| 0.0 : So finally, we welcome you to the 4th and final match of the Test series between South Africa and England. It has been raining overnight in Johannesburg and the first session has already been washed out on Day 1. It will be interesting to see how the outfield will play out from now on. Now, for a quick rewind, the hosts did win the first Test match and gave the home fans some hope that this team was turning a corner but in the following 2 Test matches, England and especially, Ben Stokes, showed |
| Toss - Up goes the coin and it lands in favour of England. Joe Root has elected to bat first. |
| ENGLAND (PLAYING XI) - Zak Crawley, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root (C), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (WK), Sam Curran, Chris Woakes (In for Dominic Bess), Stuart Broad, Mark Wood. |
| SOUTH AFRICA (PLAYING XI) - Pieter Malan, Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma (in for Zubayr Hamza), Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Dane Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dwaine Pretorius (In for Keshav Maharaj), Beuran Hendricks (Test debut, in for Kagiso Rabada), Anrich Nortje. |
| Finally, it is the players who are out in the middle and not the groundsmen. Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley, the two England openers walk out. Vernon Philander takes the ball first up. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : V Philander to Crawley, Fuller length ball outside off, Crawley covers his stumps on this first ball and lets it go to the keeper. Some away movement on this first ball. |
| 0.2 : V Philander to Crawley, Full and outside off again, Crawley once again lets it go to the keeper. |
| 0.3 : V Philander to Crawley, England are Crawley are underway! Full ball around off, Crawley looks to drive but the ball takes the thick inside edge and it goes to square leg for a single. |
| 0.4 : V Philander to Sibley, Good length ball around off, Sibley pushes it back to the bowler. |
| So, these are the revised timings for Day 1 - Session 1: 1320 hours to 1540 hours Tea: 1540 hours to 1600 hours Session 2: 1600 hours - 1800 hours Extra 30 minutes to bowl any remaining overs - 1830 hours 65 overs will be bowled in the day, weather permitting. |
| 0.5 : V Philander to Sibley, Shortish ball outside off, it is left alone. |
| 0.6 : V Philander to Sibley, Huge appeal for LBW but not out says the umpire. Length ball coming into the batsman, Sibley looks to defend but misses to get struck on the pads. Phialnder makes a loud appeal but nothing from the umpire. He suggests Philander to go for the review but the skipper tells him that it was probably going over the top. |
| Beuran Hendricks to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Hendricks starts with a nasty one! Bangs it on back of a length on middle, Crawley looks to pull but is hit hard on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards the off side. |
| 1.2 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Good length ball on middle, driven towards mid on for a single. |
| 1.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, In the channel outside off, it is left alone. |
| 1.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Another ball which comes back in from a length. Sibley looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 1.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, This one goes away from a length. However, it is way outside off and Sibley shoulders arms. |
| 1.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, FOUR! First one of the innings! Hendricks strays on the pads of Sibley on a shortish length, Sibley just helps it down to fine leg and it races away to the fence. |
| 2.1 : V Philander to Crawley, Length ball outside off, it is left alone. |
| 2.2 : V Philander to Crawley, Muted shout from the bowler now. It is a length ball which comes back in sharply. Crawley though is expecting the ball to go away and shoulders arms. He gets hit high on the pads. |
| 2.3 : V Philander to Crawley, Shortish around off, tapped towards point. |
| 2.4 : V Philander to Crawley, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 2.5 : V Philander to Crawley, Another ball which is around off, Crawley comes forward and keeps it out. Philander has overstepped though. |
| V Philander to Crawley, In the channel outside off, it is left alone. |
| 2.6 : V Philander to Crawley, Good length ball around off, it is blocked off the back foot. |
| 3.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Beauty! A length ball which pitches around off and moves away by a long way. Sibley looks to defend initially but pulls his bat away at the last moment. |
| 3.2 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball around off, it is defended. |
| 3.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Landed on middle on a length, Sibley is solid in his defense once again. |
| 3.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Good leave! A length ball in the channel outside off, Sibley covers his stumps and lets it go to the keeper. Good carry to the keeper there. |
| 3.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Another leave as Hendricks delivers a length ball outside off. |
| 3.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Full ball on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 4.1 : V Philander to Crawley, Length ball around off, Crawley defends it off the front foot. |
| 4.2 : V Philander to Crawley, Slips it down the leg this time, Crawley looks to flick but misses. |
| 4.3 : V Philander to Crawley, That wasn't too far away from the off pole. A length ball just outside off, Crawley covers his stumps and lets it be. |
| 4.4 : V Philander to Crawley, FOUR! Driven firmly! A full ball just outside off, Crawley drills it past the man at mid off. That was timed really nicely by Crawley to bag his first boundary. |
| 4.5 : V Philander to Crawley, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 4.6 : V Philander to Crawley, Another length ball outside off, Crawley makes another leave. |
| 5.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Bouncer on middle, Sibley ducks under it. |
| 5.2 : B Hendricks to Sibley, FOUR! Cut away! A shortish length ball outside off, Sibley rocks on the back foot and cuts it through backward point to bag his second boundary of the innings. |
| 5.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball which is shaping away after pitching on middle, Sibley lets it be. |
| 5.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Shortish and on middle, Sibley does well to tuck it towards the leg side. |
| 5.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball around off, it is pushed towards point. |
| 5.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball around off, it is defended off the front foot. |
| 6.1 : V Philander to Crawley, In the channel outside off, it is left alone. |
| 6.2 : V Philander to Crawley, Full ball outside off, Crawley looks to drive but ends up hitting it off the toe end of his willow. It goes straight to the man at covers. |
| 6.3 : V Philander to Crawley, Shortish ball outside off, it is pushed to mid off. |
| 6.4 : V Philander to Crawley, This one is on a length and it is angled into the batter, Crawley tucks it to deep square leg for a couple. |
| 6.5 : V Philander to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Drilled through the covers! A full ball outside off, Crawley gets forward and creams it through the covers and it races away to the fence. |
| 6.6 : V Philander to Crawley, In the channel outside off, Crawley lets it go to the keeper. |
| 7.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Landed on middle on a length, Sibley works it behind square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 7.2 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Outside off, left alone. |
| Sibley has been given caught behind but he immediately signals the 'T'. The bowler was confident there, so was the keeper. However, Sibley was quick to refer it upstairs too. Here comes the replays. Front foot is fine. Time for the Ultra Edge. Nothing on it. The on-field decision will be reversed. |
| 7.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, NOT OUT! Hendricks will have to wait for his debut Test wicket. It is a good length ball down the leg side. Sibley looks to flick but misses. The bowler though makes a loud appeal along with the keeper. The umpire takes his time and then raises his fingers. Sibley quickly takes the decision upstairs which means he is quite confident that he did not nick it. The replays roll in and confirm the same. The Ultra Edge detects nothing as the bat crosses the bat. The noise w |
| 7.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Shortish ball around off, it is punched through covers for a single. |
| 7.5 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Good length ball around off, Crawley looks to defend but gets an inside edge. The ball goes towards fine leg and a run is taken. |
| 7.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Shortish ball around off, pushed to short fine leg. |
| Anrich Nortje is into the attack now. |
| 8.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, FOUR! Welcome to the attack, Anrich Nortje. He bowls a full ball on middle and off, Crawley flicks this one towards the mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 8.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Length ball just around off, Crawley looks to defend off the back foot but the ball goes off the thick outside edge towards the man at gully on the bounce. |
| 8.3 : A Nortje to Zak Crawley, Full ball swinging in towards the off pole line, pushed towards the man at mid on. |
| 8.4 : A Nortje to Crawley, FOUR! Creamed! Outside off delivery yet again, Crawley drives it through the cover region superbly for a boundary. |
| 8.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, Full ball on middle and off, Crawley has flicked this one towards the mid-wicket region. The batters manage to run three while the fielders mop it up. |
| 8.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, Another one on middle, this time it is flicked in front of square leg and the batters take a single. |
| 9.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Sibley looks to come down the track, Hendricks spots that and bowls it down the leg side. Sibley looks to flick but misses. |
| 9.2 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Good length ball on the off pole line, it is defended. |
| 9.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball on middle and leg, Sibley gets an inside edge on this one and the ball rolls towards fine leg. |
| 9.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off. |
| 9.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Down the leg side, Sibley looks to flick but misses. |
| 9.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 10.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length ball around the off pole line, defended off the front foot. |
| 10.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Length ball on middle and off, defended. |
| 10.3 : A Nortje to Crawley, Another one outside off, played towards point. |
| 10.4 : A Nortje to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Full length ball on middle and leg, Crawley flicks this ball nicely in the gap at mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 10.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length ball down the leg side, Crawley looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pad. |
| 10.6 : A Nortje to Crawley, Outside off, Crawley shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| Vernon Philander is back into the attack. |
| 11.1 : V Philander to Sibley, Good length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot. |
| 0.0 : Now, Sibley has dimissed, out caught but the umpire has decided that this is an illegal delivery. |
| 11.2 : V Philander to D Sibley, No ball! OUT! What! Wait, no! It has been called a No ball! Drama all around and Faf du Plessis just cannot believe it. |
| V Philander to Sibley, Full ball around off, driven towards the man at cover. |
| 11.3 : V Philander to Sibley, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 11.4 : V Philander to D Sibley, Good length ball on middle and off, driven towards mid off. |
| 11.5 : V Philander to Sibley, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 11.6 : V Philander to Sibley, Sibley shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 12.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Full ball on off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 12.2 : D Paterson to Crawley, Good length ball on off, left alone by the bowler. |
| 12.3 : D Paterson to Crawley, Length ball outside off, left alone by the batsman. |
| 12.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Another one outside off, left alone by Crawley. |
| 12.5 : D Paterson to Crawley, The bowlers need to bowl better lines here. Outside off again, Crawley shoulders arms again. |
| 12.6 : D Paterson to Crawley, This is poor stuff and Crawley leaves this ball too as it is outside off. |
| 13.1 : V Philander to Sibley, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 13.2 : V Philander to Sibley, Fullish ball now, but again outside off and left alone. The South African bowlers need to straighten their line here and attack the stumps. |
| 13.3 : V Philander to Sibley, Okay now this seems to be some sort of a strategy as Philander bowls another delivery outside off but Sibley is patient and does not fiddle with it. |
| 13.4 : V Philander to Sibley, Finally one ball which is bowled on the stumps, worked towards square leg for a single. |
| 13.5 : V Philander to Crawley, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 13.6 : V Philander to Zak Crawley, Good length ball on middle and leg, pushed towards the man at mid on for a quick single. |
| 14.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Another one outside off, Crawley leaves it alone. |
| 14.2 : D Paterson to Crawley, Good length ball outside off, Crawley looks to play at it but fails to put bat on ball. |
| 14.3 : D Paterson to Zak Crawley, Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off. |
| 14.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Another length ball outside off, Crawley lets it go to the keeper. |
| 14.5 : D Paterson to Crawley, Full ball on off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 14.6 : D Paterson to Crawley, Length ball around off, it is defended. |
| 15.1 : V Philander to Sibley, Another ball in the channel outside off, an easy leave for the batsman. |
| 15.2 : V Philander to Sibley, Shortish ball around off, it is tapped through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 15.3 : V Philander to Sibley, FOUR! 50 up for England. A full ball on middle, Sibley strokes it through mid on and it races away to the fence. |
| 15.4 : V Philander to Sibley, Beaten! Brilliant response from the bowler. Philander bowls it on a length around off and makes it shape away from the forward prod of the batter. It beats the outside edge and goes to the keeper. |
| 15.5 : V Philander to Sibley, Length ball around off, it is pushed to point. |
| 15.6 : V Philander to D Sibley, Full ball outside off, Sibley drills the drive but straight to the cover fielder. |
| Drinks! An excellent first hour for the visitors. They are scoring at a decent pace right now. South Africa haven't been able to put too much pressure on the openers. They would've had one under their belt but Philander had overstepped and that might really be costly for them. Both the openers are looking solid out in the middle and would look to continue batting. Interesting to see if South Africa can manage to bag a wicket or two before the break. |
| 16.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Crawley has defended that one off the front foot towards the leg side. |
| 16.2 : D Paterson to Crawley, On the pads, worked towards the leg side. |
| 16.3 : D Paterson to Crawley, FOUR! Length ball on off, Crawley drives this one off the back foot through the cover region. Pieter Malan gives it a chase but he cannot keep it in despite his dive. |
| 16.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Outside off, left alone. |
| 16.5 : D Paterson to Crawley, Beauty! Back of a length ball on off, Crawley looks to defend this one off the back foot but gets completely squared up as the ball moves away. |
| 16.6 : D Paterson to Zak Crawley, Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on. |
| 17.1 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Full ball on off, defended. |
| 17.2 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Another fuller ball around off, it is pushed towards covers. |
| 17.3 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Full ball on off, defended. |
| 17.4 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Another full ball around off, this time, Sibley drives it towards mid on. |
| 17.5 : D Pretorius to Sibley, In the channel outside off, shaping further away. Sibley shoulders arms. |
| 17.6 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Full ball outside off, pushed to mid off. |
| 18.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Another fuller ball around off, Crawley defends it off the front foot. |
| 18.2 : D Paterson to Crawley, Fuller and just outside off, Crawley drives it straight to the man at mid off. |
| 18.3 : D Paterson to Crawley, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 18.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Back of a length ball on middle, it is pulled to deep square leg for a single. |
| 18.5 : D Paterson to Sibley, Another length ball outside off, it is defended off the back foot. |
| 18.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, A leave to get through the over! It is outside off on a length. It is left alone. |
| 19.1 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Shortish ball around off, it is defended. |
| 19.2 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Very full ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 19.3 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Length ball around off, it is tapped towards point. |
| 19.4 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Shortish ball around off, it is defended off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : D Pretorius to Zak Crawley, Length ball on middle, Crawley looks to defend but the ball goes to short mid-wicket off the inner half of the bat. |
| 19.6 : D Pretorius to Crawley, On the pads this time, nudged towards fine leg for a single. |
| 20.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Short ball around off, worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 20.2 : D Paterson to Zak Crawley, Edged but it does not carry! Good length ball around off, Crawley pokes at it but the ball shapes away and takes the outside edge but falls short of the second slip fielder. |
| 20.3 : D Paterson to Crawley, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 20.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Another ball outside off , left alone. |
| 20.5 : D Paterson to Crawley, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 20.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, Another length ball outside off, left alone. |
| Anrich Nortje is back into the attack. |
| 21.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length ball on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 21.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length ball angled into the batter, it is worked towards mid-wicket where fielder misfields and allows a single. |
| 21.3 : A Nortje to Sibley, Full ball around off, it is defended. |
| 21.4 : A Nortje to Sibley, Another length ball around off, it is tapped towards point. |
| 21.5 : A Nortje to Sibley, Length ball outside off, Sibley covers his stumps and lets it be. |
| 21.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Sibley guides it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 22.1 : D Pretorius to Crawley, FOUR! Drilled through the covers! A full ball outside off, Crawley takes a good stride forward and drills it through covers for a boundary. |
| 22.2 : D Pretorius to Crawley, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 22.3 : D Pretorius to Crawley, FOUR! Whipped off his pads. Poor line this from Pretorius. He bowls it on the pads on a fuller length, Crawley flicks it off his pads and it races away to the fence. |
| 22.4 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Shortish ball around off and middle, it is blocked off the back foot. |
| 22.5 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Outside off, left alone. |
| 22.6 : D Pretorius to Crawley, FOUR! All timing! Another full ball from Pretorius. Crawley drives it straight down the ground. Pretorius gets down to field but misses and the ball goes to the fence. |
| 23.1 : A Nortje to Sibley, Slightly short and on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 23.2 : A Nortje to Sibley, Outside off, left alone. |
| 23.3 : A Nortje to Sibley, Beaten! A length ball that pitches around off and shapes away. Sibley pokes at it without any feet movement and gets beaten. |
| 23.4 : A Nortje to Sibley, Slightly shortish ball outside off, pushed to point. |
| 23.5 : A Nortje to D Sibley, WIDE! Bouncer outside off, it is left alone. Called wide by the umpire. |
| A Nortje to Sibley, Another length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 23.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, Shortish ball on middle, Sibley hops and blocks it off his back foot. |
| 24.1 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Leading edge! Full ball on middle, Crawley looks to flick but the ball takes the leading edge and goes to point for a run. Crawley gets to his maiden half ton with that run. |
| 24.2 : D Pretorius to Sibley, FOUR! Driven handsomely! A full ball on off, Sibley leans into the shot and drills it down the ground. Need not to run for that one. |
| 24.3 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Outside off, left alone. |
| 24.4 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Length ball on middle, Sibley looks to defend but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes to square leg for a run. |
| 24.5 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Very full ball on off, it is defended. |
| 24.6 : D Pretorius to Crawley, In the channel outside off, Crawley leaves it alone. |
| 25.1 : A Nortje to Sibley, Fuller ball around off, it is defended. |
| 25.2 : A Nortje to Sibley, Outside off, Sibley lets it go to the keeper. |
| 25.3 : A Nortje to Sibley, Slightly short and on the body, it is worked towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 25.4 : A Nortje to Crawley, Slightly shortish ball angled into the batter, Crawley looks to defend but gets an inside edge. The ball hits the pads and rolls towards the off side. |
| 25.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, On middle, it is flicked to deep square leg for a run. |
| 25.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, Landed on middle on a length, Sibley looks to work it around the leg side but gets hit on the pads. |
| Hendricks is back into the attack. 5-2-13-0, his figures so far. |
| 26.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Full ball on middle, pushed to mid on. |
| 26.2 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Fullish and just outside off, Crawley covers his stumps and lets it be. |
| 26.3 : B Hendricks to Crawley, FOUR! Straight as an arrow! This is brilliant batting from Crawley. Hendricks overpitches it outside off, Crawley just times it down the ground firmly. Sibley takes the evasive action at the non-striker's end and falls in the process. The ball goes past him and then races to the fence. |
| 26.4 : B Hendricks to Zak Crawley, Short of a length ball around off, Crawley pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Bouncer on middle, Sibley ducks under it. |
| 26.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Full ball around off, Sibley watchfully defends it. |
| 27.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, Back of a length ball around off, it is blocked off the back foot. |
| 27.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Shortish ball on middle, Crawley once again makes a solid block. |
| 27.3 : A Nortje to Zak Crawley, Another shorter length ball on middle, Crawley looks to pull but mistimes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 27.4 : A Nortje to Crawley, In the channel outside off, it is left alone. |
| 27.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, Ouch! Straight on the helmet! Crawley quickly takes off his helmet and walks across to the leg side. It is another short of a length ball which comes into the batter. Crawley swivels and looks to pull but is early in the shot. He misses and the ball hits him on the right side of the helmet. That was a pacy delivery too. |
| The England physio is out in the middle to check Crawley. A few questions will be asked by the physio and if there is no issue, he will continue. Looking fine though. Mandatory concussion protocol going on. South Africans get a breather and they might want to use the time to regroup and work out their strategy. The physio is now checking the helmet and is probably not happy from the new helmet which came for Crawley. Another one has been asked and the wait goes on. And, finally, the 12th man com |
| 27.6 : A Nortje to Crawley, Bouncer and just outside off, it is left alone. Called wide by the umpire as it was way over the batsman. Wided by the umpire. |
| A Nortje to Crawley, Outside off, left alone. Finally the over ends. |
| 28.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Landed around off, it is worked towards square leg. A quick single is taken. The fielder there in the attempt of running the batter out concedes an overthrow as he misses his shy at the non-striker's end. |
| 28.2 : B Hendricks to Sibley, A bouncer on middle, Sibley ducks under it. |
| 28.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, On the pads, worked towards the leg side. |
| 28.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Shortish ball around off, Sibley taps it through covers and bags a couple of runs. |
| 28.5 : Hendricks to Sibley, Appeal for LBW but this one was probably pitching outside leg. A length ball around middle and leg, Sibley looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Huge appeal from the bowler but the umpire not interested. No review from du Plessis. |
| 28.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Nicely bowled and equally well played! A very full ball on middle, almost a yorker, Sibley does well to flick it to deep square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 29.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 29.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Full ball around off, worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 29.3 : A Nortje to Crawley, Slightly short and on the body, Crawley blocks it off the back foot. |
| 29.4 : A Nortje to Crawley, Full and around off, flicked to mid-wicket by Crawley. |
| 29.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, Length ball angled into the batter, Crawley flicks it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 29.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, FOUR! 100 up for England. Brilliant opening stand for the visitors. A length ball on middle, Sibley goes on the back foot and flicks it past the short leg fielder. There was shout of 'catch it' but it was flicked with power and there was no chance the fielder would've been even getting his hands to it. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 1. |
| 30 overs, 100 runs and no wickets. What a session this has been for England after they elected to bat first and as for South Africa, well their misery continues. |
| So, England have finished the session unscathed, bringing up the unbeaten 100-run opening stand off the last ball of the session. That is some achievement and it finally looks like England have found the solution to their opening batsmen woes. Crawley has taken the charge, scoring freely nd getting to his maiden half ton in the process. As for Sibley, he has been solid after getting a life as he was caught by Bavuma at backward point only for umpire Joel Wilson to rule that delivery as a no ball |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| Both the English openers walk out to the middle. The Protea players already out in the middle. Beuran Hendricks to start the proceedings for the hosts with the ball. |
| 30.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, A lose short on the first ball post the break! A good length ball outside off, Crawley goes chasing after it and looks to drive but misses. Luckily, does not get an edge on that one. |
| 30.2 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Shortish ball on middle, Crawley blocks it off the back foot. |
| 30.3 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Another short of a length ball on middle, it is pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 30.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball on the pads, Crawley looks to flick but gets an inside edge. The ball hits the pads and goes uppishly towards the leg side. |
| 30.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Shortish and outside off, it is punched through the off side but a single. |
| 30.6 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Good length ball angled into the batter, Crawley looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. A muted appeal follows but dies down instantly. |
| Dane Patterson to bowl from the other end. |
| 31.1 : D Paterson to Sibley, Paterson starts with a length ball outside off, Sibley lets it be. |
| 31.2 : D Paterson to Sibley, Outside off again, Sibley leaves it alone again. |
| 31.3 : D Paterson to Sibley, Make that third leave as Paterson bowls it on a length and outside off. |
| 31.4 : D Paterson to Sibley, FOUR! Width offered and Sibley pounces on it. It is slightly short and outside off, Sibley goes on the back foot and punches it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 31.5 : D Paterson to Sibley, Length ball around off, it is defended. |
| 31.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, Outside off this time, Sibley lets it go to the keeper. |
| 32.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Length ball angled into the batter, Crawley looks to defend but gets hit high on the pads. |
| 32.2 : B Hendricks to Zak Crawley, Full ball on off, pushed towards mid on for a single. |
| 32.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Outside off, left alone. |
| 32.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, OUT! Caught down the leg side! An excellent catch from de Kock and Hendricks has a Test wicket. He bowls it short one which is going down the leg side. Sibley looks to glance it towards fine leg but gets a faint tickle which goes behind. De Kock flies to his left and pouches the ball with his right hand. South Africa have broken the opening stand. |
| Joe Denly walks in next. |
| 32.5 : B Hendricks to Denly, Outside off, left alone. |
| 32.6 : B Hendricks to Denly, Another length ball outside off, Denly makes another leave. |
| 33.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Shortish ball outside off, Crawley slaps it to deep cover for a single. |
| 33.2 : D Paterson to Denly, In the channel outside off this time, Denly makes his third leave in as many balls. |
| 33.3 : D Paterson to Denly, He is off the mark now as Paterson bowls it on middle and on a length. Denly works it to deep square leg and takes a run. |
| 33.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Length ball angled in, Crawley flicks it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 33.5 : D Paterson to Denly, Length ball around off, it is blocked. |
| 33.6 : D Paterson to Denly, Full ball on middle, it is stroked to mid on. |
| 34.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Brilliant bouncer from Hendricks once again. It is on the body. Crawley takes his eyes off and looks to sway away but the ball comes into him and hits him on the arms. |
| 34.2 : B Hendricks to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Another bouncer from Hendricks and this time Crawley nails the pull powerfully! It goes to the deep mid-wicket fence in a flash. |
| 34.3 : B Hendricks to Crawley, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 34.4 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Short and around off again, Crawley easily pulls it to the man at deep square leg for a run. |
| 34.5 : B Hendricks to Denly, WIDE! Bouncer on middle, Crawley ducks under it. It is wided by the umpire. |
| B Hendricks to Denly, Shortish ball around off, it is angled into the batter again. Denly looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 34.6 : B Hendricks to Denly, Bouncer on middle, Denly ducks under it. |
| Vernon Philander is into the attack. 7-0-21-0, his figures so far. |
| 35.1 : V Philander to Zak Crawley, OUT! CAUGHT AT SLIPS! Crawley departs and he is livid with himself after getting off to such a good start. Back of a length ball just around off, it nips away just a bit. Crawley looks to have a poke at it but the ball goes off the outside edge towards first slip where Rassie van der Dussen takes a very good catch at chest height. It looked like Crawley was in two minds, whether to play at it or leave and that has caused his downfall. Both the openers now depart |
| 0.0 : England skipper, Joe Root is the new man in. |
| 35.2 : V Philander to Root, Another back of a length delivery near the off pole line, Root defends. |
| 35.3 : V Philander to Root, Length ball just around off, Joe Root defends off the back foot. |
| 35.4 : V Philander to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 35.5 : V Philander to Root, On the pads of Root, he works it behind square and takes a single to get off the mark. |
| 35.6 : V Philander to Denly, Good length ball on middle and off, defended by Denly. |
| 36.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Good length ball on off, played towards cover and Root takes an easy single. |
| 36.2 : B Hendricks to Denly, Ouch! Hit on the thumb! Back of a length ball on middle, Denly looks to defend but the ball hits his thumb and onto the ground. |
| 36.3 : B Hendricks to Denly, Another ferocious delivery, back of a length and angling in. Denly looks to work it towards the leg side but the ball goes off the inside edge onto the thigh pad and rolls towards the leg side. |
| 36.4 : B Hendricks to Denly, Good length ball on middle and off, defended by Denly. |
| 36.5 : B Hendricks to Denly, Bouncer on middle and leg, Denly ducks under this one. |
| 36.6 : B Hendricks to Denly, Fuller ball this time, on the middle pole line, pushed down towards the man at mid on. |
| 37.1 : V Philander to Root, Length ball outside off, played towards point. |
| 37.2 : V Philander to Root, Good length ball on the leg pole line, Root plays this one towards the man at mid-wicket off the back foot. |
| 37.3 : V Philander to Root, Length ball just outside off, played towards cover off the front foot for a single. |
| 37.4 : V Philander to Denly, On middle and leg, defended from within the crease. |
| 37.5 : V Philander to Denly, Wonderful drive! Back of a length ball on off, swinging away. Denly drives this one beautifully through the cover region off the back foot but the ball does not have the legs to cross the fence and the batters take three. |
| 37.6 : V Philander to Root, Punched off the back foot by the batsman back towards the bowler. |
| Dane Paterson is back on. 7-2-13-0 from him so far. |
| 38.1 : D Paterson to Joe Denly, DROPPED! What an effort here by Pieter Malan! It has just about popped out but had that stuck, this would have been a blinder. Paterson bowls a full ball outside off, Denly looks to drive at it through point but does so uppishly. Pieter Malan there, dives full stretch to his right, gets one hand on the ball, but the ball does not stick and pops out. What a catch that would have been. Denly survives and he will be looking to make the most of this. |
| 38.2 : D Paterson to Denly, Length ball on middle and leg, Denly looks to flick but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 38.3 : D Paterson to Denly, The batsman does well to stand tall and play that short delivery. |
| 38.4 : D Paterson to Denly, Good length ball on the pads, Denly gets an inside edge on this one and the ball rolls towards fine leg. The batters take a single. |
| 38.5 : D Paterson to Root, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 38.6 : D Paterson to Root, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot towards third man. Two runs added to the total. |
