Cook and Hales stroll out as de Villiers rubs his hand, has a chat with the huddle and gets his field right. Bavuma is late and joins in with a helmet. Perhaps he has some special meditation mini-sessions to pull out those short leg stunners. Morkel...err...Abbott has the ball. Steams in with 3 slips and a gully hawking for that edge..
So, courtesy a QDK maiden ton, South Africa's dressing room would be a much happier place. Despite Steyn and Philander stuck to wheelchairs somewhere far away. Piedt subtly held one end all day as de Kock flayed one shot after another to get South Africa in the driver's seat. The pitch is slow though and we all know what Cook, England's Cook, can do if he's able to plant a tent across this pitch. England will hope that. The reply in just a while.
131.6 -
Stokes to M Morkel, out Lbw!! There's no need for a declaration if you can bowl like that. Stokes can quite describe his cricketing role in two words - "event manufacturer". The appeal was synchronized, the cordon united with hands up in the air and the umpire nodded in approval. The ball swung in and hit Morkel bang on the front boot. Looked plumb. Would be out even without the longish appeal. That ends the innings for South Africa and they have conquered the Wanderers demons with a 475-all out. M Morkel lbw b Stokes 0(10)
Stokes to M Morkel, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
131.5 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, bends his back in this Centurion heat. The ball obliges, rises up high only to see Morkel duck under it
131.4 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, gets forward and pushes it to mid-on
131.3 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, they go up for a strangle down the leg-side but Dharmasena wasn't impressed. Like he'd be if I sung at "Who's Got Talent?". Shortish down leg, Morkel swiveled on one leg to glance but the ball took his shirt and made a little noise on its way to the keeper
131.2 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, gets forward and wrists the ball to mid-on
131.1 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, Dharmasena signals it one for the over. Very high down leg, de Kock stands tall, swivels and roll-wrists the pull to fine leg. He's not letting any ball go unscored right now. The declaration looks near, just the feel to this match right now
Taylor Swift playing and some interesting dance moves in the stands there
130.6 -
Anderson to M Morkel, no run, tamely opens the bat face and pats the length ball to cover-point
130.5 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, there's width again perhaps with a little note of "please declare already!". de Kock slaps it to sweeper cover and gives Morkel one ball to face
130.4 -
Anderson to de Kock, FOUR, full and wide, de Kock consumes it with a mighty swing. Gets low on his knee and lofts it over extra cover. One bounce and over the ropes
130.4 -
Anderson to de Kock, wide, only Venus-sightings are rarer. This is a Test match wide. Hurled wildly outside off, de Kock needed a golf club to reach that
130.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, walks down the pitch and whacks it to mid-on
130.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, threw his bat at this one though. Too tempting a full dangler outside off to let it go. Flashes, manages a top-edge that falls short of third man
130.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, "please flirt with me" ball wide of off-stump. de Kock resists the accosting and lets it go
129.6 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, another short of length on off, Morkel gets on his toes. Not really. Just stands and blocks it out
129.5 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, Jimmy Anderson tips the ball at mid-off and then dives, sprawls, gets hold of the ball and throws it back. Knived off the front foot and Anderson didn't let Morkel get off the mark there
129.4 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, gets his elbow high and bat straight. Takes on this short of length delivery and blocks it. Click-my-picture defence
Samit Patel is on the field. Don't know for whom though
129.3 -
Stokes to M Morkel, no run, Morkel put in effort to bend his head down and pats back the defence to Stokes
Morne Morkel, left handed bat, comes to the crease
129.2 -
Stokes to D Piedt, out Caught by Bairstow!! Right there. I've jinxed the man to end his ridiculously patient QDK-supporting blockathon. The ball was short and outside off, inviting for the upper cut but he's not Sehwag. Or Tendulkar. Manages the thinnest of nicks to the keeper who leaps up and gobbles it up. D Piedt c Bairstow b Stokes 19(104) [4s-1]
Stokes to D Piedt, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
129.1 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, jumps in from good length, Piedt was looking to turn it around. Sees the bounce, takes his bottom hand off as he is struck high on his thigh
Have you noticed Piedt's strike rate? It's 18.63 to be precise. Who's Boycott?
128.6 -
Anderson to D Piedt, 1 run, alows the fuller ball to come to him, flicks his wrists and clips the ball airily over mid-wicket to keep the strike
Two slips and a gully in place for the non-centurion at Centurion
128.5 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, comfortably down the leg-side, Piedt turns around and lets it go by.
128.4 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, standing on leg-stump and throwing his hands at everything. You get that free pass when you're on 123. Another horizontal-bat punch-cut shot but straight to the fielder
128.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, gets the width again, gets low and extends his hands to slap the ball. Straight to backward point
128.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, takes a baby step forward and he's manouvering the field at will. Couldn't steal a run. Had protracted his hands and fetched the ball with a whip to mid-on
128.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, short cover leaps high and two-hands the ball..but on the bounce. Belted with a horizontal bat but thank god that man's there
James Anderson [28.0-6-83-1] is back into the attack
The ball has been changed. Will that bring England some luck? For at this moment, South Africa are running away with this one. de Kock looks threatening for sure. He has just started to bat in ODI-mode. Drinks are on the field now
127.6 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, did well to control the bounce on this one, rolled his wrists with the bat face pointing down to compensate for the extra bounce on the pull. Gets it well in front of square for a single
127.5 -
Stokes to de Kock, 2 runs, that man in the deep at square leg has been made to work quite a bit in this over, too full and straight from Stokes and this time, de Kock clips it to the right of the fielder there, gets a couple with ease
127.4 -
Stokes to D Piedt, 1 run, angling into Piedt and he gets the clip off the inside part of the bat to fine leg for a single
127.3 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, short delivery outside off, Piedt drops his gloves and lets it go
127.2 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, short and not enough bounce to trouble de Kock, he gets in the line of the delivery and pulls it to deep square leg, the man in the deep moves to his left and cuts it before the fence
127.1 -
Stokes to de Kock, no run, short of a good length and on off, de Kock drives it on the up towards mid-off
126.6 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, flights it a little and Piedt repeats the action
126.5 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up delivery and Piedt defends it back to the bowler
126.4 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 1 run, pushed through on middle and leg, tucked behind square on the on-side
126.3 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, FOUR, opens up the off-side on this flatter delivery and flays the drive through extra cover, no exaggeration, that actually went like a bullet
126.2 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, SIX, tossed up delivery and de Kock comes down the track like thunder and lifts it over Moeen Ali's head, almost took down the cameraman at long-on
126.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, FOUR, he had enough time to cut that one and it went pretty square as well, cut it through extra cover and no one had a chance to cut it off
125.6 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, and this is the nth time he has bowled it down the leg-side, Piedt still tries to get some bat on the flick but does not succeed. Bairstow moves to his left and collects
125.5 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, similar delivery once again and Piedt moves across and leaves it
125.4 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, Stokes has struggled to find the right line, once again spears it down the leg-side and Piedt misses the flick
125.3 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, bouncer and well below de Kock's eye level, he pulls it with ease to fine leg for a single
125.2 -
Stokes to de Kock, no run, looked like a slower delivery, de Kock was ready for it, waits for it and defends back to the bowler
125.1 -
Stokes to de Kock, no run, round the wicket goes Stokes and dangles it down the leg side, de Kock misses to get a bat on the glance
Ben Stokes [23.0-2-79-2] is back into the attack
124.6 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, quicker delivery and it turned in a bit to beat the bat of Piedt, hits him on the back leg but would have gone down the leg-side, stifled appeal from Ali. But no one looked interested
124.5 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, invites Piedt once again with some flight, he drives it straight to the fielder at cover
124.4 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up and Piedt mistimes the drive back to the bowler
124.3 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, pushed through on the stumps, Piedt defends it to FSL
124.2 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 1 run, tad short and de Kock cuts it square of the wicket for an easy single
124.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, de Kock uses his feet and smothers the spin on this one
123.6 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, did that keep low? Also sliding down the leg-side. England appeal, umpire rejects and Cook won't go upstairs. The ball pitched outside off but the angle was taking it down the leg-side, Piedt gave an impression as if it kept low as he was rapped on the pad while trying to nudge it
123.5 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, short of a good length and just outside off, Piedt prefers to stay back and defends it towards cover
