| 0.1 : 0.1: J Anderson to Elgar, OUT! Caught down the leg side! Wow! What a start! Dean Elgar is out of here on the first ball of the Boxing Day Test. Just a feather down the leg side but Anderson and England won't care. 150th Test for Jimmy and what a start for England. A gentle length ball down the leg side. Elgar looks to tickle it fine off his pads but he can only get a feather behind. Buttler behind the wickets makes no mistake and England are off to a perfect start and well, South Africa, not sur |
| 0.3 : 0.3: J Anderson to Z Hamza, Edgy FOUR! Hamza is off the mark! Anderson goes full just outside off, Hamza comes forward and defends. The ball takes the thick outside edge and goes to the third man fence. First boundary off the game! Not the way the hosts would have wanted it to come but they will take it. |
| 1.2 : 1.2: S Broad to A Markram, FOUR! Shot! A fuller ball around off, Markram just comes forward and pushes it defensively. The mid on fielder dives to his left to stop but fails to do so. It races to the fence and Markram is off the mark in a nice fashion. |
| 4.1 : 4.1: J Anderson to Markram, FOUR! Driven handsomely! Full and wide outside off, inviting the batter to go for the drive. Markram accepts it and creams the drive through covers. It races to the sweeper cover fence in a jiffy. |
| 4.2 : 4.2: J Anderson to Markram, FOUR! Make that two in a row! They say, slash and slash hard. That's what Markram does. A good length ball outside off, he throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball takes the thick outside edge and flies over the leaping second slip fielder. |
| 9.1 : 9.1: Sam Curran to Markram, FOUR! What a welcome for him into the attack. A fuller ball around off, Markram leans forwards and lofts this over the cover region beautifully. A top shot. |
| 9.4 : 9.4: Sam Curran to Markram, OUT! Caught at mid-wicket. Another soft dismissal. Curran with the knack of picking wickets has struck in the very first over. A good length ball on middle, Markram looks to work it on the leg side. However, he ends up chipping it towards mid-wicket. Bairstow there gets low down and pouches the catch inches above the turf. The good-looking stand is broken. |
| 10.6 : 10.6: J Archer to Hamza, FOUR! Flicked nicely! A full ball on middle, Hamza easily flicks it towards deep square leg fence. The ball races to the fence quickly. Poor ball by Archer to finish the over. |
| 14.3 : 14.3: J Archer to Hamza, FOUR! Don't bother running that was four the moment it left the bat. Poor ball from Archer. Short and wide outside off. Hamza is quick to pounce on it and punches it right off the meat through point for a boundary. |
| 16.1 : 16.1: J Archer to Z Hamza, FOUR! Overpitched and punished! Full and wide outside off, Hamza leans into the drive and slams it through covers. |
| 16.2 : 16.2: J Archer to Z Hamza, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Hamza. A good length ball around off, Hamza this time strokes this through mid off. Brilliant followthrough on this shot. Held the pose for the cameras there. 50 up for South Africa. |
| 16.5 : 16.5: J Archer to du Plessis, EDGY FOUR! Tight line this from Archer. He lands it on a shortish length around off, du Plessis hops and looks to defend but the ball takes the thick outside edge and goes past the diving Ben Stokes. However, it is wide of him and ends up going to the fence. Four for du Plessis and South Africa but Archer won't mind this. |
| 21.5: S Broad to Hamza, FOUR! Magnificently timed! Slightly overpitched and Hamza pounces on it nicely. Fuller and outside off, Hamza leans into the drive and creams it through covers. Poses for the cameras there. |
| 21.6 : 21.6: S Broad to Hamza, OUT! Caught next ball. Broad has broken the stand. A good length ball outside off, shaping away from the right-hander. Hamza can easily leave these but he pokes at it. The ball takes the outside edge and goes to Stokes at second slip. He pouches it with both hands and sends Hamza packing. Broad and England celebrate. Timely wicket for the visitors. |
| 22.2 : 22.2: J Anderson to Plessis, EDGED AND FOUR! Good length ball around off, it moves away from Faf. He looks to defend it with soft hands but gets an outyside edge which goes wide of the man at slip and races away to the fence. Had he played that with hard hands then it might have carried to the fielder there. |
| 23.6 : 23.6: S Broad to van der Dussen, FOUR! Excellent shot. Full delivery on middle, van der Dussen flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 26.2 : 26.2: J Archer to Plessis, FOUR! This time clipped through mid-wicket. Another fuller length ball around off and middle, du Plessis uses his wrists and whips it to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 26.4 : 26.4: J Archer to Plessis, FOUR! Second boundary of the over and du Plessis is on the move now. Another ball which is on the stumps line, du Plessis nicely flicks it. The ball races to the deep mid-wicket boundary. |
| 30.6 : 30.6: J Archer to Plessis, FOUR! Poor ball to finish the over. Short and wide outside off, du Plessis hammers it through the cover region. It races to the fence in a jiffy. |
| 33.2 : 33.2: Sam Curran to van der Dussen, OUT! Caught! Yes, Sam can get the breakthrough. The bowling change does the trick for the visitors. The previous one came in to the right-hander, this one moves the other way. It is pitched on off, van der Dussen gets on his front foot and tries to play the classical front foot defense. The ball shapes away and finds the outside edge of the bat and goes straight towards first slip. England skipper, Joe Root there makes no mistake and takes a simple catch. Once |
| 35.1 : 35.1: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! De Kock is off the mark in style. You give a southpaw some width outside off, he will punish you. If you give it to de Kock he will just oblige and hit you the way he wants. Good shot this. Length ball outside off, de Kock just hits it right off the middle through point for a boundary. 100 up for the Proteas. |
| 35.2 : 35.2: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Now on the leg side. Curran is guilty of bowling on de Kock's pads. Quinton's eyes lit up looking at it and he flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 35.5 : 35.5: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Third boundary of the over and de Kock is pouncing on all the mistakes from Curran. Once again Sam goes wide outside off, de Kock slashes it with ease and power through point for a boundary. |