| 39.1 : V Philander to Denly, FOUR! Punched away! Back of a length ball outside off, Denly stands tall and punches this one through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 39.2 : V Philander to Denly, On the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single. |
| 39.3 : V Philander to Root, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 39.4 : V Philander to Root, Full ball on off, driven towards the man at cover. |
| 39.5 : V Philander to Root, Outside off, played towards deep point for one. |
| 39.6 : V Philander to Denly, On the pads, flicked towards deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 40.1 : D Paterson to Joe Denly, Full ball on off, played towards the man at mid off. |
| 40.2 : D Paterson to Joe Denly, Another full ball outside off, played to the man at mid off again. |
| 40.3 : D Paterson to Joe Denly, FOUR! Third ball on the trot which is full and outside off and this time Paterson pays for it as Denly drives it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 40.4 : D Paterson to Denly, Length ball on off, played past the point fielder and the batters take a couple. |
| 40.5 : D Paterson to Denly, Bouncer on middle and leg, ducked under. |
| 40.6 : D Paterson to Denly, EDGED AND FOUR! How lucky can you get? Well, Denly certainly is very lucky. Length ball just outside off, Denly looks to play at it but does so outside the line of the delivery. The ball takes the inside edge of the bat and goes right above the leg pole and into the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| Anrich Nortje returns. 7-0-30-0 are his numbers so far. |
| 41.1 : A Nortje to Root, Nortje starts with a poor line as he bowls this length ball on the pads, Root flicks it to deep square leg and takes a run. |
| 41.2 : A Nortje to Denly, EDGY FOUR! Denly is riding on his luck right now! A full ball outside off, Denly comes forward and looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes past the second slip fielder. It races away to the fence. |
| 41.3 : A Nortje to Denly, Slightly shorter and around off, blocked towards covers. |
| 41.4 : A Nortje to Denly, Full ball on middle, pushed to mid on. |
| 41.5 : A Nortje to Joe Denly, Dropped! Another chance goes abegging! A short ball on middle, Denly rocks on the back foot and pulls it powerfully. The ball goes to Pretorius at mid-wicket very quickly. Pretorius jumps and looks to catch but the ball touches his fingertips and goes to deep mid-wicket. A couple of runs. |
| 41.6 : A Nortje to Denly, Outside off, left alone. |
| 42.1 : D Paterson to Root, On the pads on a length, it is worked to fine leg for a single. |
| 42.2 : D Paterson to Joe Denly, OUT! Caught! Denly is not going to survive this time. Paterson has his first. A length ball just outside off, it pitches and then moves away. Denly has a poke at it with hard hands. The ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Rassie van der Dussen at first slip. He is not going to miss it out. He pouches it safely and Denly finally runs out of his luck. A very good phase for the hosts. |
| Ben Stokes, the player that has been the star for England and arguably the best all-rounder in the world, is the new man in. |
| 42.3 : D Paterson to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes lets it go to the keeper. |
| 42.4 : D Paterson to Stokes, Another length ball outside off, Stokes again shoulders arms. |
| 42.5 : D Paterson to Stokes, Stokes is off the mark. Paterson makes him play this ball as he dishes it out on middle. Stokes nudges it behind square leg and takes a single. |
| 42.6 : D Paterson to Root, Full and on middle, it is flicked to deep square leg for a single. |
| 43.1 : A Nortje to Root, Length ball just around off, Root leaves this one alone. |
| 43.2 : A Nortje to Root, Good length ball on middle and off, defended towards the man at mid off. |
| 43.3 : A Nortje to Root, Bouncer on middle and leg, ducked under. |
| 43.4 : A Nortje to Root, Length ball just outside off, played towards point. |
| 43.5 : A Nortje to Root, Back of a length ball outside off, left alone by Root. Bowled at a speed of 149 kph! Fierce! |
| 43.6 : Nortje to Joe Root, EDGED AND FOUR! Back of a length ball just outside off, Root ducks and looks to leave that ball. However, it stays low and hits the top edge of Root's bat. It flies over the slip cordon and into the third man fence. |
| 44.1 : D Paterson to Stokes, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 44.2 : D Paterson to Stokes, Full length ball on the off pole line, defended towards the man at mid on. |
| 44.3 : D Paterson to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 44.4 : D Paterson to Stokes, Bouncer outside off, left alone. |
| 44.5 : D Paterson to Stokes, Another one outside off, Stokes lets it be. |
| 44.6 : D Paterson to Stokes, Full ball on middle and off, played towards the man at mid on for a single. With this single, he gets to 1000 runs against the Proteas in Test matches. |
| 45.1 : A Nortje to Ben Stokes, OUT! CAUGHT AT SLIPS! And it is the big fish, Ben Stokes, who has been dismissed! A full length ball outside off, angling away from Stokes. He looks to go for the drive away from his body but the ball goes off the outside edge towards the gap at first slip and second slip. Rassie van der Dussen takes another catch as he moves to his left. This is the wicket that the South Africans really wanted and Nortje has provided this crucial breakthrough. |
| 0.0 : Ollie Pope, the Man of the Match of the last Test, comes in next. |
| 45.2 : A Nortje to Pope, Full ball on off, driven towards cover. |
| 45.3 : A Nortje to Pope, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 45.4 : A Nortje to Pope, Good length ball on middle and off, played towards mid on. |
| 45.5 : A Nortje to Pope, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 45.6 : A Nortje to Pope, FOUR! Off the mark in style! Full ball on the middle and leg pole line, Pope flicks it nonchalantly through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 46.1 : D Paterson to Root, Outside off, played towards the point region for a single. |
| 46.2 : D Paterson to Pope, Full ball just outside off, played towards the man at mid off. |
| 46.3 : D Paterson to Pope, Good length ball just outside off, Pope makes a nice leave. |
| 46.4 : D Paterson to Pope, Length ball on the hips, worked towards square leg for a single. |
| 46.5 : D Paterson to Root, FOUR! Back of a length ball on off, Root pulls this one through the square leg region for a boundary. |
| 46.6 : D Paterson to Joe Root, Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off. |
| 47.1 : A Nortje to Pope, Good length ball on off, defended out. |
| 47.2 : A Nortje to Pope, FOUR! What a shot! Full ball just near the off pole line, Pope drives this one straight back past the bowler and into the fence down the ground. Signs of a man in supreme touch. |
| The floodlights have been turned on. |
| 47.3 : A Nortje to Pope, Outside off, left alone. |
| 47.4 : A Nortje to Pope, Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region where Pieter Malan does well to keep it down to two as he slides and saves the ball from reaching the fence. |
| 47.5 : A Nortje to Pope, On the pads, worked towards square leg for a single. |
| 47.6 : A Nortje to Root, Good length ball on the off pole line, defended towards the man at cover and the batters take a quick single. |
| 48.1 : D Paterson to Root, Good length ball angled into the batsman. It keeps a bit low there. Root does well to block it out. |
| 48.2 : D Paterson to Root, Outside off, Root shoulders arms now. |
| 48.3 : D Paterson to Root, Shortish and just outside off, Root rides the bounce and taps it through point for a single. |
| 48.4 : D Paterson to Pope, Angled into the batsman from middle and leg, Pope looks to tuck it around the corner but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batters cross over for a leg bye. |
| 48.5 : D Paterson to Root, Full and around off, Root watchfully defends it under his eyes. |
| 48.6 : D Paterson to Root, Full again but it is on the pads of Root. He flicks it to deep mid-wicket and runs for a brace. |
| Vernon Philander returns. 10-0-33-1 from him so far. |
| 49.1 : V Philander to Pope, In the channel outside off, Pope lets it go to the keeper. |
| 49.2 : V Philander to Pope, On a length and just outside off, Pope pushes it towards the off side. |
| 49.3 : V Philander to Pope, Landed on a length and around off, Pope lunges and defends it onto the pitch. |
| 49.4 : V Philander to Pope, Another length ball around off, Pope pushes it towards covers. |
| 49.5 : V Philander to Pope, Short of a length ball just outside off, Pope is cramped for room but he does well to cut it towards the man in the deep. A single taken. |
| 49.6 : V Philander to Root, Good length ball on off, Root keeps it out. |
| Beuran Hendricks returns. 11-2-341 are his numbers so far. |
| 50.1 : B Hendricks to Pope, Hendricks starts with a full ball on off, it is defended. |
| 50.2 : B Hendricks to Pope, Length ball angled in, it is worked towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 50.3 : B Hendricks to Root, Another ball which is angled in from outside off, Root tucks it towards wide of the man at mid on for a single. |
| 50.4 : B Hendricks to Pope, Back of a length on middle, it goes down the leg side with the angle. Pope lets it be. |
| 50.5 : B Hendricks to Pope, Short and outside off, Pope flays it through point for a single. |
| 50.6 : B Hendricks to Root, Shortish and around off, it is defended. |
| 51.1 : V Philander to Pope, In the channel outside off, it is left alone. |
| 51.2 : V Philander to Pope, Landed on middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 51.3 : V Philander to Pope, Full and just outside off, it is stroked through covers for a run. |
| 51.4 : V Philander to Root, Outside off on a length, Root lets it be. |
| 51.5 : V Philander to Root, Full ball on off and middle, driven to mid on. |
| 51.6 : V Philander to Root, Oops! Inside edge and straight into the delicate area! A length ball around off, Root looks to defend but gets an inside edge which goes between his legs and to fine leg. Root looks in pain but completes the run. He keeps running in the attempt of giving himself some time to get relieved. |
| 52.1 : B Hendricks to Root, On middle, pushed to mid-wicket. |
| 52.2 : B Hendricks to Root, Shortish and outside off, punched towards point for a single. |
| 52.3 : B Hendricks to Pope, FOUR! Hendricks bowls a back of a length ball but it goes down the leg side. Pope just glances it fine down the leg side and it races away to the fence. |
| A leg slip comes in now! |
| 52.4 : B Hendricks to Pope, Another back of a length ball on the body, Pope somehow manages to squirt it away to the leg side. There is leg slip and a short leg in place for such chances. |
| 52.5 : B Hendricks to Pope, What a bouncer! It is angled into the batter from outside off. Pope does really well to sway away from the firing line. Falls down in the process but one can say that he played this one really well. |
| 52.6 : B Hendricks to Pope, Shortish and around off, Pope taps it to deep point for a single. |
| 53.1 : V Philander to Pope, Extremely full ball on the off pole line, blocked out. |
| 53.2 : V Philander to Pope, Good length ball now, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 53.3 : V Philander to Pope, Fuller ball on the off pole line, played towards the man at mid on. |
| 53.4 : V Philander to Pope, Fuller and around off, Pope defends it out. |
| 53.5 : V Philander to Pope, Short and just outside off, Pope stays on the back foot and cuts it to deep point for a run. |
| 53.6 : V Philander to Root, Full ball on middle, Root flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 54.1 : B Hendricks to Pope, Fuller and around off, Pope comes forward and makes a solid block. |
| 54.2 : B Hendricks to Pope, Angled into the pads, Pope looks to flick but misses. |
| The two umpires get together. Seems like the light has got poorer. And off they send the two batters. Faf du Plessis is not a happy man as he has a word with both the umpires. Not sure if the lights are going to get any better! |
| Yes, the umpires realize that and it is STUMPS ON DAY 1. South Africa would've loved to bowl a few more overs but that's not in their control. However, they would be more than happy from their performance in the third session. It looked like the visitors are in for a huge first innings total after the openers raked up a brilliant 100-run stand in the first session. However, that did not happen as the South Africans bounced back by sending 4 batters back to the pavilion for 50 runs. The 4 South A |
| Earlier in the day, when the match finally started after the entire first session was washed out, England started positively and scored runs at a decent pace. Their two openers, Dominic Sibley and Zak Crawley were excellent in the first session. Crawley brought up his maiden Test half ton during his 100-plus run stand for the opening wicket with Sibley. However, they could not convert their starts into a huge score individually. |
| Now, there is rain forecast on Day 2 as well. Let's hope that the forecast does not come true like many a times and we get a full day's play. South Africa would hope to bundle the visitors out as soon as possible while England would look at their skipper and Pope for a good first innings total. It promises to be one exciting day of cricket. Do join us for the same on 25th January, 2020 to find out all the action. Till then, its goodbye from our side. Cheers! |
| ...DAY 2, SESSION 1... |
| It rained and rained on Day 1 making it a very frustrating day for everyone. But once it stopped and made way for the day's play, we got to witness some engrossing Test cricket. Joe Root once again got lucky with the coin and his decision to bat first was backed by a fluent opening stand between Crawley and Sibley. When we thought that the hosts are going to be rolled over, they made a resounding comeback in the final session to hand the English team not one or two but four blows. In short, a sm |
| Weather report - The forecast is not too promising for today with rain expected to be a regular visitor. It rained incessantly overnight and this morning as well but currently it has cleared and the groundsmen are at work to provide us with a prompt start. Let's wait to find out whether we get it or not. |
| Update 0941 local (0741 GMT) - Sadly, there won't be a prompt start as the umpires have decided to inspect the conditions in another 20 minutes or so. Since it's not raining at the moment, we can expect a start by 1100 local. Stay tuned for more updates... |
| Update 1013 local (0813 GMT) - Welcome news for all the cricket fans. The umpires have inspected the conditions and we will be starting Day 2 at 1045 local. So brace yourself, folks. We are not too far away from the first ball. |
| All in readiness now! The men concerned are out in the centre. Beuran Hendricks to complete his over. There is a slip, gully, short leg and a leg gully in place for Ollie Pope. The sun is peeping from the clouds as well. Here we go... |
| 54.3 : B Hendricks to Pope, The first ball of the day is around the wicket and Pope tucks it between short leg and leg gully for a single to fine leg. |
| 54.4 : B Hendricks to Root, Signs of swing. This one comes into the right-hander and Root misses his flick. Is hit in the pads and there are mild appeals for LBW but the angle was taking it down the leg side. |
| 54.5 : B Hendricks to Root, That is short and outside off, Root leaps and looks to play the upper cut. But he mistimes it really badly, not as if ever you could mistime any sweetly. Luckily for him, there is no one at point and by the time backward point gets across, the ball lands safely. Two runs taken. |
| 54.6 : B Hendricks to Root, Down the leg side, Root misses his flick. |
| Vernon Philander it will be from the other end. |
| 55.1 : V Philander to Pope, Full and just around off, watchfully defended. |
| 55.2 : V Philander to Pope, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 55.3 : V Philander to Pope, This is full and just around off, watchfully defended. |
| 55.4 : V Philander to Pope, FOUR! That is a cracking shot. Fractionally short in length, outside off, Pope goes back and cuts it behind gully. Finds the boundary! |
| 55.5 : V Philander to Pope, Landed outside off, watchfully left alone. |
| 55.6 : V Philander to Pope, Full and outside off, the outswinger, allowed to pass. |
| 56.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 56.2 : B Hendricks to Root, Down the leg side, left alone. |
| 56.3 : B Hendricks to Root, Outside off, on a length, angling away, let through to the keeper again. |
| 56.4 : B Hendricks to Root, Make that three leaves un a row. |
| 56.5 : B Hendricks to Root, A bouncer now, sharp aggression, ducked under. |
| 56.6 : B Hendricks to Root, A length ball, outside off, coming in with the angle, watchfully defended. |
| 57.1 : V Philander to Pope, Oohhh... that was very close! On a good length, around off, Pope came forward to defend but the ball jagged back off the seam, hit the front pad, then the right groin. |
| 57.2 : V Philander to Pope, This is close too! Much fuller than the previous one, Ollie looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Was there an inside edge? |
| 57.3 : V Philander to Pope, Philander now goes the fullest, perfect length to get the LBW. But the line is a bit too straight. Flicked towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 57.4 : V Philander to Pope, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 57.5 : V Philander to Pope, Landed outside off, played through point for a single. |
| 57.6 : V Philander to Root, A length ball around off, OP stays back and defends. |
| 58.1 : B Hendricks to Pope, FOUR! Is South Africa a host of some of the quickest scoring grounds in the world? Has to be. Once the runs come, they come at a thick rate. Short and outside off, Pope cuts it behind point for a boundary! |
| 58.2 : B Hendricks to Pope, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 58.3 : B Hendricks to Root, This is just around off, solidly defended. |
| 58.4 : B Hendricks to Root, Back of a length outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 58.5 : B Hendricks to O Pope, Ben Laughlin for Australia. Manish Pandey for India. Temba Bavuma for South Africa. These people should be there in the team just for fielding. Outside off, Pope punches this towards point and calls for a single. But Root is not sure. He hesitates but eventually takes off for the run. Bavuma charges in to the ball from backward point, dives and then throws it sideways, at the striker's end, with every inch of his body in the air. Joe Root dives but would have been sh |
| 58.6 : B Hendricks to Pope, Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 59.1 : V Philander to Root, A good length around off, watchfully defended. |
| 59.2 : V Philander to Root, Fuller in length, just around off, watchfully defended, this time off the front foot. |
| 59.3 : V Philander to Root, There comes the fuller length again, well blocked out. |
| 59.4 : V Philander to Root, Tentative. A length ball, outside off, Root initially looks to defend but at the last moment, takes his bat away. |
| Some issues for Joe Root. He walks up to Joel Wilson and indicates towards a few members in the stands above the sightscreen. |
| 59.5 : V Philander to Root, That is a good solid front foot defense. An in-form Root, or a Root in good touch would be confident about getting bat on ball, getting himself right behind the ball. A struggling Joe would be a bit twitchy, fidgeting around, looking to feel bat on every ball that is bowled and playing and missing. The Root we are seeing now, looks to be the former one. Good signs for England. |
| 59.6 : V Philander to Root, Around off, again Root gets right behind it to defend. |
| 60.1 : B Hendricks to Pope, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 60.2 : B Hendricks to Pope, IN THE AIR... JUST WIDE! FOUR! Almost hit it down the throat. A short ball, outside off, Pope throws his bat at it, getting it over point. Now, there is Dane Paterson stationed in the deep at point. He starts just a second late and that costs him. Races to his left and then dives but the ball eludes him. Had he not taken that extra second to judge, he could taken a well-judged catch. The Wanderers can be a difficult ground to sight the ball. |
| 60.3 : B Hendricks to Pope, A bouncer now, Pope ducks. |
| 60.4 : B Hendricks to Pope, This stays low, around middle, Ollie flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 60.5 : B Hendricks to Root, Full and outside off, this is driven through the covers for a couple. |
| 60.6 : B Hendricks to Root, Down the leg side, nudged towards fine leg leg or a run. |
| Anrich Nortje to bowl for the first time this morning. 11-0-53-1 so far. |
| 61.1 : A Nortje to Root, Outside off, Root pushes it with soft hands to the off side and scampers through for a single. |
| 61.2 : A Nortje to Pope, JUST SHORT OF SLIP! But why is he standing so deep? On second thoughts, that probably did not hit the edge at all. Yes. Replay confirms. A length ball, around off, Pope looks to defend but the ball moves away and squares him up. Goes off his right thigh and lands short of Rassie van der Dussen at first slip. |
| 61.3 : A Nortje to Pope, FOUR! HANDSOME! Overpitched from Nortje and Pope drives this straight down the ground. Beats mid on comfortably. |
| 61.4 : A Nortje to Pope, Pushes this through mid on for a single. |
| 61.5 : A Nortje to Root, A tad short, Root hops and punches it through point for a run. |
| 61.6 : A Nortje to Root, Around middle, helped through square leg for one. |
| Dane Paterson now as we see a double bowling change. 13-2-39-1 so far. |
| 62.1 : D Paterson to Root, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 62.2 : D Paterson to Root, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 62.3 : D Paterson to Root, This is let through to the keeper. |
| 62.4 : D Paterson to Root, That is a shot which needs to be put away inside the locker. And Joe Root understands that. Hence he immediately turns away, hitting the air with his bat in frustration. A length ball outside off, Root gets across and taps it down to gully. A typical one-day shot, not needed here. |
| 62.5 : D Paterson to Root, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 62.6 : D Paterson to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 63.1 : A Nortje to O Pope, That is in the air but well short of fine leg. A short ball, around middle, Pope swivels and pulls it in the air. Lands well in front of fine leg. A run taken. |
| 63.2 : A Nortje to Joe Root, A short ball, now Root pulls the ball away for a single. We have a delayed call for a no ball here. Umpire Joel Wilson at cover-point spots three men behind square on the leg side - a backward square leg, a fine leg and now, the man who is standing behind short leg is to the other side of the line. As per the rules, you can have only two men behind square on the leg side in any format. For all guys in T20 mode, the next delivery WILL NOT be a FREE HIT. |
| A Nortje to Pope, FOUR! Stylish way to get to a half century! A short ball, around off, Pope swivels and pulls it through square leg for a boundary! The in-form man gets his third 50-plus score of this series! Coming on the back of a splendid 132, on the back of an unbeaten 61 and do not forget - a 135 not out in the warm-up game as well. England have found their new Ian Bell / Joe Root. |
| 63.3 : A Nortje to Pope, On middle and leg, flicked through fine leg but short backward square leg dives to his left to stop. |
| 63.4 : A Nortje to O Pope, On middle, pushed through to long on for a single. |
| 63.5 : A Nortje to Root, 1 run. |
| 63.6 : A Nortje to Pope, No run. |
| 64.1 : D Paterson to Joe Root, Full and outside off, solidly defended. |
| 64.2 : D Paterson to Root, Outside off, Root looks to defend but gets a bottom edge. |
| 64.3 : D Paterson to Root, FOUR! Short and outside off, Root lashes out a cut shot and gets it past a diving point fielder for a boundary. |
| 64.4 : D Paterson to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 64.5 : D Paterson to Root, Short and outside off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 64.6 : D Paterson to Pope, Short again, outside off, cut straight to point. |
| 65.1 : A Nortje to Root, Oohhh.... a short ball outside off, Root looks to punch but the ball rises suddenly and beats the outside edge. |
| 65.2 : A Nortje to Joe Root, FOUR! That is a controlled pull shot. That is a very short boundary too. Cannot imagine a shorter boundary in Test cricket, including Auckland and Wellington. A short ball, around middle, Root pulls this through mid-wicket and finds the boundary. With such small boundaries, all you need it put bat to ball and give it direction. |
| 65.3 : A Nortje to Root, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 65.4 : A Nortje to Pope, Works this through mi-wicket for a run. |
| 65.5 : A Nortje to Root, Outside off, a half volley, driven straight to cover. |
| 65.6 : A Nortje to Root, FOUR! Aha... classic Root. But the Saffas might as well have a fly slip in place if they are going to bowl that line and length. A short ball, outside off, coming in, Root arches back and then deftly ramps it over first slip to the third man fence! |
| 66.1 : D Paterson to Pope, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 66.2 : D Paterson to Pope, Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 66.3 : D Paterson to Root, FOUR LEG BYES! Badly lined. Full and down the leg side, Root misses his flick but the ball takes the pad and deflects to the fine leg fence. |
| 66.4 : D Paterson to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 66.5 : D Paterson to Root, On middle and leg, flicked straight to square leg. |
| 66.6 : D Paterson to Root, Full and around middle, driven through mid on for a couple. THAT IS RUN NUMBER 50 FOR JOE ROOT in this innings. Please stand up and pat your back if you realized this was happening. Because we didn't. This is not a snooze fest but so many runs are coming and the two batsmen are so similar that it is hard to understand who is actually scoring. |
| 67.1 : A Nortje to Pope, Outside off, punched towards cover. |
| 67.2 : A Nortje to Pope, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 67.3 : A Nortje to Pope, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 67.4 : A Nortje to Root, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 67.5 : A Nortje to Root, Outside off, steered through point for a run. |
| 67.6 : A Nortje to Pope, 100-RUN STAND IS UP! Yes, this everyone realized was coming. It has hardly been an hour since the two have been batting this morning, but it seems like they have batting for the last two days. Outside off, short in length, Pope arches back and steers it behind point for a run. |
| Dwaine Pretorius returns. 4-1-19-0 so far. |
| 68.1 : D Pretorius to Pope, A huge shout for an LBW but it is turned down. Too high, perhaps. A length ball, around off, Pope looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. A closer look reveals that the ball bounced, took the elbow and hit the pads. |
| 68.2 : D Pretorius to Pope, Fuller in length, around off, watchfully defended. |
| 68.3 : D Pretorius to Pope, Outside off, left alone. |
| 68.4 : D Pretorius to O Pope, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 68.5 : D Pretorius to Pope, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. |
| 68.6 : D Pretorius to Root, That is a nice outswinger. Full and outside off, Root looks to drive but the ball swings away and beats the outside edge. When you move the ball, you can trouble the best of the best, even in the best of their form. |
| 69.1 : A Nortje to Pope, OUT! Pope drags it on! Drinks break followed by a fall of wicket, how many times have we seen that? Plenty for sure. Nortje provides the much-needed breakthrough for the Saffas this morning. He dishes out a full length delivery outside off at 144 kph, it lands and skids straight on as Pope decides to make a leave. But he keeps his bat hanging out there needlessly and the ball catches the inside half before destroying the stumps. Anrich becomes rich by one more wicket in T |
| 0.0 : Jos Buttler walks in next after the century stand is broken. |
| 69.2 : A Nortje to Buttler, Hurls a good length delivery in the channel outside off, it's left alone by Jos. |
| 69.3 : A Nortje to Buttler, Yet another speedy delivery, it's in the zone outside off and Buttler has nothing to do with it. |
| 69.4 : A Nortje to Buttler, This one is closer to the off pole, fuller in length, Buttler pushes it to covers. |
| 69.5 : A Nortje to Buttler, FOUR! That's a terrific way to get off the mark! Not a half-volley, it's proper length but with plenty of width outside off, Buttler takes his front leg forward and smashes it through covers. He has not been in good form of late and this shot will make him feel a lot better about himself. |
| 69.6 : A Nortje to Buttler, Close to off, on a length, Buttler strokes it from the front foot to covers. End of a successful over for South Africa! |
| 70.1 : D Pretorius to Root, Root has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 70.2 : D Pretorius to Root, Around middle, Root plays it with the angle and taps it down to mid-wicket. |
| 70.3 : D Pretorius to Root, Lands it full and outside off, Root presses forward and pushes it with gentle hands through cover-point. They pick up a single. |
| 70.4 : D Pretorius to Buttler, A hint of away shape on this delivery but the line is quite wide outside off to bother the batsman. |
| 70.5 : D Pretorius to Buttler, This one is on a driving length around off, once again a lovely shape away from the batsman, Buttler covers his stumps and allows it through. |
| 70.6 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Yet another watchful leave by Buttler to round off the over. |
| 71.1 : A Nortje to Root, Good length close to off, Root stays back-footed and taps it down to backward point. |
| 71.2 : A Nortje to Root, Spears in a very full ball on middle at 142 kph, Root falls across a bit as he pushes it out to mid on. The ground is now bathed in sunshine and it's looking like great conditions, especially for batting. |
| 71.3 : A Nortje to Root, Very full and straight again by Nortje, Root flicks it on the leg side but finds mid-wicket. |
| 71.4 : A Nortje to Root, Good length ball around off, Root is solidly behind the line in defense. |
| 71.5 : A Nortje to Root, Clocks 144 kph and sends across a speedy short delivery just outside off. Root drops his wrists and leans back to evade it. Wears a smile after that as Anrich gives him a stare. |
| 71.6 : A Nortje to Root, DROPPED BY DU PLESSIS! Poor Anrich Nortje. He is amidst a great spell and has the rhythm going and would have struck twice after the Drinks break but his skipper lets him down. After delivering a heavy last ball, he serves it on a length around off. Root has a gentle push inside the line, sans any footwork, and gets a healthy outside edge to wide first slip. Faf moves across to his right swiftly, pouches the ball at first but then it pops out. Du Plessis is frustrated but |
| 72.1 : D Pretorius to Root, Full and around off, swinging in late, flicked nicely but straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 72.2 : D Pretorius to Root, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 72.3 : D Pretorius to Root, Full and around off, Faf is solid in defense. |
| 72.4 : D Pretorius to Root, Pitches it up around off, Root pushes it down towards mid on for a run. |
| 72.5 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Good length ball around off, Buttler punches it off his back foot to covers. |
| 72.6 : D Pretorius to Buttler, BEATEN! It's all happening after the Drinks break. Pretorius gets a length ball to move considerably off the pitch. Buttler is forward to push it through the line but it nips back in and beats the inside edge. Excellent passage of play for the Saffas. Just need some luck to get on top! |
| 73.1 : A Nortje to Root, Fullish and straightish, pushed down to mid on with a straight bat. |
| 73.2 : A Nortje to Root, A length delivery outside off, Root forces it off his back foot but finds extra cover. The fielder makes a half stop. |
| 73.3 : A Nortje to Root, FOUR! Just uses the extra pace of the bowler. A 146 kph delivery, short and outside off, Root arches back and ramps it over first slip. It drops once and then crosses the fence. Good battle between these two! |
| 73.4 : A Nortje to Root, Play and a miss this time. On a length and around off, shaping away, Root pokes inside the line, once again flat-footed, and misses. |
| 73.5 : A Nortje to Root, OUT! Caught behind! Nortje gets his man this time. The speed merchant wins his battle with one of the best Test batsmen going around. Probing line from him and Root falls prey. Lack of footwork once again shown by the English skipper and that has brought his downfall. Anrich clocks 143 kph and serves it on a length close to off and gets it to shape away a late. Root has a needless poke inside the line and gets a fat outside edge behind. Quinton de Kock stretches to his ri |
| Sam Curran is the new batsman. |
| 73.6 : A Nortje to Curran, OUT! Nortje is on fire. What did he consume at the Drinks break? Breathing fire in his bowling spell and has brought South Africa back in with a shout in this match. A delivery which has been served on a fuller length outside off. Curran flashes his bat at it but only manages to edge a 145 kph delivery. One thing was again missing - Footwork! A healthy edge is gobbled by Quinton de Kock and this is now Nortje's best effort in Test cricket. Take a bow, young man! What a |
| Chris Woakes walks in next with England in a spot of bother. |
| 74.1 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Full and outside off, some away movement from the right-hander, Buttler shoulders arms. |
| 74.2 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Around off, worked off the inner half towards short mid-wicket. |
| 74.3 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 74.4 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Landed outside off, more outswing, let through. |
| 74.5 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Full and outside off, gently placed to cover. |
| 74.6 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Landed outside off, another one let through to the keeper. |
| Nortje on a hat-trick... Two slips and a gully. Woakes on strike. Buzz around the stadium as well. |
| 75.1 : A Nortje to Woakes, Left alone. No hat-trick. It's a length delivery in the channel outside off, Woakes covers his stumps and has an easy leave. |
| 75.2 : A Nortje to Woakes, Excellent lines once again from Anrich. Deliver sit on a length close to off and it skids on after landing, Chris shoulders arms. |
| 75.3 : A Nortje to Woakes, Bowls it in the line of the stumps, on a good length, Woakes gets behind the line and pushes it to mid on. |
| 75.4 : A Nortje to Woakes, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single. Woakes opens his account. |
| 75.5 : A Nortje to Buttler, Arrows in a full ball on middle, a bit of reverse movement in the air, Buttler flicks it in front of square leg for a run. |
| 75.6 : A Nortje to Woakes, Back of a length ball on off, Chris sticks on the back and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 76.1 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Pitches it up and outside off, Buttler leans on the front foot and drives it to mid off. |
| 76.2 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Too full around off, Buttler brings down a straight bat in defense. |
| 76.3 : D Pretorius to Buttler, FOUR! Off the inside half! Fuller length ball on middle and shaping down, Buttler gets forward to flick it through mid-wicket but it catches the inner half and races fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 76.4 : D Pretorius to Buttler, This time it's an outswinger outside off, Buttler allows it through to the keeper. |
| 76.5 : D Pretorius to Jos Buttler, Inside edge again! Fullish and close to off, moving off the deck, Buttler tries to unfurl an off drive but gets a fat inside edge onto the pads. |
| 76.6 : D Pretorius to Buttler, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| Beuran Hendricks (17-3-60-1) is back on. |
| 77.1 : B Hendricks to Woakes, FOUR! Crunched! Fullish delivery around off, Woakes drives it straight down the ground. Excellent timing and it first beats the bowler and then mid off for a glorious boundary. |
| 77.2 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 77.3 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Movement off the deck again. Hendricks delivers it full and close to off, Woakes gets forward to block but it takes the inside edge and strikes him on the pads. |
| 77.4 : B Hendricks to Woakes, This time the line is straight, Woakes uses the angle of the bowler and tucks it behind square leg for one. |
| 77.5 : B Hendricks to Buttler, Short delivery in the line of the stumps, Buttler eases it from the crease to long leg for a single. |