123.4 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, a replica of the previous delivery, Broad is only wasting his energy by bowling these meaningless bumpers
123.3 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, banged in short and Piedt ducks under it
123.2 -
Broad to D Piedt, FOUR, slipped down the leg-side and Piedt moves across to tuck it fine, beats a diving Bairstow and goes between him and Anderson at leg slip. Fine leg is pretty square and the ball races away
123.1 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, fuller length delivery and Kock drives it on the up towards mid-off for a single
122.6 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up delivery and it turned in, Piedt was looking to turn it into the on-side but he got an inside edge onto the pad, England appealed but the appeal was turned down, first on-field then by the third umpire
England have reviewed an lbw against Piedt. It is a legal delivery, and there it is, Piedt got a thick inside edge onto the pads. The on-field decision stays
122.5 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, full toss and Piedt misses out, drives it straight to the fielder at mid-on
122.4 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, flatter delivery and Piedt flicks it to mid-wicket
122.3 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up delivery outside off, Piedt drives it back to the bowler
122.2 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up delivery and Piedt defends it off the front foot
122.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 1 run, and he is celebrating. de Kock gets to his maiden Test hundred. What an innings from the young man, came in yesterday when South Africa had lost a few quick wickets, batted with the tail beautifully and scored a ton. Coming to the delivery, it was tossed up and outside off, he essayed the drive towards cover, where the fielder put in the dive but could not stop it cleanly and before Taylor could tidy up, de Kock had scampered across for a single
de Kock to take strike on 99
121.6 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, back of a length delivery that hurried onto Piedt, he brings down his bat quickly to nudge it towards mid-on
121.5 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, Broad goes full and on middle and leg, Piedt clips it straight to the fielder at mid-on
121.4 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, nips in a little after pitching outside off, Piedt covers his sticks and lets it go
121.3 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, short again but not great bounce behind this one. Piedt still manages to duck under it
121.2 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, bumper and Piedt lets it go by sitting under it
121.1 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, back of a length and straigthens a tad outside off, Piedt gets beaten on the defence
120.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, FOUR, Mo decides to flight this one and de Kock accepts the gift, lofts it straight over the bowler's head to move to 99. One away from a maiden Test hundred
120.5 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, FOUR, touch short and de Kock did not get hold of the pull but gets it away between mid-wicket and mid-on, the ball dribbles away towards the fence
120.4 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, 1 run, flatter from Mo and Piedt taps it gently to behind point to bring de Kock on strike
120.3 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up and on off, Piedt defends it from the crease
120.2 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, quicker delivery and Piedt stays back to defend, the ball threatens to roll back onto the stumps, but Piedt is watchful to prevent it from doing so
120.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 1 run, a little too easy for de Kock, goes back in the crease on this flatter delivery and punches to mid-on
119.6 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, shouts of no, no from de Kock as Piedt nudges it behind square on the on-side and tries to steal a single
119.5 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, this one comes in with the angle and a little extra bounce forces Piedt to take the bottom hand off the bat on the defence, the ball rolls away towards mid-wicket
119.4 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, not quite off the meat of the bat once again. Fuller length from Broad and Piedt was looking to drive it without much feet movement
119.3 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, inside edge onto the pads. Fuller from Broad this time, Piedt's bat comes down at an angle to produce the edge, the ball rolls away off the pad towards the off-side
119.2 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, short of a good length and on off, Piedt stays behind the line of the delivery and bunts it down the pitch
119.1 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, back of a length delivery from Broad and on off, Piedt gets on top of it and defends
118.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, captain Cook has dropped de Kock, flighted delivery and outside off, Kock went for the full-blooded drive after opening up the off-side, failed to keep it down and Cook at cover flew to his right but failed to clutch onto it
118.5 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, 1 run, tossed up and outside off, push-driven towards cover
118.4 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, a little air on this one, Piedt gets a stride forward and defends
118.3 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, stays back in the crease on this quicker delivery to bunt it down the pitch
118.2 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up delivery and on off, Piedt wrists the off-drive to mid-off
118.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 1 run, flatter trajectory from Ali, de Kock works it towards the mid-wicket region for a single
117.6 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, bumper and at Piedt, who half-ducks and lets it go
117.5 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, stump to stump line from Broad, Piedt drives it with an angled bat towards mid-on
117.4 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, rolled his fingers on this one, Piedt is well forward to guard it out towards cover
117.3 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, full from Broad this time, de Kock looks to dig it out and gets it from the inner part of the bat to square leg
117.2 -
Broad to de Kock, 2 runs, off-cutter from Broad and de Kock presses across to clip it away towards deep mid-wicket. Cook gives a long chase and keeps it down to a brace
117.1 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, touch fuller but outside off, de Kock mistimes the drive towards mid-off
116.6 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, nicely forward this time to bunt down this tossed up delivery
116.5 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, tossed up and on off, Piedt keeps it out towards cover
116.4 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, slider on the legs and Piedt turns it towards short fine, wants to steal a single but the fielder is quick to deny him that
116.3 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, slightly quicker from Mo this time, Piedt nudges it softly into the on-side
116.2 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, round the wicket and pushed through on the stumps, Piedt does not bother venturing out and defends from crease
116.1 -
Moeen Ali to D Piedt, no run, Ali keeps it flat and on the stumps, Piedt stays back and defends
Moeen Ali [19.0-4-75-2] is back into the attack
Well, England have gone to Moeen Ali straightaway
115.6 -
Broad to D Piedt, 1 run, Broad gives a half-volley on the stumps and Piedt moves across, gets the nudge off the inside part of the bat to fine leg. Retains the strike for the next over
115.5 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, Broad has been full in this over. Once again pitches it on the stumps and Piedt pushes it back to the bowler, he picks it up and breaks the stumps at the striker's end but the batsman is inside the crease
115.4 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, too staight from Broad. In fact, it was sliding down the leg side, Piedt looked to clip it off his pads but missed
115.3 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, full and angling into Piedt, Piedt push-drives to the man stationed at mid-on
115.2 -
Broad to D Piedt, no run, full from Broad once again, Piedt drives it towards mid-off
115.1 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, Broad dishes it full outside off, de Kock essays the drive to sweeper cover. There is protection in the deep and he has to be content with one
Welcome back for the second session of the day. In walk the players. Broad will start the proceedings for England
This is a slightly different pitch than what we saw in the previous game. The bounce is not steep but the ball continues to move off the track. England need to be patient to get the remaining wickets. They had a chance to send de Kock back just before lunch but Bairstow and Cook were once again unsure of whose catch it was, allowing the ball to fly past between them. That was not the first time the English slip cordon was breached in the game. Coming back to England's bowling, only Broad looked like a bowler with plans and followed his back of the length deliveries with fuller ones. The other three pacers can certainly learn a trick or two from the world's no. 1 Test bowler. South Africa would want de Kock to stay there for another hour or two, which will mean that the Proteas have a huge total on the board. Interesting action coming your way after the break. Join us in a while...
Lunch, Day 2: South Africa have gone according to plan and crossed the psychological mark of 400 runs. QDK, on his return, crafted a deserving fifty and made sure that despite losing two wickets early in the session, the Proteas got into a commanding position. For reasons best known to the English camp, the pacers stuck to a back of the length line and only hurt their chances of wrapping the tail up quickly. de Kock kept the scoreboard ticking by getting boundaries every now and then. He would be certainly pleased with his effort as he batted well with the tail-enders - an art not everyone possess. On occasions, he surprised one and all by giving strike to Abbott on the first ball of the over. But Abbott is a better lower order batter than what has been perceived of him. He stepped down against Moeen Ali for a six and that big hit never allowed the spinner to settle.
