| 1.5 : 1.5: K Rabada to Sibley, FOUR! Off the mark nicely! Not a very good ball from Rabada as he bowls it full and too straight. Sibley easily flicks it to the deep mid-wicket fence. First boundary of the innings. |
| 2.6 : 2.6: V Philander to Crawley, OUT! Caught Behind! Brilliant from de Kock behind the wicket. Superb from Philander too. Continues bowling on the fourth stump channel on a good length. It swings away a bit. Crawley looks to defend off the front foot but the ball takes the outside edge and goes behind. De Kock moves to his right nicely and pouches it in his mitts. Top start for the Proteas. |
| 3.2 : 3.2: K Rabada to D Sibley, EDGY FOUR! Length ball around off, Sibley looks to work it on the leg side but the ball takes the thickish outside edge and goes between third slip and gully. It races to the third man fence. |
| 6.1 : 6.1: V Philander to Sibley, FOUR! Whipped away! A gift on the pads from Philander. Overpitcvhed on the pads, Sibley flicks it brilliantly and it races to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 7.3 : 7.3: K Rabada to Denly, FOUR! Denly is off the mark in good fashion. A good length ball outside off, Denly reaches out and drives it square through point to get his first boundary of the innings. |
| 8.2 : 8.2: V Philander to D Sibley, FOUR! Beautiful shot from Sibley. This will give him a lot of confidence. Fullish on off, Sibley leans forward and creams the drive through extra cover for a boundary. |
| 10.4 : 10.4: V Philander to Joe Denly, FOUR! Hammered away! Short of a length on middle, Denly gets into position quickly and pulls it to the deep square leg region for a boundary. The fielder gives it a chase from fine leg but fails to cut it off. |
| 13.5 : 13.5: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Poor bowling! Full delivery down the leg side, Sibley will not miss out on these as he just flicks it to the deep square leg region for a boundary. |
| 16.3 : 16.3: A Nortje to Denly, FOUR! Errs in line does Nortje here and Denly makes full use of it. Short of a length down the leg side, Denly just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence. |
| 19.4 : 19.4: D Pretorius to Sibley, FOUR! Overpitched and punished! Full one on middle and leg, Sibley flicks it beautifully through mid-wicket for a boundary. 50 up for the visitors. |
| 22.2 : 22.2: K Rabada to Sibley, EDGY FOUR! Sibley has been leaving those well but goes after this one. Good length delivery outside off, Sibley pokes at it with hard hands but gets an outside edge which goes between the second slip and the gully fielder. The ball races to the third man fence quickly. The boundary brings 50-run stand between the two. |
| 24.5 : 24.5: K Rabada to Sibley, OUT! CAUGHT! Outstanding from Rabada and the patience of bowling in the channel outside off pays off. Good length ball, shaping away a bit. Sibley looks to defend off the back foot but it hits the outside edge and goes towards first slip. Quinton de Kock dives to his right and pouches it safely. Sibley could have left that one alone. The hosts have struck just before Lunch and the budding stand has been cut short. |
| 26.5: K Rabada to Root, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Back of a length on off, Root stands tall and punches it through the point region for a boundary. |
| 29.3 : 29.3: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Cut away! Shortish ball just outside off, Root goes on the back foot and cuts it through point. Rabada gives it a chase, slides to pull the ball back but in vain. |
| 30.1 : 30.1: V Philander to Root, FOUR! Punched nicely! A good length ball outside off, Root goes back and punches it to the deep point fence. |
| 35.6 : 35.6: K Maharaj to Denly, FOUR! Finally runs, four of them for Denly. Maharaj bowls it short and outside off, Denly rocks on the back foot and slaps it through covers for a boundary. Runs after 48 balls. |
| 37.4 : 37.4: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Swept nicely! A fuller ball outside off, Root gets in the position and sweeps it brilliantly to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 40.3 : 40.3: A Nortje to Joe Root, FOUR! Dropped! Oh dear! How costly will this be. Slightly fullish ball from Nortje. Root is lured into the drive. No feet movement from him as he drives away from his body. The ball takes the thick outside edge and goes to van der Dussen at first slip quickly. De Kock dives to his right to catch but it is far from his reach. Dussen then looks to latch onto it by moving to his left but he cannot hold on it. It races to the fence behind him. |
| 40.5 : 40.5: A Nortje to Root, OUT! Caught! The drop costs South Africa nothing as Nortje has bounced out the English skipper with a brilliant bouncer. Brilliant from Nortje. 148 kph bumper on middle, Root looks to duck under it but he is quite late in doing so. He ends up lobbing the ball towards de Kock. De Koock pouches it easily. The bowler appeals but de Kock is not very sure. The umpire signals nothing but Root walks off. Rassie and de Kock will be the relieved men. South Africa break another goo |
| 41.4 : 41.4: K Maharaj to Denly, FOUR! Poor ball this from Keshav Maharaj! Drifts this one down the leg side, Denly nudges it down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 44.5 : 44.5: A Nortje to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Nicely played but Philander cannot get to it. Full delivery on off, Stokes strokes it through mid off. Philander tries to come across and slides to get a hand on it. The ball goes through and into the long off fence. First one for Stokes in this innings. |
| 47.3 : 47.3: K Maharaj to Denly, OUT! TIMBER! Right trhough the gate! What a delivery to get rid of the set batsman! Maharaj now gets into the wickets column. Arm ball on off, Denly strides forward to defend but the ball sneaks between the bat and pad going onto hitting the off stump. He trudges off after a long vigil out in the middle. A good knock from him but he should've had kept it out. |
| 50.4 : 50.4: K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR! Pulled away with disdain! Short delivery on middle, Stokes hammers the pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 52.2 : 52.2: K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR! Lovely from Stokes! Fullish delivery on off, Stokes creams the drive through the covers to pick up another boundary. |