| 77.6 : B Hendricks to Woakes, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 78.1 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Lands it on a length and outside off, Buttler remains on the back foot and dabs it down in front of gully. |
| 78.2 : D Pretorius to Jos Buttler, Fullish and around off, Jos presses forward and drives it to mid off. |
| 78.3 : D Pretorius to Buttler, A gentle delivery, on a fuller length around off at 126 kph, Buttler defends it from the toe end of his bat to mid on. |
| 78.4 : D Pretorius to Buttler, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 78.5 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Fuller length ball around off, at 77 mph, Buttler falls over a bit as he tries to flick. It goes slightly uppishly but safely to mid-wicket. |
| 78.6 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. Maiden! |
| 79.1 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Hendricks begins this over from over the wicket. Serves a good length ball around leg, Woakes goes back and eases it to the right of mid on for a run. |
| 79.2 : B Hendricks to Buttler, Back of a length delivery outside off, Buttler rocks back and cuts it through point for a single. |
| 79.3 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Digs it short and just outside off, Woakes sways away from the line. |
| 79.4 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Fuller length ball on middle and off, Woakes defends it from the crease. |
| 79.5 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Good length ball on middle and leg, Chris stays back and taps it down to mid-wicket. |
| 79.6 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Once again Woakes works a length ball on the leg side but finds mid-wicket. |
| Second new ball is now available. Not taken though by South Africa. |
| 80.1 : D Pretorius to Buttler, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 80.2 : D Pretorius to Woakes, A tempter by Pretorius. It's on a fuller length outside off, there to be driven, Woakes shows good patience as he makes a leave. |
| 80.3 : D Pretorius to Woakes, Pretorius gets close to the off stump line and forces the batsman to play at it. Woakes tries to flick and gets it away off the inner half. It rolls in front of square leg and they cross for a couple of times. |
| The reserve umpire charges out to the middle and hands the second new ball to the onfield umpire. South Africa have taken it now! |
| 80.4 : D Pretorius to Woakes, FOUR! Poor start with the new nut. Too straight and full, Woakes picks it off his pads and clips it through mid-wicket. Good timing and it races away to the fence in no time. The hard ball will come onto the bat nicely too. |
| 80.5 : D Pretorius to Woakes, Woakes has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 80.6 : D Pretorius to Woakes, Slightly short and around off, Woakes once again gets an inside edge and it goes behind square leg for a run. |
| 81.1 : B Hendricks to Woakes, A length ball on middle and off, Woakes defends it from the crease. |
| 81.2 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Beaten this time. Hendricks takes a full length ball away from the right-hander. Woakes stays back to push inside the line but is beaten by the angle of the bowler. |
| 81.3 : B Hendricks to C Woakes, FOUR! Not in control but still a boundary. Hendricks pitches it up and around off, nipping away a shade, Woakes tries to unveil a cover drive but it takes the outer half of his blade and spears through point for a boundary. |
| 81.4 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Inside edge this time. On a length around off, Woakes brings his bat down to defend but it takes the inside edge and goes towards square leg for a run. |
| 81.5 : B Hendricks to Buttler, EDGY FOUR! Unfortunate for South Africa. This new nut is leaking runs. A length delivery in the zone outside off, Buttler pushes inside the line with soft hands and gets a thick outside edge. It though falls short and wide of second slip before speeding behind for a boundary at third man. 300 up for England! |
| 81.6 : B Hendricks to Buttler, Another delivery in the channel outside off, this time Buttler shows respect and allows it through. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| End of an intriguing session. The first hour was full of runs - 66 in 14.4 overs. Then after Drinks, 3 wickets went quickly and the complexion of the game has changed. South Africa, after an ordinary opening hour, have come back strongly, thanks to Anrich Nortje. His triple strike rocked the Brits hard. Hendricks and Pretorius found some swing as well. |
| England can blame themselves for being in this position. There was a loss in concentration after the Drinks break and that saw both Pope and Root being dismissed in quick succession. They have managed to get to 300 though and that could be a good score on this deck. |
| The second new ball will be extremely crucial. England will come hard, aiming to score quick runs and South Africa must aim to stop them from doing just that. A query though - Why was the Vern not given the second new ball? Perhaps he might come after Lunch. Join us back at 1.25 pm local (1125 GMT). |
| ...DAY 2, 2ND SESSION... |
| We're back for the afternoon session. The players are also making their way out in the middle. This session will be an extended one (by 15 minutes) to make up for the overs lost on Day 1. Bright sunshine is such a relief for us as the forecast this morning was not promising. The current partnership is the key. England would be hoping that it maximizes their first innings' total while South Africa would wish that the second new ball will help them to pick the remaining 3 wickets quickly. As expec |
| 82.1 : V Philander to Woakes, Starts with a good length delivery outside off, shaping away, Woakes allows it through to the keeper. |
| 82.2 : V Philander to Woakes, Pitches it up and around middle, Woakes flicks it from the inner half through backward square leg for a run. |
| 82.3 : V Philander to Buttler, The length is very full again, it's on middle, Buttler pushes it down off his pads to mid on. |
| 82.4 : V Philander to Jos Buttler, Half the bat there! Philander serves it on a fuller length on off, Buttler slices his attempted cover drive to deep point for a couple of runs. |
| 82.5 : V Philander to Buttler, Good leave. On a length around off, shaping in a bit, Buttler trusts the bounce and shoulders arms. It goes over the stumps. |
| 82.6 : V Philander to Buttler, Fullish ball on off, it's driven to extra cover where the fielder makes a half stop and parries it to mid off. |
| Anrich Nortje (19-0-93-4) to steam in from the other end. He was on fire in the second hour of the morning session and is in search of his maiden Test fifer. Richly deserves it also. |
| 83.1 : A Nortje to Woakes, Full in length and outside off, at 142 kph, Woakes needlessly hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 83.2 : A Nortje to Woakes, Angles into the batsman, Woakes gets forward and pushes it to mid on. |
| 83.3 : A Nortje to Woakes, Shortish delivery on middle and leg, Woakes initially shapes up to glance it across the line but is caught in an awkward point. He somehow stays back inside the crease and avoids the ball by taking evasive action. |
| 83.4 : A Nortje to Woakes, Clocks 146 kph this time, Woakes shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 83.5 : A Nortje to C Woakes, Too full and on middle, speared into the batsman, Woakes keeps it out to mid on. |
| 83.6 : A Nortje to Woakes, FOUR! Good timing and placement! A length delivery around middle, Woakes turns inside the crease and eases it with good timing through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 84.1 : V Philander to Buttler, False shot! Back of a length delivery outside off, shaping away off the seam, Buttler sticks back to punch it through the line but misses. |
| 84.2 : V Philander to Buttler, Angles in a good length ball on middle, Buttler covers the line and bunts it towards mid on. |
| 84.3 : V Philander to Buttler, Easy pickings! Shortish and around leg, Jos nudges it to fine leg where Nortje moves across to his right to make the stop. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 84.4 : V Philander to Buttler, Stays back-footed to a shortish ball and pushes it to covers. |
| 84.5 : V Philander to Buttler, OUT! That's a tremendous catch! Never easy to run back and catch those. Well done, Dean Elgar. Philander has his second scalp and the crowd just loved it. Buttler tries to dominate the bowler by giving him the charge. It's a shortish length delivery outside off at 125 kph, Jos shimmies down the track to muscle it across the line but gets a thick top edge. It flies in the air at covers where Elgar runs back, keeps his eyes on the ball and pouches the skier safely. Bu |
| Mark Wood comes in to bat now. Not sure about his batting but he will certainly be a handful with the ball on this deck. |
| 84.6 : V Philander to Woakes, On a good length outside off, Woakes shoulders arms. A successful over for Vernon! |
| 85.1 : A Nortje to Wood, A bouncer but down the leg side, Wood ducks. |
| 85.2 : A Nortje to Wood, On a length outside off, Mark plays inside the line but the ball shapes away to beat the outside edge. |
| 85.3 : A Nortje to Wood, Full and straight, watchfully defended. |
| 85.4 : A Nortje to Wood, A length ball now, watchfully defended. |
| 85.5 : A Nortje to Wood, Back of a length outside off, defended with a leap. |
| 85.6 : A Nortje to Wood, Another solid forward defense to end the over. |
| 86.1 : V Philander to Woakes, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 86.2 : V Philander to Woakes, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 86.3 : V Philander to Woakes, Fuller in length, well blocked out. |
| 86.4 : V Philander to Woakes, Full and outside off, driven wide of cover for a single. |
| 86.5 : V Philander to Wood, Around off, well blocked out. |
| 86.6 : V Philander to M Wood, EDGE, DID IT CARRY? Nope. Full and outside off, Wood looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge. Does not quite carry to Faf du Plessis at second slip. |
| UNDER-19 WORLD CUP UPDATE - Both teams playing today have their colts featuring in the Under-19 World Cup. The Proteas have put on a commanding 299/8 in 50 overs against the United Arab Emirates with Bryce Parsons (the future de Kock) and Luke Beaufort scoring 84 and 85 respectively. In another game, England have already finished their contest, trouncing Nigeria by 8 wickets after bundling them out for 58. Sadly for the Brits, they have already been knocked out of the tournament and will only be |
| 87.1 : A Nortje to Woakes, Around off, blocked from the crease. |
| 87.2 : A Nortje to Woakes, FOUR! Nicely done. Full on middle, Woakes flicks it through mid-wicket and finds the boundary. |
| 87.3 : A Nortje to Woakes, Outside off, played through point for a single. |
| 87.4 : A Nortje to Wood, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 87.5 : A Nortje to Wood, A bouncer now, Mark ducks. |
| 87.6 : A Nortje to Wood, A length ball, down the leg side, helped through square leg for a run. |
| 88.1 : V Philander to Wood, Full and outside off, played straight to point. |
| 88.2 : V Philander to Wood, Outside off, on a length, Wood plays inside the line but the ball straightens and beats the outside edge. |
| 88.3 : V Philander to Wood, A length ball, around off, well defended. |
| 88.4 : V Philander to Wood, A terrific yorker on middle and off, Mark just about digs it out. |
| 88.5 : V Philander to Wood, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 88.6 : V Philander to Wood, Landed outside off again, on a length, MW feels for it but is beaten. |
| 89.1 : A Nortje to Woakes, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 89.2 : A Nortje to Woakes, Half volley outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 89.3 : A Nortje to Woakes, OUCH. That hurt. Thankfully, Woakes is okay. A length ball outside off, Chris looks to defend initially but then takes his eyes off the ball. Looks to fend it but the ball pings him on his gloves and then hits him on his body. |
| 89.4 : A Nortje to Woakes, Outside off, Chris gets it through point for a couple of runs. |
| 89.5 : A Nortje to Woakes, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 89.6 : A Nortje to C Woakes, OUT! Edged and this time Faf du Plessis has taken the catch! MAIDEN TEST 5-FER FOR ANRICH NORTJE. South Africa have had very few moments to celebrate in this series and this is one of them. A length ball, outside off, Woakes looks to drive but all he manages is a thick outside edge. The ball flies slightly wide of first slip where Faf du Plessis takes it nicely to his right. |
| Stuart Broad is the last man in. |
| Dane Paterson to bowl as well. 16-3-47-1 so far. |
| 90.1 : D Paterson to Wood, Landed outside off, played straight to point. |
| 90.2 : D Paterson to Wood, On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 90.3 : D Paterson to M Wood, Full and outside off, Wood hammers this powerfully back. Paterson tries sticking his right hand out but the ball whizzes past his hand and hits the stumps at the other end. The ball deflects towards cover and a single is taken. |
| 90.4 : D Paterson to Broad, A bouncer, Broad ducks. |
| 90.5 : D Paterson to Broad, There comes the full ball, Stuart backs away and swings hard. Just about manages to get his bat down in time and the ball goes off the inside edge, towards fine leg. A single taken. |
| 90.6 : D Paterson to Wood, SIX! SLAUGHTERED! That is an extraordinary shot from Wood. A short ball, outside off, Wood backs away, picks the slower ball and then smashes it over cover. There is a man stationed at sweeper but it flies over him! |
| 91.1 : A Nortje to Broad, A length ball outside off, angling away, Broad plays inside the line and is beaten. |
| 91.2 : A Nortje to Broad, A short ball outside off, Stuart flashes hard but misses. |
| 91.3 : A Nortje to Broad, FOUR! STUPENDOUS! That is the Stuart Broad we all know! A length ball outside off, Broad backs away and slams it over cover! |
| 91.4 : A Nortje to S Broad, This time he stays on the back foot and meekly pushes at the ball. Gets an outside edge, through the vacant gully position to third man. A single taken. |
| 91.5 : A Nortje to Wood, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 91.6 : A Nortje to M Wood, Backs away down the leg side, Nortje follows him, Wood swings hard but only gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 92.1 : D Paterson to Broad, A short ball outside off, Broad swings but misses. |
| 92.2 : D Paterson to Broad, SIX! That is a fabulous shot from Broad. So fabulous that the umpire has to raise both his arms in the air. A length ball outside off, Broad swings this through the line and lofts it as clean as a whistle over long off! |
| 92.3 : D Paterson to Broad, A short ball, outside off, Stuart goes for the hook but is beaten. |
| 92.4 : D Paterson to Broad, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 92.5 : D Paterson to Broad, Gets a top edge now. A short ball, SB looks to hook but gets a top edge. However, the ball lands in no man's land near mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| 92.6 : D Paterson to Broad, SIX! SMASH! Broad, o Broad, o Broad... where were you all these months? Broad is doing horrible damage to South Africa here. He has raced to 20 from just 12 balls, with 16 of those coming in boundaries! A short ball, outside off, Broad goes deep in his crease and hooks this over square leg! |
| Beuran Hendricks returns. 20-3-77-1 so far. |
| 93.1 : B Hendricks to Wood, FOUR! That is squeezed away! Tail-end torture from England. Full and outside off, Wood just about gets his bat down in time to eke it past gully to the third man fence! |
| 93.2 : B Hendricks to Wood, FOUR! Up and over! Clean hitting. Full and around middle, Wood backs away and swings this over mid on for a boundary! |
| 93.3 : B Hendricks to Wood, SIX! SMOKED! It is raining boundaries at the Bull Ring. A short ball now, Wood backs away and heaves. The connection is excellent and the ball sails over mid-wicket! |
| 93.4 : B Hendricks to Wood, Outside off, on a length, Wood slashes hard but misses. |
| 93.5 : B Hendricks to Wood, Swing and a miss! Length ball outside the off stump line, Wood looks to heave it away but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 93.6 : B Hendricks to Wood, Short delivery on middle, Wood pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 94.1 : D Paterson to M Wood, EDGY! Full delivery outside off, Wood looks to drive but it takes the outside edge and goes towards third man. A single taken. |
| 94.2 : D Paterson to Broad, Yorker! It is bowled outside off, Broad looks to drive but misses. |
| 94.3 : Paterson to Broad, SIX! Amazing piece of hitting! Full ball on middle, Broad hammers it over the bowler's head for a biggie. 50-run partnership is up between the two. Adding crucial runs for their side. |
| 94.4 : D Paterson to Broad, Yorker outside off, Broad attempts to drive but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 94.5 : D Paterson to Broad, BOUNCER! It is bowled around off, Broad looks to hook but misses it altogether. |
| 94.6 : D Paterson to Broad, EDGY! Full delivery on off, Broad looks to drive but it takes the inside edge and rolls to square leg. The batter takes a single. |
| 95.1 : B Hendricks to Broad, Good length delivery down the leg side, Broad hops to flick but misses it. |
| 95.2 : B Hendricks to Broad, Back of a length ball on off, Broad taps it towards the point region for a single. |
| 95.3 : B Hendricks to Wood, WIDE! Short delivery way outside off, Wood moves a bit to the off side and then looks to cut but misses. The umpire signals it a wide. |
| B Hendricks to Wood, Yorker on middle, Wood digs it out towards square leg for a single. |
| 95.4 : B Hendricks to S Broad, Fullish delivery outside off, Broad looks to drive but the ball takes the inside half of the bat and goes towards long on. A single taken. |
| 95.5 : B Hendricks to Wood, Short of a length delivery outside off, Wood rocks on his back foot to pull but fails to make any connection with it. |
| 95.6 : B Hendricks to Wood, Shorter delivery outside off, Wood sways away from it. Frustration continues for South Africa. |
| 96.1 : D Paterson to Broad, Very full delivery on middle, Broad pushes it down to long off for a single. |
| 96.2 : D Paterson to Wood, BEATEN! Slower length delivery outside off, Wood looks to drive but the ball whizzes past the outside edge of the bat and goes into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 96.3 : D Paterson to Wood, Yorker on middle, Wood gets his bat down in time and digs it out. It hits his back pad and goes towards square leg. A single taken. The fielders from the slip cordon appeal but the umpire is not interested. |
| 96.4 : D Paterson to Broad, Paterson dishes a full ball on middle, Broad heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 96.5 : D Paterson to Wood, BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle, Wood ducks under it. |
| 96.6 : D Paterson to Wood, Full delivery on middle, Wood defends it back to the bowler. |
| Drinks! What a partnership this has been for England. Stuart Broad and Mark Wood have added 59 runs in no time and England will feel safer now. South Africa, on the other hand, would want to pick the last wicket as soon as possible. How many more runs can Broad and Wood add to the total? |
| 97.1 : B Hendricks to Broad, SIX! Short ball on off, Broad camps on the back foot and pulls it with disdain to the deep square leg region for a biggie. |
| 97.2 : B Hendricks to S Broad, Just short! Slower delivery on middle, Broad does not hard on his pull and just paddles it. The ball lands in front of the deep square leg fielder. The batters take a single. |
| 97.3 : B Hendricks to Wood, Good length ball outside off, Wood punches it to deep cover for a single. |
| 97.4 : B Hendricks to Broad, FOUR LEG BYES! This is poor bowling! Full toss down the leg side, Broad looks to flick but misses it. The ball goes off the thigh pad and into the fine leg fence. |
| 97.5 : Hendricks to S Broad, Short ball on off, Broad looks to pull but it takes the top edge and the ball goes towards deep mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 97.6 : B Hendricks to Wood, SIX! Hammered! Full delivery outside off, Wood thrashes it over the deep cover region for a biggie. |
| 98.1 : D Paterson to Broad, FOUR! What placement from Broad and brings up the 400 in style. Short ball on middle, Broad whacks the pull towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 98.2 : Paterson to S Broad, OUT! CAUGHT! Finally, South Africa have broken through. What a partnership this was for England. They were not looking like they will reach 400 but Wood and Broad have propelled them to that. Short ball on middle, Broad looks to pull but the ball takes the top edge. It goes up in the air and goes towards deep square leg. Malan stationed there settles himself and takes the catch. Some relief for the Proteas. ENGLAND HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 400. |
| The 82-run torture for South Africa comes to an end but that has zoomed England's total to 400! It was a massive frustration for the Saffas after they picked the remaining two wickets fairly quickly after Lunch but then lost the plot. |
| Let's quickly summarize England's first innings. It was a tale of three partnerships and plenty of wickets falling either side of them. Electing to bat on a rain-marred first day, England chose to bat and their openers put together a 107-run stand. Post that, South Africa bounced back to claim four quick wickets last evening but failed to capitalize this morning. Joe Root and Ollie Pope settled into a handy stand to propel the visitors but then came a tsunami named Anrich Nortje. He breathed fir |
| Given the nature of this surface, 400 as a first innings' total appears to be a handful. England have good variety in their pace attack well-capable of utilizing the conditions. There is certainly some movement on offer and we are in for a riveting second innings. Stay tuned for South Africa's reply. |
| 0.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Broad starts with a good length ball outside off. The ball has some bounce on it but Elgar is not disturbed as he leaves the ball alone. |
| 0.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Full delivery outside off, Elgar leaves the ball alone. |
| 0.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Good length ball on middle and leg, Elgar looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. There is a stifled appeal for LBW but the umpire is not interested. |
| 0.4 : S Broad to Elgar, Good length ball outside off, Elgar lets the ball through to the keeper. |
| 0.5 : S Broad to Elgar, On a length outside off, nipping away from the batsman. Elgar makes another leave. |
| 0.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Good length ball outside off, Elgar shoulders arms to this one. Maiden to start with from Broad. |
| Sam Curran to share the attack from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Sam Curran to Malan, Full delivery outside off, swinging into the batsman. Malan spots that and then makes a leave to the ball after covering his stumps. |
| 1.2 : Sam Curran to Malan, Length ball on middle and leg, Malan works it to square leg. |
| 1.3 : Sam Curran to Malan, South Africa are underway! Fullish delivery on middle, angling in. Malan whips it to backward square leg for a single. |
| 1.4 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Elgar is underway! Length ball on off, Elgar taps it towards the point region and takes a single. |
| 1.5 : Sam Curran to Malan, BEATEN! Beautiful bowling from Curran. Length ball outside off, going away from the batsman. Malan looks to defend off the front foot but gets beaten. |
| 1.6 : Sam Curran to Malan, Length ball outside off, Pieter lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 2.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Full delivery outside off, Elgar leaves the ball alone to the keeper. |
| 2.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Back of a length ball outside off, Elgar shoulders arms to this one. |
| 2.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Full delivery down the leg side, Elgar looks to flick it but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 2.4 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Dean shoulders arms to this one. |
| 2.5 : S Broad to Elgar, On a length on the pads, Elgar whips it to square leg. |
| 2.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Down the leg side, Elgar looks to flick but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 3.1 : Sam Curran to Malan, Full delivery on middle, Pieter pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 3.2 : Sam Curran to Malan, Good length delivery on the pads, Malan works it to square leg for nothing. |
| 3.3 : Sam Curran to Malan, Length ball outside off, moving into the batsman, Malan shoulders arms but gets hit on the body. No harm done though. |
| 3.4 : Sam Curran to Malan, Fullish delivery on off, Malan looks to defend but get hit on the pads. |
| 3.5 : Sam Curran to Malan, On off, defended towards the point region. |
| 3.6 : Sam Curran to Malan, Very full delivery, shaping into the batsman. Malan gets his bat down in time and defends it out. |
| Why is Sam Curran getting the ball to move while Beuran Hendricks struggled on Day 1? Here is Nasser Hussain explaining the root cause. Sam Curran has a side-on action and bowls from close to the stumps. Beuran Hendricks on the other hand has a chest-on action and stays fairly away from the stumps. Moreover, Curran's wrist is behind the ball and not leaning in like Hendricks. Difference is there to be seen. Sam is getting the ball to move both ways at the moment and is troubling the batsmen. |
| 4.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Good length ball on the pads, Elgar works it to fine leg for a single. |
| 4.2 : S Broad to Malan, Length ball on middle, Pieter flicks it to backward square leg for a single. |
| 4.3 : S Broad to Elgar, Fullish delivery outside off, Dean does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone. |
| 4.4 : S Broad to Elgar, On a length on middle, Elgar looks to whip it to the leg side but gets hit high on the pads. |
| 4.5 : S Broad to Elgar, Fullish delivery down the leg side, Elgar attempts the flick but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 4.6 : S Broad to Elgar, BEATEN! Excellent bowling from Broad. Good length delivery around off, Elgar looks to defend but the ball sneaks between the bat and pad. Almost kissed the inside edge. |
| 5.1 : Sam Curran to Malan, Short ball on middle, Malan pulls it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 5.2 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Very full delivery on middle, Elgar defends it back to the bowler. |
| 5.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Good length delivery outside off, shaping away from the batter. Elgar shoulders arms to this one. |
| 5.4 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Back of a length ball on middle, which straightens after pitching. Elgar stands tall and then defends it off the back foot. |
| 5.5 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Dean shoulders arms to this one. |
| 5.6 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Good length ball down the leg side, Elgar attempts the flick shot but misses. |
| 6.1 : S Broad to Malan, Length ball on off, Malan blocks it to point. |
| 6.2 : S Broad to Malan, Good length ball, nipping back into the batsman. Malan attempts to defend but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| 6.3 : S Broad to Malan, Full delivery on middle, Malan pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 6.4 : S Broad to Malan, Fullish ball outside off, Malan looks to drive but it takes the inside edge and goes onto hit the pads. |
| 6.5 : S Broad to Malan, On the pads, worked to deep square leg for a single. |
| 6.6 : S Broad to D Elgar, Full delivery outside off, Elgar pushes it to mid off. |
| First change! Chris Woakes is into the attack. |
| 7.1 : C Woakes to Malan, Woakes starts with a good length ball on off, Malan stands tall and then defends it to point. |
| 7.2 : C Woakes to Malan, Length ball outside off, Pieter shoulders arms to this one. |
| 7.3 : C Woakes to Malan, Fullish ball outside off, Pieter has no problems in leaving this ball alone. |
| 7.4 : C Woakes to Malan, Full delivery outside off, Malan makes another leave. |
| 7.5 : C Woakes to Malan, Good length ball on off, Malan blocks it to short leg. |
| 7.6 : C Woakes to Malan, Full delivery on middle, Malan defends it back to the bowler. |
| 8.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Full delivery outside off, moving in. Elgar shoulders arms to this one. |
| 8.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Full delivery on off, Elgar defends it to point and takes off for a single. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. Had he hit, it would have not mattered as the batter was in though. |
| 8.3 : S Broad to Malan, Full delivery on middle, with some movement taking it down the leg side. Malan looks to flick but it takes the inside edge of the bat and goes towards fine leg for a single. |
| 8.4 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball on off, Elgar defends it to point. |
| 8.5 : S Broad to Elgar, On middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 8.6 : S Broad to Elgar, BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Elgar looks to defend off the back foot but the ball angles away and beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 9.1 : C Woakes to Malan, Good length ball on middle, Malan defends it towards the leg side. |
| 9.2 : C Woakes to Malan, Fuller one outside off, Malan shoulders arms to this one. |
| 9.3 : C Woakes to Malan, BEATEN! Beautiful piece of bowling! Length ball outside off, tailing away. Malan looks to defend but misses it altogether. |
| 9.4 : C Woakes to Malan, On middle, whipped to mid-wicket. |
| 9.5 : C Woakes to Malan, Full delivery outside off, Malan defends it to point. |
| 9.6 : C Woakes to P Malan, Fullish delivery on middle, Pieter pushes it to mid on. |
| Mark Wood is into the attack. |
| 10.1 : M Wood to Elgar, Short ball outside off, Elgar punches it off the back foot to cover and takes a single. |
| 10.2 : M Wood to Malan, Fullish delivery outside off, Malan shoulders arms to this one. |
| 10.3 : M Wood to Malan, Length ball on middle, Malan tucks it to short leg. |
| 10.4 : M Wood to Malan, Good length ball on off, pushed to point. |
| 10.5 : M Wood to Malan, Good length ball on middle, Malan defends it to the bowler. |
| 10.6 : M Wood to Malan, Good length ball on middle, Malan works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 11.1 : C Woakes to Malan, Full delivery outside off, Malan lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 11.2 : C Woakes to Malan, Full delivery on off, Malan lunges forward and defends it out to point. |
| 11.3 : C Woakes to P Malan, Fullish delivery on off, Malan looks to defend off the front foot but it takes the inside edge and goes towards square leg. The batters take a single. |
| 11.4 : C Woakes to Elgar, Full delivery outside off, Elgar shoulders arms to this one. |
| 11.5 : C Woakes to Elgar, Play and a miss! Full delivery outside off, Elgar looks to drive but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 11.6 : C Woakes to Elgar,Fullish delivery on middle, Elgar defends it out to the bowler. TEA ON DAY 2. |
| So, South Africa survive the tricky phase before the Tea break. They were good in leaving the balls outside off and not fiddling with everything thrown at them by the English bowlers. The England bowlers were spot on as usual. They kept it simple and made the ball talk on a few occasions. Earlier, South Africa fluffed the chance of bowling England under 350 and they had to pay a heavy price for it as the last wicket pair of Broad and Wood frustrated them with an 82-run stand. An intriguing final |
| ... Day 2, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session. Dean Elgar and Pieter Malan walk out to bat. Mark Wood will start the proceedings for the visitors in the final session with the ball. |
| 12.1 : M Wood to Malan, Length ball outside off, Malan shoulders arms to it. |
| 12.2 : M Wood to Malan, Full and angled into middle, Malan pushes it to mid on. |
| 12.3 : M Wood to Malan, Full and on middle, Malan looks to flick but it takes an inside edge and goes through square leg for a couple. |
| 12.4 : M Wood to Malan, Length ball outside off, going away from Malan. He just lets it be. |
| 12.5 : M Wood to Malan, On off, kept out. |
| 12.6 : M Wood to Malan, Malan shoulders arms to this length ball outside off without any fuss. |
| Chris Woakes will bowl from the other end. |
| 13.1 : C Woakes to Elgar,BEATEN! Angled away from the left-hander. Woakes pitches on a length and around off, Elgar goes for a drive without any footwork only to get beaten on the outside edge. |
| 13.2 : C Woakes to Elgar, Good length ball outside off, Left alone. |
| 13.3 : C Woakes to Elgar, Length ball on off, Elgar taps it to point. |
| 13.4 : C Woakes to Elgar, Length delivery on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 13.5 : C Woakes to Elgar, Once again outside off and Elgar is happy to leave it. |
| 13.6 : C Woakes to Elgar, Elgar is not tempted to play any ball outside off as he lifts his bat and lets the ball go through. |
| 14.1 : M Wood to Malan, Outside off, Malan lets it be. |
| 14.2 : M Wood to Malan, BEATEN! Wood angles the ball into Malan and then makes it to straighten it. Malan plays for the original line and gets beaten on the forward push. |
| 14.3 : M Wood to Malan, Malan chooses not to fiddle with this length delivery outside off. |
| 14.4 : M Wood to P Malan, This time Wood makes Malan play by bowling close to off stump. Malan defends it to point off the front foot. |
| 14.5 : M Wood to Malan, OUCH! That must have pinged Malan there. Back of a length ball on middle, It comes back into Malan. Pieter there looks to leave it by dropping his wrists but the ball hits his arm and rolls towards point. |
| 14.6 : M Wood to Malan, Outside off, left alone. |
| 15.1 : C Woakes to D Elgar, EDGY FOUR! Elgar is lucky there to not edge it behind to the slips. He sees the width and goes for a drive only to get a thick outside edge as the ball flies past the vacant gully region. The ball had some extra bounce on it too as it raced to the fence for a boundary. |
| 15.2 : C Woakes to Elgar, outside off, Elgar defends it off the back foot. |
| 15.3 : C Woakes to Elgar, BEAUTY OF A DELIVERY! Elgar is completely squared up on this. Woakes bowls on in the channel outside off and Elgar looks to defend but the extra bounce on the ball once again means that the ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 15.4 : C Woakes to Elgar, Full and on off, pushed to mid-wicket. |
| 15.5 : C Woakes to Elgar, Another delivery where the batsman gets beaten. Length ball outside off, Elgar looks to defend only get beaten on the outside edge. |
| 15.6 : C Woakes to Elgar, Second time in a row Elgar is beaten on the outside edge as he looks to defend this length ball. |
| 16.1 : M Wood to Malan, Outside off, pushed to the off side off the back foot. |
| 16.2 : M Wood to Malan, Once again Malan looks to leave the ball that is coming in and once again he is struck on the arm. |
| 16.3 : M Wood to Malan, FOUR! Back of a length ball outside off, Malan throws the kitchen sink at it as he gets a top edge and the ball flies over the slip cordon and into the fence at third man for a boundary. |
| 16.4 : M Wood to P Malan, Malan now gets an inside edge on the defense. The ball goes past the short leg fielder and the batsmen manage to rotate the strke. |
| 16.5 : M Wood to Elgar, EDGED AND FOUR! Elgar is a lucky man there. He once again goes for the drive on this length ball outside off without any footwork and once again gets an inside edge on it. The ball goes past the stumps and falls just near the keeper who is diving to his right. The ball evades him and runs to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : M Wood to Elgar, Short ball and Elgar ducks under it. The keeper there leaps in the air to collect it. |
| 17.1 : C Woakes to Malan, Full delivery on middle, Malan works it to short leg and takes off for a single. Woakes runs across, picks up the ball and throws it at the keeper's end. He misses. |
| 17.2 : C Woakes to Elgar, Full delivery on off, Elgar pushes it back to Woakes who makes a half stop. The ball rolls towards mid on and the batters take a single. |
| 17.3 : C Woakes to Malan, BEATEN! Full delivery outside off, Malan looks to defend but gets beaten. They appeal but the umpire is not interested. The Englaish do not go for the review. Wait a minute, the Ultra Edge rolls in and it looks close. There is a spike on it. Not sure whether the ball has gone off the outside edge or the noise is off the bat hitting the pad. |