| 36.3 : 36.3: S Broad to Plessis, OUT! Gone this time as the ball finds the edge this time. Broad follows the ripper with another one. He once again lands this one just around off. The ball once again shapes a hint away as du Plessis pokes at it by coming half forward. The ball this time takes the outside edge and goes to Root at first slip once again. The English skipper makes no mistake and takes the catch with ease. Faf departs after making a start and with it, half the side is back in the hut. |
| 36.6 : 36.6: S Broad to Kock,FOUR! De Kock seems to be playing on different surface. An overpitched ball alright but it still needs to be put away. He leans into the shot and slams this through covers. It whistles to the fence. Fourth boundary for de Kock in no time. However, end of a successful over by Broad. |
| 40.1 : 40.1: Joe Root to Kock, FOUR! Poor start from Root as he dishes this way to outside off. De Kock reaches it out and guides it to third man fence. |
| 41.4 : 41.4: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Very well controlled pull from de Kock. Curran bangs it in short, Quinton picks it up early and gets on his back foot. He pulls it with control and power through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 41.6 : 41.6: Sam Curran to Kock, INSIDE EDGE AND FOUR! Length ball outside off, De Kock throws his bat at it looking to slam it through point. The ball though takes the lower half of his bat and goes to the right of the keeper. Buttler is wrong-footed and he dives but he cannot save it. The ball races away to the fine leg fence. |
| 42.3 : 42.3: Joe Root to Pretorius, SIX! Oh that is a monster. Floated on middle and off, Pretorius who is known for his T20 exploits shows what he is capable of as he hammers it over the long on fence, using the arc for a biggie. |
| 43.2 : 43.2: J Anderson to Kock, FOUR! Up and over! De Kock is no mood to calm down as he once again throws his willow to this fuller ball outside off. This time the ball takes the outside edge and it flies over the slip cordon and into the fence. |
| 43.4 : 43.4: J Anderson to Kock, EDGY FOUR! Another one off the outside edge! 150 comes up for South Africa. Another fuller ball which is just outside off. De Kock once again goes for the drive. The ball takes the outside edge and goes to third man fence, past the diving attempt of the gully fielder. 9th boundary for de Kock. |
| 45.2 : 45.2: J Anderson to Pretorius, Edgy FOUR! Now the edge flies to the fence off Pretorius' bat. A full ball outside off, Pretorius goes for the drive away from the body. The ball takes the outside edge and goes to the third man fence. |
| 46.6 : 46.6: Joe Root to Pretorius, FOUR! Just short! Floated on off, Pretorius lofts it over long off. It looks like the ball hits the ropes on the full but the umpires go upstairs to check if that has hit the rope or not. Replay rolls in and after a few views the third umpire says it is a boundary to the on-field umpire as the ball hit the turf just before the ropes. |
| 49.2 : 49.2: J Archer to Kock, FOUR! Poor line from Archer. He bowls it full but too straight. De Kock simply flicks it to the fine leg fence. |
| 50.4 : 50.4: S Broad to Pretorius, FOUR! Uppish but flicked nicely! A fuller ball on middle, Pretorius flicks it between short mid-wicket and mid on. Timed it brilliantly. |
| 51.1 : 51.1: J Archer to Kock, FOUR! Glorious from de Kock! Just a push but it races to the fence. Fullish length ball on off, de Kock comes forward a hint and presents the full face of the bat. It races to the mid on fence quickly. Looking in a brilliant nick there, is de Kock. |
| 54.2 : 54.2: Sam Curran to D Pretorius, FOUR! Hammered! A short ball outside off, Pretorius goes on the back foot and slams it wide of the mid on fence. |
| 54.5 : 54.5: Sam Curran to D Pretorius, OUT! Caught! Once again it is Sam Curran who has got the breakthrough. Brilliant ball this from Curran. Good length ball around off, in the channel of uncertainty. Pretorius expects the ball to come in but it goes away with the angle. Dwaine looks to defend hoping that it would shape in but it does not. He ends up getting a thick outside edge which goes straight to the man at first slip. Joe Root there takes another simple catch, his third of the innings. They l |
| 56.4 : 56.4: Sam Curran to V Philander, FOUR! Nice way to get off the mark. Slightly fuller ball outside off, Philander comes forward and slams it through covers for a boundary. |
| 62.1 : 62.1: S Broad to Kock, EDGY FOUR! Shout for catch but nobody will as it goes uppishly in no man's land and ends up going to the third man fence. A fuller ball outside off to start the fresh over. De Kock reaches out and goes for the drive away from his body. The ball takes thick outside edge and goes to third man fence. |
| 63.6 : 63.6: J Anderson to V Philander, FOUR! On a good length and outside off, Philander looks to punch but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary. |
| 64.2 : 64.2: S Broad to Kock, FOUR! Another edgy boundary! Short and outside off, de Kock looks to slash but gets an outside edge. It goes over the slip region and towards third man for a boundary. He moves into the 80s with that boundary. |
| 65.2: J Anderson to de Kock, FOUR! Classic shot. Full and outside off, de Kock drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 69.4 : 69.4: J Anderson to Philander, FOUR! Nice shot. On a good length on off, Philander guides it towards third man for a boundary. |
| 71.5 : 71.5: Sam Curran to Kock, OUT! Caught behind! De Kock falls in nervous 90s and he misses out on a well deserved hundred here. Big wicket and once again it is Sam Curran who has given Root the breakthrough. This young lad is some cricketer. His 4th wicket of the innings. Good length ball around off and shaping away. De Kock looks to defend it away from the body but the ball kisses the outside edge of the willow and goes straight into the mitts of Buttler. The 47-run stand is broken and England ha |
| 74.1 : 74.1: J Archer to Maharaj, FOUR! That is put away! Short and outside off, Maharaj cuts it hard through point for a boundary. |
| 74.5 : 74.5: J Archer to Maharaj, OUT! Yes, the soft signal stays and Jofra has a wicket, he finally has one. A shortish length ball just around off, Maharaj plays looks to defend it coming forward. The ball takes the outside edge and goes low to Ben Stokes who pouches it inches above the turf. Maharaj is not sure if that carried to Stokes and he stands waiting. The umpire refers it upstairs with the soft signal being out. First the front foot is getting checked, it is fine. Now, did that carry? Yes, i |
| 76.4 : 76.4: J Archer to Philander, FOUR! That is punished! Short and outside off, Philander cuts it hard through point for a boundary. |