| 56.4 : 56.4: K Rabada to Stokes, EDGY FOUR! Ooohhh... almost another wicket. Very rare from Stokes. He is a positive player, so he either goes hard at the balls or lets them go. Very rarely do we see him so indecisive about shot-making. This was one of those moments. A length ball outside off, Ben is in two minds, whether to play at that or let it go. In the end, he does try that run-down-to-third-man shot but is late and gets a thick outside edge. Luckily for him, it goes between second slip and gully |
| 58.3 : 58.3: V Philander to O Pope, FOUR! Lovely. Fullish delivery on off, Pope lunges forward and creams the drive through extra covers for a boundary. First one for Pope. |
| 60.4 : 60.4: V Philander to Pope, FOUR! Errs in line does Philander and Pope does not miss out. Full delivery on the pads, Pope flicks it beautifully through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 63.6 : 63.6: K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! Finally we see a maximum in this game! Maharaj tosses this one up on middle, Stokes puts on his dancing shoes and hammers it over the long on region for half a dozen. |
| 64.5 : 64.5: A Nortje to Stokes, FOUR! Smashed! Back of a length ball outside off, Stokes stands tall and punches it through the covers for a boundary. 50-run stand is up between the two. England needed it after losing two quick wickets. |
| 65.1 : 65.1: K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! A poor ball and Stokes makes full use of it. Not a length to bowl to a batsman like Stokes. Short of a length on middle, Stokes camps back and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary. |
| 66.3 : 66.3: A Nortje to Stokes, OUT! CAUGHT AT COVER! Gosh, gosh, gosh. Both sides would be thinking about that word. Just when England seemed well on top, right from nowhere, a wicket has fallen. And it is the man who scored a double century the first time he batted here in Tests. Ben Stokes looks at the ground crestfallen. He takes half a minute or so and then trudges off. This is a big boost for the Proteas. Full and outside off, Stokes looks to drive but his bottom hand comes off the bat. As a res |
| 68.1 : 68.1: A Nortje to Buttler, FOUR! That will give Buttler some confidence. He has been out of touch for some while now. On a length outside off, Buttler camps back and punches it off the back foot through covers for a boundary. Two fielders chase after it but the ball wins the race. |
| 68.3 : 68.3: A Nortje to Buttler, FOUR! But Buttler was lucky there. If he had hit, it would have been crashing into the stumps. Nortje bowls a full delivery on middle, Buttler moves to the off side and manages to get bat on it and flicks it to the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 69.1 : 69.1: K Maharaj to Buttler, FOUR! Clever shot but risky as well. Floated ball on middle, Buttler plays the paddle sweep to fine leg. Vernon Philander hares after it and slides to make a stop. The umpires go in to check it is a four. The replays confirm that Philander has touched the ropes. |
| 71.1: K Maharaj to Buttler, SIX! Gets that one does Buttler. Floated ball on middle, Buttler dances down and heaves it over the long on region for a biggie. |
| 72.5 : 72.5: D Pretorius to O Pope, EDGY FOUR! Luck is favouring Ollie Pope out at Newlands. Full delivery on middle, Pope looks to push it but gets a thick outside edge which goes between the second slip and gully fielder. It flies into the fence. |
| 74.3 : 74.3: D Pretorius to Jos Buttler, FOUR! SWEET! Full and outside off, Buttler comes forward and drives this through the covers! |
| 74.6 : 74.6: D Pretorius to Buttler, OUT! Caught behind! Oh my. Did we say Buttler is at his best when he is busy at the crease? He is now gone. Just what South Africa would have wanted before the second new ball is taken. The walk on the move has removed Buttler. Pretorius maintains his line and length outside off and Jos, by habit, looks to push. But the ball nibbles away off the seam and squares him up. |
| 76.6: D Pretorius to Sam Curran, INSIDE EDGE, MISSES THE STUMPS, FOUR! Things are happening here. A length ball outside off, Curran pushes at it away from his body. The ball though, comes in and cramps him for room. The inside edge is eked out and it goes behind, but JUST over the stumps, to the fine leg fence! |
| 78.5 : 78.5: D Pretorius to Curran, FOUR! Nicely done. Though, Pretorius will not mind it too much. Not a bad ball, by no means a half volley outside off. Curran has actually come forward and driven a ball which is short of full, on the up. There is a short extra cover and a mid off close to him, in place. But Sam has thread that gap to precision. |
| 78.6 : 78.6: D Pretorius to Curran, OUT! BOWLED! Now, Sir Geoffrey, sir Geoffrey, where are you? Ian Chappell, where art thou? Both of you, if present at the ground, or in the commentary box, would have said, 'Kid, you have a bat in hand. Just make use of that. You are not here to leave balls.' Terrible misjudgement from Sam. Not that a misjudgement is ever sweet. But that is a saying, so went with the flow. |
| 80.1 : 80.1: V Philander to Bess, OUT! Caught behind! Philander strikes with the first ball in his first spell with the second new ball. That is the end of Bess. England in a mess. A typical Vernon dismissal. Ask questions. Put the ball in that avenue of apprehension. Sow the seed of doubt in the batsman's mind. Should I play? Should I leave? Will the ball move away? Will the ball come in? What if I lose my stumps like Curran did? Poor Bess cannot be blamed entirely. He sees pitch around the 4th stump |
| 81.6 : 81.6: Rabada to S Broad, OUT! BOWLED! Broady, Broady, what happened there? Poor lad. 73 matches before he got on the helmet by a vicious Varun Aaron bouncer. Has never been the same since. He is always expecting a bouncer first up. Bowlers all over the world are terrorizing him now, threatening bouncers, but then slipping in fuller ones. Rabada does exactly that. Broad is deep in his crease, expecting a short one. But he gets a fuller one. Now, here is the height of all misfortunes. Stuart does |