| 17.4 : C Woakes to Malan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 17.5 : C Woakes to Malan, Full delivery on middle, Malan defends it out to the bowler. |
| 17.6 : C Woakes to Malan, On middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 18.1 : M Wood to Elgar, Good length and outside off, Elgar is not interested to play it. |
| 18.2 : M Wood to Elgar, Full and on middle, Elgar just pushes it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 18.3 : M Wood to Malan, Malan is not going to fiddle with any delivery outside off as he shoulders arms once again. |
| 18.4 : M Wood to Malan, Wood goes full and angles one into Malan and then straightens it. Malan looks to drive only to get a thick outside edge which falls just short of the man at gully. |
| 18.5 : M Wood to Malan, OUT! CAUGHT! Finally Wood's persistence pays off. He was constantly probing that line outside off and this time Malan cannot resist his instincts and pokes at a delivery which was leaving him. He gets a thick outside edge and goes to the keeper. Buttler there makes no mistake and starts celebrating. Wood is over the moon and why won't he be? Wood and England have been excellent after Tea. |
| Rassie van der Dussen is the new man in. |
| 18.6 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Van der Dussen leaves this length delivery outside off to begin with. |
| Ben Stokes is into the attack. |
| 19.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, BEATEN! Elgar is beaten on the outside edge for the umpteenth time in this innings. This time Stokes angles one away and Elgar looks to run it down only to miss it. |
| 19.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, FOUR! On the pads and Elgar says thank you as he flicks this one through mid-wicket and the ball runs to meet the boundary cushions. |
| 19.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Once again outside off and Elgar leaves it for the keeper to do the rest. |
| 19.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, FOUR! Length ball on off, Elgar looks to defend it off the back foot only to get an outside edge. The ball rolls past the second slip fielder and into the third man fence for another boundary. |
| 19.6 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, On off, defended off the back foot. |
| Sam Curran is back on. 3-1-3-0 are his figures so far. |
| 20.1 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Cracker of a nut there. He bowls one on a length and takes the ball away from Rassie. Van der Dussen looks to defend it from within the crease and has a feel for the ball as it sneaks past the outside edge. |
| 20.2 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen,Rassie leaves this length ball outside off alone. |
| 20.3 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Length ball on middle, Rassie drives it to mid on. |
| 20.4 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Rassie defends the length ball off the back foot. |
| 20.5 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Length delivery defend off the front foot towards mid-wicket. |
| 20.6 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, OUT! CAUGHT! Curran into the wickets now. He was bowling superbly and was constantly hitting the hard length. This time he bowls a wobble seam delivery on middle and gets a hint of away movement as Rassie looks to defend it off the back foot. The ball catches the shoulder of the bat and flies towards second slip where Stokes accepts the catch gleefully. South Africa's same old story continues. |
| Faf du Plessis is the new man in. |
| 21.1 : Ben Stokes to D Elgar, EDGED AND FOUR! Elgar has really been lucky here! Edges has not gone to hand. Full delivery outside off, Elgar looks to drive but it takes the outside edge and the ball goes through the gully region for a boundary. |
| 21.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Outside off, left alone by Elgar. |
| 21.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Full delivery on middle, Elgar tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 21.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Good length ball on middle, Elgar works it to the leg side. |
| 21.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Elgar looks to defend but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 21.6 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Elgar shoulders arms to it. |
| 22.1 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Curran bowls one down the leg side and Faf lets it go through. |
| 22.2 : Sam Curran to Plessis, On middle and off, Faf defends it off the back foot to mid off. |
| 22.3 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Full and on middle, driven straight to the man at mid on. |
| 22.4 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Length ball on off, Faf defends it with the full face of the bat towards mid off. |
| 22.5 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Length ball on the pads, du Plessis flicks it off his hips towards fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 22.6 : Sam Curran to Elgar, BEATEN! Elgar is facing the heat here. He gets beaten once again while poking at a length ball outside off. |
| 23.1 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Length delivery outside off, du Plessis defends it off the front foot towards cover. |
| 23.2 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Back of a length ball on off, Faf defends it towards mid on. |
| 23.3 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Stokes bowls one on a length and on middle and leg. The ball Faf looks to take evasive action but the ball hits his ribs and goes to fine leg fence. Since du Plessis was not offering any shot it is called as a dead ball. |
| 23.4 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 23.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, OUT! CAUGHT! Soft dismissal for Elgar. Dean plays it irresponsibly to go back to the pavilion. Stokes goes short and wide outside off and Elgar goes to cut it uppishly. But he fails to clear the infield and gives a simple catch to Chris Woakes at point. Completely uncharacteristic way to get out. South Africa reeling now! |
| Quinton de Kock is the new man in. |
| 23.6 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Nasty! Good length ball on off, bouncing a little more than expected. De Kock looks to defend but gets hit on the gloves. |
| 24.1 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Back of a length ball on off, du Plessis defends it to the bowler. |
| 24.2 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Full delivery on middle, du Plessis works it to mid-wicket. |
| 24.3 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Short of a length ball on the pads, du Plessis works it to square leg. |
| 24.4 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Full delivery outside off, du Plessis lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 24.5 : Sam Curran to Plessis, On middle, whipped to mid-wicket. |
| 24.6 : Sam Curran to Plessis, On middle, Faf defends it solidly onto the pitch. |
| 25.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Full and on middle, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a couple. |
| 25.2 : Ben Stokes to de Kock, Length and on middle, pushed to mid-wicket. |
| 25.3 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Short and outside off, Quinton leaves is alone. |
| 25.4 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Length ball on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 25.5 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Length ball angled into de Kock pushes it off the back foot towards mid on. |
| 25.6 : Ben Stokes to de Kock, FOUR! Shot that has been crunched. Stokes overpitches slightly around off and de Kock is quick to get on the front foot and drive it through covers for a boundary. |
| 26.1 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Length delivery outside off, Faf does not fiddle with it. |
| 26.2 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Du Plessis defends this length ball off the back foot. |
| 26.3 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Full and on the pads, Faf flicks it towards fine leg and gets off strike. |
| 26.4 : Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Back of a length ball outside off, Quinton cuts it late and gets through vacant gully for a boundary at third man. |
| 26.5 : Sam Curran to Kock, Full ball on off, de Kock is happy to keep it out. |
| 26.6 : Sam Curran to Kock, Full and on the pads, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket the fielder from mid on and fine leg both run towards the ball. The fielder from fine leg runs across to this right and saves a couple. |
| Chris Woakes is back on. 6-3-7-0 are his figures so far. |
| 27.1 : C Woakes to Plessis, Full delivery outside off, du Plessis shoulders arms to this one. |
| 27.2 : C Woakes to Plessis, Good length ball outside off, du Plessis makes a leave to this one. |
| 27.3 : C Woakes to Plessis, Outside off, left alone. |
| 27.4 : C Woakes to Plessis, Back of a length ball outside off, Faf does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone. |
| 27.5 : C Woakes to Plessis, Length ball on off, du Plessis defends it out to the bowler. |
| 27.6 : C Woakes to Plessis, Full delivery outside off, Faf shoulders arms to this one. |
| DRINKS! Stuart Broad is back on. 5-2-5-0 are his figures so far. |
| 28.1 : S Broad to Kock, Broad starts with a good length ball on off, de Kock defends it out. |
| 28.2 : S Broad to de Kock, FOUR! Whipped away nicely. Fullish ball on the pads, de Kock whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 28.3 : S Broad to Kock, Length ball on middle, de Kock defends it to mid on. |
| 28.4 : S Broad to Kock, Fullish ball outside off, de Kock lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 28.5 : S Broad to Kock, Outside off, left alone. |
| 28.6 : S Broad to Kock, Fuller one outside off, de Kock shoulders arms. |
| 29.1 : C Woakes to Plessis, Good length ball outside off, du Plessis shoulders arms to this one. |
| 29.2 : C Woakes to Plessis, Full delivery on middle, du Plessis defends it to mid on. |
| 29.3 : C Woakes to Plessis, Full delivery on off, du Plessis lunges forward and blocks it to cover. |
| 29.4 : C Woakes to Plessis, Good length ball on off, Faf solidly blocks it out. |
| Faf has gone for the review for LBW! He has been given out. It looks like it is going over the stumps. Let's see what happens. |
| 29.5 : C Woakes to Plessis, OUT! LBW! Umpire's call it is and du Plessis fails yet again. This is brilliant bowling from Woakes though. Good length ball on off. Gets the ball to come back into the batsman. Du Plessis looks to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. Woakes and the rest appeal and the umpire gives it out. Faf discusses with Quinton and goes for the review. Woakes is fine on the no ball front. The Ball Tracker then comes in and it shows that it is umpire's call on hitting the stum |
| Temba Bavuma walks in to bat. South Africa in need of a partnership. But before that, they need to avoid any more wicket falling tonight. |
| 29.6 : C Woakes to T Bavuma, Full delivery outside off, Bavuma drives it through the cover region for three. The fielder chases after it and slides to make the stop. |
| 30.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Full and outside off, Bavuma drives it to point. |
| 30.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, Back of a length and on middle, Bavuma defends it towards short leg. |
| 30.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Temba leaves it for the keeper to do the rest. |
| 30.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, BEATEN! Nicely bowled by Broad there. He goes a bit fuller and swings away from the forward push of Bavuma. The ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 30.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Outside off, Bavuma leaves it. |
| 30.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, Once again Bavuma is content with leaving the ball outside off. |
| 31.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Back of a length and on off, de Kock taps it towards point and looks for a single. He is sent back by his partner who is ball watching at the other end. |
| 31.2 : C Woakes to Kock, De Kock punches the ball off the back foot through covers and scampers for a single. |
| 31.3 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Good length and outside off, Bavuma plays it to point. |
| 31.4 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Length delivery outside off, Bavuma drops it in front of covers and takes off for a quick single. |
| UNDER-19 WORLD CUP UPDATE - Great news for South African fans! The colts have emerged victorious over their match against the United Arab Emirates and have qualified for the quarter-finals. They meet Bangladesh at Potchefstroom on Thursday, 30th January, 2020. All the best to them! |
| 31.5 : C Woakes to Kock, FOUR! Beautiful timing on that. Full ball on middle, de Kock presents the full face of the bat and drives it past the bowler. The ball hurries towards the fence at long off for a boundary. |
| 31.6 : C Woakes to Kock, Outside off, punched off the back foot to the off side. |
| 32.1 : S Broad to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma taps it towards gully and gets to the other end. |
| 32.2 : S Broad to de Kock, Quinton drives this length delivery straight to mid off. |
| 32.3 : S Broad to Kock, BEATEN! De Kock is lucky not to edge that one behind. He looks to defend this length ball outside off but the ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 32.4 : S Broad to Kock, De Kock looks to drive this through the off side but gets it off the inside half of the bat towards mid-wicket. |
| 32.5 : Broad to Kock, Full ball on off, de Kock does well to dig it out. |
| 32.6 : S Broad to de Kock, Outside off, de Kock drives it only to find mid off. |
| 33.1 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Length ball around off, Bavuma compactly defends it to mid-wicket. |
| 33.2 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on off, angling into Bavuma, who hops and looks to fend it only to get hit on the belly. |
| 33.3 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Length delivery outside off, Bavuma is happy to let that go. |
| 33.4 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Good length and on off, Bavuma drives but not from the middle of the willow. He finds cover there. |
| 33.5 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Full delivery down the leg side, Bavuma looks to flick that but he misses it. |
| 33.6 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Outside off, pushed off the back foot towards point. |
| 34.1 : S Broad to Kock, Length delivery outside off, de Kock drives it through covers for a run. |
| 34.2 : S Broad to Bavuma, BEATEN! Length delivery swinging away. Bavuma looks to just punch it off the back foot. The ball further swings away and goes past the outside edge. |
| 34.3 : S Broad to Bavuma, BRAVE LEAVE! Now, Broad brings one into the right-hander. Bavuma shoulders arms to it. The ball is not far away from kissing the off pole. |
| 34.4 : S Broad to Bavuma, Bavuma leaves this length ball outside off for the keeper. |
| 34.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, Bavuma drives this full ball towards covers and gets to the other end. |
| 34.6 : S Broad to Kock, Full on the pads, de Kock flicks it through square leg and retains the strike. |
| Mark Wood is back into the attack. 5-1-14-1 , his figures so far. |
| 35.1 : M Wood to Kock, BEATEN! De Kock plays a rash shot only to not get an edge. Wood serves one on a length and outside off, de Kock frees his arms but fails to get wood on the ball. |
| 35.2 : M Wood to Kock, Full and on the pads, de Kock flicks it to fine leg and goes to the other end. |
| 35.3 : M Wood to Bavuma, Outside off, Bavuma lets it go. |
| 35.4 : M Wood to Bavuma, Once again the batsman leaves it alone as it is outside off and not in his playing zone. |
| 35.5 : M Wood to Bavuma, Bavuma lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 35.6 : M Wood to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on middle, Bavuma hops inside the crease and defends it towards short leg. |
| Ben Stokes is back on. 4-0-19-1 are his figures so far. |
| 36.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Full and on middle, de Kock drives it straight to the man at mid on. |
| 36.2 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Length ball outside off, de Kock decides to not touch it. |
| 36.3 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Short ball on off, de Kock does well to drop his wrists and sway away from the line of the delivery. |
| 36.4 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Length delivery angling away from Quinton, he lifts his bat and lets the ball through. |
| 36.5 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Another length ball outside off, de Kock is not interested to play at it. |
| 36.6 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Back of a length ball on off, de Kock defends it off his back foot towards the slip cordon. |
| 37.1 : M Wood to Bavuma, BEATEN! Short ball outside off, Bavuma attempts the cut but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 37.2 : M Wood to Bavuma, Full delivery outside off, Temba shoulders arms to this one. |
| 37.3 : M Wood to Bavuma,Length ball on middle, Bavuma looks to defend but get hit near the box. |
| The umpires are going upstairs to check whether it is a clean catch. The soft signal is out. |
| 37.4 : M Wood to Bavuma, OUT! CAUGHT! Stokes has collected it cleanly and Bavuma has to make his way back to the pavilion. Short of a length ball on off, Bavuma looks to defend off the back foot but gets an outside edge towards second slip. Ben Stokes lunges forward and takes the catch. He gets up and starts celebrating. Bavuma is not going anywhere as he he is not sure that it is a clean catch. The umpires want to check and they go upstairs. The soft signal is out. The replays roll in and it sho |
| Anrich Nortje is the new man in. He is sent as a nightwatchman here. |
| 37.5 : M Wood to Nortje, FOUR! Nice way to get off the mark. Full delivery on the pads, Nortje flicks it to the deep square leg region for a boundary. |
| 37.6 : M Wood to Nortje, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 38.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Full ball outside off, de Kock pushes it towards long off and takes a single. |
| 38.2 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Short ball on off, well-directed one too. Nortje hops and defends it awkwardly towards short leg, where it just falls short of Ollie Pope. |
| 38.3 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Another back of a length ball on off, Nortje once again is surprised as he defends it in a confused way. |
| 38.4 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Outside off, Anrich leaves it alone. |
| 38.5 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Nortje now drives this full ball through mid on and gets a couple. |
| 38.6 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Length ball outside off, Nortje lets it be. |
| 39.1 : M Wood to Kock, Full ball outside off, de Kock drives it through covers. The ball will not reach the fence as there is protection out there. The batsmen are content with a single. |
| 39.2 : M Wood to Nortje, Back of a length ball on off, Nortje hops and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 39.3 : M Wood to Nortje, Good length delivery outside off, Nortje chooses not to play at it. |
| 39.4 : M Wood to Nortje, Back of a length ball around off, Nortje looks to defend it to the off side but the ball bounces a tad more and goes past the outside edge as Anrich hops to block it. |
| 39.5 : M Wood to Nortje, Length ball down the leg side, Nortje looks to flick it to the leg side but fails to get ball on ball. |
| 39.6 : M Wood to Nortje, Length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 40.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, De Kock pushes this full ball on middle back to the bowler. |
| 40.2 : Ben Stokes to Kock, FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg, de Kock just helps it on his way through fine leg and the ball runs to the fence. |
| 40.3 : Ben Stokes to de Kock, Length delivery on off, driven towards mid off for a single. |
| 40.4 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Nortje blocks the ball off the back foot towards mid on. |
| 40.5 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Once again, Nortje defends it to mid on. |
| 40.6 : Ben Stokes to Nortje, Full on middle, Nortje defends it to short leg this time. |
| 41.1 : M Wood to Kock, Full ball outside off, it keeps low too. De Kock looks to drive it only to get beaten as the ball sneaks between the bat and pad. |
| 41.2 : M Wood to Kock, Short ball outside off, de Kock pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 41.3 : M Wood to Kock, Back of a length and outside off, de Kock hops and looks to keep it out only to get an inside edge. The ball goes over the stumps and rolls towards the keeper. |
| 41.4 : M Wood to Kock, Once again a short ball on off, de Kock pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 41.5 : M Wood to A Nortje, OUT! CAUGHT! The nightwatchman is sent packing and that also is STUMPS ON DAY 2! Coming to the ball, it was a full ball angled into the off stump, Nortje tries to push it straight to the bowler. In the process he gets an outside edge which flies low towards gully where Joe Denly takes a superb catch. |
| What a day it has been for England! It all started with that 100-run stand between Root and Pope where they helped their side to reach around 250. They lost their way a bit and looked set to be bowled out below 320 but the last wicket stand between Broad and Wood was like a thorn in the flesh for the hosts. They added 82 runs in quick time and got England to 400. It was a very good score on this wicket. |
| England bowlers came out all guns blazing. They could not pick a wicket before Tea but were outrageous in the session after that. They have reduced the hosts to 88/6 at the stroke of Stumps and South Africa are reeling at the moment. Except Broad, whoever bowled got into the wickets column with Wood picking up three. Woakes, Curran and Stokes bowled with extreme precision and were exceptional. |
| Now coming onto the batting of the Proteas. They have been poor throughout the series and here it was no different. They started cautiously and were going at a run rate of around 1. That cost them and they lost wickets at regular intervals. None of the batsmen applied themselves and they faltered. Quinton de Kock, like he has done all series was the only one to fight it out. They are still 312 runs behind and it looks highly improbable that they will even get close to that score. |
| So, what to expect on Day 3? England will be looking to pick up the remaining wickets quickly while South Africa will look to get runs and their first target will be to avoid the follow-on. Will they be able to avoid it or will the visitors continue to dominate them? Join us for Day 3 on 26th January, Sunday for an engrossing Day of Test match cricket. Till then, take care. |
| ... Day 3, Session 1 ... |
| Day 3, called the moving day but things have already moved in favour of the visitors. They have left South Africa reeling at 88/6 and are still leading by 312 runs. They would look to take the remaining 4 wickets quickly and then decide to enforce the follow-on or not. The hosts, on the other hand, would look upon Quinton de Kock to get them to 200 first and avoid the follow-on. Good news is that there is no rain at the moment in Johannesburg and we are going to have a prompt start. It promises |
| We are all set to get underway! Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander make their way out to the middle with the hosts struggling at 88/6. The England players are in a huddle and take their respective positions in the field. Mark Wood will finish his over. |
| 41.6 : M Wood to Philander, Wood starts with a full delivery on middle, Philander defends this solidly to the bowler. |
| Chris Woakes will bowl from the other end. 10-5-16-1 are his figures so far. |
| 42.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Woakes starts with a fuller one outside off, de Kock shoulders arms to this one. |
| 42.2 : C Woakes to Kock, Back of a length ball on off, de Kock guides it to gully and takes a single. First run of the day. |
| 42.3 : C Woakes to Philander, FOUR! Punched away nicely! Short ball outside off, Philander stands tall and punches it through the cover region to get his first boundary. |
| 42.4 : C Woakes to Philander, OUT! CAUGHT! Not the best ball that Woakes bowled but it has fetched him a wicket. Fullish delivery on the pads. Philander looks to flick but it takes the leading edge and goes way up in the air towards cover. Stuart Broad settles himself under it and takes the simplest catches. South Africa still 107 runs behind to avoid the follow-on. |
| Dwaine Pretorius is the new man in. |
| 42.5 : C Woakes to Pretorius, On a length on off, Pretorius looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge and past the diving point fielder. Pretorius is off the mark with a couple. |
| 42.6 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Full delivery on middle, Pretorius defends it back to the bowler. |
| 43.1 : M Wood to Kock, Fullish delivery outside off, de Kock shoulders arms to this one. |
| 43.2 : M Wood to Kock, Length ball outside off, Quinton makes another leave to the keeper. |
| 43.3 : M Wood to Kock, De Kock shoulders arms to this good length ball outside off. |
| 43.4 : M Wood to Kock, Fullish outside off, de Kock lets the ball through to the keeper. |
| 43.5 : M Wood to Kock, Good length delivery on the pads, de Kock looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. The ball lobs off to square leg. |
| 43.6 : M Wood to Kock, Length delivery outside off, de Kock leaves it alone. Maiden over from Wood. |
| 44.1 : C Woakes to D Pretorius, FOUR! Nicely played! Full delivery outside off, Pretorius lunges and drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 44.2 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Length ball outside off, Dwaine lets it through to the keeper. |
| 44.3 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Full delivery on off, Pretorius defends it to cover. |
| 44.4 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Woakes dishes a good length ball on middle, Pretorius looks to defend but the ball takes the inside half of the bat and it goes to backward square leg. The batters take a single. 100 up for the hosts. |
| 44.5 : C Woakes to Kock, On middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 44.6 : C Woakes to Kock, Good length delivery on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 45.1 : M Wood to Pretorius, Back of a length delivery on the pads, Pretorius tucks it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 45.2 : M Wood to Kock, Length ball outside off, de Kock shoulders arms to this one. |
| 45.3 : M Wood to Kock, Very full delivery on middle, Quinton pushes it back to Wood. |
| 45.4 : M Wood to Kock, Full delivery outside off, de Kock drives it through the cover region and takes three before Sam Curran can chase it and clean it up. |
| 45.5 : M Wood to Pretorius, Back of a length ball on middle, Pretorius defends it back to the bowler. |
| 45.6 : M Wood to Pretorius, FOUR! This is excellent batting from Pretorius. Wood bowls a full delivery on off, Pretorius lunges and then drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| Stuart Broad is back on. 9-3-13-0 are his figures so far. |
| 46.1 : S Broad to de Kock, Just short! Very lucky for Quinton de Kock. Broad starts with a full delivery on middle, de Kock looks to defend but gets squared up. The ball takes the outside edge and goes to first slip where the fielder collects it on one bounce. |
| 46.2 : S Broad to Kock, On middle, de Kock works it to mid on. |
| 46.3 : S Broad to Kock, Full delivery on off, pushed to cover. |
| 46.4 : S Broad to Kock, On a length on off, de Kock stands tall and then defends it to cover for a single. |
| 46.5 : S Broad to Pretorius, FOUR! That's a top shot from Dwaine Pretorius! Back of a length ball outside off, Pretorius creams the drive through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 46.6 : S Broad to Pretorius, Outside off, left alone by Dwaine. |
| 47.1 : M Wood to Kock, Fullish delivery on off, de Kock pushes it to deep cover and picks up a couple. |
| 47.2 : M Wood to Kock, Good length delivery on middle, de Kock defends it to mid-wicket. |
| 47.3 : M Wood to Kock, Full on middle, Quinton prods forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 47.4 : M Wood to Kock, OHH! That was close! Short of a length ball around middle, de Kock looks to defend but it takes the top half of the bat and lobs up in the air. It lands just short of the bowler. |
| 47.5 : M Wood to de Kock, EDGY FOUR! Just wide of Stokes! Fullish delivery around off, de Kock attempts to defend but it takes the outside edge and goes past the diving Stokes at second slip and into the third man fence. |
| 47.6 : M Wood to Kock, Length delivery on middle, de Kock works it to mid-wicket. |
| 48.1 : S Broad to D Pretorius, EDGY FOUR! Full delivery outside off, Pretorius looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge and the ball goes past the gully fielder for a boundary. The fielder chases after it but fails to get there in time. |
| 48.2 : S Broad to Pretorius, Length ball on off, Pretorius defends it out off the back foot to cover. |
| 48.3 : S Broad to Pretorius, Full delivery on off, Pretorius pushes it to mid off. |
| 48.4 : S Broad to Pretorius, Full delivery outside off, Pretorius shoulders arms to this one. |
| 48.5 : S Broad to Pretorius, Full delivery on off, Pretorius pushes it to cover. |
| 48.6 : S Broad to D Pretorius, Edgy! Fullish outside off, Pretorius looks to drive but it takes the inside edge and goes onto hit the pad. |
| 49.1 : M Wood to Kock, Full delivery on middle, de Kock defends it back to the bowler. |
| 49.2 : M Wood to Kock, FOUR! Very well played from de Kock. Short ball around middle, de Kock plays the upper cut over the keeper's head for a boundary. |
| 49.3 : M Wood to Kock, Short ball outside off, de Kock punches it to deep cover for a single. |
| 49.4 : M Wood to Pretorius, BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle and leg, Pretorius ducks under it. |
| 49.5 : M Wood to Pretorius, Length delivery outside off, Pretorius shoulders arms to it. |
| 49.6 : M Wood to Pretorius, Full delivery on off, Pretorius defends it to cover. |
| 50.1 : S Broad to Kock, Very full delivery on off, Quinton looks to dig it out but it takes the inside edge and rolls to square leg. A single taken. |
| 50.2 : S Broad to Pretorius, Full ball on off, Pretorius lunges and pushes it to mid off. |
| 50.3 : S Broad to Pretorius, Length ball on middle, Dwaine defends it to mid-wicket. |
| 50.4 : S Broad to Pretorius, On a length on middle, Dwaine pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 50.5 : S Broad to Pretorius, Outside off, left alone by Pretorius. |
| 50.6 : S Broad to Pretorius, Length delivery on middle, Pretorius defends it towards mid off for a single. |
| Sam Curran is into the attack for the first time today. 7-3-11-1 are his figures. |
| 51.1 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Curran starts with a full delivery on off, Pretorius defends it to cover. |
| 51.2 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Length ball down the leg side, Pretorius looks to flick but misses. |
| 51.3 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Pretorius looks to flick but get hit on the thigh pad. There is a mild appeal for LBW but the umpire is not interested. |
| 51.4 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Full on middle, whipped to mid-wicket. |
| 51.5 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Full delivery down the leg side, Pretorius attempts the flick but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 51.6 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Length ball on middle, Pretorius looks to work it to the leg side but gets hit on the pads. |
| 52.1 : S Broad to de Kock, FIFTY! 21st Test fifty! Full delivery on off, de Kock drives it to deep cover for a couple. Only one who has looked good in this innings so far. Can he continue to score a ton here? |
| 52.2 : S Broad to Kock, On middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 52.3 : S Broad to Kock, Full delivery on middle, de Kock pushes it towards mid off. |
| 52.4 : S Broad to Kock, Length ball on middle, de Kock defends it out. |
| 52.5 : S Broad to Kock, Length delivery on middle, Quinton defends it towards to mid on. |
| 52.6 : S Broad to Kock, Fullish delivery on middle, Qdk whips it to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 53.1 : Sam Curran to D Pretorius, EDGY FOUR! Good length ball outside off, Pretorius looks to defend but it takes the outside edge and the ball goes past the gully fielder for a boundary. |
| 53.2 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, On a length on middle, Pretorius works it to mid-wicket. |
| 53.3 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Curran lands it on a length on middle, Pretorius defends it back to the bowler. |
| 53.4 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Short of a length ball on middle, Dwaine tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 53.5 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Fullish delivery on middle, Pretorius flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 53.6 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, BEATEN! Good length delivery outside off, Pretorius looks to drive but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 54.1 : S Broad to Kock, Back of a length ball on off, de Kock taps it to point. |
| 54.2 : S Broad to Kock, Short delivery outside off, Quinton pushes it to deep cover for a single. |
| 54.3 : S Broad to Pretorius, Good length ball on middle, Pretorius works it to mid on. |
| 54.4 : S Broad to Pretorius, Short ball outside off, Pretorius looks to play the pull but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 54.5 : S Broad to Pretorius, PLAY AND A MISS! Short of a length delivery outside off, Pretorius goes for the cut but misses to get anything on it. |
| 54.6 : S Broad to Pretorius, BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle and leg, Pretorius ducks under it. |
| 55.1 : Sam Curran to Kock, Back of a length delivery outside off, de Kock pushes it to deep cover and takes a single. |
| 55.2 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Good length ball on middle, Pretorius defends it back to the bowler. |
| 55.3 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, On a length on off, Pretorius stands tall and blocks it to the cover fielder. |
| 55.4 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle, Pretorius ducks under it. |
| 55.5 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Good length delivery on the pads, Pretorius looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. No harm done. |
| 55.6 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Comes around the wicket and bowls a length ball outside off, Pretorius shoulders arms to this one. |
| Drinks! After the early loss of Vernon Philander, Quinton de Kock and Dwaine Pretorius have done well. The hosts are just 62 runs away from avoiding the follow-on and they would want this pair to continue on their good work. England, on the other hand, would look to finish off the tail as quickly as possible. Chris Woakes is back on. 12-5-28-2 are his figures. |
| 56.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Full delivery on middle, Quinton pushes it to mid off. |
| 56.2 : C Woakes to Kock, Good length delivery on off, de Kock defends it off the back foot. |
| 56.3 : C Woakes to Kock, Full delivery on middle, de Kock pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 56.4 : C Woakes to Kock, Good length ball on off, guided to gully. |
| 56.5 : C Woakes to Kock, On a length on middle, de Kock pushes it to point. |
| 56.6 : C Woakes to Kock, Fullish on off, de Kock pushes it to mid off. |
| 57.1 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Good length ball on off, Pretorius defends it to the off side. |
| 57.2 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Full delivery on off, Pretorius pushes it to mid off. |
| 57.3 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, On off, blocked to cover. |
| 57.4 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Good length delivery on middle, Pretorius defends it towards mid off. |
| 57.5 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, FOUR! What a shot that is! Full delivery on off, Pretorius prods forward and drives it through extra cover for a boundary. |