114.6 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, that's lunch but we don't normally get there in sanity. The ball swung in late. Piedt had no intention to play at that - had his arms high waiting for the ball to pass under it. But the inswing was vicious and it just evaded the stumps. Perhaps bounced over it as Bairstow moved to his left to collect
114.5 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, gets his front leg forward and defends it. In some time, floppies, memory cards and forward defences are about to get extinct, I reckon
114.4 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, half-turns and tucks the ball but short leg is just too good. Stops the ball in a jiffy and keeps Piedt inside his crease
114.3 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, length ball in the corridor of uncertainty, Piedt lifts his bat and lets it pass by
Definitely the last over before lunch
114.2 -
Woakes to de Kock, 1 run, fuller length again, de Kock gets low, protracts his hands and carves a drive out to sweeper cover
114.1 -
Woakes to de Kock, no run, fullish and around off, de Kock lifts his elbow high and brings it down forcefully to beat the ball. Back to the bowler
113.6 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, that climbed. On a fuller length inviting Piedt forward. He did lunge ahead but the ball straightened and whizzled past the edge. Just thin air between Anderson and another wicket
113.5 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, forcefully defends this length ball to cover
113.4 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, just back of a length allowing Piedt to get on his toes and defend with soft hands
113.3 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, stands tall in his crease and middles the high-elbowed defence into the off-side
113.2 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, wild bumper down the leg-side. He's trying the Broad tactics and hoping to borrow some luck too. Perhaps. Bends his back and lets it sail over his spine
113.1 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, pacy delivery that's banged halfway into the pitch, Piedt ducks under it
112.6 -
Woakes to de Kock, no run, flashes this length ball into the off-side
112.5 -
Woakes to de Kock, FOUR, Woakes is supposed to be the next Anderson and he's being one now. Even bettering him with the bad luck. Cook and Bairtow just let the ball sail in between them. Hefty bat swing from de Kock helped a thick edge that flew behind at a comfortable height only for it to go untouched and unwished for. It was a keeper's dive but a rare miscommunication lets it all go into the drains. Chance missed
112.4 -
Woakes to D Piedt, leg byes, 1 run, off the thigh pad. Shortish ball down the leg side, Piedt swiveled to glance it but missed
112.3 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, looked to flog it through mid-off but the ball snaked in a touch, took the inner half and was dragged to mid-on
112.2 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, didn't quite carry to Broad at mid-on. No intent in this soft-handed clip off the pads. Airy and the ball just dropped short
112.1 -
Woakes to de Kock, 1 run, straight ball within the stumps, Kock tucks it to deep mid-wicket
111.6 -
Anderson to D Piedt, no run, length delivery in the channel, Piedt gets behind the line as he narrowed his stance
111.5 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, gently clipped to mid-on with dough-soft hands for an easy single
111.4 -
Anderson to D Piedt, byes, 1 run, swinging down leg and Bairstow had to put in a wild dive to stop that
111.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, length and went on linear, de Kock swings it to mid-off and steamed off to the other end
111.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, gets the width and jumps on it with his arm swing. Clouted but straight to backward point
111.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, he's back and the swing's back too. Bowls the inswinger from round the wicket, the ball came in and thudded into his left forearm as he missed his flick. That's painful and embarrassing
James Anderson [26.0-5-81-1] is back into the attack
110.6 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, fine delivery to end the over. Piedt was aiming for another middled defence but the ball nipped away a touch to take the thick outside edge. Never the bounce in this pitch for nicks to carry and it dies down well in front of the third slip
110.5 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, lifts his front leg in the air and gently tucks this shortish but gentle ball. Dipped just in front and to the left of short leg
110.4 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, Hales at mid-off this time dives and parries the ball to his right. Dhoni would have run in his blue shirt but too risky here. Just a mere punch off the front foot it was
110.3 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, this time gets right behind the line of this back of a length ball. Went deep in his crease and defended it
110.2 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, late decision to play that ball. Fullish and wide but Piedt sees no demons and just uses the lower half of his bat to stab it to cover-point
110.1 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, three slips and a gully in place waiting and Piedt runs in the salt with a middled defence. 26 balls and he's now letting it flow
109.6 -
Stokes to D Piedt, 3 runs, Stokes had his hand on his head but Broad put in a dive at long-on to ease it a bit for him. The ball was straight, Piedt just punched it hard down the ground, with elbow pointing to the heavens. Or the skies if you aren't quite a theist
109.5 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, gets his line right. Piedt had to just stay back and eases the defence back to Stokes
109.4 -
Stokes to D Piedt, 2 runs, and this time on the pads of the right-hander. Piedt greets it with a whippy clip to deep mid-wicket. Enough time for a brace
109.3 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, veering into him and de Kock clips it to mid-wicket and runs through
109.2 -
Stokes to de Kock, 2 runs, Taylor should just get back to short leg already. He cannot be the saviour everywhere. The ball was stabbed towards cow corner. Hales waited for the ball to arrive but put in a late dive for the ball to run through. Taylor, sprinting from long-off, then did all the clean up
109.1 -
Stokes to D Piedt, 1 run, stands tall in his crease and meets this on-the-pads delivery with a closed bat face. To mid-wicket and there's enough time to run 22 yards
108.6 -
Woakes to de Kock, no run, has a wild swing of the bat at this. Wanted to back-cut this ball through the underpopulated slip cordon. Totally made a mess of it. You can put it as beaten
108.5 -
Woakes to de Kock, FOUR, ah, that's a shot. As brutal a whip you'll see. Fetches this full ball from wide of off and spanks it past mid-wicket for another four runs. They are flowing, aren't they?
Looks lovely at Centurion today. Batting day and it's your team looting runs. Full house under sunny skies
108.4 -
Woakes to D Piedt, 1 run, this one was leg-stumpish, Piedt straightens his back with a clip off his pads. Ball evades short leg and runs through for Piedt to get to the other end
108.3 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, slides deep in his crease and meets this length delivery off his toes. Tame defence into the off-side
108.2 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, fullish ball, Piedt arches forward and taps the ball towards cover
108.1 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, and now he vents out the misfielding anger with a wayward bumper. Just guessing. Talk about things going wrong. Down leg and this was an easy duck for Piedt
107.6 -
Stokes to D Piedt, 1 run, Woaked had just completed the over and his back was perhaps screaming. Was too late to get down to field at mid-off and the ball burst through. Allowed Piedt to get a single off the push that was played straight to the fielder
107.5 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, keeps the bat-face open and close to the pad. Just directed the full ball towards cover
107.4 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, has a wild swish at this. Wide full ball and Piedt sees an opportunity but he wasn't upto it with laden feet
107.3 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, this short ball was very well-directed. Angled in and speeding off the turf. Piedt hid his face behind his open bat and glided the ball down
107.2 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, takes on the length ball with a punch. Stayed put there. Not much exaggerated movement of the feet and he could steal a single to mid-off
One more slip for de Kock in this over. Makes it 2 slips
107.1 -
Stokes to de Kock, no run, good length ball is blocked back to Stokes this time
106.6 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, line-and-length on off, the sort of lesson you're taught in the coaching school, Piedt pats the defence back to Woakes
106.5 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, opens the face of the bat and tap-defends it square of the wicket on the off-side
This is certainly beyond England's comfort zone now
106.4 -
Woakes to de Kock, 1 run, width on a very full ball, Kock stooped low and then squeezed the drive past point for a single
106.3 -
Woakes to de Kock, FOUR, made the best use of his height, stood high and swiveled to hook this ball to deep square leg. As controlled as a good driver when he's sober
106.2 -
Woakes to de Kock, no run, hurls it wider but keeps it full, de Kock pushes it tamely to mid-off
106.1 -
Woakes to de Kock, no run, full and with a touch of angle across, de Kock clipped it forcefully but straight to mid-on. More of a batter-whip shot whose placement has gone wrong
105.6 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, fullish and swinging in, Piedt this time hoists his bat high to leave that. Had his arms high even before the ball had arrived
105.5 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, beaten. Just a harmless length ball outside off, did zip off the pitch but was an easy leave. Piedt was drawn to it with a poke and then drew his bat in belatedly with a smile. Knew that had to be ignored
105.4 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, fuller ball on the pads, Piedt turns it into the leg-side
105.3 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, full in the channel outside off, Piedt pushes it back to Stokes who bends low and fields the ball in a flash
105.2 -
Stokes to D Piedt, 2 runs, fuller ball with width on offer, Piedt opens the bat face and drives to sweeper cover. Was on his knees but couldn't thread the ball past the sweeper
105.1 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, dishes out width first up, de Kock stands up and slaps it to deep extra cover. Could have got more out of that with a little more intent. Taylor sprinted in the deep and the agility saved at least a run surely
Stokes, round the wicket to de Kock with 2 slips
104.6 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, back-bender at modest 133ks and made more ordinary with a leg-stump line. Piedt easily ducked under it. Any top-order batsman and that would have been swung out
104.5 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, fuller and closer to off, Piedt pendulums his bat behind the line and blocks it out
104.4 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, fullish with a hint of swing away, Piedt lifts his bat and lets it go. "Have to make him play", cries Botham on air
104.3 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, back of a length and wide of off, Piedt stands in attention inside his crease to ride the bounce, and taps it to gully
104.2 -
Woakes to D Piedt, no run, length ball speeding off the turf outside off, Piedt shows his bat face to the cordon as he lets the ball go
Four slips for Piedt
104.1 -
Woakes to de Kock, 1 run, starts ordinarily on the leg-stump, Kock bends low and clips it to backward square leg for a single
Chris Woakes [16.0-2-74-1] is back into the attack
Woakes got the stick yesterday and here he is again. One slip only.