| 77.3 : 77.3: Sam Curran to Rabada, FOUR! On a good length and outside off, Rabada looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary. |
| 80.6 : 80.6: S Broad to V Philander, FOUR! Terrific shot. Full delivery outside off, Philander drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 81.3 : 81.3: J Anderson to Rabada, FOUR! Nicely done! A fuller ball outside off, Rabada gets his bat down and guides it between gully and point. It races to the third man fence and Rabada has his second boundary. |
| 81.6 : 81.6: J Anderson to Rabada, FOUR! Brilliant drive and it reaches the fence. A fuller ball outside off again, Rabada drills it towards cover. The fielder there makes a half stop diving to his right but this has been drilled really hard. The ball eventually reaches the fence before the fielder can chase it down. Second boundary of the over for Rabada. These are very valuable runs for South Africa. |
| 82.4 : 82.4: Broad to K Rabada, OUT! Through the gates! Superb from Broad. And South Africa lose the 9th wicket. A brilliant ball that pitches around off and comes back in with the angle. Rabada looks to defend but the ball comes back in sharply to beat the inside edge of the bat. It brushes the thigh pad and then goes to disturb the timbers behind. And, with that the umpires have called for STUMPS ON DAY 1. |
| 84.1 : 84.1: S Broad to Philander, FOUR! Nicely done and important runs these. A short ball outside off, Philander goes back and slashes it wide of the gully fielder. It races to the third man fence. |
| 84.3 : 84.3: S Broad to Philander, OUT! Caught! There is a spike on Ultra Edge and Philander has to go. A good length ball which is outside off and it is shaping further away from Philander. He pokes at it away from his body and ends up nicking behind. Buttler catches it and celebrates. The umpire raises his finger but Philander goes for the review. Probably because it is there at his disposal. Don't think it is going to save him though. Here comes the replay. The front foot is okay. There seem to be a |
| 0.3 : 0.3: K Rabada to R Burns, NO BALL AND FOUR! Superb ball this but Rabada has overstepped here. Full and swinging in on off. Burns looks to play it on the on side but the ball goes off the outside edge through the gully region for a boundary. First runs off the bat. |
| 2.4 : 2.4: K Rabada to R Burns, EDGED AND FOUR! Rabada is troubling Burns in every possible way here. Full and swinging away. Burns looks to drive it to the on side but gets squared up. It goes off the outside edge through the backward point region for a boundary. |
| 3.1 : 3.1: V Philander to Burns, OUT! Caught behind! This time there is no need to review it as Burns knows he has got something on it. Absolute jaffa from Vernon Philander. He is one of the best bowler to left-handers and he has struck gold in the very second over here with a peach. Vernon bowls it on a length, in the channel of uncertainty. The ball goes with the angle but then straightens a bit. Rory looks to defend but gets a feather on it of his glove on its way to the keeper. De Kock takes it an |
| 4.5 : 4.5: K Rabada to Sibley, FOUR! Flicked nicely! First boundary for Sibley! A fullish ball on middle of the right-hander. Sibley is really strong on anything on the pads. He flicks it to the mid-wicket fence nicely. |
| 4.6 : 4.6: K Rabada to Sibley, OUT! Caught! Some drama though! Sibley has been given not out by the umpire. Faf du Plessis without even having a word with the bowler signals the 'T' straightaway. However, after he takes the DRS, Sibley starts going off. He did not do that immediately but after the decision has been taken upstairs, he starts walking. The umpire there stops him, probably to get everything confirmed. Now, time for the replays, front foot is okay. And a clear spike on the Ultra Edge. So, |
| 8.1 : 8.1: K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Timed superbly! Rabada bowls it full around off, Root comes forward and punches it through point for his first boundary. |
| 12.6 : 12.6: A Nortje to Root, FOUR! Educational edge this from Root! A 149 kph delivery bowled on a length around off, Root looks to defend but opens the face of the bat in the last moment to send it wide of the man at gully and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 14.1 : 14.1: A Nortje to Root, FOUR! Length delivery outside off, Root goes on the back foot and punches it past the diving gully fielder towards third man for a boundary. |
| 15.6 : 15.6: D Pretorius to Root, FOUR! Nicely played! On a good length on off, Root plays it with soft hands and guides it towards third man for a boundary. |
| 16.1 : 16.1: A Nortje to Denly, FOUR! First one for him. That was boundary the moment it left the bat. A good length on middle, Denly uses his wrists and whips it to deep mid-wicket fence. That raced to the fence in a jiffy. |
| 16.4 : 16.4: A Nortje to Joe Denly, FOUR! Nice shot. Second boundary of the over. Full delivery on middle, Denly drives it through mid on for a boundary. 50 up for England. |
| 17.4: D Pretorius to Denly, FOUR! Clipped nicely! A good length ball on middle, Denly is very strong there. He flicks it with power and it beats the mid-wicket fielder and races to the fence. He is starting to look settled out in the middle now. |
| 22.1 : 22.1: K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Shot! A short ball outside off to start the fresh over. Root goes on the back foot and slashes it past point. It races to the fence. |
| 22.6 : 22.6: K Rabada to Denly, FOUR! Glorious! Overpitched from Rabada and Denly pounces on it. He leans into the shot and creams it through covers. |
| 23.1 : 23.1: V Philander to Joe Root, OUT! The England skipper is out of here and it is a body blow for England. Brilliant from Philander once again. Spot on with his line and length once again. Another ball in the channel outside off, Root can easily leave these alone. He though decides to have a poke at it. Joe ends up getting a tickle behind the wicket. De Kock takes the catch and celebrates. The umpire too raises the finger instantly and Root walks off. As he goes to the pavilion, punches his bat. |
| 24.1: K Rabada to Joe Denly, FOUR! Crashed away! Short ball on middle, Denly rocks back and pulls it wide long on fence for a boundary. |
| 24.3 : 24.3: K Rabada to Denly, FOUR! Sprays down the leg side and gets the punishment. A ball on the pads on a good length, all Denly has to do is tickle it fine down the leg side. He does that nicely and the ball races to the fine leg fence. Rabada is leaking runs here. Not doing good to his partner who is bowling brilliantly at the other end. |