| 57.6 : Sam Curran to D Pretorius, Full delivery on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 58.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Short ball on off, de Kock guides it to point. |
| 0.0 : Joe Root has gone for the review for LBW. Quinton de Kock is the man in question. It looks like it is going high. Let's see what happens. |
| 58.2 : Woakes to Kock, NOT OUT! It is going over the stumps. Good length delivery around off, swinging into the batsman. De Kock looks to leave the ball but gets hit on the pads. The English players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Woakes convinces Root to go for the review. The Ball Tracker rolls in and it shows that the ball was going over the stumps. Review lost. |
| 58.3 : C Woakes to de Kock, Full delivery outside off, de Kock looks to flick but it takes the inside edge and goes towards deep square leg. Two taken. |
| 58.4 : C Woakes to Kock, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 58.5 : C Woakes to Kock, On middle, whipped to deep square leg for a single. |
| 58.6 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Length ball on middle, Pretorius works it to the leg side for a single. |
| 59.1 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Good length ball down the leg side, Pretorius looks to flick but misses. |
| 59.2 : Sam Curran to Pretorius, Fullish delivery on middle, Dwaine tucks it towards square leg for a single. |
| 59.3 : Sam Curran to Kock, Good length ball on off, de Kock blocks it to point. |
| 59.4 : Sam Curran to Kock, Fullish delivery on off, de Kock pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 59.5 : Sam Curran to Kock, On middle, blocked back to Curran. |
| 59.6 : Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Lovely batting! Full delivery outside off, de Kock lunges and drives it through the extra cover region for a boundary. 150 up for the hosts. |
| 60.1 : C Woakes to D Pretorius, Full delivery on off, Pretorius pushes it to mid off. |
| 60.2 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Very full delivery on middle, Pretorius digs it out to mid on. |
| 60.3 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Full delivery on off, Dwaine blocks it back to Woakes. |
| 60.4 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Good length ball on off, Pretorius looks to defend but the ball hits the pads. There is a mild appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 60.5 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Outside off, left alone. |
| 60.6 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Full delivery on off, pushed to mid off. |
| Ben Stokes is back into the attack. 7-1-27-1 are his figures. |
| 61.1 : Ben Stokes to de Kock, Short of a length ball outside off, punched to deep point for a single. |
| 61.2 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, Full delivery on middle, Pretorius looks to defend but it takes the inside half of the bat and the ball goes to deep square leg. A single taken. |
| 61.3 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Good length ball on off, de Kock defends it off the back foot to the bowler. |
| 61.4 : Ben Stokes to Kock, BEATEN! Nicely bowled! Good length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to defend but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 61.5 : Ben Stokes to Kock, BEATEN! Excellent bowling! Length ball outside off, de Kock attempts to defend but misses it altogether. |
| 61.6 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Good length ball outside off, de Kock shoulders arms to this one. |
| 62.1 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Good length ball on off, defended out solidly by Pretorius. |
| 62.2 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Full delivery outside off, Pretorius shoulders arms to this one. |
| 62.3 : C Woakes to Pretorius, On middle, Pretorius tucks it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 62.4 : C Woakes to de Kock, FOUR! Beautiful shot from de Kock. Fullish delivery on off, de Kock drives it through extra covers. Wood chases after it and then dives forward but the ball wins the race and enters the fence for a boundary. |
| 62.5 : C Woakes to Kock, Good length ball on middle, Quinton defends it to the bowler. |
| 62.6 : C Woakes to Kock, Outside off, defended off the back foot. |
| Joe Root is not happy with the ball and has asked for a change in ball. The umpire obliges and calls for a new set of balls. |
| 63.1 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, Back of a length ball on off, Pretorius defends it off the back foot to gully. |
| 63.2 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, Short ball outside off, Pretorius sways away from it. |
| 63.3 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, BEATEN! Nicely bowled! Good length ball outside off, Pretorius looks to defend but fails to get any bat on it. Stokes appeals but the umpire shows no interest. Stokes wants Root to go for the review. Root asks Buttler whether there was an edge but Buttler says no. |
| 63.4 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, Driven towards the mid off region. |
| 63.5 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, FOUR! Driven nicely. Full delivery on middle, Pretorius drives it straight past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 63.6 : Ben Stokes to D Pretorius, On off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 64.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Full delivery on off, de Kock defends it to mid off. |
| 64.2 : C Woakes to Kock, On off, Quinton blocks it solidly towards the mid off fielder. |
| 64.3 : C Woakes to Kock, Length ball on off, de Kock defends it to point. |
| 64.4 : C Woakes to Kock, Full delivery outside off, de Kock drives it to cover. |
| 64.5 : C Woakes to Kock, Short ball outside off, de Kock punches it to deep cover for a single. |
| 64.6 : C Woakes to Pretorius, Full delivery on middle, Pretorius defends it back to the bowler. |
| 65.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, FOUR! Cut away nicely! Short ball outside off, de Kock cuts it through the point region for a boundary. |
| 65.2 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Good length ball on off, defended towards gully. |
| 65.3 : Ben Stokes to de Kock, EDGY FOUR! Back of a length ball on middle, de Kock looks to flick but it takes the leading edge and the ball goes towards deep point. The fielder from deep cover tries to cut it off but fails to cut it off. A boundary signaled. |
| 65.4 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Full delivery on middle, de Kock works it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 65.5 : Ben Stokes to D Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT! Brilliant from Stokes and Crawley. Finally the stand is broken! Good length ball on off, bounces a little extra then expected. Pretorius looks to defend but it takes the outside edge and goes towards gully. Zak Crawley dives forward and takes an excellent catch. How long will they take to wrap up the innings? |
| Beuran Hendricks is the new man in. |
| 65.6 : Ben Stokes to Hendricks, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. |
| Mark Wood is back on. |
| 66.1 : M Wood to Kock, Good length ball on off, de Kock defends it out. |
| 66.2 : M Wood to Kock, Short ball on middle, de Kock pulls it with disdain towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder comes across and cleans it up. Only a single. |
| 66.3 : M Wood to Hendricks, Full delivery on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 66.4 : M Wood to Hendricks, Short of a length on middle, Hendricks works it to the leg side. |
| 66.5 : M Wood to Kock, Full delivery on the pads, de Kock looks to flick but misses. Gets hit on the pads. |
| 66.6 : M Wood to de Kock, OUT! BOWLED! What a delivery from Wood to get his fourth wicket. Brilliant stuff from de Kock. Full delivery on off, tailing in sharply. De Kock looks to drive but misses it altogether. The ball goes onto hit the top of middle stump. End of an excellent innings from de Kock. South Africa still 26 behind to avoid the follow-on. |
| Dane Paterson is the last man in. |
| 67.1 : Ben Stokes to Hendricks, WIDE! Short ball outside off, Hendricks looks to pull but misses. Wide signaled. |
| Ben Stokes to Hendricks, Full delivery on middle, Hendricks defends it back to the bowler. |
| 67.2 : Ben Stokes to Hendricks, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 67.3 : Ben Stokes to Hendricks, On middle, punched back to the bowler. |
| 67.4 : Ben Stokes to Hendricks, Good length delivery outside off, Hendricks pushes it to cover. |
| 67.5 : Ben Stokes to B Hendricks, EDGY FOUR! Full delivery on middle, Hendricks looks to flick but it takes the leading edge and the ball goes towards the point region for a boundary. |
| 67.6 : Ben Stokes to Hendricks, Short ball on off, pushed to the off side. |
| Lunch has been extended for half an hour. |
| 68.1 : M Wood to Paterson, Good length ball on off, Paterson defends it to cover. |
| 68.2 : M Wood to Paterson, EDGY FOUR! Valuable runs! Full delivery outside off, Paterson looks to swing it away but it takes the outside edge and goes over the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 68.3 : M Wood to Paterson, OUT! CAUGHT! 5-fer for Wood! Brilliant performance from Mark Wood and he thoroughly deserves it. Full delivery outside off, Paterson looks to drive it off the front foot but it takes the outside edge and goes towards the keeper. Buttler takes the catch. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 183. |
| What a bowling performance from England! They have bowled out South Africa for just 183 and have a chance to enforce the follow-on. The bowlers were right on the money since they came on to bowl on Day 2. They left South Africa reeling at 88/6 at the end of Day 2. They started well on Day 3 as well picking up the wicket of Vernon Philander in the first over of the day. Then came a partnership between Quinton de Kock and Dwaine Pretorius. Once Pretorius fell, it took the visitors few minutes to w |
| South Africa, on the other hand, were disappointing as they have been all series. They were 88/6 at the start of Day 3 and things did not start well at all when Vernon Philander fell in the first over. Quinton de Kock and Dwaine Pretorius tried to resurrect the innings with a 79-run stand. Pretorius fell and the rest soon followed. They failed to avoid the follow-on and it remains to be seen whether England will enforce it or not. |
| The question on everyone's mind is that whether England will enforce the follow-on. It looks highly unlikely as Root might want his bowlers to rest. South Africa are way behind in the game and they need a miracle to make a comeback. Join us in a while to find out what decision does England make. |
| The news is as expected as England have not enforced the follow-on. They will bat again. They are leading by 217 runs. |
| 0.1 : V Philander to Crawley, Philander starts with a length ball on middle, with no swing whatsoever. Crawley stands tall and defends it out. |
| 0.2 : V Philander to Crawley, Good length ball outside off, Crawley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 0.3 : V Philander to Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley pushes it to mid on. |
| 0.4 : V Philander to Crawley, Length ball outside off, Crawley makes a good leave to this one. |
| 0.5 : V Philander to Crawley, Good length ball outside off, Crawley does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone. |
| 0.6 : V Philander to Crawley, Length ball outside off, Crawley makes another leave. |
| Anrich Nortje to partner Philander from the other end. |
| 1.1 : A Nortje to Sibley, Nortje dishes a full ball outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 1.2 : A Nortje to Sibley, Good length ball outside off, Sibley makes a leave to this one. |
| 1.3 : A Nortje to Sibley, Good length delivery on middle, Sibley defends this ball back to the bowler. |
| 1.4 : A Nortje to Sibley, England are underway! Full delivery on off, Sibley defends it to cover and takes a single. |
| 1.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, Back of a length ball on off, Crawley tucks it to the leg side and crosses over for a single. |
| 1.6 : A Nortje to D Sibley, EDGY FOUR! Nicely bowled from Nortje. Full delivery on off, Sibley looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and the ball goes through gully for a boundary. |
| 2.1 : V Philander to Crawley, Full delivery on off, Crawley pushes it to cover and takes a single. |
| 2.2 : V Philander to Sibley, Full delivery outside off, Sibley leaves the ball alone. |
| 2.3 : V Philander to Sibley, Good length ball outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| Looks like Philander has injured himself and he is walking off the field. Dane Paterson to finish off his over. Philander was eager to continue but Faf du Plessis has made a smart choice here sending his bowler back to the pavilion and get checked by the physio. Good to lose him for a couple of overs than the whole of the innings. |
| 2.4 : D Paterson to Sibley, Paterson starts with a good length delivery outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 2.5 : D Paterson to Sibley, Fullish delivery outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 2.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length delivery swinging into the batsman. Sibley shoulders arms but gets hit on the pads. There is a mild appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 3.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley pushes it to mid on. |
| 3.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Short ball outside off, Crawley sways away from it. |
| 3.3 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length ball on off, Crawley guides it to gully. |
| 3.4 : A Nortje to Crawley, Length ball on the pads, Crawley looks to work it to the leg side. He misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 3.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, FOUR! Hammered! Short ball on middle, Crawley stands tall and pulls it to the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 3.6 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length ball on middle, Crawley works it to mid-wicket. |
| 4.1 : D Paterson to Sibley, BEATEN! Very good delivery from Patterson. Fullish delivery outside off, Sibley is late in getting his bat down and the ball sneaks under his bat and into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 4.2 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length delivery on off, bouncing a little more. Sibley defends it with soft hands to square leg. |
| 4.3 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length ball on middle Sibley works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 4.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Good length ball outside off, Crawley looks to defend but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 4.5 : D Paterson to Crawley, On middle, Crawley solidly defends it to cover. |
| 4.6 : D Paterson to Crawley, Good length ball on middle, tucked to mid on. |
| 5.1 : A Nortje to Sibley, Good length ball on middle, Sibley defends it out. |
| 5.2 : A Nortje to Sibley, On the bounce! Full delivery outside off, Sibley attempts to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes to second gully on the bounce. |
| 5.3 : A Nortje to Sibley, Length ball on middle, Sibley looks to flick but it goes off the pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 5.4 : A Nortje to Crawley, Full delivery outside off, Crawley defends it out. |
| 5.5 : A Nortje to Crawley, Length delivery outside off, Crawley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 5.6 : A Nortje to Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley pushes it to mid on. |
| 6.1 : D Paterson to Sibley, Full delivery outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 6.2 : D Paterson to Sibley, Fullish delivery outside off, Sibley leaves the ball alone. |
| 6.3 : D Paterson to Sibley, Outside off, left alone by Sibley. |
| 6.4 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length ball on middle, Sibley works it to mid-wicket. |
| 6.5 : D Paterson to Sibley, Full delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 6.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, Length ball on middle, Sibley blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 7.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length delivery on middle, Crawley works it to mid-wicket. |
| 7.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Short ball outside off, Crawley sways away from it. |
| 7.3 : A Nortje to Crawley, Good length ball on middle, wiht extra bounce on it. Crawley looks to defend but it goes off the gloves towards square leg. A single taken. |
| 7.4 : A Nortje to Sibley, Full delivery on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 7.5 : A Nortje to Sibley, Length ball on off, Sibley taps it to gully. |
| 7.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, FOUR! Full delivery outside off, Sibley prods forward and drives it through the gully region for a boundary. |
| 8.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley drives it towards mid on for nothing. |
| 8.2 : D Paterson to Crawley, On middle, Zak whips it to mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : D Paterson to Crawley, Length ball on middle, Crawley defends it towards mid on. |
| 8.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, Full delivery on off, driven to cover off the front foot. |
| 8.5 : D Paterson to Crawley, Good length ball on middle, Crawley defends it back to the bowler. |
| The umpires get together to check the shape of the ball and they decide to change it. |
| 8.6 : D Paterson to Crawley, PLAY AND A MISS! Short delivery outside off, Crawley looks to cut but fails to get any bat on it. |
| Beuran Hendricks is into the attack. |
| 9.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Hendricks starts with a length ball on off, Sibley pushes it to cover and sets off for a single. The fielder from point runs ahead and then has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, it might have been close. |
| 9.2 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley defends it to mid off. |
| 9.3 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Length ball on middle and leg, Crawley flicks it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 9.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, FOUR! Thrashed! Full delivery outside off, Sibley takes a stride forward and then drives it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 9.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Outside off, left alone by Sibley. |
| 9.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Good length ball outside off, Sibley guides it towards gully where the fielders from point and gully converge but the ball goes in between them. The batters take a couple. |
| 10.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Good length ball on middle, Crawley tucks it towards square leg for a single. |
| 10.2 : D Paterson to Sibley, Short ball around middle, Sibley ducks under it. |
| 10.3 : D Paterson to Sibley, Full delivery outside off, Sibley makes a leave to this one. |
| 10.4 : D Paterson to Sibley, Outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 10.5 : D Paterson to Sibley, BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle, Sibley ducks under it. One for the over signals the on-field umpire. |
| 10.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length delivery outside off, Sibley lets the ball through to the keeper. |
| 11.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, BEATEN! Lovely delivery! Good length ball on off, tailing in, Crawley looks to defend but the ball goes in between the pad and bat. |
| 11.2 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Ohh! Good length ball, with extra bounce on it. Crawley looks to defend but it takes the top half of the bat and lobs off towards cover. It lands safely. |
| 11.3 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Fullish delivery on middle, Crawley works it to the leg side for a single. |
| 11.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Full delivery on off, driven to mid off. |
| 11.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Back of a length ball on off, Sibley defends it off the back foot. |
| 11.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, On middle and leg, Sibley works it to mid-wicket. |
| 12.1 : D Paterson to Crawley, Good length ball on off, Crawley blocks it out. |
| 12.2 : D Paterson to Crawley, Paterson dishes one on off, Zak defends it to the leg side and shouts a loud no to his partner. |
| 12.3 : D Paterson to Crawley, Well fielded! Short of a length ball on middle, Crawley pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Keegan Petersen, the substitute, comes across from deep mid-wicket, dives and makes an excellent save. Keeps the batsmen down to two. |
| 12.4 : D Paterson to Crawley, On a length on off, Crawley defends it out. |
| 12.5 : D Paterson to Crawley, FOUR LEG BYES! Good length ball down the leg side, Crawley looks to flick but it goes off the pads towards fine leg for a boundary. |
| 12.6 : D Paterson to Crawley, Short ball outside off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Play and a miss! Shorter in length outside off, Crawley looks to cut but misses the ball altogether. |
| 13.2 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Full delivery on off, Crawley pushes it to mid off. |
| 13.3 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Length ball on the pads, Crawley tucks it to deep square leg for another run. |
| 13.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Back of a length ball on middle, Sibley hops and blocks it out onto the pitch. |
| 13.5 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Short ball down the leg side, Sibley lets it go to the keeper. |
| 13.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Full delivery on middle, Sibley blocks it towards mid on. |
| Dwaine Pretorius is into the attack. |
| 14.1 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Good length ball on off, Crawley defends it to point. |
| 14.2 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Full delivery outside off, Crawley lets it go to the keeper. |
| 14.3 : D Pretorius to Zak Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley drives it to mid on and takes a single. Nortje has a shy at the bowler's end and hits but Crawley has made his way in the crease before that. |
| 14.4 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Good length ball outside off, Sibley lets it through to the keeper. |
| 14.5 : D Pretorius to Sibley, BEATEN! Excellent delivery! Good length delivery outside off, Sibley looks to defend but it goes in between the bat and pad before travelling into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 14.6 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Good length ball on middle, Sibley works it to mid on and takes off for a single. The fielder comes ahead but fails to collect it cleanly. |
| 15.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Ouch that must have bruised him. Hendricks hits the deck hard on middle. The ball shoots up off the surface. Sibley looks to defend but the ball hits him on his glove and goes to the on side. |
| 15.2 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length delivery on off, Sibley defends it off the back foot. |
| 15.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Bowls it in the channel of off stump, Sibley defends it with a straight bat. |
| Hendricks has been warned here. First official warning given to him for running on the danger area of the pitch. He will need to be careful here. |
| 15.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, On the pads, Sibley looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal for an lbw from the bowler but the umpire is unmoved. |
| 15.5 : Hendricks to Sibley, Good ball from Hendricks. It just about pitches on leg and it straightens a bit. Sibley looks to defend but misses and gets hit high on the thigh pad off his back foot. Ohhzz and ahhzz from the South African players but nothing more. |
| 15.6 : B Hendricks to D Sibley, Length ball on off, DS looks to defend but it goes towards point off the outer half of his bat. |
| 16.1 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Full and shaping away just a tad. Crawley looks to push it straight but it goes off the outer half through covers for a single. |
| 16.2 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Full outside off, Sibley looks to defend but once again it goes off the outer half of the bat. |
| 16.3 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Around off, Sibley blocks it. |
| 16.4 : D Pretorius to Sibley, No swing on this one. It is outside off and Sibley does not disturb that. |
| 16.5 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Pretorius pulls his length back and bowls it closer to the off stump. Dominic gets right behind the line of it and defends it. |
| 16.6 : D Pretorius to Sibley, UPPISH BUT FOUR! Just wide of the diving fielder at gully. Good length delivery outside off, Sibley looks to guide it past the man at gully but he does so uppishly. The fielder there dives but it goes just wide of his fingers and to the fence. |
| Drinks! The opening pair of Sibley and Crawley have strengthened England's position. They have slowly but steadily gone about their business and increased the lead to 260. The only way South Africa can make a comeback is by taking wickets and that too rapidly. An interesting passage of play awaits. |
| 17.1 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Length delivery outside off, Crawley leaves it alone. |
| 17.2 : B Hendricks to Crawley, Good length ball on off, Crawley gets on his back foot and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single. |
| 17.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball on middle, Sibley looks to defend but it goes off the inner half of his bat towards mid-wicket. |
| 17.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, On off, Sibley defends it with soft hands towards point and takes a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Would have been close had he hit. |
| 17.5 : B Hendricks to Zak Crawley, In the air but safe. Back of a length on off, Crawley looks to pull but it comes off the upper half of his bat. Luckily for Zak it falls short of Petersen (sub) at deep mid-wicket. A little more of contact on that one and it would have gone straight to him. |
| 17.6 : B Hendricks to Sibley, On the pads, Sibley looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 18.1 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Huge appeal but nothing from the umpire. Good length delivery pitching outside off and coming back in. Crawley looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal but the umpire is unmoved and they take a run as the ball goes towards cover-point. It has been awarded as a run so the ball has kissed the bat. |
| 18.2 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Outside off, Dominic shoulders arms to it. |
| 18.3 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Fuller on middle, DS pushes it to mid on. |
| 18.4 : D Pretorius to Sibley, On a length on off, Sibley blocks it. |
| 18.5 : D Pretorius to D Sibley, EDGED AND FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Sibley stretches and looks to drive but the ball goes off the outer half of his bat and flies through backward point. Pieter Malan tries to stop it with a dive after coming in from deep point but he fails to do so. Brings up the 50-run stand between the pair. These two ended the century run opening stand drought for England in the first innings and are well on course to achieve that once again. |
| 18.6 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Now calmly leaves this one alone. |
| Anrich Nortje is back on. 4-1-15-0 are his figures. |
| 19.1 : A Nortje to Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley works it to mid-wicket. |
| 19.2 : A Nortje to Crawley, Short ball on middle, Crawley pulls it and it goes on one bounce to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 19.3 : A Nortje to Crawley, Outside off, punched off the back foot to point. |
| 19.4 : A Nortje to Crawley, Fuller one on middle and leg, Crawley flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 19.5 : A Nortje to Sibley, Short ball around middle, Sibley ducks under it. |
| 19.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, Good length delivery on off, Sibley blocks it to cover. |
| 20.1 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Full delivery on middle, Crawley works it to mid-wicket. |
| 20.2 : D Pretorius to Crawley, Length ball on off, Crawley defends it out to cover. |
| 20.3 : D Pretorius to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Creamed! Full delivery outside off, Crawley drives it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 20.4 : D Pretorius to Crawley, OUT! CAUGHT! Pretorius finds the edge finally and Crawley has to go. This is brilliant bowling from him. He bowls a length ball around off, moving away and bouncing a little extra. Crawley looks to defend but it takes the outside edge and goes to the right of the keeper. De Kock makes no mistake. England lead by 273. |
| Joe Denly walks out at number 3! |
| 20.5 : D Pretorius to Denly, Full delivery outside off, Denly leaves the ball alone. |
| 20.6 : D Pretorius to Denly, Fullish on middle, worked to mid-wicket. Successful over comes to an end from Pretorius. |
| 21.1 : A Nortje to D Sibley, EDGED AND FOUR! Good length ball on off, Sibley attempts to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge past the gully fielder for a boundary. |
| 21.2 : A Nortje to Sibley, Length ball on middle, Sibley defends it to mid on. |
| 21.3 : A Nortje to Sibley, Length ball on middle, Sibley tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 21.4 : A Nortje to Sibley, FOUR! This one is timed nicely though! Full delivery outside off, Sibley lunges and drives it through the extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 21.5 : A Nortje to Sibley, On off, tapped to gully. |
| 21.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, Full delivery on off, Sibley pushes it to mid off. |
| 22.1 : D Pretorius to Denly, Good length ball on middle, Denly defends it out. |
| 22.2 : D Pretorius to Joe Denly, Fullish delivery on off, Denly drives it to mid off where the fielder dives and makes a stop. |
| 22.3 : D Pretorius to Denly, Length ball on middle, Denly solidly defends it out. |
| 22.4 : D Pretorius to Denly, An appeal for LBW shot down. Full delivery on the pads, Denly looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Pretorius and the rest put up an appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Pretorius asks the skipper for the review but Faf thinks that it is going down the leg side. The Ball Tracker confirms that it was going over and away from the stumps. |
| 22.5 : D Pretorius to Denly, Outside off, left alone. |
| 22.6 : D Pretorius to Denly, Full delivery on middle, Denly defends it out. |
| 23.1 : A Nortje to Sibley, Length delivery around off, Sibley shuffles and turns it to fine leg for a single. |
| 23.2 : A Nortje to Denly, FOUR! Nicely tucked away from Denly. He is a good timer of the ball and gets off the mark in style. On middle and leg, Denly tucks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 23.3 : A Nortje to Denly, Now sensibly leaves this ball outside off alone. |
| 23.4 : A Nortje to Denly, Fuller on off, Joe blocks it. |
| 23.5 : A Nortje to Denly, Very good shot but a hard stop from Elgar. Full outside off, Denly gets on his front foot and drives it off the middle of the bat in a textbook fashion. Elgar at short cover dives to his left and gets his hands to it. He slows down the ball and Beuran Hendricks tries to pull it back before the ropes and does so successfully. Three taken by the batters. |
| 23.6 : A Nortje to Sibley, Full on off, Sibley pushes it to cover and keeps the strike. |
| 24.1 : D Pretorius to Sibley, On off, Sibley plays it to point and gets to the other end. |
| 24.2 : D Pretorius to Denly, A tempter this from Pretorius. It is full and at a nice pace to drive outside off. Denly does not fall in this honey trap and leaves it alone. |
| 24.3 : D Pretorius to Denly, Good length ball on off, Joe pushes it to cover for one. |
| 24.4 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Length delivery outside off, Sibley leaves it alone. |
| 24.5 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Good length ball outside off, Sibley shuffles and looks to defend but gets an inside edge low onto his bat. |
| 24.6 : D Pretorius to Sibley, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Dane Paterson is back on. 5.3-2-5-0 are his figures so far. |
| 25.1 : D Paterson to Denly, OUT! Played on! The change in bowling has done the trick for the Proteas and Denly joins Zak Crawley in the pavilion. Paterson bowls it full just around off. It nips in a bit. Denly looks to defend but leaves a good amount of gap between the bat and pad. The ball takes the inside edge, hits his pad and then goes onto uproot the off pole. Big wicket for South Africa as Denly has been one of the best batters in this English lineup. |
| 0.0 : Joe Root, the skipper, is the new man in. |
| 25.2 : D Paterson to Root, Fuller on off, Root looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge. |
| 25.3 : D Paterson to Root, Ohh! That was a beauty from Paterson. Full outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball moves away from him squaring him all ends up. |
| 25.4 : D Paterson to Root, This time Root defends it right off the meat of the bat. |
| 25.5 : D Paterson to Root, Back of a length on off, JR blocks it off his back foot. |
| 25.6 : D Paterson to Root, Full on off, Root blocks it to get through the over. Very good first over of his new spell from Paterson. It's a wicket maiden. |
| 26.1 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Full on off, Sibley defends it off his front foot. |
| 26.2 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Away from the off pole and Sibley leaves it alone. |
| 26.3 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Back of a length on off, Sibley defends it with soft hands towards the off side and gets a single. |
| Just in - Vernon Philander has been sent for scans on his right hamstring. If you remember, he pulled up in his second over and left the field. Seems we won't be seeing him in action again. What a sad end that would be! |
| 26.4 : D Pretorius to Root, FOUR! Tickled away fine down the leg side. It is a full ball on the pads, Root looks to flick but it goes off the inner half and kisses the pads. The ball goes fine down the leg side after that and crosses the fence. |
| 26.5 : D Pretorius to Root, On off, Root blocks it. |
| 26.6 : D Pretorius to Root, Outside off, left alone by the English skipper. |
| 27.1 : D Paterson to Sibley, Full delivery on off, Sibley defends it to cover. |
| 27.2 : D Paterson to Sibley, Full delivery on middle, Sibley works it to mid-wicket. |
| 27.3 : D Paterson to Sibley, Short ball outside off, Sibley sways from it. |
| Huge shout for a caught behind! Quinton de Kock is celebrating. Dane Paterson is hopeful. Umpire Rod Tucker is shaking his head. A little conference among Faf du Plessis, de Kock and Paterson and South Africa opt for the DRS. DAYLIGHT in the replays. No bat. Review wasted. |
| 27.4 : Paterson to Sibley, NOT OUT! Beats the inside edge comfortably and it has gone off the thigh pad. Clear day light! South Africa lose their one review. Good length ball on off, nipping back in a shade. Sibley looks to defend after getting across the stumps but it seems to have gone off the thigh pad. De Kock and Paterson are convinced that he has edged that one. They ask du Plessis to go for the review and he obliges. The replays roll in and they show that there is daylight between the ball |
| 27.5 : D Paterson to Sibley, Full delivery, defended towards cover. |
| 27.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, Short ball outside off, Sibley punches it to cover. |
| 28.1 : D Pretorius to Root, Angles in a fuller length ball on middle, Root is right behind the line and offers a straight bat in defense. |
| 28.2 : D Pretorius to Root, Pitches it up and around off, Root is tempted into a drive and does so slightly uppishly. Not carrying to short cover though. |
| 28.3 : D Pretorius to Root, Full delivery outside off, Root leaves it alone. |
| 28.4 : D Pretorius to Root, Full delivery on middle, Root whips it towards mid on. |
| 28.5 : D Pretorius to Root, Full delivery outside off, Root looks to defend but it takes the inside half of the bat and goes towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.6 : D Pretorius to Root, Root solidly defends this length ball on off to cover. |