103.6 -
Stokes to D Piedt, no run, that ball hooped in the air. That's the sort of welcome you don't give to a new batsman. On a length and it curved in late, no shot offered from Piedt who lifted his arms. The ball struck him high on the back thigh but too high.
Dane Piedt, right handed bat, comes to the crease
103.5 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, out Lbw!! If the last appeal was a one-man show, this one didn't need a show of any sorts. The ball was fuller and swung in late to trap Abbott right in front. Given out immediately by the umpire. A formal review was sent upstairs by the batsman but the ball was going on to hit the middle pole. Goodbye Abbott. Kyle Abbott lbw b Stokes 16(33) [4s-2 6s-1]
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
Abbott has reviewed an LBW decision. Legal delivery. That looks plumb! There's daylight between the bat and pad, as the UltraEdge confirms. Impact is umpire's call and it was hitting middle. OUT. Decision stays.
103.4 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, marooned in the appeal. The ball scissored in from outside off and rapped Abbott above the knee roll. The bowler appealed alone and the umpire wasn't convinced. Looked very high to be given out
103.3 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, back of a length and closer to off, Abbott stands tall and defends it with a high-elbowed bat
103.2 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, bangs this one in, Abbott was in a mood to take it on, but the ball zooms in and he belatedly ducks
103.1 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, FOUR, everything is racing away at the moment. That happens when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Full and outside off, Abbott leaned in with a push and the ball sped away. Past Moeen Ali at mid-off
Drinks are on the field now. A mixed hour of sorts. England have got two wickets but de Kock has maintained the run flow. This has started to get intriguing. How far will the Proteas go? A lot depends on de Kock's stay in the middle
102.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, FOUR, big, big over for South Africa. Touch short and a little room on offer outside off. Kock rocked back and cut it hard through the point region
102.5 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, SIX, he saw that one like a hawk. Got into position early on this short delivery, pulled with all the might and the ball sailed over the deep mid-wicket fence
102.4 -
Moeen Ali to Kyle Abbott, 1 run, uses his feet to get to the pitch once again, gently on-drives to mid-on
102.3 -
Moeen Ali to Kyle Abbott, no run, the six forces Ali to go flat, Abbott is happy to stay in the crease and nudge it behind square on the on-side
102.2 -
Moeen Ali to Kyle Abbott, SIX, that is a good way to tackle the spinner, tosses this one up and Abbott comes down the track. Meets the pitch of the delivery and lofts it over cow corner for a maximum
102.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 1 run, tossed up delivery and Kock drives it to deep extra cover for a single
101.6 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, was it pad first? The appeal from Stokes was loud though. Cook refuses to go upstairs. Once again the inswinger and might have taken an inside edge as well. It looked like hitting him outside off too. So no damage done for South Africa and Abbott stays
101.5 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, fuller length delivery and outside off, Abbott drives it towards mid-off
101.4 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, the big inswinger from Stokes, brings in from off, Abbott is hit high on the thigh pad
101.3 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, full delivery outside off, goes for the expansive drive and gets beaten
101.2 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, FOUR, induces the outside edge but beats Root at second slip. Lenght delivery and outside off, Abbott poked at it with laden feet and got a thick edge, the ball fell away from a diving Root and rolled away to the third man fence
101.1 -
Stokes to Kyle Abbott, no run, typical pacer's line from Stokes, back of a length and on off, Abbott defends it from the crease
Ben Stokes [18.0-2-57-1] is back into the attack
100.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, tossed up again and outside off, Kock drives it straight to the fielder at extra cover
100.5 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, tossed up delivery and de Kock defends it back to the bowler
100.4 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, FOUR, Short and wide outside off, gift for de Kock, he camps back and cuts it away fine to beat the diving backward point. Brings up his fifty
100.3 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, touch short and width on offer, Kock rocks back and cuts it hard, cannot beat backward point
100.2 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, gives this one a little air and de Kock defends it back to the bowler
100.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, tossed up from Ali and de Kock drives it towards cover
Moeen Ali [17.0-4-53-2] is back into the attack
99.6 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, oohs aahs from the English camp as Abbott was beaten on this length delivery outside off. Could have easily kissed the blade
99.5 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, Broad sticks to the plan. Follows the short delivery with a fuller one outside off, Abbott is watchful as he defends it softly towards backward point
99.4 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, short from Broad once again, not enough bounce to trouble Abbott, he drops it in front of Taylor at short leg. In fact, it came off his gloves
99.3 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, squared him a bit with this back of a length delivery just outside off, Abbott did well to quell it down towards gully
99.2 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, angling into Abbott from off, Abbott looks to present the full face of the bat, the ball hits the outer part of the blade and rolls away towards cover
99.1 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, length delivery and de Kock pushes it on the up, gets it high on the bat and the ball rolls to the left of mid-off for a single
99.1 -
Broad to de Kock, wide, wayward from Broad. It takes some effort to bowl a wide in Tests. Bumper and way down the leg-side. Umpire has no hesitation in his mind in calling that one a wide
98.6 -
Anderson to Kyle Abbott, no run, good length and bit of inward movement outside off, Abbott defends it off the front foot
98.5 -
Anderson to Kyle Abbott, no run, length delivery and outside off, Abbott gets a stride forward and defends
98.4 -
Anderson to Kyle Abbott, no run, how did it miss the edge? England appealed for a caught behind but Cook told Anderson that the sound was of bat hitting the pad and they won't go upstairs. Length delivery and it straightened off the pitch, Abbott did nothing wrong, just pushed at it from the crease. There was a sound but as mentioned it might have been of the bat hitting the pad
98.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, de Kock is a compulsive puller for sure. Short delivery at him and he swivel-pulls it to deep square leg for a single
98.2 -
Anderson to Kyle Abbott, 1 run, Abbott is off the mark after facing 11 deliveries. Pushes this fuller length delivery in the vacant cover region and gets to the other end
98.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, de Kock has some faith in his partner. Gives him the strike once again. Anderson slipped this one on the leg stick and Kock tucked it off his thigh pad towards backward square leg
97.6 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, length delivery and outside off, Abbott bunts it towards the off-side
97.5 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, similar line from Broad, this time even fuller than the previous delivery, Abbott is once again lucky to get the bat down in time. Inside edge on the pad and fell short of Taylor at short leg
97.4 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, stifled appeal from Broad this time, but there is a thick inside edge. This was the plan from Broad, pitched it full this time and it tailed in a bit, Abbott was late to bring down the bat and eked out an inside edge on the pad
97.3 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, line gets better this time but the length continues to be back of a length. Abbott is glued in the crease on the defence
97.2 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, Broad has not pitched up to Abbott yet. This time too he keeps it on a back of a length and Abbott stands tall in the crease and guards it out into the off-side
97.1 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, so de Kock has taken a single on the first ball of the over, which brings Abbott on strike. Very full and outside off, Kock jams it towards mid-off and moves to the other end
96.6 -
Anderson to Kyle Abbott, no run, away movement for Jimmy but the line is outside off, Abbott plays inside the line and lets it go
96.5 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, full and on the legs of de Kock, he clips it through mid-wicket for a single
