ball around off, straightens after pitching. Broad feels for it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 89.6 : M Morkel to Broad, Well-directed bouncer in line of the stumps, Broad does well to duck under it. What an over from Morkel, a double-wicket maiden for him. |
| 90.1 : V Philander to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 90.2 : V Philander to Ali, On a fuller length on off, Ali covers the line and defends it. |
| 90.3 : V Philander to M Ali, Edged! On a driving length outside off, Ali pushes at it with hard hands but gets an outside that falls short of a crouching Elgar at second slip. |
| 90.4 : V Philander to Ali, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Ali nudges it to square leg for a single. |
| 90.5 : V Philander to S Broad, FOUR! Almost another wicket! Fuller length delivery on off, Broad stays back and pushes at it but gets an outside edge. De Kock dives to his left but the ball goes past him for a boundary. |
| 90.6 : V Philander to Broad, Broad survives! On a length on leg stump, Broad looks to flick it away but misses to get rapped on the pads. A huge appeal for an LBW is turned down. Dean Elgar consults with his teammates and decides to not take the review. However, the replays shows three reds. Broad can consider himself a bit lucky. End of an eventful over. |
| 91.1 : M Morkel to Ali, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 91.2 : M Morkel to Ali, Outside off again, Ali lets it go. |
| 91.3 : M Morkel to Ali, Back of a length ball on the hips, Moeen hops back and turns it to backward square leg for a run. |
| 91.4 : M Morkel to Broad, FOUR! On a driving length outside off, Broad drives it square and beats the backward square leg fielder. Picks up a boundary to his name. |
| 91.5 : M Morkel to Broad, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 91.6 : M Morkel to S Broad, FOUR! Streaky runs! Full length delivery outside off, Broad plays at it with minimal foot movement and gets an outside edge that flies past the second slip fielder to the third man fence. 13 from the over. |
| 92.1 : V Philander to Ali, Good length delivery on middle and leg, shaping down a touch. Ali looks to play it across but is struck on the pads. No real appeal from the visitors as it was heading down leg. |
| 92.2 : V Philander to Ali, On a length around off, played with an open face to point. |
| 92.3 : V Philander to M Ali, FOUR! Shot! Short delivery in line of the stumps, Ali swivels across and pulls it with authority over mid-wicket. Beats the man in the deep to pick up a boundary. |
| 92.4 : V Philander to Ali, FOUR! Easy pickings! Swinging into the pads, Ali just helps it past the keeper and the ball races to the fence. Back-to-back boundaries for him. That also brings up 2000 runs for him in Test cricket. It has been a good career for him so far. |
| 2000 Test runs for Moeen Ali. |
| 92.5 : V Philander to Ali, The batsman defends it from within the crease. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 92.6 : V Philander to Broad, Straying on the pads, nudged to fine leg for a couple. |
| 93.1 : M Morkel to M Ali, Full length ball on off, eased to extra cover. |
| 93.2 : M Morkel to Ali, Similar length delivery on off, Ali covers the line and blocks it. |
| 93.3 : M Morkel to Ali, Fullish delivery on middle and leg, Ali clips it through mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| 93.4 : M Morkel to Ali, Fullish in length and angling into the pads, Ali tickles it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 93.5 : M Morkel to Broad, That's beautifully bowled! Morkel comes around the wicket and hits the deck hard. Broad feels for it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 93.6 : M Morkel to Broad, Short of a length ball, angling in from outside off. Broad hops back and defends it to covers. |
| 94.1 : V Philander to Ali, Fuller length delivery on off, Moeen plays it with soft hands to short cover. |
| 94.2 : V Philander to Ali, Length delivery angling across Ali. He is in two minds whether to commit to it or not. Eventually he plays it with an angled bat to gully. |
| There is a bit of an issue with the ball. The umpire cuts the pieces of leather that was coming out. We are fine to go again. |
| 94.3 : V Philander to Ali, Full length ball around off, Moeen pushes at it with hard hands but gets it off the inner half to mid on. |
| 94.4 : V Philander to Ali, Similar length delivery, attacking the stumps this time. Ali turns it to mid-wicket. |
| 94.5 : V Philander to Ali, Good length delivery slanting across Ali. He punches it crisply but finds Bavuma at extra cover. |
| 94.6 : V Philander to Ali, Back of a length ball around off, Ali chops it to covers. Good over from Philander, bags a maiden to his name. |
| 95.1 : M Morkel to Broad, Well-directed bouncer from around the wicket. Broad sways away from the line of the delivery to evade it. |
| 95.2 : M Morkel to Broad, Fullish in length in line of the stumps, Stuart pushes it to mid on. |
| 95.3 : M Morkel to Broad, This is good attacking bowling from Morkel. He knows that the southpaw is struggling with the shorter length. Broad hops back and looks to fend it but gets into a tangle. Gets an inside edge and onto his shoulder. The ball rolls past the short leg region. A run taken. |