| 29.1 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length delivery on off, Sibley defends it to the mid on region. |
| 29.2 : D Paterson to Sibley, Full delivery on middle, Sibley pushes it to mid on. |
| 29.3 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length delivery outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 29.4 : D Paterson to Sibley, Back of a length ball on middle, Sibley solidly blocks it to short leg. |
| 29.5 : D Paterson to Sibley, BEATEN! That's really well bowled by Paterson. Good length ball outside off, Sibley attempts to defend but fails to get any bat on it. Paterson appeals but nothing from the umpire. |
| 29.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, On a length on off, Sibley looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| Pieter Malan is into the attack. |
| 30.1 : P Malan to Root, Malan starts with a full delivery on off, pushed to point. |
| 30.2 : P Malan to Joe Root, Short delivery outside off, Root cuts it to deep point for a single. |
| 30.3 : P Malan to Sibley, Very full delivery on middle, Sibley digs it out back to the bowler. |
| 30.4 : P Malan to Sibley, Good length ball outside off, Sibley shoulders arms to this one. |
| 30.5 : P Malan to Sibley, Outside off, left alone by Dominic. |
| 30.6 : P Malan to Sibley, Length ball outside off, Sibley does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone. |
| 31.1 : D Paterson to Root, Full delivery on middle, Root drives straight to the bowler. |
| 31.2 : D Paterson to Root, Fullish ball on middle, Root whips it to mid-wicket where the fielder makes a half stop and the ball rolls to mid on. |
| 31.3 : D Paterson to Root, BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge and goes into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 31.4 : D Paterson to Root, Down the leg side, Root looks to flick but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 31.5 : D Paterson to Root, OVERTHROWS! Full delivery on middle, Root works it to mid-wicket. The fielder throws it at the keeper's end and hits the stumps. The ball rolls to deep cover allowing the batters to take a single. |
| 31.6 : D Paterson to Sibley, Good length ball on off, Sibley defends it back to the bowler. |
| 32.1 : Malan to Root, Very full delivery on middle, Root defends it out. |
| 32.2 : P Malan to Root, Good length ball on middle, Root solidly blocks it out. |
| 32.3 : P Malan to Root, That kept very low! Length ball outside off, keeping very low. Root looks to cut but misses it altogether. |
| 32.4 : P Malan to Root, Fullish on off, Root defends it to cover off the front foot. |
| 32.5 : P Malan to Root, FOUR! Nicely played! Short of a length ball outside off, Root plays the late cut which goes through the gully region for a boundary. |
| 32.6 : P Malan to Root, Full delivery on off, Root drives it to covers for nothing. TEA ON DAY 3. |
| On the basis of just the afternoon session, one can say it has been a shared one but in the context of this game, it has been England's one. The opening pair of Sibley and Crawley added 56 runs for the opening stand before the latter was dismissed. Denly too did not last long but Sibley is still there out in the middle along with his skipper. The tourists have taken their lead past 300 and have further 8 wickets in hand. South Africa, on the other hand, need to plan some way to keep picking wick |
| ... Day 3, Session 3 ... |
| The third session is set to get underway!!! The South African players make their way out to the middle. They are followed by Dominic Sibley and Joe Root. Beuran Hendricks will start the proceedings with the ball. |
| 33.1 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Hendricks starts with a full delivery on middle, Sibley pushes it to mid off. |
| 33.2 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Length ball on off, Sibley defends it solidly to cover. |
| 33.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Fullish delivery on middle, Dominic blocks it out onto the pitch. |
| 33.4 : B Hendricks to Sibley, Full delivery on middle, Sibley works it to square leg for a single. |
| 33.5 : B Hendricks to Root, Fullish ball outside off, Root goes for an expansive drive but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 33.6 : B Hendricks to Root, Good shot for nothing! Full delivery outside off, Root drives to the cover fielder. |
| Dwaine Pretorius to bowl from the other end. |
| 34.1 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Good length delivery outside off, Sibley leaves it alone. |
| 34.2 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Another one outside off, Sibley has no intention to play that. |
| 34.3 : D Pretorius to Sibley, On the fourth stump line, Sibley lets it carry to the keeper. |
| 34.4 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Good length ball outside off, Sibley defends it out to cover. |
| 34.5 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Fullish delivery on middle, Sibley drives it through the mid off region. Keegan Petersen (SUB) races after it and makes a good stop. Three taken. |
| 34.6 : D Pretorius to Root, Short of a length delivery on off, Root taps it to gully. |
| 35.1 : D Pretorius to Sibley, Full delivery on off, driven to covers for a single. |
| 35.2 : B Hendricks to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, Root punches it to deep cover for a single. |
| 35.3 : B Hendricks to Sibley, OUT! CAUGHT! Sibley goes after getting another start. This is not a wicket-taking delivery but Hendricks won't mind. Beuran dishes a short of a length ball on middle and leg. Sibley tucks it to mid-wicket off the back foot. It goes uppishly, Pieter Malan stationed at mid-wicket tumbles and takes a good low catch. England lead by 309. |
| The vice captain, Ben Stokes joins the skipper out in the middle. |
| 35.4 : B Hendricks to Stokes, Length ball on middle, Stokes defends it out to the bowler. |
| 35.5 : B Hendricks to Stokes, EDGY! Full delivery on middle, Stokes looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes towards deep point. A single taken. |
| 35.6 : B Hendricks to Root, Full delivery outside off, Root leaves it alone. End of a successful over! |
| 36.1 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Full delivery on middle, Stokes takes a few steps forward and blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 36.2 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Good length ball outside off, Stokes shoulders arms to it. |
| 36.3 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Good length ball on off, Stokes comes down the track and then pushes it to mid off. |
| 36.4 : D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR! Whipped away nicely. Full delivery outside off, Stokes whips it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 36.5 : D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR! Bang! Good length ball on off, Stokes puts on his dancing shoes and hammers it over mid on for a boundary. |
| 36.6 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Full delivery outside off, Stokes bends to sweep but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 37.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Seam movement and low bounce on this one. It is on a length outside off, Root looks to defend but the ball keeps low and beats him up. |
| 37.2 : B Hendricks to Joe Root, EDGED AND FOUR! Almost chopped on. Good length delivery on off and middle, Root looks to cut but the ball comes in and takes the inside edge of Root's willow. The ball misses the stumps and goes to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 37.3 : B Hendricks to Joe Root, Back of a length on off, Root pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 37.4 : B Hendricks to Ben Stokes, Fuller on off, Stokes pushes it to mid off. |
| 37.5 : B Hendricks to Stokes, Length delivery around off, Stokes dabs it to point. |
| 37.6 : B Hendricks to Stokes, On a length outside off, Stokes punches it towards cover and keeps the strike. |
| 38.1 : D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR! Malan's effort to stop the ball before the fence goes in vain. On middle and off, Stokes flicks it through mid-wicket. Malan gives it a chase and slides and pulls it before the ropes but the ball turns and eventually touches the ropes. |
| 38.2 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Length ball on off, Stokes taps it to backward point. |
| 38.3 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Length delivery on off, Stokes defends it off the back foot. |
| 38.4 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Good length delivery on off, Stokes punches it to cover. |
| 38.5 : D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR! Powerful wrist, great eye and great ambition from Stokes. Full outside off, Stokes uses his wrists and whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 38.6 : D Pretorius to Stokes, Fuller on off, Stokes punches it to cover to get through the over. |
| 39.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Good length ball on middle, Root defends it back to the bowler. |
| 39.2 : B Hendricks to Joe Root, Fullish ball outside off, Root pushes it to mid off and takes a single. |
| 39.3 : B Hendricks to Ben Stokes, Short ball on off, Stokes thumps it over mid on. The ball lands and then stops. The fielder comes across and cleans it up. Two taken. |
| 39.4 : B Hendricks to Stokes, FOUR! Superb timing. Full delivery on off, Stokes punches it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 39.5 : B Hendricks to Stokes, Excellent response from the the bowler. Short ball outside off, Stokes does well to sway away from it. |
| 39.6 : B Hendricks to Stokes, Short ball around middle, Stokes looks to pull but fails to get any bat on it. The keeper is interested for the caught behind but no one else is interested. The Ultra Edge rolls in and it shows that there was no bat on it. |
| 40.1 : D Pretorius to Root, Good length ball on off, Root defends it to point. |
| 40.2 : D Pretorius to Root, FOUR! Poor bowling and it has been put away. Low full toss on middle, Root whips it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 40.3 : D Pretorius to Root, Fullish delivery on off, pushed to mid off. |
| 40.4 : D Pretorius to Root, Length ball on off, Root taps it to point and crosses over for a single. |
| 40.5 : D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR BYES! Quinton de Kock was in all sorts of trouble there. Full delivery on off, Stokes jumps across the stumps and looks to scoop it but misses. It hits Quinton who's blinded and turns to evade the bat of Stokes. The ball races behind for a boundary. |
| 40.6 : D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR! Cut away nicely! Short ball outside off, Stokes cuts it through the point region for a boundary. |
| 41.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Full delivery on middle, Root pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 41.2 : B Hendricks to Root, Outside off, Root guides it towards point. The gully fielder comes across, dives but fails to make the stop. The batters take a single. |
| 41.3 : B Hendricks to Ben Stokes, OUT! CAUGHT! Stokes goes after playing a good cameo. He was looking good but now he departs. Good length ball outside off, Stokes goes for the drive without moving his feet. The ball takes the outside edge and goes to first slip. Rassie van der Dussen takes the catch with utmost ease. England leading by 353 runs. |
| Ollie Pope is the new man in. He's the in-form batsman for England and has another opportunity to add a few more runs to his Test tally. |
| 41.4 : B Hendricks to Pope, Good length ball on off, Pope defends it to cover. |
| 41.5 : B Hendricks to Pope, On middle, Ollie tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 41.6 : B Hendricks to Pope, Short ball on middle, Pope gets off the mark by pulling this to deep square leg for a single. |
| 42.1 : D Pretorius to Pope, Fullish ball outside off, Pope shoulders arms to this one. |
| 42.2 : D Pretorius to Pope, Full delivery on off, Pope lunges forward and defends it to cover. |
| 42.3 : D Pretorius to Pope, Full on off, Pope drives it but finds the cover fielder. |
| 42.4 : D Pretorius to Pope, Good length ball on the pads, Pope tucks it to deep square leg and crosses over for a run. |
| 42.5 : D Pretorius to Root, Full delivery outside off, Root pushes it to cover. |
| 42.6 : D Pretorius to Root, Fullish on middle, Root blocks it to mid on. |
| Anrich Nortje is back on. |
| 43.1 : A Nortje to Pope, Full delivery on middle, Pope works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 43.2 : A Nortje to Root, Nortje dishes another full ball on off, Root pushes it to mid off. |
| 43.3 : A Nortje to Root, Back of a length ball on middle, Root works it to square leg for another single. |
| 43.4 : A Nortje to Pope, FOUR! Nicely played! Full delivery on middle and leg, Pope drives it through the mid on region for a boundary. |
| 43.5 : A Nortje to Pope, Full on middle, Pope plays it back to the bowler. |
| 43.6 : A Nortje to O Pope, Just short! Back of a length ball outside off, Pope looks to cut but it takes the outside edge and goes on one bounce to the first slip fielder. |
| 44.1 : D Pretorius to Root, Fullish delivery on off, Root defends it to cover. |
| 44.2 : D Pretorius to Root, Low full toss on middle, Root flicks it to fine leg and picks up a couple before the fielder can come across and clean it up. |
| 44.3 : D Pretorius to Root, Length ball on off, Root charges down the track and defends it to cover. |
| 44.4 : D Pretorius to Root, Length ball on off, Root guides it to gully. |
| 44.5 : D Pretorius to Root, Fullish delivery outside off, Root lets it go to the keeper. |
| 44.6 : D Pretorius to Root, On middle, Root defends it solidly to mid-wicket. |
| 45.1 : A Nortje to Pope, FOUR! Beautifully played! Full delivery on middle, Pope flicks it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 45.2 : A Nortje to Pope, OUT! CAUGHT! Nortje gets Pope the second time in this game. South Africa keep on chipping away at the wickets. Short ball outside off, Pope looks to cut but it is too close to him. It takes the outside edge and goes towards the keeper. De Kock makes no mistake and pouches it safely. He celebrates and so do the others. 200 Test dismissals for de Kock. England lead by 367 runs! |
| Jos Buttler is the new man in. |
| 45.3 : A Nortje to Buttler, Good length ball on off, tailing into the batsman. Buttler looks to defend but it seems to have gone off the thigh pad. The ball lobs up in the air and goes towards gully. Faf du Plessis dives ahead and takes the catch. Nortje appeals for LBW but the umpire is not interested. Faf appeals for the catch as well but umpire shakes his head. The replays roll in and they show that the ball had hit the thigh pad. |
| 45.4 : A Nortje to Buttler, Full delivery, driven to mid off. |
| 45.5 : A Nortje to Buttler, Full delivery on middle, Buttler works it to mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 45.6 : A Nortje to Buttler, FOUR! Absolutely superb! Short delivery outside off, Buttler stands tall and drives it through the extra cover region for a boundary. |
| Dane Paterson is back on! 9.3-0-6-1, his figures so far. |
| 46.1 : D Paterson to Root, Fuller on off, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 46.2 : D Paterson to Root, Length delivery outside off, Root dabs it towards backward point and comes out for a single but Buttler sends him back. |
| 46.3 : D Paterson to Root, Good length delivery outside off, Root punches it to deep point for a single. |
| 46.4 : D Paterson to Buttler, Back of a length ball on off, punched to cover off the back foot. |
| 46.5 : D Paterson to Buttler, Full delivery outside off, Buttler leaves the ball alone. |
| 46.6 : D Paterson to Buttler, Good length ball outside off, Buttler shoulders arms to this one. |
| 47.1 : A Nortje to Joe Root, OUCH! That's nasty! Good length ball outside off, Root looks to defend but it hits the inside edge and hits him around the box. Root screams in extreme pain and crouches to the ground. |
| 47.2 : A Nortje to Root, Good length ball outside off, keeping a little low. Root looks to defend but it takes the bottom edge of the bat and goes to first slip. |
| 47.3 : A Nortje to Root, Full delivery on middle, Root works it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 47.4 : A Nortje to Buttler, On middle, Buttler works it to deep square leg and takes a couple. |
| 47.5 : A Nortje to Jos Buttler, Good length delivery on off, Buttler looks to drive but it takes the inside edge and rolls to the off side. |
| 47.6 : A Nortje to Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! Make that 201 dismissals for Quinton de Kock in Tests. Another failure for Jos Buttler. Short ball outside off, Buttler, without moving his feet, looks to punch but the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards the keeper. Quinton de Kock won't miss those as he takes a safe catch. England losing wickets in a heap but a lead of 377 runs at this stage has kept them on top! |
| Sam Curran is the new man in. |
| 48.1 : D Paterson to Root, Good length ball on the middle stump line, Root looks to flick but it hits the inside edge, onto the pads.and the ball rolls to square leg. The batters steal a single. |
| 48.2 : D Paterson to Curran, Good length ball on middle, Sam defends it out. |
| 48.3 : D Paterson to Curran, Full delivery on off, Curran defends it to cover. |
| 48.4 : D Paterson to Curran, Short ball around middle, Curran ducks under it. |
| 48.5 : D Paterson to Curran, Length ball outside off, Curran pushes it to deep point for a single. |
| 48.6 : D Paterson to Root, Good length ball outside off, jagging back in. Root looks to guide but it but it goes off the gloves towards point for a single |
| 49.1 : A Nortje to Root, Full delivery on off, pushed to mid off. |
| 49.2 : A Nortje to Root, Length delivery outside off, Root drives it to deep cover for a single. |
| 49.3 : A Nortje to Curran, Short ball on middle, Curran pulls but finds the mid on fielder. |
| 49.4 : A Nortje to Curran, FOUR! Hammered! Back of a length ball outside off, Curran smashes it through the extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 49.5 : A Nortje to Curran, EDGY FOUR! Full delivery outside off, Curran looks to drive but it takes the outside edge and goes over the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 49.6 : A Nortje to Curran, Good length ball outside off, Curran taps it to point. |
| 50.1 : D Paterson to Root, Fullish delivery on off, Root looks to drive but it takes the inside edge and goes onto hit the back knee. |
| 50.2 : D Paterson to Root, Full delivery on middle, Root moves to the off side, Root works it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 50.3 : D Paterson to Curran, BEATEN! Length ball outside off, Curran prods forward to defend but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 50.4 : D Paterson to Curran, On a length on off, Curran taps it to point and crosses over for a single. |
| 50.5 : D Paterson to Root, Root defends this length ball on off to point for a single. |
| 50.6 : D Paterson to Curran, Good length ball down the leg side, Curran flicks it to fine leg for a single. |
| Beuran Hendricks is back on. 10-1-32-2 are his figures. |
| 51.1 : B Hendricks to Curran, FOUR! Pulled away nicely. Short ball on off, Curran pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 51.2 : B Hendricks to Curran, Length ball on off, Sam pushes it to point for nothing. |
| 51.3 : B Hendricks to Curran, Very full delivery on middle, Curran drives it straight back to the bowler. |
| 51.4 : B Hendricks to Curran, EDGY! Fullish delivery on off, Curran looks to defend but it takes the outside edge and goes towards backward point. Keegan Petersen (Sub) comes across and cleans it up. Two taken. |
| 51.5 : B Hendricks to Curran, FOUR! Nicely played! Short delivery outside off, Curran drives it off the back foot towards the extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 51.6 : B Hendricks to Curran, Good length ball on off, defended towards point. |
| 52.1 : D Paterson to Root, Short ball on middle, Root pulls it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 52.2 : D Paterson to Curran, Full on middle, Curran taps it to point for a single. |
| 52.3 : D Paterson to Joe Root, Good length delivery outside off, Root dances down the track and looks to heave it away but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 52.4 : D Paterson to Root, Good length delivery on the pads, Root flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 52.5 : D Paterson to Curran, Back of a length ball on off, punched to deep cover for a single. |
| 52.6 : D Paterson to Root, Full delivery outside off, Root looks to drive but it goes off the inside half of the bat back to the bowler. |
| 53.1 : B Hendricks to Curran, FOUR! Hammered! Short ball on middle, Curran pulls it over mid on for a boundary. |
| 53.2 : B Hendricks to Curran, Play and a miss! Good length ball outside off, Curran looks to guide it down to third man. Gets beaten. |
| 53.3 : B Hendricks to Curran, Full delivery on middle, Curran whips it towards mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 53.4 : B Hendricks to Curran, Full delivery on middle, Curran flicks it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 53.5 : B Hendricks to Root, PLAY AND A MISS! Full delivery outside off, Root goes to play the reverse scoop but fails to get any bat on it. Interesting shot selection by the English skipper! |
| 53.6 : B Hendricks to Root, Good length ball outside off, Root guides it to third man for a single. |
| Dwaine Pretorius is back. 54 from his 14 overs and also a wicket. |
| 54.1 : D Pretorius to Root, On the pads, Root flicks it in front of square on the leg side and gets a single. |
| 54.2 : D Pretorius to Curran, Length delivery just outside off, Sam looks to cut but misses and gets beaten by a whisker. |
| 54.3 : D Pretorius to Curran, This time Curran manages to punch it through on the off side and gets a single it bring up the 200 for England. |
| 54.4 : D Pretorius to Root, Just above the stumps. Good length delivery just over the stumps. Root looks to pull but misses. |
| 54.5 : D Pretorius to Root, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 54.6 : D Pretorius to Curran, FOUR! Super shot this from Curran. Length ball around off, Sam comes down the track a bit and whacks it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 55.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Good length delivery on the pads, Root looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards the slip cordon and the batters manage to take a leg bye. |
| 55.2 : B Hendricks to Curran, Length ball down the leg side, Curran looks to flick but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 55.3 : B Hendricks to Curran, Outside off, pushed to point. |
| 55.4 : B Hendricks to Curran, OUT! CAUGHT! Short ball does the trick and Curran makes his way back to the pavilion after playing a valuable knock. Hendricks bowls a short ball around middle, Curran looks to play the hook shot but does not time it well. It goes straight into the hands of Dane Paterson at fine leg. England lead by 423 runs. |
| The new man in is Chris Woakes. |
| 55.5 : B Hendricks to Woakes, Good length ball on middle, Woakes looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 55.6 : B Hendricks to Woakes, OUT! CAUGHT! Hendricks picks up his fourth wicket and England lose their 8th wicket. Short of a length ball outside off, Woakes looks to push at it tamely and it goes towards the keeper off the inner half of his blade. Quinton de Kock makes no mistake and adds one more to his tally of Test dismissals. |
| The hero with the ball, Mark Wood walks out to bat now. Not just with the ball, it was his blitzkrieg at the end with Broad in the first innings that took England to 400. |
| 56.1 : D Pretorius to Root, Good length ball on off, Root defends it to cover. |
| 56.2 : D Pretorius to Root, On a length on middle, Root defends it to the leg side. |
| 56.3 : D Pretorius to Root, Fullish delivery on off, Root taps it to point and takes a single. |
| 56.4 : D Pretorius to Wood, Good length ball on the pads, Wood looks to work it to the leg side. It hits him on the pads and the ball rolls to point. A leg bye taken. |
| 56.5 : D Pretorius to Root, Fuller one on off, Root moves to the off side and then flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 56.6 : D Pretorius to Root, Good length ball outside off, Root guides it to third man for a single. |
| 57.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Good length ball outside off, Joe taps it to the third man region for a single. |
| 57.2 : B Hendricks to Wood, Full delivery on off, Wood gets off the mark by driving this to deep cover for a single. |
| 57.3 : B Hendricks to Root, Fullish delivery on the pads, Root looks to play the reverse scoop but fails to get any bat on it. It hits the pads and the ball rolls to the leg side. Hendricks appeals but the umpire is not interested. The batters steal a leg bye. |
| 57.4 : Hendricks to M Wood, IN THE AIR... SAFE! Short ball outside off, Wood stands tall to cut but it takes the top half of the bat and goes over towards third man. Faf du Plessis (from the slip cordon) and Temba Bavuma (from 1st slip) run after it but the ball lands safely. Two taken. |
| 57.5 : B Hendricks to Wood, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 57.6 : B Hendricks to Wood, Length ball on middle, Wood defends it back to the bowler. |
| 58.1 : Pretorius to Joe Root, Inside edge! Full delivery on middle, Root looks to flick but it goes off the inside edge and the ball goes towards point. A single taken. An appeal is made for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 58.2 : D Pretorius to Wood, WIDE! Full delivery outside off, Wood leaves it alone. Wide signaled. |
| D Pretorius to Wood, Full on off, Wood drives it uppishly towards long off for a single. |
| 58.3 : D Pretorius to Root, Short delivery outside off, Root looks to cut but it takes the inside edge and goes towards fine leg. Faf chases after it and makes a good stop. Three taken. |
| 58.4 : D Pretorius to Wood, FOUR! Nicely played! Good length delivery outside off, Wood guides it through gully for a boundary. |
| 58.5 : D Pretorius to Wood, EDGED AND FOUR! Short of a length outside off, Wood looks to cut but it goes off the outside edge and over the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 58.6 : D Pretorius to Wood, Good length ball on off, pushed to deep cover for a single. 15 runs from the over. |
| Joe Root is having some issue with his left eye. Looks like something has gone inside and he is getting it checked. |
| 59.1 : B Hendricks to Wood, FOUR! Clubbed! Full delivery on middle, Wood heaves it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 59.2 : B Hendricks to M Wood, Short ball on middle, Wood pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 59.3 : B Hendricks to Root, Good length ball on middle, Root works it to mid-wicket. |
| 59.4 : B Hendricks to Root, Length delivery outside off, Root puts on his dancing shoes and then looks to heave it away, misses completely. |
| 59.5 : B Hendricks to Root, FOUR! Beautiful stroke! Full delivery outside off, Root drives it to deep cover for a boundary. |
| 59.6 : B Hendricks to Root, FIFTY! 48th Test fifty! The English skipper has made back-to-back fifties in this Test. He might not be able to convert this into a ton but with this fifty he has given his side a massive lead. This has not been an easy pitch to bat on but he has fought it out in the middle and found a way past his struggles. Length ball on off, Root dabs it towards backward point to get to his milestone with a single. |
| 60.1 : D Pretorius to Root, Very full delivery on middle, Root works it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 60.2 : D Pretorius to M Wood, OUT! TIMBER! Another wicket down. Will South Africa get to bat again today? Length ball on off, Wood moves to the off side and then looks to flick. He misses and the ball brushes his pad before going on to uproot the off stump. England are leading by 457 runs. |
| The last man in is Stuart Broad! |
| 60.3 : D Pretorius to Broad, Good length ball on the pads, Broad works it to square leg for a single. |
| 60.4 : D Pretorius to Root, PLAY AND A MISS! Full delivery outside off, Root looks to heave it away to the leg side but misses. |
| 60.5 : D Pretorius to Root, SIX! What a shot! The sound of the bat meeting the ball was sweet. Full delivery on middle, Root swings it over the deep mid-wicket region for a maximum. |
| 60.6 : D Pretorius to Root, Fullish ball on middle, Root works it to the leg side for a single. |
| 61.1 : B Hendricks to Root, Hendricks comes around the wicket and bowls a short ball outside off, Root punches it to deep cover. Does not take the single. |
| 61.2 : B Hendricks to Root, Outside off, Root punches it to deep point. No run taken. |
| 61.3 : B Hendricks to Joe Root, OUT! CAUGHT! Faf du Plessis takes a stunner to end the innings, the day and also gives Beuran Hendricks a 5-wicket haul on debut. Full ball around off, Root looks to whack it on the off side but gets a thick outside edge which flies to the right of gully. South African skipper, Faf du Plessis decides to show his flying skills and channel his inner Superman. He dives to his right, actually if you see it in real time, you will see him fly like Superman just without t |
| An enthralling day of Test cricket comes to a close! Things escalated fairly quickly and England have taken a firm control on this game. There was a flurry of wickets in the evening session as the visitors looked for quick runs and stretched their lead to 465 before getting all out. Beuran Hendricks walks away with a 5-wicket haul and it's a special moment for him as he leads his team off the park. |
| Earlier in the morning session, South Africa fought bravely against all odds with Quinton de Kock leading the charge. His 79-run partnership with Dwaine Pretorius helped the Proteas to reduce the deficit but it wasn't good enough as they failed to avoid the follow-on. Mark Wood was the standout bowler with a fifer and he once again proved his worth in the side. |
| England didn't take the choice to enforce the follow-on and came out to swell their 217-run lead. To add to South Africa's woes, Vernon Philander injured his hamstring very early and he never returned after that, a sad end to a glorious Test career. The English batsmen took advantage of it and once again Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley combined for a solid alliance upfront. From thereon, the Brits kept on adding runs in spite of wickets falling in clumps. Joe Root stroked yet another half century |
| That's all we have from the moving day of the Johannesburg Test. England have taken a step closer to winning the series 3-1 and South Africa will have to play out of their skins to stop that from happening. Do join us on Monday for Day 4 to find out how things transpire. The action will begin here at 1000 local (0800 GMT). Cheers! |
| ... Day 4, Morning Session ... |
| 6 sessions of the game remain! England need 10 wickets to seal the series. South Africa have a mammoth task of getting 466 runs to win the match and draw the series. The visitors are in the driver's seat and anything but an South Africa win will be nothing but a massive upset. The hosts have struggled with the bat so far in this series and will need to bat out of their skin to silence all their critics of becoming the tamed lions. Hello and welcome to the coverage of Day 4. This is a very import |
| The England players are out in the middle. They will be looking to take all 10 wickets today itself and wrap up the match and the series. They are followed by the South African openers, Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar. Stuart Broad to start the proceedings with the ball. Here we go!!! |
| 0.1 : S Broad to Malan, Broad starts the day with a full length ball attacking the stumps, Malan does well to defend this ball out. |
| 0.2 : S Broad to Malan, Back of a length ball on middle and off, left alone by Pieter Malan. |
| 0.3 : S Broad to Malan, Another full ball attacking the off pole, Malan shuffles across and defends this towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 0.4 : S Broad to Malan, Fuller one on off by Broad, Malan pushes this one towards the man at cover. |
| 0.5 : S Broad to Malan, Good length ball attacking the middle pole, Malan defends this one towards the man at mid on. |
| 0.6 : S Broad to Malan, Ohh! Good delivery to end the over! Length ball on off, angling in, Malan offers no stroke but the ball comes in too much and is hit near the box. End of a good over as England look to attack the Proteas straightaway. |
| Sam Curran to partner Stuart Broad from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Length ball on off to start with by Curran, Elgar defends it off the back foot towards the man at point. |
| 1.2 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Curran goes fuller, he defends this one towards the man at mid off. |
| 1.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone by Elgar. |
| 1.4 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Good length ball on middle and off, Elgar defends this one onto the pitch and the ball goes above Curran and the man from mid off runs to his left to gather the ball. |
| 1.5 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Elgar defends this one towards the off side. |
| 1.6 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Outside off, left alone by Elgar. |
| 2.1 : S Broad to Malan, Length ball outside off to start the over by Malan, he leaves this one alone. |
| 2.2 : S Broad to Malan, Fuller ball on the off pole line, Malan looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half towards the man at point all along the ground. |
| 2.3 : S Broad to Malan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 2.4 : S Broad to Malan, First runs of the day! On the pads of Malan, he flicks this one towards square leg and gets a couple. |
| 2.5 : S Broad to Malan, Length delivery outside off, left alone by Malan again. |
| 2.6 : S Broad to Malan, Good length delivery outside off, Malan leaves it alone to finish the over. |
| 3.1 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Jaffa! What a delivery by Curran! A length delivery just outside off, angling in. |
| 3.2 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Good length ball on middle and leg, pushed towards the man at mid on. |
| 3.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Defended off the back foot towards the man at cover-point. |
| 3.4 : Sam Curran to D Elgar, EDGED AND FOUR! Good length ball down the leg side, Elgar looks to work it towards that side but the ball goes off the leading edge behind the man at point and into the fence for a boundary. First boundary of the innings. |
| 3.5 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Length ball on middle and leg, Elgar looks to defend but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 3.6 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Good length delivery on middle and off, defended towards the off side by Elgar. |
| 4.1 : S Broad to Malan, Huge appeal for LBW but probably going down the leg side. Full on middle and leg, it goes with the angle. Malan looks to flick but misses. There is a huge appeal from the English players but the umpire turns it down. |
| 4.2 : S Broad to Malan, Good length delivery outside off, asking Malan to have a crack but he calmly leaves it alone. |
| 4.3 : S Broad to Malan, Broad goes full and closer to the off pole. Malan defends it with surety. |
| 4.4 : S Broad to Malan, Full on off, Malan pushes it to mid on. |
| 4.5 : S Broad to Malan, FOUR! Beautiful drive from Malan. Slightly overpitched on off and middle, Malan gets in a good position on his front foot and drives it with class through mid off for a boundary. This will give him a lot of confidence. |
| 4.6 : S Broad to Malan, Follows the boundary with a calm push to mid off. |
| 5.1 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Good length delivery outside off, Elgar lets it carry to the keeper. |
| 5.2 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Full on middle, Elgar strokes it to mid on. |
| 5.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Almost chopped on. Length ball just outside off. Elgar looks to cut but the ball is too close to the stumps and his body. He still goes for it, he ends up chopping it behind and luckily for him and his team the ball does not go onto hit the stumps. |
| 5.4 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Full on off, Elgar pushes it to mid off. |
| 5.5 : Sam Curran to D Elgar, Full and swinging away from off, Elgar looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and rolls to third a for a single. |
| 5.6 : Sam Curran to Malan, On the stumps, Malan defends it with a dead bat. |