96.4 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, and here is the short ball. Straying in line though, outside the leg stump line and de Kock leaves it
96.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, Anderson bowls on a length this time, de Kock drives it towards mid-off
There is a little bit of planning going on at the moment
96.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, a little too straight from Anderson, de Kock drives it straight to the fielder at mid-on
96.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, FOUR, now that is poetry from de Kock, did not try to hit it too hard, moved across a tad to cover the line of the delivery. It was a half-volley but needed to be put away. Presented the full face of the bat and pierced the gap between the bowler and mid-off
95.6 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, perfect defence from the tail-ender there, got his bat in line of the fuller length delivery and bunted it down the pitch
95.5 -
Broad to Kyle Abbott, no run, short of a good length and on off, Abbott prefers to stay back and defend it from the crease
95.4 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, soft touch from de Kock this time, gently pats this length delivery in front of cover and scampers across for a single
95.3 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, full from Broad this time, de Kock pushes it back to the bowler, who picks up in followthrough and threatens to throw at the stumps
95.2 -
Broad to de Kock, FOUR, width on offer this time and de Kock makes merry. Flays the drive and beats the man scouting the sweeper cover fence
95.1 -
Broad to de Kock, FOUR, flashes at this. It is in the air but away from the men stationed inside the ring. Short of a good length and outside off, Kock cracked at it, got a thickish outside edge and it flew towards the third man fence, one bounce and over the ropes
94.6 -
Anderson to Kyle Abbott, no run, similar delivery from Anderson once again. Abbott repeats the action and does not flirt with it
94.5 -
Anderson to Kyle Abbott, no run, fuller length and outside off, Abbott does not budge
Kyle Abbott, right handed bat, comes to the crease
94.4 -
Anderson to Rabada, out Lbw!! (Review part: Rabada has reviewed an lbw decision against him. It is a legal delivery, and there is no bat as well. He has been hit low on the pad. Pitches in line and is hitting middle and leg. The on-field decision stays). Rabada cannot believe his luck. It is a good delivery to get early in the innings. Full and swinging in from over the wicket, the bat came down late and Rabada thought it was bat first but replays confirmed that the ball had hit him low on the pad and in line. The umpire had no hesitation in his mind and a bad start for South Africa on Day 2. Rabada lbw b Anderson 0(1)
Anderson to Rabada, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
Rabada has reviewed an lbw decision against him. It is a legal delivery, and there is no bat as well. He has been hit low on the pad. Pitches in line and is hitting middle and leg. The on-field decision stays
94.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, short of a good length and outside off, Kock drives it on the rise, gets it off the inside part, the fielder from point runs forward and picks it up. Throws at the striker's end and misses. In any case, Rabada is home and dry
94.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, speared down the leg side and de Kock does not budge
94.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, pitched up and de Kock drives it straight to the fielder at cover
Kagiso Rabada, left handed bat, comes to the crease
93.6 -
Broad to Bavuma, out Caught by Bairstow!! Edged and gone. Broad had him dancing previously in the over and this time he pitched it up to outfox him. Smart cricket from Broad. Pitched up and came in a touch, Bavuma push-drove it tentatively without getting a big stride forward. A thick outside edge carried to Bairstow and England draw first blood this morning. Bavuma c Bairstow b Broad 35(60) [4s-5]
Broad to Bavuma, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
93.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, dangled down the leg side, Bavuma moves inside the line of the delivery and lets it go
93.4 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, once again the line is wide of off and Bavuma is happy to leave
93.3 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, the famous Broad bounce this time, rises from a back of a length and forces Bavuma to lower his guard at the last moment. Looked like getting squared up as well. Good stuff from Stuart
93.2 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, this one came in a tad after pitching but the line was outside off and Bavuma leaves it for the keeper
93.1 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, little fuller than what he has been bowling. Bavuma gets a little stride forward and defends it into the off-side
92.6 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Kock is nicely behind in his defence
92.5 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, a little closer to de Kock this time. However, it does not force a change of action and de Kock defends it back to the bowler with a high elbow and straight bat
92.4 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, nagging lines on off from Anderson, de Kock is watchful this time and defends it from the crease
92.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, short of a good length and in the corridor outside off, de Kock defends it softly towards backward point
92.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, edged and dropped. But a tough chance indeed for Stokes at gully. de Kock drove it on the up and went hard at the shot. It flew off the thick outside edge and Stokes leapt in the air, got his right hand to it but it did not stick
92.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, length delivery and on 4th stump outside off, de Kock presents the full face of the bat on the defence
91.6 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, back of a length from Broad once again, de Kock gets across in the crease and tucks it behind square on the on-side for a single
91.5 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, slips this one down the leg side, de Kock moved across and left it through to the keeper, it was not far from the leg stick though
91.4 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, similar length from Broad, Kock gets across in the crease and is hurried on the defence. No damage done though
91.3 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, back of a length and wide of off, de Kock lifts his bat and lets it go to the keeper
91.2 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, back of a length delivery and on off, de Kock defends with and angled bat
91.1 -
Broad to Bavuma, 3 runs, half-volley and outside off. Bavuma will have those for breakfast. Gets a little stride forward and drives it crisply through cover. A long chase for Taylor, who puts in the dive and saves a run for his team
90.6 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, nicely behind this length delivery on the stumps, defends it back to the bowler
90.5 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, better from de Kock this time. Little bit of movement for Anderson this time but the line is outside off and it allows de Kock the liberty to leave it
90.4 -
Anderson to de Kock, 2 runs, length delivery and outside off, Kock stays in the crease and punches it square of the wicket on the off-side, takes a couple before it is hunted down
90.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, makes the ball go the other way this time. In fact, it just straightened a touch. de Kock was looking to drive it on the up, misses the outside edge
90.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, once again de Kock decides to defend this one with an angled bat, mistimes it to mid-on
90.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, that one kept a touch low and came in with the angle. de Kock defended with an angled bat, the ball just fell short of the diving Bairstow after taking the inside edge
It's a little cloudy at the moment and England would relish bowling in the overcast conditions. The ball is only 10 overs old and will definitely move around in the first hour. The players are ambling out into the middle. de Kock is marking his guard, Anderson has the ball in his hand.
On the other hand, Hashim Amla played the mentor to Cook in every sense and in the process notched up yet another Test century. However, South Africa looked in danger of throwing away the advantage after losing 4 wickets in quick succession in the last session. What exacerbated the worries was that just after the flurry of wickets, the new ball became available. But little beauty Temba Bavuma and baby-faced de Kock held the fortress to deny Broad and Co. James Anderson got the ball to talk a touch under the fading lights but was unlucky not to see the back of any of the two. Day two starts with a lot of promise, South Africa would fancy their chance of adding at least a 100 more to bat the hosts out of the game. England, on the other hand, have their task cut out. Wrap up the tail as early as possible. Be with us for further updates...