| 83.4 : 83.4: K Rabada to Pope, FOUR! A cheeky shot! A shot which plenty of youngsters love to play these days. That is not to suggest that I am old, by any means. A short ball, around off, coming in with the angle, following the batsman. Pope initially looks to duck but at the last moment, plays the upper cut, right back over the keeper's head! One bounce and into the fence. |
| 84.5 : 84.5: V Philander to Pope, FOUR! Just over! Full and outside off, Pope walks into the shot and lofts it over mid off. Kagiso Rabada moving to his left leaps but the ball goes over him. |
| 84.6 : 84.6: V Philander to Pope, FOUR! Much better shot this time. A length ball, on middle, Pope comes down the track and lofts it over mid on. One bounce and into the ropes. 250 UP FOR ENGLAND! |
| 87.4 : 87.4: K Rabada to Pope, FOUR! There he goes again! What is more interesting is, Faf's reaction. He throws his arms in the air, as if to ask his bowler - 'Why did you bowl that?' Because just before this ball, the captain removed that man from fly slip and got him to second slip. So short ball was definitely not the plan. But Rabada, like a bad student, does not pay heed to his captain's instructions. Bowls it short and Pope ramps it over the keeper, to the third man fence. |
| 91.5 : 91.5: K Rabada to J Anderson, OUT! Caught at slip! Rabada has done the job for the Proteas and as Anderson cannot manage to see off the over. A shortish ball outside off, Anderson looks to fend at it, away from his body off the back foot. An outside edge is induced and it goes straight to van der Dussen at first slip. ENGLAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 269. |
| 0.6 : 0.6: J Anderson to Malan, FOUR! First runs for Pieter Malan in Test cricket! This will give him a lot of confidence. Short delivery outside off, Malan stands tall and punches it through the cover region for a boundary. Gives a smile after hitting that shot. |
| 1.2 : 1.2: S Broad to Elgar, FOUR! Punched nicely! First one from Elgar's bat. Another fuller ball around off, Elgar just punches it on the front foot. It races to the long off fence in a jiffy. |
| 1.6 : 1.6: S Broad to Elgar, FOUR! This is a brilliant shot! Full and outside off, Elgar reaches out and drives it through point for another boundary. |
| 6.6: J Anderson to Elgar, EDGY FOUR! Just short! Good length ball on off, nipping away, Elgar looks to defend it but gets squared up. It goes off the outside edge towards first slip. It bounces in front of him and goes between his legs into the fence. |
| 7.1 : 7.1: S Broad to Malan, OUT! Caught! Broad strikes and the debutant has to depart! Brilliant bowling from him. A slightly shortish ball outside off which shapes away after pitching. He can easily let this go to the keeper but this time he has a poke at it. The away movement means an outside edge is induced and it goes to Root at first slip. He takes it in front of his face nicely. Poor, poor shot this one from the debutant. |
| 8.1: Sam Curran to Elgar, FOUR! Curran starts with a poor delivery on the pads, Elgar whips it away to the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. The fielder from deep square leg comes across but gives up the chase. |
| 9.1: S Broad to Hamza, FOUR! Brilliant shot from Hamza! Positive cricket! That's how he likes to play. Full delivery on off, Hamza leans forward and creams the drive through the cover region for a boundary. Stokes chases after it but does not manage to get there in time. |
| 9.5 : 9.5: S Broad to Hamza, OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent catch from Stokes and Broad gets his second wicket. South Africa are in a spot of bother. Back of a length ball outside off, nipping away. Hamza looks to defend it off the back foot but gets a thick outside edge towards second slip. Stokes there, dives to his right and pouches it just inches above the ground. Brilliant. Broad is making the ball talk from his end at Newlands. |
| 13.5: J Anderson to du Plessis, OUT! CAUGHT! Anderson returns and picks up the big fish, the South African skipper. Excellent bowling. Full delivery around off, du Plessis looks to defend but it takes the outside edge and goes to second slip. Stokes stationed there moves to his left and takes a simple catch. The hosts slip further. 40 for 3 in no time. Not the start South Africa would have wanted. |
| 14.1 : 14.1: D Bess to D Elgar, FOUR! UPPISH BUT SAFE! Bess starts with a floated ball outside off, Elgar lunges forward and looks to drive but it goes uppishly. Luckily for Elgar it goes wide of the diving fielder and into the extra cover fence. Not sure whether the fielder got his hand on it. |
| 15.3 : 15.3: J Anderson to van der Dussen, EDGY FOUR! Things are happening here at Newlnads. Luck for Rassie van der Dussen. Back of a length ball outside off, Rassie pokes at it but gets a thick outside edge which goes between the second slip and the gully fielder. Stokes dives to his right but the ball goes quickly past him and into the fence. |
| 22.4 : 22.4: Sam Curran to D Elgar, FOUR! That is a fine, fine shot from Elgar. Curran dishes a half volley on middle, Elgar prods forward and creams the drive through mid on for the first boundary of the session. |
| 23.4: S Broad to Elgar, FOUR! Valiant effort from Denly! Short of a length delivery down the leg side, Elgar just helps it on its way to fine leg. Denly comes across, dives but in the end the ball touches the ropes. |
| 24.5 : 24.5: Sam Curran to van der Dussen, FOUR! Sumptuous! Not a great delivery from Curran as well. Full delivery on off, van der Dussen lunges forward and creams the drive through extra cover for a boundary. |
| 26.3 : 26.3: Sam Curran to D Elgar, FOUR! Poor bowling! Cannot bowl there at this pace. Short delivery on middle, Elgar camps back and pulls it to the deep square leg region for a boundary. |
| 29.1 : 29.1: Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, FOUR! Lovely from Rassie van der Dussen. Fullish ball to start from Stokes. Van der Dussen makes a good stride forward and creams the drive through extra covers for a boundary. It is uppish for a while but it is in the gap. The replays show that Stokes had overstepped by a big margin but it was not given. Wonder what is the umpire doing out there. It happened in South Africa's first innings as well. |