| 6.1 : S Broad to Elgar, Stuart Broad produces something special as soon as he comes around the wicket. Good length delivery just outside off, angling in. It pitches and nips away. Elgar looks to play at it but is completely beaten. |
| 6.2 : S Broad to Elgar, Another good length ball on the off side, this time Elgar defends it towards the off side with soft hands and takes a single. |
| 6.3 : S Broad to Malan, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 6.4 : S Broad to Malan, Appeal turned down! Good length ball just outside off, coming in. Malan looks to defend this off the front foot but misses to get hit on the back leg's thigh pad. The England players appeal but nothing from the umpire. The impact looks outside off and Ball Tracker confirms it. |
| 6.5 : S Broad to Malan, Length ball on off, defended towards the off side and Malan rotates strike. |
| 6.6 : S Broad to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 7.1 : Sam Curran to P Malan, Good length ball on off, Malan plays a beautiful shot through the cover-point region and the batters take a couple. |
| 7.2 : Sam Curran to Malan, On the pads of Malan, he flicks this one towards the mid-wicket region and the batters take a single. |
| 7.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, FOUR! Well played but a bad ball! On the pads of Elgar, he flicks this one in the gap near square leg and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 7.4 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Once again on the pads, played towards square leg again but this time just a run. |
| 7.5 : Sam Curran to Malan, Fullish delivery around off, pushed to the man at mid off. |
| 7.6 : Sam Curran to Malan, Another one on off and fuller in length, defended towards the man at mid off. |
| First bowling change of the game. The hero with the ball from the first innings, actually the English hero and antagonist for South Africa in this game so far, Mark Wood is into the attack. |
| 8.1 : M Wood to Elgar, Good running! Wood starts with a full ball on off, Elgar plays it with soft hands towards the off side and takes a very quick single. Intent! |
| 8.2 : M Wood to Malan, Good length ball on middle and leg, defended towards the man at short leg. |
| 8.3 : M Wood to Malan, Full ball on middle and off, defended back towards Wood. |
| 8.4 : M Wood to Malan, Length ball on off, played towards the man at point. |
| 8.5 : M Wood to Malan, Bouncer down the leg side, Malan ducks and lets it go. |
| 8.6 : M Wood to P Malan, Full ball on middle and off, Malan pushes it down the ground past the man at mid on and the batters take a couple to end the over. |
| Change from both the ends. Chris Woakes replaces Sam Curran from the other end. |
| 9.1 : C Woakes to Elgar, On the pads, flicked towards the man at square leg. |
| 9.2 : C Woakes to Elgar, Another one on the pads, played towards the man at mid-wicket. |
| 9.3 : C Woakes to Elgar, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 9.4 : C Woakes to Elgar, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 9.5 : C Woakes to Elgar, Back of a length ball on the off side, defended towards the man at point for a single. |
| 9.6 : C Woakes to Malan, Outside off, Elgar leaves this one alone and gets through the over. South Africa have scored 25 runs at the end of the the first 10 overs of the day, but more importantly, they have not lost a single wicket so far. |
| 10.1 : M Wood to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Elgar leaves this one alone. |
| 10.2 : M Wood to Elgar, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 10.3 : M Wood to Elgar, Another length ball which is outside off, Elgar does not fiddle with it. |
| 10.4 : Wood to Elgar, Another appeal turned down! Length ball down the leg side, Elgar looks to flick this one fine but fails to do so. The ball deflects off his thigh pad towards Pope at short leg. He takes the catch and the England players appeal but the umpire turns it down. Replays confirm it did not hit the bat nor the glove. |
| 10.5 : M Wood to Elgar, Length ball on middle and off, defended. |
| 10.6 : M Wood to Elgar, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 11.1 : C Woakes to Malan, Good length ball outside off, Malan looks to bend and defend but he misses the ball and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 11.2 : C Woakes to Malan, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 11.3 : C Woakes to Malan, This time a louder appeal by England but again turned down! Good length ball just outside off, Malan looks to defend but fails to do so. The ball lobs towards the man at silly point who takes the catch and appeals. The umpire again shakes his head as he reckons this one has come off the pads of Malan. England opt against taking the review. Ball Tracker comes in and shows it was hitting the pad and the impact was outside off. |
| 11.4 : C Woakes to Malan, Outside off, Malan does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone. |
| 11.5 : C Woakes to Malan, Back of a length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 11.6 : C Woakes to Malan, FOUR! Another back of a length ball on off, Malan rocks back and cuts and it goes just above the man at gully and into the third man fence. |
| 12.1 : M Wood to Elgar, FOUR! Just pure timing on this one! Good length delivery around off, Elgar hangs on his back foot and uses the pace of Wood and just taps it through point for a boundary. |
| 12.2 : M Wood to Elgar, Length delivery on off stump this time, Elgar defends this towards mid off. |
| 12.3 : M Wood to Elgar, Bouncer! A very well-directed one by Wood. Elgar ducks under it awkwardly but no harm done. |
| 12.4 : M Wood to Elgar, Another short ball. This one is outside off and Dean sways away from it in a better way. |
| 12.5 : M Wood to Elgar, After going short on the previous two balls, Wood goes very full on off. Elgar defends it to the left of the bowler. Wood goes to ground and gets his hand to it and deflects the ball to mid on. |
| 12.6 : M Wood to Elgar, Absolute peach to end the over. Wood hits the deck hard outside off, it looks to be coming in with the angle but straightens up as it comes off the pitch. Elgar looks to defend but gets squared up. |
| 13.1 : C Woakes to Malan, Fuller on off, Malan blocks it. |
| 13.2 : C Woakes to Malan, On a length on off, Pieter defends this. |
| 13.3 : C Woakes to Malan, Woakes goes full on off, PM once again uses a dead bat to see it off. |
| 13.4 : C Woakes to Malan, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 13.5 : C Woakes to Malan, Outside off, left alone by Malan. |
| 13.6 : C Woakes to Malan, Length ball on off, Malan pushes it wide of cover for one. |
| 14.1 : M Wood to Malan, On the hips of Malan tucks it on the bounce to short leg. |
| 14.2 : M Wood to Malan, Good length ball on middle and leg, Malan once again plays it well as he glances it onto the ground towards short leg. |
| 14.3 : M Wood to Malan, Outside off, Malan lunges forward and lets it carry to the keeper. |
| 14.4 : M Wood to Malan, FOUR! Classic cover drive. You can keep on watching this shot on loop and you will continue to admire this every single time. Full around off, Malan gets on his front foot and leans into the cover drive. The outfield is quick so the fielder has no chance stopping that. |
| 14.5 : M Wood to Malan, Short ball, Malan ducks under it. |
| 14.6 : M Wood to Malan, Good length ball on off, Malan pushes it wide of cover for a run. He will keep the strike. |
| Drinks! A good solid hour for South Africa but they cannot afford to lose their concentration here. It is a long, long ask and the pair of Malan and Elgar need to keep on going for a big period of time. England will not be too disappointed with not getting a wicket in the first hour of play. They have plenty of runs to play with but they will look to strike at least a couple before the end of this session. |
| 15.1 : C Woakes to P Malan, OUT! CAUGHT! Malan departs and maybe it is a commentators curse after all. Just as we said the openers cannot lose their concentration, Malan looses his focus, maybe the break in play brought about his downfall. Woakes is the man who has drawn first blood here. Full and wide outside off, Malan goes chasing after it like a kid chasing candy. He ends up getting a thick outside edge which goes to the right of Ben Stokes. You cannot keep him out of the game and he takes a |
| 0.0 : Rassie van der Dussen is the new man in. |
| 15.2 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Good length ball on off, van der Dussen blocks it. |
| 15.3 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Outside off, left alone. |
| 15.4 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Review time! Rassie van der Dussen is the man in question. The umpire has adjudged him out and it looks close to the naked eye. The Ball Tracker rolls in and shows that this is going OVER the stumps. |
| 15.5 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, NOT OUT! Rassie survives. Good referral by the South African no. 3! He lives to fight another day. Good length ball pitching around off, van der Dussen looks to defend but misses. The ball hits him high on the pads of his back leg. The English players go up in a huge appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Rassie has a word with his partner and then signals the 'T'. Replay rolls in and first Ultra Edge confirms that there is no bat involved. Ball Tracker then r |
| 15.6 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Another huge appeal but this time the umpire shakes his head. Very full on off and it nips back in. Rassie looks to play but gets a feather on it onto the pads. The English players are once again excited but this time the umpire is not. |
| Sam Curran is back on. |
| 16.1 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Good length ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 16.2 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Length ball on middle and off, Elgar defends it towards the man at mid off. |
| 16.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Outside off, Dean leaves this one alone. |
| 16.4 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Full ball on the off pole line, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 16.5 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Woah! Jaffa by Curran! Bowls a back of a length delivery just outside off, and this time gets it to nip back in. Elgar looks to defend but the ball cuts him in half and oohs and aahs all around. |
| 16.6 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Wide! Bouncer on middle and leg, Elgar ducks as it is way too high. |
| Sam Curran to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 17.1 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, God length ball on off, Rassie blocks it off the back foot and into the ground. |
| 17.2 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, FOUR! Short ball on middle and Rassie takes the full toll of it. He just pulls it with disdain and the ball races to the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. |
| 17.3 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Oh! The inside edge there. Rassie looks to defend this length ball off the back foot only to get an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 17.4 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, BEATEN! Beauty of a nut there. Rassie is lured into poking this length ball outside off. Luckily he does not edge it behind. |
| 17.5 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Outside off, pushed to the man at cover. |
| 17.6 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Outside off, driven towards point for a couple. |
| 18.1 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Length ball outside off, Elgar defends the ball off the outside half of the bat towards covers. |
| 18.2 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Oh! That beats Elgar. He would have had his heart in his mouth. He looks to poke this length ball outside off but the ball sneaks past the outside edge and the ball lands into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 18.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Elgar blocks this length ball off the back foot and towards the covers. |
| 18.4 : Sam Curran to Elgar, FOUR! Elgar has played that superbly there. Elgar pushes the length ball outside off straight down the ground and the ball beats the dive of the mid off fielder and the ball rolls towards the long off fence for a boundary. |
| 18.5 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Elgar keeps out this length ball outside off. |
| 18.6 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.1 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Length ball outside off, pushed to covers off the front foot. |
| 19.2 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Rassie pushes the ball off the back foot towards the bowler. |
| 19.3 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Back of a length ball on off, Rassie looks to pull but is beaten to get rapped on the thigh pads. |
| 19.4 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Length ball outside off, pushed back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Van der Dussen once again pushes this length delivery on off towards the bowler. |
| 19.6 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Rassie does well to keep this length ball out off the back foot. |
| 20.1 : Sam Curran to Elgar, BEATEN ! Curran makes the ball curve away from the forward push of Elgar. Dean is lucky there to not edge it. |
| 20.2 : Sam Curran to Elgar, Elgar pushes this length ball straight towards covers. |
| 20.3 : Sam Curran to Elgar, On the pads of Elgar. He just flicks it through fine leg and gets an easy single there. |
| 20.4 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Van der Dussen just taps this length ball off the front foot towards covers. |
| 20.5 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Back of a length ball on off, kept out off the back foot towards cover. |
| 20.6 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, FOUR! Curran errs in line and dishes one onto the pads of Rassie. He just flicks it off the back foot and the ball rolls over the mid-wicket fence. The fielder in the deep cannot do any thing there. |
| Time for Ben Stokes to have a go with the ball. |
| 21.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball outside off, further going away. Elgar lets it be. |
| 21.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 21.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Elgar blocks one off the back foot there. |
| 21.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Dean defends this length delivery off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 21.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Elgar drives this full ball outside off towards point. |
| 21.6 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Last ball of the over. Elgar keeps it out. |
| 22.1 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Full on middle, Rassie flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 22.2 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Full and angled away outside off, Rassie looks to lay bat on ball but he misses it. |
| 22.3 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Angling away outside off, Rassie lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 22.4 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Once again, outside off, van der Dussen leaves it for the keeper. |
| 22.5 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Length and around off, Rassie blocks it off the front foot. |
| 22.6 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Full ball on off, defended off the back foot there by van der Dussen. |
| 23.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Back of a length ball on middle, Elgar blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 23.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Short ball on off, Dean ducks under it. |
| 23.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball on off, played off the front foot there by Elgar. |
| 23.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball on off, Elgar pushes the ball off the back foot towards point. |
| 23.5 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Outside off, pushed to covers for a single. |
| 23.6 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Full ball on off, Rassie drives it towards mid off and keeps the strike. |
| Time for some spin. Skipper Joe Root to try his luck now. |
| 24.1 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Tossed up on off, pushed towards covers. |
| 24.2 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, FOUR! Beautifully played there by van der Dussen there. Root bowls a full ball on middle, Rassie sees the length and promptly gets in the position to reverse sweep it. he gets the placement right and the ball races to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 24.3 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Tossed up on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 24.4 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Full on middle, tucked to short leg. |
| 24.5 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, FOUR! Tossed up on off, van der Dussen dances down the track and flicks this one. Root tosses one up on middle and leg, van der Dussen flicks it off his pads by coming down the track. He hits it just over the leaping short mid-wicket fielder there and the ball has enough in it to roll over the boundary cushions at mid-wicket. |
| 24.6 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, FOUR! Three boundaries in the over for van der Dussen. Rassie is getting a move on here. Introduction of spin has helped the batsman there as he once again reverse sweeps it to find the fence at third man. |
| 25.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Full ball on middle and leg, defended towards the bowler. |
| 25.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, On the pads, flicked towards deep square leg for a single by Elgar. |
| 25.3 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Good length delivery on middle and off, defended. |
| 25.4 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Fullish ball on off, pushed to the man at mid off. |
| 25.5 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, FOUR! Driven away! Full ball on off, van der Dussen comes forward and drives this ball through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 25.6 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.1 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, FOUR! BYES! The trap was set there. |
| 26.2 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Root bowls one on the pads and Rassie tucks it to leg slip. |
| 26.3 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Tossed up on off, kept out. |
| 26.4 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, FOUR! Now van der Dussen plays the conventional sweep and finds the fence. Full and on middle this time, Rassie sweeps it through fine leg and the ball meets the fence in no time. |
| 26.5 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, SIX! Van der Dussen is taking Root on. 50-run stand up between van der Dussen and Elgar. Rassie skips down the track and hoicks one over the fence at mid-wicket. The fielder there is a mere spectator as the ball sails way over him and into the stands. |
| 26.6 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Full on the pads, tucked to mid-wicket. |
| 27.1 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Length ball around off, defended back towards the bowler by Elgar. |
| 27.2 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Outside off, left alone by Dean. |
| 27.3 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Bouncer on middle and off, Elgar ducks under it. |
| 27.4 : Ben Stokes to Elgar, Good length ball just outside off, defended by Elgar back towards the bowler. |
| 27.5 : Stokes to Elgar, OUT! Caught! The budding stand has been broken and it is Ben Stokes who is once again in the thick of action. A very good ball this from the English all-rounder. He bends his back and bowls a very good short ball. The speed gun shows it is bowled at 136 kph but in real-time it looked quick. It is very close to Elgar's body and the ball skids off the surface. Elgar is hurried onto the pull and all he can do it lob it back to Stokes who takes an easy catch. Just when it look |
| The skipper walks out to bat. Faf du Plessis is the new man in. He has been struggling for runs and there is a lot of pressure on him. His side needs him to be the messiah and take them out of troubled waters here. Can Faf deliver? |
| 27.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Hits the deck hard on the stumps, Faf du Plessis starts his innings with a back foot defense. |
| 28.1 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Tossed up on off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 28.2 : Joe Root to van der Dussen, Full on leg stump, tucked past short leg and the batsmen take a run. |
| 28.3 : Joe Root to Plessis, Full on middle, Faf defends it right under his eyes. |
| 28.4 : Joe Root to Plessis, Tossed up on middle, Faf tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.5 : Joe Root to Plessis, Full ball on middle, du Plessis does well to turn it towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.6 : Joe Root to Plessis, Floated on middle, du Plessis does well to block it back to the bowler. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| 29 overs, 90 runs and 2 wickets. That is what has happened in the morning session at Johannesburg on Day 4 and England will be happy with their performance so far. After a wicketless hour of play, Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar looked strong and confident. The Proteas were becoming hopeful that these two can stitch a good stand but right after the Drinks break, Woakes struck to dismiss Malan as he was caught in slips by Ben Stokes. Rassie van der Dussen walked in then, and he combined with the sout |
| So, an important passage of play awaits us in Johannesburg. Can the South African batters hold fort and perform a miracle of some sorts or will England do what is looking inevitable? Join us at 1140 Local (0940 GMT) to find out! |
| ... Day 4, Session 2 ... |
| We are back after the Lunch Break. The South African batsmen Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen walk out to resume their innings. All eyes will be on the South African skipper as he has been short of runs. For England, Ben Stokes will start the session with the ball. |
| 29.1 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, First ball of the post Lunch session and Stokes bowls it on a length outside off. It comes back in but Rassie is aware of his off stump and lets it be. |
| 29.2 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Calm and composed start from van der Dussen as he once again does not go after a length ball away from his stumps. |
| 29.3 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Stokes goes full and close to off stump, van der Dussen squeezes it to deep point for a single. |
| 29.4 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Oh! Stokes hits the deck hard around off, it swings away just a hint. Faf looks to defend but gets beaten. |
| 29.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Closer to the off stump, du Plessis blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 29.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, Faf lunges forward and defends it towards cover and calls his partner to wait. |
| Mark Wood to partner Stokes first up in the second session. |
| 30.1 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Full and on off, Rassie drives if off the inside half of the bat towards mid on. |
| 0.0 : Change of bats for Rassie van der Dussen. |
| 30.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, BEATEN! Beautiful Delivery! Van der Dussen is squared up there as he looks to push this length ball outside off from the back foot. |
| 30.3 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Back of a length ball on middle, Rassie hops and defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 30.4 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Full ball on off, van der Dussen drives it back to the bowler. |
| 30.5 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Fuller and outside off, Rassie drives it straight to covers. |
| 30.6 : M Wood to van der Dussen, On a length and on off, Rassie taps it to covers off the back foot. |
| 31.1 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Back of a length and on off, Faf looks to flick it to the leg side. But extra bounce there means that the ball raps the gloves and rolls towards the off side. |
| 31.2 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Length ball outside off, Faf lifts his bat and lets the ball through. |
| 31.3 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Back of a length ball on off, Faf taps it towards short leg . |
| 31.4 : Ben Stokes to du Plessis, Length ball on off, du Plessis looks to defend it but the ball takes the inside edge and hits Faf on the box. |
| 31.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, EDGED BUT SAFE! Length ball outside off, Faf looks to go for the drive through covers. But the ball takes the outside edge and rolls towards second slip. |
| 31.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Outside off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 32.1 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Length ball on off, Rassie drives it towards covers. |
| 32.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, FOUR! Too full from Wood and van der Dussen pounces on it as he drives it past the bowler all along the ground showing the full face of the bat. No need to move there as the ball hurries to the long off fence. |
| 32.3 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Length ball outside off, Rassie shoulders arms to it. |
| 32.4 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Short ball on middle and leg, van der Dussen ducks under it. |
| 32.5 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Full and on off, Rasssie drives it towards mid on. |
| 32.6 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Short and on middle, van der Dussen pulls it all along the ground towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 33.1 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Short of length ball outside off, van der Dussen hops and defends the ball off the back foot towards covers. |
| 33.2 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Effort ball from Stokes there. It is angled right on the body. Rassie looks to pull it only to miss it. The ball sails past the ears of van der Dussen and into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 33.3 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Full on the pads, van der Dussen flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a run. |
| A huge appeal for caught behind has been turned down and England have taken the review straightaway. They think they have their man let's see what the replays have to say. |
| 33.4 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, NOT OUT! Faf survives. Bad review from Root there. He just takes it in desperation there. Stokes bowls a length ball outside off, Faf looks to leave it to get an elbow towards the keeper. Buttler there takes the catch and immediately goes up in appeal. Root there signals 'T' in a blink of an eye. The replays roll in and it confirms that du Plessis had not edged the ball but it took away the elbow. Faf continues to fight it out in the middle for himself and the team. |
| 33.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Bumper once again, Faf is quick to pot it and sways away from the line of the delivery. |
| 33.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Full and on middle, flicked straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 34.1 : M Wood to van der Dussen, On the pads, played towards mid-wicket. |
| 34.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Length ball outside off, left alone by Rassie. |
| 34.3 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Full ball on the pads, van der Dussen flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and cuts it off but the batters in the meantime take three quick runs. 100 up for South Africa with this too. |
| 34.4 : M Wood to Plessis, On the pads again, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 34.5 : M Wood to van der Dussen, 50 for Rassie van der Dussen! His 3rd Test half ton and he will be delighted with this one. A good length delivery bowled near the off pole line, Rassie pushes it towards mid off and takes a single to get to this milestone. However, he knows that his work is not even half done and he needs to convert this into a big one if his side is to win this game. |
| 34.6 : M Wood to Plessis, Du Plessis shoulders arms to let this one through. |
| 35.1 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Short ball barrage continues as van der Dussen drops his wrists and sways away from the line. |
| 35.2 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Another bouncer and Rassie goes for the pull only to miss it as the ball sails over him. Buttler looked excited but aborted the appeal as the umpire was not interested. |
| 35.3 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Third one in a row and Rassie ducks under it. The umpire penalizes Stokes by giving it as wide. |
| Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Back of a length on off, van der Dussen hops and defends the ball towards point. |
| 35.4 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Full toss outside off, Rassie punches the ball through covers and gets to the other end. |
| 35.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Length ball on off, Faf pushes the ball towards mid on off the back foot. |
| 35.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Full ball on off, Faf looks to defend it but the ball goes past the short leg towards deep square leg. The batsmen get a couple. |
| Change in bowling. Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 8 runs from his 4 overs today so far. |
| 36.1 : S Broad to van der Dussen, Stuart starts his new spell with a length ball outside off, Rassie leaves it alone. |
| 36.2 : S Broad to van der Dussen, Length and outside off, van der Dussen taps it towards point and calls for a quick single. The batsmen get it easily. |
| 36.3 : S Broad to Plessis, Length ball on off, pushed back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 36.4 : S Broad to du Plessis, Faf defends this length ball on off towards mid-wicket, who fumbles and the ball goes towards mid on. |
| 36.5 : S Broad to Plessis, Full ball on off, du Plessis pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 36.6 : S Broad to Plessis, Length and outside off, Faf punches it towards covers off the back foot. |
| 37.1 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Length and outside off, Rassie guides it to gully. |
| 37.2 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Full on the pads, Rassie flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 37.3 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Outside off, Faf is happy leaving it. |
| 37.4 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Du Plessis looks to tuck this length ball on middle and leg towards mid-wicket but he misses to take the blow on the thigh pad. |
| 37.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Length and on off, Faf pushes the ball towards covers. |
| 37.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Back of a length ball on middle, Faf hops and flicks it toward short mid-wicket where the fielder fumbles and the ball rolls towards mid-wicket which allows Faf to retain the strike. |
| 38.1 : S Broad to Plessis, Good length ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 38.2 : S Broad to Plessis, Length ball just outside off, left alone comfortably by the skipper. |
| 38.3 : S Broad to Plessis, Length ball on middle and leg, worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 38.4 : S Broad to Plessis, FOUR! Flicked away! On the pads, du Plessis plays a wristy shot towards the mid-wicket region and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 38.5 : S Broad to Plessis, Woah! What happened there? Broad bowls a length ball just outside the off pole line, the skipper chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. The ball pitched and kept very low. Had that come in enough, it would have meant trouble for Faf. |
| 38.6 : S Broad to Plessis, Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| Chris Woakes is back. 6-2-12-1, his numbers so far! |
| 39.1 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, FOUR! Supreme drive! Full ball on off, van der Dussen comes forward and he drives this one through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 39.2 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Woah! What a bouncer that one and it has been theatrically left alone by van der Dussen too! A short ball, 141 kph, van der Dussen first thinks about playing at it but leaves it alone in the end and falls down in the process. |
| 39.3 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Good length delivery on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 39.4 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, On the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single. |
| 39.5 : C Woakes to Plessis, Another bouncer, this time Faf does well to evade it. |
| 39.6 : C Woakes to Plessis, Ouch! Nasty, nasty delivery! Du Plessis has taken off his glove and is looking in some pain. Back of a length ball on middle, Faf looks to defend it off the back foot but he is hit on the glove. Looks like this has impacted his thumb more than anything else. The physio has come out to aid the South African skipper. |
| DRINKS! After the break the Englishmen have come out on all cylinders firing. They are constantly peppering the two South African batsmen with some chin music. Rassie van der Dussen has surpassed his fifty and would hope to continue the good work. Faf is just looking to stand there and grind it out. Can the English bowlers make some further inroads or the South African batsmen continue to fight it out in the middle? Intriguing session awaits us. |
| 40.1 : S Broad to van der Dussen, Good length ball outside off, left alone by van der Dussen. |
| 40.2 : S Broad to van der Dussen, Another good length ball, this time on middle, worked towards the square leg region for a single. |
| 40.3 : S Broad to Plessis, Down the leg side, du Plessis looks to flick this one towards the leg side but he misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads towards the left of the keeper who dives and the batters steal a leg bye. |
| 40.4 : S Broad to van der Dussen, Rassie van der Dussen has now been hit on the glove. Not too bad though as he continues. |
| 40.5 : S Broad to van der Dussen, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 40.6 : S Broad to van der Dussen, Good length ball on middle and off, van der Dussen looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge and onto the pads. |
| 41.1 : C Woakes to Plessis, Bouncer on middle, a fierce one, du Plessis does well to sway away from it. |
| 41.2 : C Woakes to Plessis, Full ball on off, pushed towards cover for a single. |
| 41.3 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 41.4 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on. |
| 41.5 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Another one which stays low after hitting the crack! Short delivery around off, the ball pitches and stays low to hit Rassie van der Dussen on the hips as he hops and looks to defend. |
| 41.6 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Good length ball just outside off, Rassie looks to work it towards the leg side but the ball goes off the outside edge towards gully for a single. |
| 42.1 : S Broad to van der Dussen, Good length ball on off, played towards point for a single. |
| 42.2 : S Broad to Plessis, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 42.3 : S Broad to Plessis, Length and on off, Faf looks to push this ball but he gets an inside edge onto the boots and the ball rolls towards point. |
| 42.4 : S Broad to Plessis, Length and outside off, Faf presents the full face off the bat as he blocks it off the front foot. |
| 42.5 : S Broad to Plessis, Good length on off, pushed to mid on off the back foot. |
| 42.6 : S Broad to Plessis, Length delivery on off, Faf pushes it to covers. |
| 43.1 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Back of a length ball on off, Rassie hops and defends it to the leg side. |
| 43.2 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Full on off, Rassie drives this towards covers and shouts a loud no. |