Day 2: Playing for pride in the last match of the series is akin to fighting for a consolation prize. And a cruel sport that cricket is, it often forces even the world beaters to work hard to get that one elusive win behind their name. South Africa's bid to claim their consolation prize started on a positive note yesterday. Will England allow them to tread the same path today? Hello and a warm welcome to all of you on the second day of the last Test match between South Africa and England from Centurion. Having opted to bat first, South Africa found an unlikely hero in a certain Cook. Stephen Cook, the debutant, scored a ton and hurled a few questions at the selectors as to why he had to wait for so long, especially when the Proteas were longing to find a perfect opening combination in Tests? Cook became the third South African opener to achieve the feat, Alviro Petersen and Andrew Hudson are the other two Protea openers in the prestigious list.
The opener's musical chairs seems to have been won by the debutant and Cook's selection, arguably belated, has ironically paid quick dividends. Earlier, South Africa had won a good toss only to be jolted early by some Elgar-ending Taylor hoodoo at short leg - for the nth time this series. Cook and Amla then soldered along to effect the fightback with courageous drives, especially from the latter. A wicket-less run-fest, studded with delicious shots and deft nudges, followed after lunch to put South Africa right in the pilot seat. The game did threaten to turn even when some hideous shots contributed to a 4-wicket evening session but the new ball bled to put South Africa right ahead again. Join us at 10:30 local tomorrow for more of this dignity-ballooning Protea fightback.
Stumps, Day 1: The day was less about routine and more about oddities. An Amla ton, a certain Cook scoring vs. England, an eerie delay owing to a leaking pipe and a 2-ball nought for ABD. South Africa compensated for the Wanderers horror with a saner display of batting, highlighted by Amla's welcome 109 and Stephen Cook's 218-ball vigil. With the captaincy tiara now adorning de Villiers's head, a nonchalant Amla gorged on some mediocre bowling to ton up and reiterated his form revival. The debutant Cook, who had his Test hopes deeply refrigerated at 33 years of age, looked compact and unnerved but in the nineties. A great moment followed when he raised his bat to a maiden ton on debut, with his duck-on-debut father looking down from the stands.
89.6 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, this one nips back in sharply from a length, Bavuma looks to keep it out off the back foot, but misses. The ball though was going down leg. Well, that is stumps then. Cook and Amla essayed well-constructed tons to give South Africa the edge. On the other hand, Broad and Stokes were the best bowlers on show for the tourists
89.5 -
Stokes to Bavuma, 2 runs, fuller length delivery and on the stumps, Bavuma works it to mid-wicket for a brace
89.4 -
Stokes to Bavuma, FOUR, fuller length delivery and outside off, Bavuma brings out the drive and keeps it all along the ground. The ball runs away to the fence square of the wicket on the off-side
89.3 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, there and thereabouts outside off, left alone
89.2 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, down the leg-side, Bavuma aims to flick and misses. Bairstow dives to his left and makes a good save
89.1 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, fuller length delivery and outside off, Bavuma drives it to mid-off
Ben Stokes [17.0-2-51-1] is back into the attack
88.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, a touch of width on offer, de Kock drives it to backward point
88.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, shorter in length, Bavuma clips it in the air, but it goes well wide of the fielder at FSL to backward square leg for a single
88.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, flatter and on the stumps, flicked to mid-wicket
88.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, spinning down leg, Bavums looks to sweep. It missed the pad on its way
88.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, Bavuma turns this one to mid-wicket
88.1 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, down leg, Bavuma looks to flick and misses. Shouts of "catch" but not sure whether there was an inside edge onto the pad there, anyway it landed well wide of short leg
Moeen Ali [16.0-4-52-2] is back into the attack
87.6 -
Broad to Bavuma, 1 run, from wide of the crease, Broad angles it in, Bavuma is cramped for room but manages an inside edge to deep backward square leg
87.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, FOUR, Broad bowls a half-volley, Bavuma leans into the drive and the ball races away through the cover-region. No need to run for those
87.4 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, good length delivery that nips back in a touch, Bavuma tries to keep it out. However, it sneaks through his inside edge and it hits him high up on the thigh pad. More frustration for Broad
87.3 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, again Broad angles it back into the right-hander, Bavuma camps on the back foot, rides on the bounce and defends
87.2 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, Broad nips it back into the right-hander, Bavuma though, with hawk-like eyes, watches it all the way through to the keeper
87.1 -
Broad to Bavuma, FOUR, very full and just outside off, Bavuma punches it down the ground. He keeps the shot all along the turf. Moeen looks to hound it down, but he can't succeed in his endeavour
86.6 -
Anderson to de Kock, 2 runs, a touch of width on offer, de Kock punches it to sweeper cover. Moeen Ali from backward point hunts it down and keeps the pair to a couple of runs
86.5 -
Anderson to de Kock, FOUR, Anderson bangs it short, this time, de Kock looks to pull without really rocking back. He mistimes it, but it had enough legs on it to run away to the deep mid-wicket fence
86.4 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, from round the wicket, Anderson angles it into the left-hander and then it nips away from him. de Kock comes half-forward and has a flirty poke at it. He is beaten outside off. Hands on head moment for Anderson
86.3 -
Anderson to de Kock, FOUR, a touch of width on offer, de Kock stays slightly leg-side of the ball and then punches it to the sweeper cover boundary. Moeen Ali looks to hound it down. He even puts in a slide, but to no avail
86.2 -
Anderson to de Kock, FOUR, with a concotion of timing and placement, de Kock blazes the straight drive to this fuller length delivery. It scurries to the fence all along the carpet
86.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, no run, from wide of the crease, Anderson slants it across the left-hander, de Kock drives it to mid-on
85.6 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, Broad bends his back on this back of a length delivery. Bavuma looks to keep it out off the back foot, but it sneaks through his inside edge and hits him high up on the thigh pad
85.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, this time, Broad gets it to snake back into the right-hander appreciably, Bavuma covers his sticks and shoulders arms
85.4 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, too straight from Broad, de Kock turns it to mid-wicket for an easy single
85.3 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, this time, Broad gets his line right on the bouncer and also gets good shoulder on it. de Kock pulls it towards backward square leg
85.3 -
Broad to de Kock, wide, Broad hurls in the bouncer, but it is too high for de Kock to bring out the pull. He lets it go by. The umpire declares it as a wide
85.2 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, this one is angled into the left-hander, de Kock covers his sticks and turns it away to backward square leg
85.1 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, pitched up delivery and outside off, de Kock covers his off-pole and shoulders arms
84.6 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, a tad fuller from Anderson, Bavuma stays inside the crease to guard it out
Anderson has four slips in place. Interestingly, Bavuma pulls out of the way with Anderson about to deliver the ball. Anderson has to bowl it again
84.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length delivery with a hint of shape away from the right-hander, Bavuma presents the full face of the blade to defend
84.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, 2 runs, the inswinger from Anderson, Bavuma comes forward and aims to defend. However, he ekes out an inside edge to fine leg for a brace
84.3 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, just behind a good length and it drifts down the leg-side, Bavuma clips it to square leg
84.2 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, good length delivery and outside off, Bavuma shoulders arms
84.1 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length delivery that nips away off the seam, Bavuma tamely pokes at it and is beaten
83.6 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, fuller length delivery that jags away off the seam, de Kock hoists his bat above his shoulder and lets it go by
83.5 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, this one nips away after pitching. Broad also extracted steep bounce on it. de Kock though, waves it through to the keeper
83.4 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, de Kock punches it towards cover
83.3 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, there and thereabouts outside off, de Kock rides on the bounce and defends
83.2 -
Broad to de Kock, FOUR, Broad bends his back and uses the short delivery. However, de Kock rocks back to pull it all along the turf. It runs away to the deep mid-wicket boundary. de Kock rolled his wrists on that occasion
83.1 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, from wide of the crease, Broad hits a fuller lengh, de Kock strides forward and pushes it back towards the bowler
82.6 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, good length delivery and on off-stump, Bavuma is steadfast in his defence
82.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length delivery that straightens a wee bit after pitching, defended
82.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length delivery that angles back into the right-hander. Bavuma is squared up in his defence. He defends it to cover
82.3 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, Anderson hits a fuller length and it slants in before leaving the right-hander, defended
82.2 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, Anderson generates away-swing on this delivery, Bavuma does not contemplate in playing at it
82.1 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, from wide of the crease, Anderson slants it across the left-hander, de Kock taps it to cover and nabs a single
81.6 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, fullish delivery that angles back into the left-hander, de Kock turns it away to backward square leg
81.5 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, Broad bowls it in that threatening zone outside off, de Kock covers his sticks and lets it go by
81.4 -
Broad to Bavuma, 1 run, very full and just outside off, Bavuma squeezes it out to cover
81.3 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, with a slightly slingy action, Broad drifts it down leg, clipped to deep square leg
81.2 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, Broad pulls his length back, de Kock camps on the back foot and defends
81.1 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, from wide of the crease, Broad hits it on a fuller length and it nips away a wee bit after pitching, de Kock plays a half-hearted drive with his feet stationed in clay and the ball beats the outside edge
Stuart Broad [14.0-1-47-1] is back into the attack
80.6 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, Anderson hurls it in that one square foot window outside off, Bavuma covers his sticks to leave it alone
80.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, Anderson digs it short and extracts awkward bounce on this delivery, Bavuma is squared up a bit. However, he takes his bottom hand off the bat handle to defend it into the pitch
80.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, Anderson continues to test the patience of the batsman outside off, Bavuma ushers it through to the keeper
80.3 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, good length delivery and Anderson extracts good pace and carry on it, left alone
80.2 -