| 32.4 : 32.4: D Bess to van der Dussen, FOUR! That's an excellent shot from Rassie van der Dussen. Floated ball outside off, Van der Dussen takes a good stride forward and drives it through extra cover for a boundary. |
| 49.2 : 49.2: Sam Curran to D Elgar, FOUR! That is really good work. Takes the partnership to 98. A half tracker, around middle, coming at a very nice height for the batsman, around tummy high, Elgar does not miss out. Swivels and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. It is very important that England sustain the pressure built up by Anderson. |
| 54.2: D Bess to Elgar, FOUR! Beautifully played! Floats this up, does Bess! Elgar strides forward and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 55.5 : 55.5: S Broad to van der Dussen, FOUR! FIFTY! Back-to-back fifties for Rassie van der Dussen in Tests! Brilliant innings. On a length outside off, Rassie opens the face of his bat and then guides it past the diving fielder at gully. It rolls onto the fence. Can he convert this to a maiden ton? |
| 62.4 : 62.4: D Bess to Elgar, OUT! CAUGHT! Ho ho ho! Are we dreaming? No, we are not! A wicket indeed has fallen. And this time, IT IS NOT A NO BALL. A poor shot from Elgar. Very rarely do we see him doing this but he has thrown it away after playing an excellent innings. He and van der Dussen were running away with the game and this might just bring the visitors back in it. Bess floats this one up outside off, Elgar strides forward and looks to lift it over mid off. However, the ball is not that full |
| 64.4: D Bess to de Kock, EDGY FOUR! Lucky for de Kock. Flighted ball outside off, de Kock looks to drive it but gets an outside edge past the first slip fielder and into the third man fence. |
| 65.2 : 65.2: Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, FOUR! That is a long hop, on middle, van der Dussen rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary! |
| 65.4 : 65.4: Ben Stokes to van der Dussen, FOUR! That is a bad ball. Down the leg side, tickled to the fine leg fence. |
| 70.5 : 70.5: D Bess to Kock, FOUR! Up and over! That is de Kock as we all know. Full and outside off, Quinton comes down the track and lofts it over mid off. Two bounces and into the ropes. |
| 71.2 : 71.2: Curran to de Kock, OUT! CAUGHT! What has Quinton de Kock done here? Everybody knows that he loves to play positive cricket but was there any need of that shot? Just like yesterday, the last session is seeing wickets. Slower delivery outside off, Quinton is early into his shot but gets a leading edge. It goes high up in the air towards mid off. James Anderson moves to his left from mid off and takes a simple catch. Quinton is dejected and looks at the ground before walking off. |
| 75.6 : 75.6: Sam Curran to van der Dussen, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! Sam Curran does it again for England. Stokes takes a brilliant catch again at second slip. Good length ball outside off, bouncing a little more. Van der Dussen looks to run it down but it hits the top half of his bat and goes to second slip. Ben dives to his right and takes an excellent catch. Rassie has to go after playing an excellent knock. But, should have gone on to score a hundred. South Africa needed him to get t |
| 78.6: D Bess to Pretorius, TOP EDGE AND FOUR! Lucky! Short of a length ball on middle and leg, Pretorius looks to sweep it but it goes off his top edge and over the short fine leg fielder. It rolls onto the fence. |
| 80.4 : 80.4: J Anderson to Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT! Ben Stokes does not drop this one and the new ball actually does the trick in the end. Fullish delivery on off, moving away a lot. Pretorius looks to push at it but it goes off the outside edge to second slip. Stokes, ohh Stokes, drops one and takes another. He moves to his right and pouches it with both hands. This was a tough catch and Stokes has done wonderfully well. Wait, the replays roll in and it shows that Ben had caught it with just one hand. |
| 84.4: J Anderson to Maharaj, OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket to end the day! That is a terrific ball. It ends a brilliant session for England. On a length on off, nipping in, Maharaj looks to flick but it goes off the inside edge onto the pads. It then lobs off to third slip where Sibley takes the catch running forward. Anderson first appeals for LBW but then sees Dominic Sibley taking the catch. He appeals again and Kumar Dharmasena, the on-field umpire gives it out signaling that it has hit the inside e |
| 84.5 : 84.5: J Anderson to Rabada, OUT! CAUGHT! What a start to Day 3 for England! That is some bowling from James Anderson! On a length, outside off, nipping away. Rabada looks to defend this with little to no foot movement and the ball takes a faint outside edge back to Buttler who makes no mistake. Anderson appeals and the umpire raises his finger. A wicket off the last ball of Day 2 and now a wicket off the first ball on Day 3. Anderson is on fire. |
| 86.5: J Anderson to Nortje, FOUR! Lovely batting from Nortje. The trail is now below 50. Full delivery on the pads, Nortje flicks it beautifully to the deep square leg region for a boundary. |
| 88.6 : 88.6: J Anderson to A Nortje, OUT! CAUGHT! 5-fer for James Anderson, his 28th in Test cricket! Brilliant from Stokes as well as he takes a stunning catch in the slip cordon. This is a terrific ball from James Anderson. A good length ball outside off, inducing the drive from Anrich Nortje. The batter obliges but he manages just an outside edge on it. The ball flies to the right of first slip and to the left of second slip. Stokes from second slip dives to his left and takes a superb catch to end |
| 0.2 : 0.2: K Rabada to Crawley, FOUR! England are underway and in style! Full ball on the pads, Crawley flicks this one off his pads and the ball races away to the mid-wicket fence. |