| 26.4 : 26.4: K Rabada to Denly, FOUR! Nicely done! A short ball outside off, Denly hangs back and guides it between the second slip and gully fielder. It races to the third man fence. Another boundary off Rabada. |
| 27.6 : 27.6: K Maharaj to Denly, FOUR! Over mid off! This time Denly reaches the pitch of this tossed up ball outside off and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. Looking really impressive ever since the first run he got. |
| 29.5 : 29.5: K Rabada to Ben Stokes, FOUR! That is put away! Short delivery on middle, Stokes pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 31.3 : 31.3: K Rabada to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Whipped nicely! Full delivery on middle, Stokes drives it through mid on for a boundary. 100 up for England. |
| 33.4 : 33.4: K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! Don't bother looking that was six the moment it left the bat. Flighted on off, Stokes gets down on one knee and smashes it over the mid-wicket fence for a big six. |
| 33.5 : 33.5: K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! Two in a row. This one is a flat hit but once again hardly hit. Floated on off, Stokes once again gets down on one knee and slogs it flat over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. 50-run stand is up between Ben Stokes and Joe Denly. |
| 36.1 : 36.1: A Nortje to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Effortless from Stokes! Fullish ball on off, Stokes punches it beautifully. It reaches to the long on fence quickly. Sweet timing. |
| 36.3 : 36.3: A Nortje to Stokes, FOUR! Improvisation at its best. Short and outside off, Stokes goes on the back foot and at the very last moment guides it over the slip cordon. One bounce and into the fence. |
| 37.2 : 37.2: D Pretorius to Denly, FOUR! Gets to his 6th Test half ton in style! Brilliant shot. A full ball outside off, Denly leans into the drive and creams it through the covers. He has been superb so far and look to convert this into a big one. |
| 37.5 : 37.5: D Pretorius to Denly, OUT! Caught behind! The Ultra Edge detects a faint inside edge and Denly has to depart. Pretorius gets his debut Test wicket and an important one too as South Africa have broken the partnership. 50 and gone, 6th time this has happened in Tests for Denly. Still searching his maiden Test ton. A superb ball from Pretorius. It is just ahead of the back of a length. It pitches and then comes back in as Denly comes forward and looks defends. He misses to do so and the ball |
| 38.5: A Nortje to Bairstow, OUT! Knocks him over! Nortje is the man who strikes for the first time and half the English side is back to the pavilion. Brilliant line and length this form Nortje. A good length ball from him which pitches outside off and then comes in nicely. Bairstow without any feet movement looks to defend. But the ball keeps low and comes back in to beat the defense of Bairstow. It goes behind and rattles the timber. Bairstow's poor run in Tests in 2019 continues. |
| 39.2 : 39.2: D Pretorius to Buttler, FOUR! That is a gorgeous cover drive from Jos Buttler! Slightly overpitched around off, Buttler does not need second invitation. He just gets on his front foot and drives it deliciously through covers for a boundary. |
| 40.3 : 40.3: A Nortje to Stokes, OUT! Caught behind! Nortje gets his second wicket of the game and no prizes for guessing who has caught it. It is Quinton de Kock. His 5th catch of the innings and England from a commanding position have their backs against the wall. This is proper Test match wicket. Nortje hits the deck hard on a length at 144 kph. The ball shapes away just a bit. Stokes looks to defend but that little zip troubles him enough to take the outside edge and goes straight into the mitts of |
| 44.3: A Nortje to Curran, EDGY FOUR! On a good length on off, Curran looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary. |
| 45.4 : 45.4: V Philander to Curran, FOUR! First runs of the session and its 4 of them. Short and wide outside off, Curran goes on the back foot and crashes it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 45.5 : 45.5: V Philander to Sam Curran, EDGY FOUR! Now, four lucky runs. A fuller ball around off, Curran looks to defend but the ball takes the outer half of the bat and goes to the third man fence between the slip cordon. |
| 46.5: K Rabada to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Superbly driven! A good length ball outside off, Buttler takes a step forward and slams it through covers for a boundary. |
| 48.1 : 48.1: K Rabada to Curran, FOUR! Superb timing! Rabada continues to leak runs here. A good length ball outside off, Curran goes on the back foot and punches it through the extra cover region. The mid off fielder gives the ball a chase but he cannot get there. |
| 48.5 : 48.5: K Rabada to Sam Curran, OUT! Caught at short leg and Curran is out of here. Brilliant catch from Hamza. You need a very strong reflexes there and Hamza has that at this ball. A good length ball on middle, Curran flicks but hits it straight to Hamza at short leg. He gets down in time towards his left and pouches it nicely. Another timely wicket for the Proteas. It is second for Rabada and now South Africa are into the tail of England. South Africa still ahead by 108 runs. |
| 51.1 : 51.1: V Philander to Buttler, OUT! Caught behind! Sixth catch of the match and it is a blinder behind the wicket from de Kock. Last recognized batsman is gone now and England are staring at a huge first innings lead. Sharp bouncer around off, Buttler hopes to push but the ball takes the outside edge and goes right of the keeper. De Kock throws himself to his right and gobbles the ball with both hands, in front of the first slip. Philander has three and England are 8 down. |
| 52.4 : 52.4: K Rabada to Broad, OUT! Caught at gully! Terrific bowling from Rabada. Bowls a bouncer outside off, Broad can only push it in the hands of Elgar at gully. Bouncer has always troubled Broad and Rabada dished out one to send him back to the pavilion. 9 down and still behind 103. |
| 53.2 : 53.2: V Philander to J Archer, OUT! Knocks over the off stump and England are all out. Outstanding bowling from Philander. He has his fourth. A good length ball on off which goes straight after pitching. Archer looks to defend but misses. The ball goes behind and disturbs the off pole. ENGLAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 181! |