Anderson to Bavuma, FOUR, a touch of width on offer, Bavuma stands tall and punches it to the deep extra cover boundary. It crashes into the ad-cushions in a jiffy
80.1 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, a hint of shape away from the right-hander, Bavuma prods forward and outside edges it to the slip cordon. He played that with soft hands and as a result, it did not carry
James Anderson [17.0-4-49-0] is back into the attack
The new nut has been taken. Anderson starts the proceedings with the new ball
79.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 2 runs, too straight from Moeen Ali, de Kock neatly clips it to mid-wicket for a brace. Hales hunts it down to make sure that the duo only pinch a couple of runs
79.5 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, a wee bit of turn for Moeen Ali, de Kock turns it into the on-side
79.4 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, flighted ball from Moeen Ali, defended off the front foot
79.3 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, this time, de Kock defends from inside the crease to keep this tossed up delivery out
79.2 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, tossed up delivery and Moeen Ali extracts a hint of turn on it, defended
79.1 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, shorter in length, Bavuma manufactures room and punches it square of the wicket on the off-side
78.6 -
Woakes to de Kock, no run, short of a length delivery and just outside off, defended off the back foot
78.5 -
Woakes to de Kock, no run, fullish from Woakes, de Kock presents the full face of the blade to keep it out
78.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 1 run, too straight from Woakes, Bavuma rolls his wrists and clips it to mid-wicket for an easy single
78.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, very full and on the stumps, Bavuma drives it towards mid-on off the toe-end of the bat
78.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, FOUR, Bavuma gets the width to swing a cat and takes a heavy toll of it. Short and wide delivery, Bavuma stands tall and blazes the cut. The ball runs away past the backward point fielder for a boundary
78.1 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, back of a length delivery that angles back into the right-hander, Bavuma stays on the back foot and presents the full face of the blade to defend
77.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, Bavuma premeditates and uses the paddle sweep to this tossed up delivery to collect a single to backward square leg
77.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, flighted delivery from Moeen Ali, Bavuma is compact in his forward defence
77.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, Moeen Ali tosses this one up and bowls it just outside off, Bavuma comes forward and stockades it into the pitch
77.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, very full and on the stumps, defended
77.2 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, 1 run, de Kock stays on the back foot and punches it square of the wicket on the off-side for a single
Quinton de Kock, left handed bat, comes to the crease
77.1 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, out Lbw!! Another one bites the dust. Duminy has been chugged down. Poor shot selection from the batsman. It was shorter in length, Duminy looked to essay the pull, but missed it completely and was struck on his back thigh. He was trapped in front of off. The umpire raised his finger to answer the appeal in the affirmative. Duminy thought of taking a review. He even consulted Bavuma. In the end, decided to walk back to the pavilion. The right decision made by him. Duminy lbw b Moeen Ali 16(31) [4s-4]
Moeen Ali to Duminy, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
76.6 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, Bavuma pushes this length ball back to the bowler
76.5 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, length and outside off, Bavuma pushes it to mid-on
76.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 2 runs, there is a horrible mix-up between Bavuma and Duminy. In the end, no damage done as Bavuma makes his way back to the crease at the striker's end. Fuller length delivery and outside off, Bavuma drives it all along the carpet to cover. Taylor looks to stop it before getting up and swooping down on the ball quickly. He fires in the throw at the striker's end, but the batsman was in
76.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, Woakes again loses his radar as he bowls it down leg, Bavuma fails to connect with his tuck
76.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, Woakes keeps it in that channel outside off, Bavuma waves it through to the keeper
76.1 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, straying down leg, Bavuma aims to clip it into the on-side and fails to connect
75.6 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Duminy guards this tossed up delivery out
75.5 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, quicker and zooming in on the stumps, Duminy goes back to defend. He just about ekes out an inside edge. Otherwise, he might have made his way back to the pavilion. There was a muted appeal for LBW, but turned down
75.4 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Moeen Ali gives this one more air, Duminy comes forward and defends
75.3 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Duminy pushes this slightly shorter in length delivery back to the bowler
75.2 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, flighted ball and outside off, Duminy drives it all along the carpet to cover
75.1 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, tossed up delivery and on the stumps, Duminy comes forward and defends
74.6 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, short delivery that is bowled outside off, Bavuma plays inside the line of the ball and leaves it alone
Temba Bavuma, right handed bat, comes to the crease
74.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, out Bowled!! Cook's long vigil at the crease comes to an end. There was a touch of width on offer. Cook shuffled across his stumps and looked to punch. However, he could only eke out an inside edge onto the stumps. He gets a standing ovation as he makes his way back to the pavilion. He has played with steel and determination to put South Africa ahead in this game. Stephen Cook b Woakes 115(218) [4s-14]
Woakes to Stephen Cook, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
74.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, good length delivery and outside off, Cook is steadfast in his forward defence
74.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, drifting down leg, Cook clips it towards mid-wicket who can't get to the ball and the duo take a couple
74.2 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller length delivery that angles back into the right-hander, Cook drives it neatly towards mid-on
74.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, there and thereabouts outside off, left alone
Chris Woakes [13.0-2-65-0] is back into the attack
73.6 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, a hint of turn for Moeen Ali, Duminy comes forward and keeps it out
73.5 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Moeen Ali continues to toss it up, Duminy is steadfast in his defence
73.4 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, this time, Duminy camps on the back foot and guards it out
73.3 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, tossed up delivery and just outside off, defended off the front foot
73.2 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, FOUR, Moeen Ali has bowled some ordinary deliveries in this spell. Duminy would be a pleased man if he keeps bowling such stuff. Dragged down delivery from Moeen Ali, Duminy rocks back quickly and pulls it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary
73.1 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, 1 run, too straight from Moeen Ali, Cook works it to deep backward square leg
72.6 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, good length delivery and on off-stump, Duminy prods forward and defends
72.5 -
Anderson to Duminy, FOUR, Anderson again strays it down leg, Duminy rolls his wrists on it and clips it to the fine leg fence. The ball rockets to the boundary boards in a jiffy
72.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 1 run, too straight from Anderson, Cook turns it to deep backward square leg
72.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, FOUR, now, that was just out of reach of Root at gully. On replays it might have just about carried but it went wide of him. Fullish delivery that swings back into the right-hander, Cook shuffles across his stumps and ekes out an outside edge that runs away past the diving Root at gully to the third man boundary
72.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, short of length delivery that angles back into the right-hander, Cook shuffles across his sticks and turns it into the on-side
72.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Cook waves it through to the keeper
71.6 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Duminy stays on the back foot and guards this one out
71.5 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, flatter delivery and on the stumps, defended
71.4 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, FOUR, now, that was a rubbish delivery and Duminy took full toll of it. Juicy high full toss from Moeen Ali, Duminy dances down the track and clubs it across the line to the deep mid-wicket fence. A gift from Moeen Ali
71.3 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, from wide of the crease, Moeen Ali tosses it up and keeps it on the stumps, Duminy camps on the back foot and defends
71.2 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, flatter delivery and on the stumps, defended
71.1 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, sharp turn and bounce for Moeen Ali, Duminy pushes at it tamely and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Duminy has had his issues against off-spinners in the past
Moeen Ali [11.0-3-38-1] is back into the attack
Drinks are on the field now. England bowled with more purpose after the tea break to pick up a couple of wickets. However, Stephen Cook notched up a ton in his first Test and is holding fort for the hosts
70.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller length and on the stumps, Cook crouches a little and push-drives it to mid-on
70.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, hurled at back of a length and in the channel outside off, Cook waves it through to the keeper
70.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, firm defence back to the bowler on this length delivery on off. Cook is looking good
70.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, brave leave outside off, the ball came in a touch but Cook is aware of his off stick, leaves it through to the keeper
70.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and it moves away ever so slightly, but the line was outside off and the centurion does not budge
70.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller length this time and on the stumps, Cook presents the full face of the bat and drives it to mid-on
69.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Duminy has no issues in leaving it through to the keeper
69.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, as if the bouncers were not enough, this time Stokes delivers a wayward bouncer down the leg side and Duminy sits under it
69.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, length delivery and on off, Duminy defends it towards cover
69.3 -
Stokes to Duminy, FOUR, got a bit of shape away from Duminy this time and made him play as well. But Duminy accounted for the swing and drove it beautifully through cover, the bat turned a bit in his hand but enough steam to make it cross the fence at deep extra cover
69.2 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, comes into Duminy this time, but is way short and it won't swing. Duminy stands tall and defends it back to the bowler
69.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, round the wicket goes Stokes and keeps it well outside off, Duminy continues the order of the day and leaves it
68.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, this time he does but loses the swing, Cook is happy to push it off the front foot to cover
68.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, this time Anderson makes it go the other way but again outside off and Cook hoists his bat. When will he make the batsmen play?