| 0.5 : 0.5: K Rabada to Crawley, FOUR! Crawley has come out as a confident man here. This time it is a full ball on off by Rabada, Crawley gets on the front foot and just drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 6.3 : 6.3: K Rabada to Crawley, FOUR! Very full delivery down the leg side, Crawley just helps it on its way to the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 7.6 : 7.6: V Philander to Crawley, FOUR! Good stuff from Crawley. He hasn't had easy out there but this will give him some confidence. Philander dishes out a full delivery on middle, Zak whips it to the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 9.1 : 9.1: A Nortje to Zak Crawley, EDGY FOUR! Anrich Nortje comes into the attack and induces an edge straightaway. Starts with a length ball around off, Crawley looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge which flies through gully and into the third man fence. |
| 10.5 : 10.5: K Rabada to Zak Crawley, OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent catch from Quinton de Kock and Rabada gets his reward for his persistence. Brilliant stuff. Fullish delivery outside off, Crawley looks to drive without moving his feet and gets a thick outside edge towards first slip. De Kock dives to his right and pouches it with both his hands in front of Rasie van der Dussen who was moving to his left. Rabada is ecstatic. Can they get few more wickets before Lunch? |
| 12.1 : 12.1: K Rabada to Sibley, FOUR! Poor delivery from Rabada! Full delivery on the pads, Sibley will not miss out on those he just flicks it nicely towards the deep square leg region for a boundary. |
| 12.6 : 12.6: K Rabada to Denly, FOUR! That is a beautiful way to get off the mark. Rabada dishes out a full delivery on off, Denly gets into position and creams the drive through mid off for a boundary. Nortje runs after it but fails to get there in the end. |
| 14.4 : 14.4: D Pretorius to Sibley, FOUR! That's not the place to bowl to Sibley. He is very strong there. Full delivery on middle, Sibley whips it through mid-wicket and the ball races into the fence. |
| 15.6 : 15.6: A Nortje to Sibley, FOUR! This is poor, poor bowling from Nortje. Short of a length delivery on the pads, Sibley works it to the fine leg region for a boundary. The lead now moves to 94. |
| 16.1 : 16.1: D Pretorius to Denly, FOUR! Beautiful shot from Denly. Low full toss on middle, Denly whips it through mid-wicket and the ball goes into the fence. The Proteas are losing their lines and lengths out in the middle. 50 up for the visitors. |
| 22.4 : 22.4: K Maharaj to Denly, FOUR! Maharaj floats one on middle and off, Denly dances down the track and smashes this one over mid off for a boundary. Cries for a catch but no fielder stood a chance. |
| 24.6 : 24.6: K Maharaj to Sibley, EDGY FOUR! Just wide of Faf at first slip! Lucky, very lucky. Tossed up ball outside off, Sibley looks to drive it but edges it which goes just past the diving Faf at first slip and into the fence. |
| 26.1 : 26.1: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Full delivery down the leg side, Sibley just helps it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 33.1: K Rabada to D Sibley, FOUR! Creams it! Full ball outside off, Sibley gets down on one knee and drives it in the gap in the cover region for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up with this beautiful stroke. England are effectively 124/1. |
| 40.3 : 40.3: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Finally, finally, we see a boundary. Flatter one outside off, Sibley waits for it and punches it through the covers for a boundary. |
| 43.5 : 43.5: A Nortje to Denly, OUT! CAUGHT! Finally, we have seen a wicket fall. Brilliant delivery from Nortje. Another start from Denly and throws his wicket. It has been a trend. Short delivery on off, Denly looks to pull but it takes the top edge and goes towards fine leg. Pretorius runs forward and tumbles to take an excellent catch. South Africa would hope that this opens the floodgates and give them a chance in this game. |
| 46.1 : 46.1: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Time for some innovation! Maharaj bowls a full delivery on middle, Root goes on his knees and reverse sweeps the ball towards the third man region for a boundary. |
| 48.4 : 48.4: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! This is poor bowling from Maharaj! Bowls a full one down the leg side, Root sweeps it past the keeper and into the fence. |
| 49.1 : 49.1: K Rabada to Sibley, FOUR! Nicely played from Sibley! Short of a length from Rabada! Sibley stands tall and punches it through the covers for a boundary. Two fielders chase after it but fail to get there. Moves to 48. |
| 51.4 : 51.4: D Pretorius to D Sibley, EDGY FOUR! Sibley is riding his luck here! Fullish delivery on off, Sibley looks to defend with soft hands but it takes the outside edge and the ball goes through gully and into the fence. |
| 51.5 : 51.5: D Pretorius to Sibley, FOUR! No luck this time! It is a proper cricketing shot! Overpitched delivery on middle and leg, Sibley flicks it through mid-wicket and collects a boundary. |
| 58.2 : 58.2: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! Nicely played! What timing! Flater delivery on middle and leg, Root just pushes it though the mid-wicket region for a boundary. The fielder chases after it but fails to do so. 50-run partnership is also up between the two. |
| 58.6 : 58.6: K Maharaj to D Sibley, FOUR! Cut away beautifully. Short delivery outside off, Sibley rocks on his back foot and cuts it through the point region for the second boundary of the over. The lead crosses 200. |
| 60.3 : 60.3: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! This line is basically not working for Maharaj. Poor, poor stuff. Fuller one down the leg side, Root goes on his knees and paddle sweeps it through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 63.3: D Pretorius to Root, FOUR! Brilliant shot from Root! He is looking in good touch here. Full delivery outside off, Root lunges forward and drives it through covers. Maharaj hares after it and slides to stop it but fails to do so. |
| 65.3: D Pretorius to Root, FOUR! This is not good bowling from Pretorius. Giving easy runs to England. Full toss on middle and leg, Root flicks it beautifully towards the fine leg region for a boundary. Rabada hares after it but does not get there in time. |