| 0.5 : 0.5: Anderson to Markram, OUT! That is dead plumb! Don't bother even taking the review on this one. But Markram thinks and not just thinks but takes it. Looks to be a poor call this one. A fuller ball around off, Markram looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Massive appeal from the English players and umpire raises finger instantly. Markram is not sure. He slowly goes to his partner, they have a word and at the very end, opts for the DRS. Don't think it will save him though. Let's se |
| 1.5: S Broad to D Elgar, FOUR! Nicely played! Good length delivery on off, Elgar pokes at it with soft hands and the ball takes an outside edge. It goes between second slip and gully towards third man for a boundary. |
| 6.1 : 6.1: J Anderson to Elgar, FOUR! Uppish but well placed. Full outside off, Elgar stretches out and lofts his drive over point for a boundary. |
| 6.2 : 6.2: J Anderson to Elgar, FOUR! This one is straight down the ground. Anderson is once again guilty of going too full on off. Elgar gets on his front foot and drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 6.4 : 6.4: J Anderson to Elgar, FOUR! Third boundary off the over! Anderson is not looking like himself here. He now strays down the pads, Elgar flicks it with ease through the square leg fence. The man from fine leg gives it a chase but cannot stop the ball from reaching the fence. |
| 7.4: S Broad to Hamza, OUT! Caught! Another wicket which has come down the leg side. A very similar way to how Elgar got out in the first innings. Broad bowls one around the pads, down the leg side. Hamza is cramped for room as he tries to tickle it fine down the leg side. The ball kisses his bat and then the pads and goes to the left of the keeper. Buttler behind the stumps puts in a dive on that side and takes a very good catch. He puts an appeal along with the bowler and the umpire raises his |
| 8.1 : 8.1: J Archer to Elgar, FOUR! Done with ease! Not a welcome Jofra would have been looking for. Overpitched on off, Elgar just uses the pace of the ball and strokes it through mid off for an elegant boundary. |
| 8.2 : 8.2: J Archer to Elgar, OUT! Caught! Three down and we still have cloe to an hour left for the close! How many more coming? Excellent ball but also a lovely catch from Jos Buttler. Superb comeback here from Jofra. He has the last laugh and got rid of Elgar with a peach. Good length ball pitching on off. It jags back in venomously. Elgar looks to defend but the ball comes back in a long way. It takes the inside edge of his defensive willow and goes over the stumps. Buttler dives to his right and |
| 10.2: J Archer to Plessis, FOUR! Driven crisply! Slightly overpitched on off, du Plessis is onto it in a flash and creams his drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 10.4 : 10.4: J Archer to Plessis, FOUR! Crunched away! Length ball away from off, du Plessis shows aggressive approach and slashes this through covers for a boundary. |
| 10.6 : 10.6: J Archer to Plessis, FOUR! Third boundary of the over and it is a very good over for the Proteas. Length ball delivery outside off. Faf likes the width on offer and he gets on his back foot and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 12.5 : 12.5: J Archer to Plessis, SIX! Faf has just gone after the bouncer here and got out of it getting the maximum result. Bouncer from Archer, Faf gets on his back foot and pulls it with confidence and power over the square leg fence for a biggie. |
| 14.2 : 14.2: J Archer to van der Dussen, FOUR! Pulled with power and disdain. The South Africans have decided to take on Archer here. Back of a length on off, Rassie pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 14.4 : 14.4: J Archer to Plessis, OUT! Faf du Plessis holes out! The ploy to go after Archer has backfired. Quick and back of a length delivery on middle. Faf takes his eyes off the ball and pulls it while going down on one knee. He hits it towards deep backward square leg. Sam Curran comes running in from fine leg and takes a good running catch. |
| 17.6 : 17.6: Sam Curran to Nortje, FOUR! Full ball outside off, Nortje goes for the drive this time and connects it nicely. It races between point and gully and into the third man fence. |
| 18.2 : 18.2: J Archer to van der Dussen, FOUR! Poor ball from Jofra. Full on the pads, Rassie flicks it with ease through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 26.6 : 26.6: Sam Curran to Nortje, EDGY FOUR! Valuable runs. Good length ball outside off, Nortje looks to drive it but takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant gully region for a boundary. The lead moves to 195 now. |
| 27.4 : 27.4: J Anderson to A Nortje, FOUR! Edgy but Nortje and South Africa will take it. Back of a length ball on off, Nortje looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge through gully and into the fence. |
| 28.5 : 28.5: Sam Curran to Nortje, FOUR! Brilliant batting this! Nortje is batting like a proper batsman out there. Curran bowls a full delivery on middle, Anrich flicks this beautifully through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 32.5: J Archer to Nortje, FOUR! Nortje winning the battle here against Jofra. Fuller on middle, Anrich drives it through mid on and fetches himself a boundary. |
| 33.1 : 33.1: S Broad to van der Dussen, EDGED AND FOUR! Runs starting to leak here. Full on off, van der Dussen looks to drive but the ball takes the outside edge and goes to the right of gully. Ben Stokes there dives on that side but the ball goes wide of him and to the fence. |
| 33.2 : 33.2: S Broad to van der Dussen, FOUR! This is right off the meat. Fuller on off, Rassie gets on his front foot and creams his drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 33.4 : 33.4: S Broad to van der Dussen, FOUR! Exquisite cover drive from van der Dussen. Broad is once again guilty of overpitching it on off, van der Dussen gets on his front foot and plays a crispy drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 37.2 : 37.2: S Broad to Nortje, FOUR! Take that! Back of a length ball outside off, Nortje punches it off the back foot to the deep cover region for a boundary. |
| 38.1 : 38.1: J Archer to van der Dussen, OUT! Umpire's call it is and Rassie's good knock comes to an end. Full ball pitching on middle and swinging in. Rassie looks to play it across the line but misses. He misses and the ball hits him on his pad. The English players go up in a confident appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Van der Dussen takes it upstairs straightaway. Replay rolls in and Hawk Eye shows that the ball is just about clipping the leg pole. Rassie will have to walk back but he does n |
| 38.4 : 38.4: J Archer to Kock, SIX! De Kock is off the mark with a bang! Bouncer around the eye line from Archer. De Kock gets on his back foot and hooks it with power and right off the meat over the fine leg fence for a maximum. |