| 95.4 : M Morkel to Ali, Ooh.. that is nasty! Another bouncer attacking the body, Ali looks to pull it away but gets it from the splice of the bat and the ball thuds into the helmet. After that, it falls behind safely. Moeen is lucky as that could have gone anywhere. |
| 95.5 : M Morkel to M Ali, Similar length delivery, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 95.6 : M Morkel to Broad, Around the hips, tucked through backward square leg for a run. |
| Kagiso Rabada is into the attack. |
| 96.1 : K Rabada to Broad, Short of a length on off, pushed off the back foot to covers. Ali wants a run but Broad says no. |
| 96.2 : K Rabada to Broad, FOUR! Close shave! Good length delivery outside off, curls back in. Broad hangs back and pushes at it but gets an inside edge that goes over the stumps. It also beats the diving de Kock to his right to roll through to the fence. 400 up for England. |
| 96.3 : K Rabada to Broad, Good length ball around off, played with an open face to point. |
| 96.4 : Rabada to S Broad, FOUR! Bouncer on middle and leg, rising on Broad. He takes it on and pulls it over backward square leg. Morkel jogs across to his right from fine leg but the ball wins the race. These are handy runs for England. |
| 96.5 : K Rabada to Broad, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 96.6 : K Rabada to Broad, Sharp bouncer in line of the stumps, Broad ducks under it. |
| Short leg comes in place. |
| 97.1 : M Morkel to Ali, Fullish on middle, Ali looks to defend it but gets it off the inner half through square leg. A run taken. |
| 97.2 : M Morkel to Broad, Back of a length delivery on off, Broad rises on his toes and plays it to point. |
| 97.3 : M Morkel to Broad, Similar length delivery, climbing on Broad. He hops back and blocks it to covers. He is trying to bounce him out. |
| 97.4 : M Morkel to Broad, Morkel bangs this one short on off, Broad drops his wrists to let it be. |
| 97.5 : M Morkel to Broad, Another bouncer and Stuart ducks under it. |
| 97.6 : M Morkel to Broad, Broad stays back to the length delivery in line of the stumps and eases it to the leg side. |
| 98.1 : K Rabada to Ali, Good length delivery in the fifty stump channel, guided to point. |
| 98.2 : K Rabada to M Ali, Shortish delivery and room on offer, Moeen cuts it hard but Bavuma at point is sharp to stop it. |
| 98.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Straying on the hips, Ali works it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 98.4 : K Rabada to Broad, Broad stays back to a delivery to which he should have been on the front foot. Rabada keeps it full and around leg stump, Stuart looks to keep it out but is hit on the pads. |
| 98.5 : K Rabada to Broad, Sharp bouncer on middle and leg, Broad takes his eyes off the ball. The ball whizzes past his right shoulder and into the hands of de Kock. |
| 98.6 : K Rabada to Broad, Great follow-up delivery. Bowls it full outside off, Broad looks to drive it but gets beaten. |
| 99.1 : M Morkel to Ali, Great effort, Bavuma! Fullish in length around off, Ali drives it crisply to extra cover where Temba dives to his right to make a brilliant half-stop. Recovers well to deny any run. |
| 99.2 : M Morkel to Ali, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. |
| 99.3 : M Morkel to Ali, Bavuma is a terrific fielder. Such a fielding effort lifts the morale of the whole side. Fractionally overpitched outside off, Moeen crunches it to Temba at extra cover who dives to his right to stop a certain boundary. |
| 99.4 : M Morkel to Ali, Straying on the hips, tucked uppishly to fine leg for a run. |
| 99.5 : M Morkel to Broad, Dug in short outside off, Broad sits under it. |
| 99.6 : M Morkel to Broad, Another bouncer but this time it is down the leg side, Broad leaves it awkwardly. |
| Time for Drinks. Good fightback from South Africa this morning. They got the all-important breakthrough of the English skipper, Joe Root in the third over of the day itself. Morkel has been in terrific rhythm and has troubled the batsmen constantly. However, Ali and Broad have stitched together a promising partnership. The latter has rode on his luck. They have put away the lose deliveries to take the score past 400. The visitors will be aiming to run through the English side quickly. |
| 100.1 : K Rabada to Ali, Bowls a bouncer on middle, Ali pulls it through backward square leg. Morkel makes good ground to his right and dives and pushes the ball back in. The batsmen run two. Good work by the tall fast bowler. |
| 100.2 : K Rabada to Ali, Sprays it down the leg side, Ali misses the flick. |
| 100.3 : K Rabada to Ali, Length on middle, Ali flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 100.4 : K Rabada to Ali, OUT! KABOOM! Rabada strikes. A tad fuller around off, nips back in a touch. Ali tries to drive but it goes through his bat and pad and knocks the off pole. A good innings by Moeen Ali comes to an end. South Africa would want to get through the tail as quick as possible now. |
| Mark Wood comes out to bat. |
| 100.5 : K Rabada to Wood, Back of a length on middle, Wood defends it off the back foot. |
| 100.6 : K Rabada to Wood, OUT! Rabada takes two in the over. This is the second time today South Africa have struck twice in one over. Rabada bowls a back of a length ball outside off, angling into the batsman. Wood tries to defend it off the back foot but the ball stays a touch low and strikes him on the pads. They all appeal and the umpire raises his finger immediatly. Mark is on his way even before the umpire gave him out. It was that plumb. England are nine down. |