| 67.1 : 67.1: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Starts with a horrendous delivery! Flatter delivery outside off, Sibley rocks on his back foot an punches it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 72.5 : 72.5: A Nortje to Sibley, FOUR! What a shot that one from Sibley! Short of a length ball on middle and leg, Sibley hops and whips it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 73.2 : 73.2: K Maharaj to Root, FOUR! FIFTY! 46th for him in Tests. Brillaint innings from the skipper. He has played beautifully in this innings. From the first ball, he has looked very comfortable. Maharaj bowls a full delivery on middle, Root sweeps it through the deep square leg region for a boundary. 100-run stand is also up between the two. |
| 77.4 : 77.4: D Pretorius to Root, OUT! CAUGHT! Root cannot believe it. Pretorius does the trick. Good length ball on off, hitting a crack around the off stump. It moves away a little. Root looks to defend it of the front foot but gets a thick outside edge which goes towards first slip. Faf du Plessis moves to his right and takes a simple catch. End of an excellent innings from Joe Root but surely he will feel that he missed out on a century. That ends a match-defining partnership. Will this be a match- |
| 78.6 : 78.6: A Nortje to Bess, OUT! Caught down the leg side and the nightwatchman cannot see off the day for England. Brilliant ball this one from Nortje. Bends his back and bowls a bouncer on middle and leg. Bess looks to fend it away but misses. De Kock behind the wicket pouches the ball and makes a loud appeal along with the slip cordon and the bowler. Not out says the umpire. Now, should South Africa opt for the review against the nightwatchman with just a minute left for Stumps? Well, Nortje, the |
| 81.6: D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR! That was going to the fence as soon as he hit it. Good length ball outside off, Stokes pulls it using the power of his bottom hand and the ball races away to the mid-wicket fence. |
| 83.1 : 83.1: D Pretorius to Stokes, SIX! Right out of the meat of the bat. That was six the moment he hit that. Full on off, Stokes maintains his balance and smashes it straight over Pretorius' head for a biggie. |
| 83.2 : 83.2: D Pretorius to Stokes, FOUR! Innovative from Stokes and he has connected it really well. 14 for Ben Stokes from Pretorius' last 3 deliveries. Dwaine pulls his length back and bowls it on off and middle. Stokes reverse sweeps it over the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 84.2: K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! Stokes has demolished that ball. Floated around off, Ben gets down on one knee and smothers the ball well over the mid-wicket fence for a monstrous biggie. Ben in T20 mode here. |
| 87.3 : 87.3: V Philander to Stokes, FOUR! Beautiful shot! It is not a bad ball from Philander though. Low full toss on middle, Stokes whips it towards deep square leg. Elgar runs across from deep mid-wicket, dives to stop but fails to do so. It rolls into the fence. |
| 87.5 : 87.5: V Philander to Stokes, FOUR! Stokes is latching onto Philander here. Short delivery outside off, Stokes stands tall and slams it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 89.3 : 89.3: K Rabada to Stokes, FOUR! Brilliant shot from Stokes! He is on a rampage here. Full toss on middle, Stokes hammers it over the mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 89.5 : 89.5: K Rabada to Sibley, FOUR! Good length ball outside off, Sibley drives it through covers and is racing away to the fence. Sibley runs across from deep cover and slides to make a stop. The umpire goes in to check whether it is a clean save but the leg has touched the ropes. England have crossed their first innings score and that too with six wickets in hand. |
| 91.6 : 91.6: K Rabada to Sibley, EDGY FOUR! Moves to 99 with a lucky boundary. Good length delivery on off, Sibley attempts to defend but gets squared up. It takes the outside edge and goes between the gully and the second slip fielders for a boundary. |
| 92.5 : 92.5: K Maharaj to Sibley,FOUR! CENTURY! Maiden Test ton for Dominic Sibley! A moment he, his family and all his friends will cheer and relish for the rest of his life. What a gem of a knock this has been from Sibley. Tossed up on the pads, Sibley gets down on one knee and sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary to reach the milestone. All the English fans and his teammates are on their feet applauding the efforts of this young man. He removes his helmet, raises it along with his ba |
| 94.2 : 94.2: K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Bisects the two fielders perfectly. Short delivery this time on middle, Stokes pulls it in front of square and bisects the two fielders and goes into the fence. |
| 94.3 : 94.3: K Maharaj to Stokes, SIX! Bang! That is hit a long way. Stokes is on fire at the moment. Flighted ball on middle, Stokes dances down the track and hammers it over the bowler's head for a biggie. |
| 94.4 : 94.4: K Maharaj to Stokes, FOUR! Some innovation time from Ben! Brilliant. Floated ball on middle, Stokes plays the reverse sweep towards the deep point region for a boundary. 14 already of the over. Are England looking to declare soon? |
| 96.1 : 96.1: K Maharaj to Stokes, OUT! CAUGHT! An excellent hand comes to an end from Ben Stokes! He has taken England to a very good lead. He was putting on a show out there and was on his way to quickfire century but it has been cut short. Maharaj gets a wicket but it has to be said that he has been gifted one. Floats this one up on off, Stokes bends and looks to slog sweep it over long on but does not get the distance on it. Rassie van der Dussen moves to his right and takes it. It was not an easy c |
| 97.5 : 97.5: K Rabada to Pope, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Pope goes now and a bit of relief for South Africa! Two quick wickets but is it a little too late? Good length ball outside off, maybe keeping a little low. Pope, who is a good off side player, looks to cut it towards the off side but gets a thick inside edge. The ball goes on to hit the leg stump. |
| 99.3 : 99.3: A Nortje to Buttler, SIX! Wow! Just the extension of the arms and it flies over long off. Brilliant timing. Nortje overpitches it outside off, Buttler gets to the pitch of the ball and meets the ball on the full nicely. He just non-nonchalantly lofts it over long off for a biggie. |