| 38.5 : 38.5: J Archer to Kock, EDGED BUT SIX! Short again from Archer. De Kock goes for the pull but it goes off the upper half of his bat and sails over the fine leg fence for another biggie. Jofra has a smile on his face but he must be fuming from inside. |
| 39.6 : 39.6: S Broad to de Kock, FOUR! De Kock has come with an attacking intent. This is a beautiful shot. Full and outside off, de Kock leans forward and hammers the drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 40.1 : 40.1: J Archer to Nortje, OUT! Caught! Finally, finally England have got rid of the nightwatchman. Calling him a nightwatchman just does not sound right anymore as he has played a very, very good innings here. Nortje misses out on a well deserved fifty but he has done more than enough here. |
| 40.4 : 40.4: J Archer to Pretorius, FOUR! Back of a length ball outside off, Pretorius is quick to lash onto it. He gets on his back foot and punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 41.2 : 41.2: Ben Stokes to D Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT! Brilliant bowling from Stokes on his return to the attack. Bowled a short one first up and then sets the batter up with a beautiful ball. Fullish delivery outside off, Pretorius looks to drive it off the front foot but it goes off the outside edge towards first slip. Dom Sibley stationed there takes a simple catch. England taking wickets in a heap here. Can they finish off the tail quickly? |
| 41.6 : 41.6: Ben Stokes to Philander, EDGED AND FOUR! Philander is off the mark with a lucky boundary. On a length outside off, Philander looks to defend it but it goes off the outside edge through the gully region and into the fence. |
| 42.1 : 42.1: J Archer to de Kock, SIX! Blink of an eye and de Kock has reached 22 already. He has come out in T20 mode here. Back of a length on the pads, de Kock picks it and lofts it over fine leg for a maximum. There is a man there but he is as good a spectator as us. |
| 42.2 : 42.2: J Archer to Kock, FOUR! Short and pulled with power. It is a knuckle ball and short outside off, de Kock pulls it with confidence and power through mid on for a boundary. |
| 44.5 : 44.5: J Anderson to V Philander, FOUR! What a shot that is! Anderson bowls a half-volley outside off, Philander leans forward and creams the drive through covers for a boundary. First one in this session. |
| 45.1 : 45.1: Ben Stokes to V Philander, FOUR! South Africa are off to a flurry here. They are wearing whites but playing like they are in colored clothes here. Stokes starts with a back of a length ball on off, Vernon gets on his back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket. The ball bounces inside the ropes and goes away to the fence. |
| 47.5 : 47.5: Ben Stokes to Philander, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL! A half volley but still had to be put away! It is bowled outside off, Vernon drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 51.3 : 51.3: Ben Stokes to Kock, OUT! Caught behind! Ben Stokes gets his second of the game. Better from Stokes here. He pitches the ball up outside off. De Kock lunges forward and looks to defend but the ball tails away just a tad and kisses the outside edge of Quinton's willow. There is an appeal from the keeper and Stokes but surprisingly it is not a loud one. The bigger surprise is de Kock does not wait for umpire's decision and starts walking. This is very good sportsmanship from de Kock. In the a |
| 55.2 : 55.2: Sam Curran to Maharaj, FOUR! Wow! What a shot! Length ball outside off, Maharaj lofts it over covers for a boundary. Naseer Hussain on air says he is better than a tail-ender in his opinion and one can hardly argue with that. He is no walkover with the bat. |
| 58.4 : 58.4: J Archer to Maharaj, OUT! CAUGHT! Finally, the short ball does the trick for England. 5-fer for Archer. Though he has not been at his best and has been expensive, Archer has been the wicket-taking bowler that England were craving for. Short of a length on middle, Maharaj looks to pull but it goes off the top edge towards fine leg. Sam Curran settles himself under it and takes a simple catch. The lead is now 353. |
| 59.3 : 59.3: Sam Curran to Rabada, FOUR! Nicely played! On a length outside off, Rabada camps back on his back foot and punches it to the deep cover region for a boundary. |
| 60.4 : 60.4: J Archer to Rabada, FOUR! That is hit with power! Short ball outside off, Rabada stands tall and powers it through covers for a boundary. |
| 61.2 : 61.2: Sam Curran to Rabada, SIX! Rabada is on fire and gives a smile after hitting that! Good length delivery on off, Rabada thrashes it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. |
| 61.4 : 61.4: Sam Curran to Philander, OUT! CAUGHT! It took a fantastic catch from Jonny Bairstow to end the innings of South Africa. Shorter delivery outside off, Philander looks to play the upper cut to third man but gets a faint outside edge behind to the keeper. Bairstow leaps high in the air and pouches it with one hand. Terrific stuff. Philander knows that he is out and starts walking off. SOUTH AFRICA ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 272 WITH A LEAD OF 375. |
| 0.1 : 0.1: K Rabada to R Burns, EDGED AND FOUR! England are underway but not in a convincing fashion. Full on the off stump line, Burns looks to defend it but it goes off the outside edge through the point region for a boundary. |
| 2.1: K Rabada to Burns, FOUR! Classy from Rory Burns! Rabada dishes out a full delivery outside off, Burns lunges forward and creams the drive through mid off for a boundary. |
| 4.1: K Rabada to Burns, FOUR! Nicely played! Good length ball outside off, Burns leans forward and drives it through gully for a boundary. |
| 9.2 : 9.2: V Philander to R Burns, EDGED, DROPPED, FOUR! Get your knives out. Who is to be blamed? Rassie van der Dussen, of course, because he has put a sitter down. But then, was it really a sitter? Imagine that you are playing a gaming console wherein you have to shoot at a target. You concentrate, aim and then fire. But suddenly, a bird flies out of nowhere just in front of the target. What are the chances of you missing your shot? Pretty close to 100 percent. Unless you are Orlando Bloom in Lord |
| 10.2: A Nortje to Burns, FOUR! Excellent shot. Full delivery on middle, Burns flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 10.5 : 10.5: A Nortje to Burns, FOUR! Beautiful shot from Burns! Fullish in length on middle, Rory whips it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. |