| 43.3 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Full on off, driven towards mid on. |
| 43.4 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Full and outside off, brilliantly driven but superbly fielded at covers by Dominic Sibley. |
| 43.5 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Full on the pads, van der Dussen flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 43.6 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Length and on off, pushed back to the bowler off the front foot. |
| Sam Curran is on now. 8-2-23-0 are his figures so far. |
| 44.1 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Good length ball on off, pushed towards cover-point for a single. |
| 44.2 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Full ball on middle and off, van der Dussen drives this one towards cover but Sibley there makes a superb diving stop. |
| 44.3 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Length ball outside off, van der Dussen looks to defend but fails to do so. It hits something and lobs towards the slip cordon where the fielder comes forward, takes the catch and appeals. |
| 44.4 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 44.5 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Van der Dussen has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 44.6 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, On the pads works this one towards the leg side. |
| 45.1 : C Woakes to Plessis, Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot onto the pitch. |
| 45.2 : C Woakes to du Plessis, Good length ball on middle and off, du Plessis looks to defend but gets an inside edge on it. The ball rolls just past the off pole and misses by a whisker. |
| 45.3 : C Woakes to Plessis, Outside off, left alone. |
| 45.4 : C Woakes to Plessis, Length ball on middle and off, du Plessis looks to defend but misses. |
| 45.5 : C Woakes to Plessis, On the pads, du Plessis has worked it off his pads behind square. One run added to the total. |
| 45.6 : C Woakes to van der Dussen, Back of a length ball on middle, van der Dussen defends it off the back foot. |
| 46.1 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Length and angling into the batsman. Rassie defends it back to the bowler. |
| 46.2 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Full and on the pads, Faf flicks it to get an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batsmen cross ends. |
| 46.3 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Length and on off, driven towards covers. |
| 46.4 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, FOUR! Beautifully played that! Full and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen drives it off the front foot. The ball goes behind square on the off side and rolls to the fence there. |
| 46.5 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Full on the pads, Rassie flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 46.6 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Good length and on off, Rassie leaves it alone. |
| 47.1 : C Woakes to Plessis, Good length ball on middle and off, defended towards the man at mid off. |
| 47.2 : C Woakes to Plessis, On the pads, flicked towards square leg for a single. |
| 47.3 : C Woakes to Plessis, FOUR! Better this time! Down the leg side again, van der Dussen just tickles it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 47.4 : C Woakes to Plessis, Length ball on middle and off, du Plessis looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. The England players put in an appeal but it is waved away by the umpire. |
| 47.5 : C Woakes to Plessis, Another one on the pads, again looks to flick but misses. |
| 47.6 : C Woakes to Plessis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 48.1 : Sam Curran to van der Dussen, Full ball on off, pushed towards cover for a single. |
| 48.2 : Sam Curran to Plessis, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 48.3 : Sam Curran to Plessis, EDGED AND FOUR! Length ball on off, du Plessis looks to drive but the ball goes off the outside edge through the slip cordon and the gully fielder for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up with this boundary. |
| 48.4 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Length ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 48.5 : Sam Curran to Plessis, FOUR! This time much better by du Plessis! Back of a length ball on middle, du Plessis rocks back and pulls this one through square leg for a boundary. |
| 48.6 : Sam Curran to Plessis, Length ball on middle and leg, du Plessis plays it back to the bowler. |
| Mark Wood to have another burst. |
| 49.1 : M Wood to van der Dussen, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 49.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 49.3 : M Wood to Plessis, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 49.4 : M Wood to Plessis, Good length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the cover region. |
| 49.5 : M Wood to Plessis, Length ball just around off, du Plessis defends it onto the pitch. |
| 49.6 : M Wood to Plessis, Full ball on off, played straight to the man at cover. |
| Drinks Break! South Africa are not there yet but they are slowly and gently putting up a fight. Rassie van der Dussen is looking excellent out in the middle and is unbeaten at 67. Faf du Plessis is fighting it out and is helping South African fans dream. England need to break this stand, yes they have a lot of runs but they would not want to play close to the fire. |
| Joe Denly to try his luck and break this stand with his leg spin after the break. |
| 50.1 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, Full on the off stump, Rassie pushes it towards covers and gets to the other end. |
| 50.2 : Joe Denly to Plessis,Tossed up on off, driven towards covers. |
| 50.3 : Joe Denly to Plessis, Faf drives this full ball towards long on for a single. |
| 50.4 : Joe Denly to du Plessis, Faf now drives this full ball towards mid on for a single. |
| 50.5 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, SIX! Tossed up on off, van der Dussen dances down the wicket and lofts this over the cow corner fence for a biggie. |
| 50.6 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, FOUR! Brilliantly done. Van der Dussen dances down once again and drives this towards long on for a boundary. |
| 51.1 : M Wood to Plessis, Length ball on off, Faf tucks it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 51.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Length ball on off, pushed towards covers. |
| 51.3 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Length ball on off, Rassie looks to lay bat on ball but it sneaks past the outside edge. |
| 51.4 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Short ball on middle, Rassie ducks under it. |
| 51.5 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Full and on the off stump, Rassie defends it off the front foot towards the off side. |
| 51.6 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Full on the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 52.1 : Joe Denly to Plessis, Floated on off, pushed towards cover for a single. |
| 52.2 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, FOUR! A freebie by Denly and it has been hit away! Full toss on middle, van der Dussen dances down the track and he has smashed that down to the long on fence for a boundary. |
| 52.3 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, Tossed up on off, pushed towards cover. |
| 52.4 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, Floated on off, defended towards cover. |
| 52.5 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, Van der Dussen pushes this one towards the mid on region and takes a single. |
| 52.6 : Joe Denly to Plessis, The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it. Good over for the Proteas again. |
| 53.1 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Back of a length ball on off, Rassie hops and defends it from the crease. |
| 53.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Full and on off, Rassie drives it towards covers for a single. |
| 53.3 : M Wood to Plessis, Well-directed short ball, Faf sits under it. |
| 53.4 : M Wood to Plessis, Length ball on off, Faf looks to defend it off the back foot. The ball bounces a bit extra and pings du Plessis on the glove. He loses his grip on the bat too as he throws it away. |
| 53.5 : M Wood to Plessis, Another bumper in the over but down the leg side. Faf does not fiddle with it. |
| 53.6 : M Wood to Plessis, Length and on the pads, Faf tucks it to square leg and takes a run. |
| 54.1 : Joe Denly to Plessis, Full on off, pushed to covers. |
| 54.2 : Joe Denly to Plessis, Tossed up on off, Faf drives it to find mid off to perfection. |
| 54.3 : Joe Denly to Plessis, Floated ball on off, Faf tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 54.4 : Joe Denly to Plessis, Run of a misfield. Faf drives this full ball straight towards mid off where the fielder slides and parries it towards long on. The batsmen take a run. |
| 54.5 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, Outside off, defended to the off side. |
| 54.6 : Joe Denly to van der Dussen, Tossed up on off, pushed to covers. |
| 55.1 : M Wood to Plessis, FOUR! Du Plessis sees the length early and flicks it off his pads. The ball rolls all along the ground towards mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 55.2 : M Wood to Plessis, Full and on off, Faf defends it by going low. |
| 55.3 : M Wood to Plessis, Faf flicks it off the back foot towards mid-wicket. |
| 55.4 : M Wood to Plessis, Faf is happy to defend it towards covers off the back foot. |
| 55.5 : M Wood to Plessis, Length ball outside off,Faf punches it off the back foot towards covers where Broad dives to his left and fields it. |
| 55.6 : M Wood to Plessis, Outside off, kept out off the back foot. |
| Ben Stokes is back on. 9-3-16-1, his figures so far. |
| 56.1 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, FOUR! Length ball outside off, van der Dussen cuts it off the back foot through cover-point and the ball runs to the fence at deep point. |
| 56.2 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Length and outside off, left alone. |
| 56.3 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Full and on the pads, Rassie flicks it towards fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 56.4 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Good length and outside off, Faf is in no mood to touch it. |
| 56.5 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Back of a length ball on off, Faf blocks it off the back foot. |
| 56.6 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, Back of a length ball on middle, Faf hops inside the crease and defends it towards mid on. |
| 57.1 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Short ball but wayward. Rassie ducks it. |
| 57.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, EDGED AND FOUR! That was an educational edge there. Rassie van der Dussen moves into the nervous 90s. He looks to keep out this length ball outside off but the ball just about manages to take the outside edge and fall short off the diving gully fielder. The ball goes past him and into the fence at third man. |
| 57.3 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Length and on off, pushed to cover off the back foot. |
| 57.4 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Length and on off, pushed to the off side off the back foot. |
| 57.5 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Ouch! That might have sent shivers down the spine of Rassie van der Dussen. Wood goes short and directed on the body. Rassie looks to leave it by dropping hos wrists but the ball does not bounce as expected and it hits his chest hard. Rassie is onto his knees as he waits for the physio to attend to him. |
| The physio is out in the middle and is giving treatment to Rassie van der Dussen. |
| 57.6 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Another ill-directed bouncer, Rassie lets it go. |
| 58.1 : Ben Stokes to Plessis, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Faf du Plessis departs after a fighting knock but for England, Ben Stokes is the man yet again! Stokes bowls a length ball just around off, it pitches and nips back in a bit. It also hits the crack and that makes the ball stay low. Faf du Plessis looks to come forward and defend but the ball goes off the bottom edge, onto the turf and then onto the middle pole to dislodge the bails. The skipper departs and a huge, huge blow for the Proteas! |
| 0.0 : Quinton de Kock walks into bat. South Africa's hopes relies on him now. Can he script something special in this innings? |
| 58.2 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Back of a length ball on off, Quinton de Kock punches this ball off the back foot towards cover for a single. Gets off the mark! |
| 58.3 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, Another one which was almost chopped on! This is Ben Stokes at his best! Bouncer just outside off, van der Dussen looks to hop and defend. The ball goes off the inside edge onto the turf again but this time past the stumps. Van der Dussen survives and England smelling blood here. |
| 58.4 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, FOUR! Good comeback by Rassie van der Dussen! Full ball on the middle and leg pole line, van der Dussen drives this one straight back down the ground through mid on for a boundary. |
| 58.5 : Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, On the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single. |
| 58.6 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Good length ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 59.1 : M Wood to van der Dussen, Back of a length ball on middle, Rassie plays it to mid-wicket. |
| 59.2 : M Wood to van der Dussen, OUT! CAUGHT! The nervous 90s bug has bitten Rassie van der Dussen as he takes a long walk back to the dressing room. He looks dejected. Rassie was expecting some chin music there with the field spread out. However, Wood surprises him with a full ball on off. Seeing the length, van der Dussen's eyes lit up and he goes for the expansive cover drive. He does not time it perfectly and it goes a touch uppishly to the right of Stuart Broad who tumbles low in that direct |
| Temba Bavuma is the new man in. |
| 59.3 : M Wood to Bavuma, Outside off, left alone. |
| 59.4 : M Wood to Bavuma, Lucky man! Bavuma is lucky not to lob this to the close in fielder. Bouncer on middle and leg, he looks to flicks it off the back foot but the ball goes off the glove and lobs wide of short leg and short of backward square leg. The fielder there looks interested a bit but the ball drops in front of him. |
| 59.5 : M Wood to Bavuma, Length and outside off, left alone by Bavuma. |
| 59.6 : M Wood to Bavuma, Outside off, pushed towards covers. |
| 60.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Length and outside off, de Kock lets it be. |
| 60.2 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Short ball on off, Quinton lets it go through. |
| 60.3 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Back of a length ball on middle and leg, de Kock tucks it towards fine leg and rotates the strike. |
| 60.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Full outside off, Bavuma shoulders arms to it. |
| 60.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma plays it with an angled bat towards gully. |
| 60.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma leaves it to see of the session. TEA ON DAY4! |
| Another session comes to an end and England have struck gold right in the latter stages. For once it looked like South Africa were staging a comeback in this game and in this series but it all fell apart as Stokes and Wood shattered the dreams of the South African team. |
| The session started smoothly for South Africa as Rassie van der Dussen counter-attacked everything thrown at him whereas skipper Faf du Plessis grinding out his whole innings. They both combined to stitch a 92-run stand and everything was looking positive for South Africa. However, Ben Stokes came and once again provided the pivotal breakthrough of Faf du Plessis which shook the confidence of South Africa. In the very next over, Rassie van der Dussen fell after a brilliant innings and that has n |
| ... Day 4, Session 3 ... |
| Welcome back for the final session of Day 4. South Africa after battling out the second session collapsed in the few overs before the Tea interval. Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma walk in to resume the South African chase. Whereas, England players are out on the field with a new vigour. Chris Woakes will start the session with the ball. |
| 61.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Good length ball on middle and off, to start with by Woakes, de Kock blocks it out. |
| 61.2 : C Woakes to Kock, This time a fuller ball on the middle and leg pole line, played towards the man at mid-wicket. |
| 61.3 : C Woakes to Kock, Good length ball on the off pole line by Woakes, de Kock defends it. |
| 61.4 : C Woakes to Kock, Full ball on the off pole line, de Kock defends it off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 61.5 : C Woakes to Kock, EDGED AND FOUR! Lucky break for Quinton de Kock! A length ball, pitching and angling away from de Kock. He looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge between third slip and gully and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 61.6 : C Woakes to Kock, Length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 62.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball on off, Bavuma rocks back and blocks. |
| 62.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Another back of a length ball, Bavuma looks to defend but the ball hits his glove and falls down on the leg side. |
| 62.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Outside off, Bavuma does not fiddle with it. |
| 62.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, On the pads of Bavuma, he works this one towards the leg side. |
| 62.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Outside off, Temba does not bother to play at it. |
| 62.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball outside off, Bavuma guides this one towards the man at point. |
| 63.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Back of a length ball outside off, de Kock plays this one towards the point fielder. |
| 63.2 : C Woakes to Kock, Another back of a length ball on off, this time de Kock plays it in the gap at point and takes a single. |
| 63.3 : C Woakes to T Bavuma, FOUR! Creamed! Full ball on off, Bavuma drives this one beautifully through the cover region for a boundary. Gets off the mark with probably the shot of the day! |
| 63.4 : C Woakes to Bavuma, FOUR! This time an educational edge! Length ball outside off, Bavuma looks to guide this towards third man but it goes finer than he expected and the ball races away to the fence. 200 comes up for South Africa with this. |
| 63.5 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Outside off, Temba leaves it alone. |
| 63.6 : C Woakes to Bavuma, Another one outside off, Bavuma does not fiddle with it. |
| 64.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Length ball outside off, Quinton drives this through covers and gets to the other end. |
| 64.2 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length delivery outside off, Bavuma lifts his bat and lets it go. |
| 64.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Bavuma looks to flick this back of a length ball to mid-wicket but the ball goes towards mid on. |
| 64.4 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on middle, Bavuma flicks it towards fine leg. The fielder there was much squarer and that allows the batsmen to take a couple. |
| 64.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, BEATEN! Back of length ball on off, Bavuma looks to punch it off the back foot the ball bounces a bit more and goes past the outside edge. |
| 64.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, FOUR! Back of a length ball on off, Bavuma punches it past point and the ball races to the fence behind. |
| 65.1 : C Woakes to Kock, Good length and on off, pushed to mid off. |
| 0.0 : The ball is being checked by the umpires for its shape. The 8-shaped gauge is out and yes, it is not going through one of the sides. The ball will be changed and an official is out with a box of the Kookaburras. Finally, the ball has been changed and play will resume. |
| 65.2 : C Woakes to Kock, Another back of a length ball on off, chopped towards point. |
| 65.3 : C Woakes to de Kock, Full and on middle, de Kock drives it with a straight bat towards mid on. |
| 65.4 : C Woakes to de Kock, FOUR! Pulled with disdain. Woakes goes short and on middle, de Kock pulls it off the back foot into the gap at mid-wicket to find the fence. |
| 65.5 : C Woakes to Kock, FOUR! Back to back boundaries. De Kock is showing his class here. He is not going to give up there. He comes on the front foot to this pitched up ball and drives it srisply through covers. Not a fielder moved as the ball met the fence. |
| 65.6 : C Woakes to Kock, Back of a length ball outside off, de Kock goes for the cut but edges it in the process. The ball rolls towards the slip cordon. |
| 66.1 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Back of a length ball on middle, defended by Bavuma. |
| 66.2 : Ben Stokes to T Bavuma, FOUR! Smashed away! South Africa not hiding anymore! Back of a length ball on middle, Bavuma rocks back and pulls this uppishly towards square leg and the ball crosses the ropes on a couple of bounces. |
| 66.3 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Length ball on off, pushed towards cover for a single. |
| 66.4 : Ben Stokes to Kock, On off again, this time de Kock plays it towards point for a single. |
| 66.5 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, Bouncer on middle and leg, Bavuma ducks under it. |
| 66.6 : Ben Stokes to Bavuma, EDGED AND FOUR! Bavuma flirting with danger here. Almost a bouncer on off, Bavuma hops and looks to cut. The ball goes off the edge and above the man at third slip and into the third man fence. Matter of inches there and Stokes would be wishing that he was standing there instead of his skipper to add those extra inches. |
| Stuart Broad is back on. 8-1-15-0, his figures so far. |
| 67.1 : S Broad to Kock, Full ball on middle, played towards the man at mid on. |
| 67.2 : S Broad to Kock, On the hips, de Kock looks to flick but is hit on the thigh pad instead. |
| 67.3 : S Broad to de Kock, FOUR! Driven away! Full ball on middle and leg, de Kock has driven this one down the ground through mid on for a boundary. |
| 67.4 : S Broad to Kock, The batsman defends it from within the crease. One run added to the total. |
| 67.5 : S Broad to Bavuma, FOUR! Super shot from Bavuma! Back of a length ball on off, Bavuma has driven cut that one through the point region and the ball has raced away to the fence. Partnership moves to 48 runs with this one off just 51 balls. |
| 67.6 : S Broad to Bavuma, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Bavuma has to depart and that is a cracking nut by Broad! Broad bowls a bouncer on middle and off, Bavuma hops and first thinks about playing at it but then realises that it is too high. He tries to drop his hands but by then the ball goes off his gloves and into the mitts of Buttler who takes an easy catch. Broad gets his first wicket of the Test match and he has shown his class against the youngster. Half the side back in the hut for South Africa. |
| Dwaine Pretorius walks in to bat next. |
| 68.1 : Ben Stokes to Kock, Good length ball on the pads, de Kock looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. De Kock crosses for a leg bye as the ball rolls towards the leg side. |
| 68.2 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, This time on the pads of Pretorius, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket and takes a couple. He is off the mark with this. |
| 68.3 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, Length ball outside off, moving away, Pretorius shuffles but lets it be. |
| 68.4 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 68.5 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 68.6 : Ben Stokes to Pretorius, Pretorius shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 69.1 : S Broad to Kock, On the pads, worked towards square leg for a single. |
| 69.2 : S Broad to Pretorius, Bouncer on middle and off, Pretorius does well to sway away from that. |
| 69.3 : S Broad to Pretorius, Outside off, left alone. |
| 69.4 : S Broad to Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT! Stuart Broad is a tall man and it is very difficult hooking him and Pretorius departs in that very attempt! Bouncer on middle and leg, Pretorius goes back and looks to pull but gets a top edge on that one. It goes towards backward square leg where Sam Curran runs in and takes a very good catch diving forward. England 4 wickets away from the win. |
| Vernon Philander walks out to bat for his final Test match. The whole crowd stands up and applauds the man for his achievements. |
| 69.5 : S Broad to Kock, Length ball outside off, de Kock plays an exquisite square cut but it goes straight to the man in the deep and the batters take a single. |
| 69.6 : S Broad to Philander, Length ball on middle and leg, Philander looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| Joe Root is back on. 3-0-23-0, his figures so far. |
| 70.1 : Joe Root to de Kock, Floated on off, driven towards the man at cover. |
| 70.2 : Joe Root to Kock, Floated on off again, pushed to the man at cover. |
| 70.3 : Joe Root to Kock, Tossed up ball outside off, de Kock tries to go for the slog sweep but misses it as the ball spins away. |
| 70.4 : Joe Root to Kock, Flatter one on off, defended by de Kock. |
| 70.5 : Joe Root to Kock, Again de Kock drives towards the cover region but finds the man there. |
| 70.6 : Joe Root to Kock, Tossed up delivery on off, defended towards the off side. |
| Mark Wood is back into the attack. 13-3-34-1, his figures so far. |
| 71.1 : M Wood to Philander, Length delivery on middle and off, defended. |
| 71.2 : M Wood to Philander, FOUR! Philander is off the mark in style in his final test innings! Length ball outside off, Philander rocks back and cuts this one through the point region for a boundary. |
| 71.3 : M Wood to Philander, FOUR! Another back of a length ball on middle, Philander rocks back and now pulls it in front of square leg for a boundary. |
| 71.4 : M Wood to Philander, Philander goes back in his crease and defends this one out. |
| 71.5 : M Wood to Philander, Length ball on the hips, Philander looks to pull but the ball goes off the inner half towards the leg side and the batters take a single. |
| 71.6 : M Wood to Kock, FOUR! Stand and deliver from Quinton de Kock! Full delivery on middle and off, de Kock just smashes this one over mid on for a boundary. |
| 72.1 : Joe Root to Philander, Floated on middle and leg, defended towards the leg side. |
| 72.2 : Joe Root to Philander, Another one on the pads, defended out. |
| 72.3 : Joe Root to Philander, Philander pushes this one down towards the leg side and takes a single. |
| 72.4 : Joe Root to Kock, The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. |
| 72.5 : Joe Root to Kock, De Kock has played this one towards the man at mid on. |
| 72.6 : Joe Root to Kock, SIX! A huge one and first one of the innings for Quinton de Kock! Floated delivery on middle and off, de Kock goes down on one knee and this time connects with his slog sweep as he sends this delivery into the stands at the mid-wicket region. |
| 73.1 : M Wood to Philander, Bouncer on middle and leg, Philander looks to hook but misses. |
| 73.2 : M Wood to Philander, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Philander departs but only to a standing ovation from the crowd. He raises his bat as he accepts the applause and walks down the tunnel being a proud man having given his all for the nation. Back of a length ball down the leg side, Philander looks to tickle it fine down the leg side but he gets a faint edge on that and Buttler does well as he dives low to his left and takes the catch. The England players appeal and the umpire raises his dreaded. Eng |
| Anrich Nortje is the new man in. |
| 73.3 : M Wood to Nortje, Length ball on middle and off, defended by Nortje. |
| 73.4 : M Wood to Nortje, Length ball on off, Nortje defends it out. |
| 73.5 : M Wood to Nortje, Shouts of catch it but no one there! Length ball on middle, Nortje looks to work this one towards the leg side but the ball goes off the leading edge uppishly towards cover-point but there is no one there and the batters take one. |
| 73.6 : M Wood to Kock, FOUR! Whatever happens at the other end, de Kock looks unfazed! Length ball outside off, de Kock rocks back and cuts this one through the point region for a boundary. |
| 74.1 : Joe Root to Nortje, Tossed up on off, Anrich prods forward and defends. |
| 74.2 : Joe Root to Nortje, Floated on off, blocked out. |
| 74.3 : Joe Root to Nortje, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 74.4 : Joe Root to Nortje, Tossed up on off, Nortje plays the reverse sweep and gets a single. |
| 74.5 : Joe Root to Kock, A loud appeal for LBW but it has been turned down. |
| 74.6 : Joe Root to Kock, De Kock drives this through the covers. One run added to the total. |
| 75.1 : M Wood to Kock, OUT! CAUGHT! Chris Woakes takes the catch and this has to be the final nail in the coffin for South Africa. Back of a length ball on middle and off, Quinton de Kock looks to pull but he only manages to get a top edge on this one. |
| 0.0 : Beauran Hendricks walks in to bat on debut. How long can the pair of Hendricks and Nortje keep England at bay? |
| 75.2 : M Wood to Hendricks, Back of a length ball on middle and leg, defended by Hendricks by getting up on his toes. |
| 75.3 : M Wood to B Hendricks, On middle and off, pushed towards the man at mid off. |
| 75.4 : M Wood to Hendricks, Way wide down the leg side, Hendricks goes after it but misses. |
| 75.5 : M Wood to Hendricks, Back of a length ball on middle, Hendricks pulls but straight to the man at square leg. |
| 75.6 : M Wood to B Hendricks, A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 76.1 : Joe Root to Hendricks, Tossed up on off, defended by Hendricks. |
| 76.2 : Joe Root to Hendricks, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 76.3 : Joe Root to B Hendricks, Just about misses the leg pole. Root floats it up on off, Hendricks looks to play at it but the ball goes off the inside edge past the leg pole and towards fine leg and the batters take a couple. |
| 76.4 : Joe Root to Hendricks, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 76.5 : Joe Root to Nortje, On the pads, worked towards square leg for a couple. |
| 76.6 : Joe Root to Hendricks, OUT! RUN OUT! Disaster strikes and that is a shambles as Hendricks departs now. Full ball on middle and leg, Nortje plays this one down to mid on and sets off for a run. Hendricks does not have eyes for his partner and is ball-watching. Nortje has reached the non-striker end and Hendricks is at the same end as well. Hendricks runs towards the striker's end but Sibley at mid on collects the ball and has the presence of mind to throw the ball at the striker's end. Butt |
| Dane Paterson is the last man in for South Africa. |
| 77.1 : M Wood to Nortje, Short ball on middle and leg, Nortje ducks under it. |
| Review time! Root wants to go upstairs for a caught behind against Nortje. It looks out to the naked eye. Replays show Wood is fine on the front foot. The Ultra Edge comes in and spots a faint edge off the gloves. |
| M Wood to Nortje, OUT! CAUGHT! ENGLAND HAVE WON THE MATCH! Nortje is the last man to depart. Wood takes the final one. Not the best of the balls but England and Root will take it. Wood bowls one down the leg side. Nortje looks to go for a fine tickle but fails to do so as it goes to Buttler. The England players immediately go up in appeal but the umpire is unmoved. Root immediately signals the 'T' and the replays roll in. Ultra Edge shows that there was a spike as the ball went past Nortje |
| What a performance this has been from the English team! After losing the first Test match, they have bounced back in fantastic style and inflicted a defeat that has emphasized the flaws of this South African team. However, defeating any team at their home in such convincing fashion is always good and this will give England a lot of confidence. |
| The day started on a positive note for the South Africans as Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar looked strong for the first hour but Malan then departed. Elgar and Rassie van der Dussen formed a 60-run stand but then Elgar lost his wicket too just before the Lunch break. The most promising time for the Proteas came when Rassie van der Dussen and skipper Faf du Plessis were batting and stitched a 92-run stand. However, Stokes dismissed the South African skipper and that opened the floodgates for them. V |
| The bowling from England was not superb in the first two sessions but they were persistent and they got their rewards exactly at the right times as well. The wicket of Dean Elgar right before Lunch was a setback for the Proteas. However, the biggest blow for the South Africans came when Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen departed in consecutive overs and from there on it was all England. The pick of the bowlers was Mark Wood as he picked up a 4-fer, taking the main wicket of Rassie van der |
| Earlier in the match, England outplayed South Africa as they powered their way to a score of 400 runs. The opening stand of Crawley and Sibley provided the foundation and the last wicket stand between Broad and Woakes added 82 runs of immense value. Nortje performed brilliantly as he came out with a 5-fer to his name. South Africa in reply scored a meager 183 runs. Quinton de Kock played an innings which saved his team from embarrassment as he scored 76 runs. Mark Wood picked up a 5-fer in the f |
| Mike Haysman is down for the presentation ceremony. First up, he calls Vernon Philander as he is given a token of appreciation for his services to South African Cricket. Vernon Philander says this is not the way he wanted to end his career but credits the English team for the way they played. On the appreciation Philander received from the English players, he says they are all gentleman at the end of the game and he thanks his teammates as well as Cricket South Africa. Ends by saying that he pla |
| South African skipper, Faf du Plessis, says that they played well in the first Test but says that the England were better than them from thereon, both with bat and ball. Says that Nortje has been a shining light for them and it is difficult to replace the likes of Morne Morkel. Also credits Hendricks for his 5-fer. Says that they did not bat well but Rassie played very well against a very good England attack. Credits Vernon Philander on his retirement as he is a champion on and off the pitch and |
| MAN OF THE MATCH IS MARK WOOD for his amazing performances with the ball. Says he was a bit of a doubt coming into the game but now he is over the moon. Says he has had a lot of dark days but the physios have helped him out very much along with his teammates and the crowd. Says the only advice that he can give to anyone is that give all that they have. |
| MAN OF THE SERIES IS BEN STOKES for his incredible performances with bat, ball and in fielding as well. He starts by saying the most important thing is to win and that they walk away with a series victory and he hopes that this award brings a smile on his father's face. Says it is always a very competitive series against the South African's and he just enjoys playing against them. Credits Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley and Sam Curran as they consistently stand up and deliver. |
| Joe Root, the victorious England skipper, says that this is a very special series win and he is very proud of the boys and thanks the crowd for coming out in large numbers. Says that the retirement of players is opportunities for others and the sky is the limit for them. Says he is excited with the team coming through as many of them are at the start of their careers. Adds that they expected fierce competition against the South Africans and they were not disappointed. Thanks them for their hospi |
| So, that will be all from this series! With this win, England bag another 30 points in the ICC World Test Championship and takes their total to 146 points. They have won the series 3-1 away from home and this will give a lot of confidence to a young English team who are gaining valuable experience. As for South Africa, the pressure continues to mount on skipper Faf du Plessis as his side fail to deliver and are losing by huge margins. They will need huge improvements in the coming months so that |
Google +
Facebook
Twitter
Whatsapp