| 100.3: K Maharaj to Sibley, SIX! Massive! Enough of blocking from Sibley as he gets into the zone now. A flighted ball in the slot of Sibley. He gets down on one knee and mows it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. First one of his innings. |
| 100.5 : 100.5: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Superb placement. Now a fuller ball from Maharaj down the leg side, Sibley sweeps it towards fine leg. There's no protection in the deep and the ball rolls to the fence. Easy runs these. |
| 101.2 : 101.2: A Nortje to Buttler, SIX! Hammered! Second biggie off Buttler's bat now. A back of a length ball on off, Buttler goes on the back foot and slams it sailing over deep square leg fence for half a dozen more |
| 102.5 : 102.5: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Nice touch! Floated on the pads, Sibley tucks it nicely past the diving short fine leg fielder and into the fence. England's lead moves past 400. |
| 103.1 : 103.1: A Nortje to Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! Buttler tries an innovative shot but fails! No excitement shown by the Proteas as they know that they have backs to the wall. Good length ball on off, Buttler tries to play the scoop shot but it takes the gloves and goes to the keeper who collects with utmost ease. Buttler starts walking without even the umpire raising his finger. Buttler goes but not before playing a very handy cameo. |
| 104.2 : 104.2: K Maharaj to Curran, FOUR! Sam Curran joins the party! That is some shot from Curran. Maharaj dishes a half volley outside off, Curran leans forward and slams it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 105.1 : 105.1: D Pretorius to Sam Curran, FOUR! Pulled away handsomely! Short of a length ball on middle, Curran pulls it through deep square leg for a boundary. Second one for him in this innings. |
| 106.3 : 106.3: K Maharaj to Curran, OUT! Caught! South Africa strike in the first over of the second session itself. Not the best of balls from Maharaj and he knows he is lucky to get a wicket of this delivery. A drag down on middle, Curran goes on his back foot and looks to pull it over mid-wicket. He cannot get under it and he is unable to get the desired elevation. It goes towards short mid-wicket where Zubayr Hamza takes a good catch, low to the ground. Now can South Africa bowl England out under 45 |
| 108.1 : 108.1: K Maharaj to Broad, FOUR! Very well played. Floated out off, Broad premeditates the sweep and hits it fine down the leg side. Elgar gives it a chase but gives up halfway as he knows he has no chance reaching that. |
| 110.1: K Maharaj to Sibley, FOUR! Innovation from Sibley! Flighted ball on middle, Sibley reverse sweeps it through fine leg for a boundary. Dean Elgar chases after it from point but gives up the chase. |
| 0.1 : 0.1: J Anderson to Malan, FOUR! Just the start South Africa needed. A very poor ball from Anderson to begin with. It is on the pads, Malan flicks it fine down the leg side and starts his innings with a boundary. |
| 1.1: S Broad to Elgar, FOUR! Elgar is off the mark in style. Broad starts with an overpitched delivery way outside off. Elgar just uses the pace of the ball and guides it through point for a boundary. |
| 11.3 : 11.3: J Anderson to D Elgar, FOUR! Beautifully played! Full delivery on middle and leg, Elgar flicks it towards mid on. Broad dives to his left but the ball bounces extra and goes past him. It races away to the fence. |
| 28.2 : 28.2: Joe Denly to Malan, FOUR! Poor bowling but this is what you will get from leg spinners. They tend to bowl bad balls from time to time. Full toss on middle, Malan just pushes this down past the mid on fielder and into the fence. |
| 28.6 : 28.6: Joe Denly to Elgar, OUT! CAUGHT! Faintest of inside edges and Elgar has to go. Takes a review with him. Elgar cannot believe it as he believes that there was not bat on it. Flighted ball outside off, landing on the rough and spins into the batsman. Elgar prods forward to defend but misses it. Buttler and the rest appeal and after some thought, the umpire gives it out. Elgar though is confident and goes for the review immediately. The Ultra Edge rolls in and it shows that there is a feather |
| 33.4 : 33.4: S Broad to Z Hamza, EDGY FOUR! Frustrating for England. Fuller one on off, Hamza looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge and goes between the second slip and the gully fielders. The ball races to the fence. |
| 54.2 : 54.2: J Anderson to Z Hamza, OUT! Caught behind! Hamza is out of here and all the pressure Anderson was building has turned into a reward. There is a hint of movement, the ball is doing something, who do you turn to? Without any doubts, James Anderson. He makes the ball move just like he has done in his previous 150 Test matches. It is in the corridor of uncertainty around off. It shapes in off the deck, Hamza has to defend it and has no option to leave it. The ball takes a thick outside edge a |
| 58.5 : 58.5: Anderson to Maharaj, OUT! LBW! England strike early and that is just what the doctor ordered. He was threatening towards the fag end of Day 4 and he has been threatening today morning also. This is another gem of a delivery from Anderson. One of the rare bowlers in modern day cricket who can generate good old reverse swing. Not as much as Wasim Akram used to do but enough to trouble the batter. This one starts around off. It looks to be coming shaping away but it comes back in. Maharaj loo |
| 61.2 : 61.2: S Broad to Plessis, FOUR! Nicely tucked away! Back of a length ball on middle and leg. Faf du Plessis works it down to the fine leg region for a boundary. The fielder comes across but the ball wins the race. |
| 71.4 : 71.4: Ben Stokes to du Plessis, EDGY FOUR! Luck for Faf du Plessis! Short ball outside off, Faf looks to guide this but gets a thick outside edge which goes over the gully fielder and into the fence. |
| 73.6 : 73.6: Ben Stokes to Plessis, FOUR! Well played from Faf du Plessis! Fullish outside off, du Plessis lunges forward and drives it through gully for a boundary. |
| 74.3 : 74.3: D Bess to P Malan, FOUR! Excellent batting from Pieter Malan. Short of a length outside off, Malan goes on his front foot first but then rocks back and punches it through gully for a boundary. |