| 12.6 : 12.6: A Nortje to Sibley, FOUR! Magical delivery is followed by a real loosener. It is on the pads of Sibley, easy pickings for him as he just turns it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 16.6: A Nortje to Burns, FOUR! Rory Burns is looking strong. Full delivery on middle, Burns flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. The fielder chases after it from mid-wicket but fails to do so. |
| 18.4 : 18.4: K Rabada to Sibley, FOUR! Poor bowling from Rabada! Drifts this one on the pads, Sibley flicks it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 19.2 : 19.2: D Pretorius to Sibley, FOUR! What a shot! Right off the middle of the bat. Full on middle and off, Sibley gets on his front foot and just times it to perfection through mid on for a boundary. He did not hit it hard, just timed it beautifully. |
| 22.2: K Rabada to Burns, FOUR! Burns brings his fifty up with a boundary. His 6th in Tests, he is certainly starting to come good and solidifying his place in this English Test side as an opener. Length ball around off, Burns waits for it and guides in the gap through point for a boundary. |
| 22.4 : 22.4: K Rabada to Burns, FOUR! Gorgeous shot from Burns. Overpitched on off by Rabada. Burns is well-set out there and he is quick to pounce on this mistake and slash his drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 25.2 : 25.2: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Against the spin but very nicely played. Maharaj bowls it on middle and leg. It is a little too straight in line. Sibley gets on his front foot and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 26.6 : 26.6: K Rabada to Sibley, FOUR! Amazing shot. On a length and outside off, Sibley punches it through point for a boundary. |
| 27.6: Maharaj to Sibley, OUT! Caught and bowled! Soft, soft dismissal to end a very good opening stand. Big wicket for South Africa, they desperately needed to break the stand and it is the left-arm spinner who has done the trick. Floated delivery, slightly short on off. Sibley gets on his back foot and looks to push it back to the bowler. He does so but uppishly and the ball goes straight back to Maharaj and he takes an easy catch. Sibley has had his struggles against left-arm spinners. He had |
| 28.3 : 28.3: K Rabada to R Burns,FOUR! Beautiful shot. Full outside off, Burns is quick to get on his front foot and drive it right off the middle of the bat through covers for a boundary. He has lost his partner but Burns is not losing his focus. If he sees a bad ball he will punish it. |
| 35.2 : 35.2: K Maharaj to R Burns, FOUR! A hit-me delivery from Maharaj and Burns obliges with power. Drag down outside off, Burns pulls it with disdain through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 39.6 : 39.6: D Pretorius to Denly, FOUR! Good shot. Not too much power but just a well-timed punch. Good length ball outside off, Denly gets on his back foot and punches it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 42.4 : 42.4: K Rabada to Denly, EDGED AND FOUR! First runs of the day but it is not in the most convincing way. Rabada hits the deck hard on off, it tails away a bit. Denly looks to defend but the away swing squares him up and the ball goes off the outside edge through the vacant gully region for a boundary. |
| 46.1 : 46.1: K Rabada to Joe Denly, SIX! First shot of real aggression and intent from England. It is Denly who has taken the charge. A much-needed pressure reliving shot after barrage of dot balls. Rabada goes short, Denly is ready for it and pulls it with sheer confidence and power over mid-wicket. He has timed it perfectly and the ball sails over the fence for a biggie. First one of the innings. |
| 51.2 : 51.2: A Nortje to Burns, OUT! Caught! The bowling change has done the wonders for the hosts. Nortje strikes in his second ball of the over. Big, big wicket for the Proteas and this could be the wicket that puts the South Africans back in the driver's seat. Nortje goes short and it is well directed as well as it is very close to the body. The ball hurries onto Burns. He looks to pull it but he is very late in his shot. The ball hits the upper half of the bat and goes high in the air. It goes towa |
| 52.2: K Rabada to Denly, SIX! What has happened there? Nortje does not know where the ball is. Short of a length ball on off, Denly looks to pull it but gets a top edge towards fine leg. Nortje stationed there, loses the ball in the air and looks to take evasive action. In the end it goes for a biggie. Rabada has his hands on his head. Could have been easily another wicket. |
| 53.5 : 53.5: A Nortje to Root, FOUR! Nicely played! Length delivery outside off, Root guides it towards third man for a boundary. That is a shot which brings him a lot of runs but also gets out sometimes says Nasser Hussain on air. |
| 54.4 : 54.4: D Pretorius to Denly, FOUR! Hammered! Poor ball but it has to be put away. Short delivery on off, Denly gets into position and thrashes the pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. 150 up for England. Need more 223 runs to win. |
| 55.1 : 55.1: A Nortje to Root, FOUR! Beautiful shot from Root! Back of a length delivery outside off, Root hops and punches the ball crisply through covers for a boundary. |
| 56.3 : 56.3: D Pretorius to Denly, OUT! LBW! Umpire's call. The ball is just clipping the leg pole but it is enough for Denly to walk back. The pressure the opening bowlers build is starting to pay off as the new bowlers are getting the breakthrough. A wicket that South Africa wanted. A wicket that South Africa have got. Both the well-set batsmen are out of here and South Africa on top here. Very good bowling from Pretorius. Good length ball pitching around off and coming back in. Denly looks to flick |
| 66.4 : 66.4: V Philander to Joe Root, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL! Absolutely beautiful. Wonderful way to start the session for the visitors. Philander dishes out a half volley on middle, Root drives it past the diving Rabada and into the long on fence. Rabada does get a hand to it but fails to do so. |
| 68.1 : 68.1: V Philander to Root, FOUR! Beautiful shot but a poor delivery as well! Short delivery outside off, Root hops and punches it to the cover-point region for a boundary. |
| 69.4 : 69.4: A Nortje to Root, FOUR! Nicely timed from Root! Root has started well after the Lunch break! Full delivery on middle, Root whips it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. Vernon Philander chases after it and fails to reach it on time. |
| 70.1 : 70.1: K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Thrashed by Stokes! Maharaj starts with a flighted delivery on off, Ben bends on his knees and sweeps it to the deep square leg region for a boundary. |