| James Anderson is the last man in. |
| 101.1 : M Morkel to Broad, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Broad punches it through covers for a boundary. He would try and add some quick runs here. |
| 101.2 : M Morkel to Broad, ALMOST! Short ball on off, Broad backs away and tries to heave it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs beside the off stump, bounces and spins back but just misses the stumps. |
| 101.3 : M Morkel to Broad, Short again outside off, Broad makes room and tries to cut it but misses. |
| 101.4 : M Morkel to Broad, Full this time, Broad was late on it and it just misses the off pole. |
| 101.5 : M Morkel to Broad, Length outside off, Broad tries to defend it but the ball stays low and on the bounce to the keeper. |
| 101.6 : M Morkel to Broad, FOUR! Smashed! Short and on the body of Broad. He moves away and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 8 runs from the over. |
| 102.1 : K Rabada to Anderson, Sloppy from Rabada! Full on middle, Anderson drives it back to him. He misfields and concedes a single. A needless single given there. He would have wanted to bowl to Anderson. |
| 102.2 : K Rabada to Broad, A tad fuller outside off, Broad square drives it through point for a couple. |
| 102.3 : K Rabada to Broad, Short and angling into the batsman, Broad pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 102.4 : K Rabada to Broad, Bowls a slower short ball, Broad is early on the pull and gets it off the toe end towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 102.5 : K Rabada to Anderson, Bouncer, Anderson does well to duck under it. |
| 102.6 : K Rabada to Anderson, Sprays on the pads, Anderson tries to flick but misses. The ball brushes his pads and de Kock dives to his right and makes a good stop. Anderson survives. |
| 103.1 : M Morkel to Broad, JUST SHORT! Bangs it in short on middle, Broad cuts it uppishly through point. The ball falls just short of the man at deep point. The batsmen run through for a single. |
| 103.2 : M Morkel to Anderson, Length on middle, Anderson gets it off the inner half through square leg for a run. |
| 103.3 : M Morkel to Broad, Broad moves away, Morkel follows him with a short delivery. Stuart evades it somehow. |
| 103.4 : M Morkel to Broad, Stuart makes room, Morkel bowls it full on middle. Broad digs it out through covers for a couple. These are handy runs for England. |
| 103.5 : M Morkel to Broad, SIX! BOOM! That is going, going and gone. Short on leg stump, Broad takes on the pull and connects well. The ball flies over the square leg fence for a maximum. |
| 103.6 : M Morkel to Broad, SIX! Another one off the middle. Almost a replica of the last ball. Bouncer on middle, Broad pulls it over square leg fence for a biggie. 50 up for Broad it has been a very handy and exciting innings. |
| 11th Test fifty for Stuart Broad. |
| 104.1 : K Rabada to Anderson, Full and outside off, Anderson tries to drive it but gets beaten. |
| 104.2 : K Rabada to J Anderson, FOUR! PAINFUL! Length on off, Anderson tries to defend it off the front foot but gets an outside edge down to third man for a boundary. |
| 104.3 : K Rabada to J Anderson, SIX! THUMPED! Anderson takes it on this time. Short by Rabada on middle. Anderson gives him the charge and pulls it off the middle over the mid-wicket fence. 450 up for England now. |
| 104.4 : K Rabada to J Anderson, Driven towards the mid-on region. |
| 104.5 : K Rabada to Anderson, Bangs it in short, Anderson ducks under it. |
| 104.6 : K Rabada to Anderson, Bouncer on middle, Anderson does well to evade it. |
| 105.1 : M Morkel to Broad, FOUR! A tad fuller on off, Broad moves his front leg out of the way and slaps it through covers for another boundary. It is raining boundaries here. |
| 105.2 : Morkel to S Broad, DROPPED! A very tough chance. Full ball on off, Broad slashes at it and gets a thick outside edge which flies towards first slip. Amla jumps and gets a hand to it but cannot hang on to it. The ball rolls to third man for a run. This is frustrating for South Africa. |
| 105.3 : M Morkel to Anderson, OUT! That's it! Full ball outside off, Anderson tries to drives but gets an outside edge to de Kock who does not make a mistake. An entertaining last wicket partnership comes to an end. Morkel gets his fourth. ENGLAND HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 458. |
| England will be pleased with their effort with the bat. They were in a commanding position at the start of Day 2 but lost their skipper, Joe Root early who missed out on his double ton by a small margin. Morkel also nipped out Dawson in the same over. That sparked hopes of bowling the home side under 400 but the lower order did a commendable job along with Moeen Ali. |
| Ali kept on putting the lose balls away but Broad struggled initially at the start of his innings. However, the latter survived the fierce spells from Morkel and Rabada and eventually flourished. They scored some handy runs and were instrumental in taking their side over the 450-run mark. However, the last wicket partnership of 45 from 27 balls between Broad and Anderson gave them even more momentum. Morkel finished with four wickets but proved to be expensive. |
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