| 76.2 : 76.2: D Bess to Plessis, OUT! Caught! What a moment for young Dominic Bess and England. Massive, massive wicket this for the visitors. This has come out of the blue. Against the run of play. The dangerous, the marathon man of South Africa, the Protea skipper, Faf du Plessis is out of here. Floated off spinner around off, Faf gets down on one knee and looks to sweep it with the spin. He hits it a bit uppishly and it goes straight towards Joe Denly at mid-wicket. He gets down to his right and take |
| 86.5 : 86.5: Sam Curran to P Malan, OUT! Caught! Massive wicket for England and a huge blow for South Africa! No maiden Test hundred for Malan but more importantly his marathon innings of 288 balls finally comes to an end. This is the wicket the visitors were craving for and they have finally got it. The ploy to give the new ball to Sam Curran has done the magic for Root. Curran comes over the wicket and hits the deck hard on off, it looks to be going away with the angle but this one straightens up aft |
| 86.6 : 86.6: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Poor ball first up to Quinton de Kock. He is off the mark with an easy boundary. Slower full toss on middle, de Kock just whips it to the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 87.5 : 87.5: S Broad to van der Dussen, EDGY FOUR! Almost another wicket but it was not to be. Short of a length ball outside off, Rassie looks to pull it off the back foot but it takes the underedge and goes past the diving Buttler and into the fine leg fence. |
| 88.5: Sam Curran to van der Dussen, FOUR! Just past Buttler! Short delivery down the leg side, Rassie looks to work it down the leg side but it goes off the gloves and just past Buttler. It races away to the fence. |
| 98.4 : 98.4: Joe Denly to Kock, FOUR! Beautifully played! Short delivery outside off, De Kock rocks on his back foot and punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 100.6 : 100.6: Joe Denly to de Kock, FOUR! Finally de Kock lets it loose. Tossed up outside off, it is slightly overpitched. De Kock decides that he is done with the blocking game and frees his arm to drive it through cover for a boundary. |
| 114.2 : 114.2: D Bess to Kock, FOUR! Fine shot from de Kock! Full delivery outside off, Quinton leans and squeezes it through the cover region for a boundary. |
| 116.3 : 116.3: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Nicely guided! Curran rolled his fingers on this one and bowled it outside off, de Kock waits and then runs it down to third man. No protection there and the ball races to the fence. |
| 116.6 : 116.6: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Second from the over! There was a field change just before this ball. The first slip fielder went to fly slip. And Curran bowls a good length ball outside off, hoping for an edge which can fly towards that fielder. That does not happen and de Kock stands tall and taps it to the third man fence. |
| 118.6: Sam Curran to Kock, FOUR! Fifty for de Kock. What a fighting innings from him. Probably slowest of his career but that's what is need of the hour. Very full ball outside off, de Kock creams it through covers and it races to the fence. He is not done yet though and would look to bat it out. |
| 120.4 : 120.4: Joe Denly to Kock, OUT! Caught! Oh dear, de Kock, what have you done? Pulled it straight to the short mid-wicket fielder. He cannot believe it. A long hop from Denly on middle, de Kock looks to hammer it over mid-wicket but ends up slamming it straight to Crawley at short mid-wicket. He does not make any mistake there and England have got the breakthrough they were after. 4 wickets away now. De Kock is distraught as he walks off. |
| 125.5 : 125.5: S Broad to van der Dussen, OUT! CAUGHT! What has van der Dussen done here? It was a clear trap and Rassie has completely fallen for it. A leg gully was in place and the ball has gone straight to him. Broad sprays this one down the leg side, van der Dussen gets tempted and looks to flick. He does so but the ball goes very fine for his liking. Rassie turns and watches that Anderson is stationed there who takes an easy catch. Van der Dussen is in distraught and so are his teammates in the pa |
| 130.5: D Bess to Philander, FOUR! Bang! Flighted on off, Philander leans forward and drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 133.3 : 133.3: Ben Stokes to D Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one goes down and England are jubilant! Everyone has come up to Stokes and are giving him a hug and why not! It was a low, low catch and Root has done extremely well to take it. Maybe this is the price that the South Africans have to pay for not rotating the strike when a single is on offer. Length ball in the corridor of uncertainty, Pretorius looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge low to the right of first slip where Root t |
| 133.4 : 133.4: Ben Stokes to A Nortje, OUT! Caught! Oh dear! What a blinder from Crawley. Stokes you champion. Crawley you little beauty. A good length ball angled from wide of the crease. It pitches and shapes a hint away as Nortje looks to defend at it with hard hands. The ball takes the thick outside edge and goes to Crawley at third slip. It is traveling at him. He puts his right hand out to grab it but the ball does not stick and pops up. He keeps his eyes on the ball and sees it coming down. He th |
| 134.6 : 134.6: D Bess to Philander, FOUR! Runs do not matter at this stage as the ball has crossed the boundary line and the strike will be with Rabada. Full ball on off, Philander softly drives but the ball trudges into the fence. |
| 137.4 : 137.4: Ben Stokes to V Philander, OUT! CAUGHT! Heartbreak for Vernon Philander and South Africa after coming so close. England have come out on top after what has been a riveting game. Stokes is the hero as he has harassed and dislodged three stubborn tailenders. Stokes bowls a length ball just outside off, Philander looks to fend at it and the ball goes off the splice of the bat and into the hands of Ollie Pope at gully who takes the catch. What a great advert this has been for Test cricket! EN |
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