| 70.4 : 70.4: K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Stokes is looking to attack ths spinner here. Floated ball on off, Stokes dances down the track and plays it uppishly over the cover region for a boundary. |
| 70.6 : 70.6: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! England are turning it on at Centurion. Short delivery outside off, Root goes on his back foot and punches it through covers for a boundary. 200 up for England. |
| 72.3 : 72.3: K Maharaj to Stokes, OUT! Chopped on! Maharaj is in cloud 9, South African players are on cloud 9! England's crisis man, the miracle man of Headingley is out of here. Massive wicket in this game. No Ben Magic here in Centurion as Maharaj has got the king-sized wicket of Ben Stokes. Maharaj bowls it slightly short but on the rough. It puts Ben Stokes in two minds, whether to play at it or let it go. He tries to dab it down towards third man but the ball is too close to do it. The ball turns |
| 73.4 : 73.4: D Pretorius to Root, FOUR! Poor bowling this though! Full delivery on the pads, Root just helps it on its way to the backward square leg for a boundary. Keshav Maharaj comes, slides but fails to stop it. |
| 74.3 : 74.3: K Maharaj to Bairstow, FOUR! This is not good bowling from Maharaj! Short and wide outside off, Bairstow rocks back and punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 80.1 : 80.1: K Rabada to Bairstow, FOUR! Rabada starts with a poor delivery down the pads. Full delivery on middle, Bairstow whips it beautifully to deep mid-wicket and picks up a boundary. |
| 80.2 : 80.2: K Rabada to Bairstow, OUT! Caught! The new ball has done its magic and Faf's decision to take the new ball has taken just two deliveries to do its magic. Full and swinging away from Bairstow. He looks to play it away from his body and ends up getting a thick outside edge which flies to the man at gully. Zubayr Hamza there gets it in an awkward height but he hops and makes it look easy. Looks like he has hurt himself too with the new ball but at this moment it does not matter as South Afric |
| 85.6 : 85.6: V Philander to Jos Buttler, FOUR! This should give Buttler some confidence. This is a superb shot from Jos! Overpitched slightly on off, Buttler gets on his front foot and drives it perfectly off the middle of the bat through extra covers for a boundary. |
| 86.1 : 86.1: K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Classic shot! Back of a length delivery outside off, Root punches it off the back foot with one hand of the bat. It goes through gully for a boundary. |
| 87.2 : 87.2: A Nortje to Root, OUT! Caught behind! Is this the end of this chase here? Joe Root is out of here and once again the bowling change has done the trick. Nortje with the bat, Nortje with the ball. Nortje winning the game for his side. Anrich steams in and hits the deck hard on off, it is in the corridor of uncertainty. The ball nips away off the deck. Root lunges forward to get a feel of the ball. All he does is get a good, fat outside edge which goes straight into the gloves of Quinton de K |
| 89.1 : 89.1: A Nortje to Sam Curran, EDGED AND FOUR! Luck favoring Sam Curran! Good length ball outside off, Curran looks to drive it but hits the outside edge which goes between the guly and the second slip fielder into the fence. |
| 89.3 : 89.3: A Nortje to Buttler, FOUR! Audacious! Buttler finally shows his class. Back of a length delivery outside off, Buttler pushes it off the back foot through the extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 89.5 : 89.5: A Nortje to Buttler, SIX! Hammered! Short of a length ball on middle, Buttler rocks on his back foot and pulls it with absolute disdain over the deep square leg region for a biggie. There are two fielders stationed there but it has gone way over the fence. |
| 90.3 : 90.3: K Rabada to Curran, FOUR! Thrashed. England are looking to counter-attack here. Full delivery outside off, Curran hammers it through covers for a boundary. 250 up for South Africa. |
| 90.4 : 90.4: K Rabada to Curran, OUT! Caught! Rabada strikes yet another one. The dangerous Curran has also gone now. This is a brilliant ball from Kagiso. Its starts on off and it looks like it will go away with the angle but the ball straightens up after pitching. Curran looks to defend but gets a good outside edge which goes straight to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps. De Kock's 8th catch of the game and he has had a very good Test. 125 more needed for England to win. South Africa just 3 wickets a |
| 90.5 : 90.5: K Rabada to Archer, FOUR! Off the mark straightaway is Archer! Good length ball outside off, Archer punches it off the back foot to the deep point region. Zubayr Hamza puts in a terrific run from deep point and slides but can only parry it into the fence. |
| 91.4 : 91.4: A Nortje to Archer, OUT! CAUGHT! Nortje has picked up his third wicket. Brilliant stuff from Anrich and the hosts are just two wickets away from a terrific victory. Back of a length ball from Nortje, Archer looks to push it to the off side but gets a thick outside edge towards first slip. Rassie van der Dussen who is standing there takes a simple catch. Look at the celebrations. They are ecstatic. Once again England have collapsed after giving a tough fight. |
| 92.1 : 92.1: K Rabada to Buttler, SIX! That is a terrific shot from Jos Buttler. Full delivery on off, Buttler clears his one leg and hammers it over long on for a maximum. The umpires checks whether it is a six or a boundary. The replays show that it has landed way over the ropes. |
| 92.2 : 92.2: K Rabada to Buttler, OUT! Buttler holes out! His counter-attacking approach does not last long and it has to be game, set and match here. South Africa have held their nerves and delivered here. All the main batters are out of here and England are just a wicket away from sealing this game. Back of a length ball on off, Buttler looks to pull but he does not get it off the middle. It hits the upper half of his bat and goes high up in the air. It does not travel the distance and goes towards l |
| 92.6 : 92.6: K Rabada to Broad, OUT! TIMBER! You miss I hit says Rabada. And that is that for this game. Brilliant performance from South Africa. Broad was just going after every ball here and this, you might feel that it was coming. Yorker on middle, Broad makes room to play it to the off side but misses it completely. Rabada though does not miss and the ball goes on to hit the middle stump. Rabada finishes with four wickets. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 107 RUNS. |
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