68.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, touch fuller than the previous two deliveries and on off, Cook drives to mid-off
68.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, bit of shape into Cook but once again outside off, Cook does not bother looking at it
68.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, inswinger but outside off, left alone
The umpire just had a word with Anderson about his landing area. Might have been a casual warning
68.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Anderson does what others have been doing. Keeps it on a back of a length and outside off, Cook leaves it as usual
James Anderson [14.0-2-40-0] is back into the attack
67.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, back of a length and on middle and leg, Duminy turns it to square leg
67.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, fuller length and hint of inward movement this time, Duminy drives it back to the bowler, who stops it with his left hand and threatens to throw at the stumps
67.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, short of a good length and on the stumps from round the wicket, Duminy is behind it and defends it towards cover
67.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, length delivery and touch outside off, Cook gently pushes it to cover for a quick single, good work by Broad as he dived to keep it down to one
67.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, this one tailed in from off, Cook brought down his bat in time and got the defence off the inside part of the bat towards mid-wicket
67.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, bouncer and Cook ducks under it to lets it go
66.6 -
Broad to Duminy, no run, huge appeal for lbw but I reckon it is too high, might have been going down with the angle as well. Duminy was looking to work it into the on-side, missed the line and wore it above the knee roll, the ball dribbles away towards cover
66.5 -
Broad to Duminy, no run, length delivery and targeted on the stumps from round the wicket, Duminy defends it into the off-side
66.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, touch wide outside off and Cook cuts it to the left of third man for a single
66.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Cook lifts his bat and lets it go
66.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, FOUR, he has started to open up just after getting to his ton. Short delivery and he had been ducking under those just a while ago, this time gets into position and swivel-pulls it through mid-wicket with ease. That is his another side
66.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller length and outside off, Cook gets a little stride forward and drives it to extra cover
65.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, length delivery outside off, push-driven towards extra cover
65.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, tapped towards cover
65.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, hundred for the debutant. What a moment. Take a bow! Stephen Cook becomes the 3rd South African opener to get a ton on Test debut. Alviro Petersen and Andrew Hudson are the other two. Also, the 100th batsmen to get a ton on Test debut. What a moment for Cook scoring a ton in front of his parents who are in the stands. Takes out his helmet and his hands are aloft, lets the moment sink in and acknowledges the loud thunder from the crowd. Coming to the delivery, it was touch short and on the stumps, he tucked it away from the man at mid-wicket and pinched in a brace
65.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, length delivery and it snaked in a touch, Cook did not get his bat down in time and was rapped on the pads. The English appealed but the umpire ruled him not out
England have reviewed an lbw call against Cook. It was a stifled appeal from the English camp but Cook has gone upstairs. It is a legal delivery. Pitched outside off and it is just grazing the leg stick. So that will be umpire's call. Cook survives. Nervy moments
65.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, short of length once again, Cook moves across and tucks it the left of FSL, who dives to prevent a single and keep him on strike
65.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, short delivery and at Cook, he half-ducks and leaves it
Jean-Paul Duminy, left handed bat, comes to the crease
64.6 -
Broad to de Villiers, out Caught by Root!! Behold yourself! de Villiers departs on a duck. Rarity in every sense. Short of a length and outside off, why would he play at those at such an early time in his innings? But he is de Villiers, he does the unusual, fenced at it and it carried nicely to Root at second slip, who dived to his left and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. de Villiers c Root b Broad 0(2)
Broad to de Villiers, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
64.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, touch short and allows Cook to get across and nudge it to mid-wicket for a single
64.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, nicely behind this one though, short of a good length delivery and on off, Cook defended it back to the bowler
64.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, nervous 90s moments for Cook, closes the bat face on the drive this time and it goes on a bounce to the man at mid-on
64.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, there was some sound and England are appealing for a caught behind. They think about reviewing it but Cook is not convinced. Length delivery and outside off, Cook hung his bat on that one and it eluded his outside edge through to the keeper
64.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller length on off, Cook drives it off the inside part of the bat to mid-on
63.6 -
Stokes to de Villiers, no run, fuller length delivery and outside off, de Villiers is happy to leave it
AB de Villiers, right handed bat, comes to the crease
63.5 -
Stokes to Amla, out Bowled!! And against the run of play, South Africa have lost Amla. This might just be the light which can show England the way. Length delivery and on off, came in with the angle and Amla poked at it from the crease, leaving enough gap between the bat and the pad, the inside edge crashed onto middle and leg. Stokes has provided the breakthrough. How often does he do that? Pretty often, I would say. Earlier, Amla was dropped on 5 by Bairstow off Stokes. He finally had his man. Amla b Stokes 109(169) [4s-19]
Stokes to Amla, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
63.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, short again, Cook gets on his toes and works it into the vacant mid-wicket region to get to the other end
63.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, bumper and at Cook, he is in his 90s and won't want to pull that. Sits under it and the keeper completes the formality
63.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, this time Cook looked in a bit of trouble on this short delivery, closed the bat face and the leading edge rolled towards backward point. Amla is now having a word with the debutant
63.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, short delivery and it rose to Cook, he managed to get behind it and keep it into the on-side
62.6 -
Broad to Amla, no run, inward movement for Broad but the line is again way outside off, Amla will leave those all day long
62.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, fuller length delivery and touch of width for Amla to free his arms. He cracks the drive but a good work from the man at backward point saves a certain four
62.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, this time comes closer to Amla but he is watchful and bunts it back to the bowler
62.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, wide of the crease goes Broad, bowls it short and wide outside off, Amla ignores it
62.2 -
Broad to Amla, FOUR, fuller length delivery and caressed through cover, did not go full-blooded on the drive, just opened the face of the bat a little and there was no chance for the man running across in the deep
62.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, back of a length delivery and on the stumps, Amla gets on his toes and defends it back to the bowler
61.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, short of a good length delivery and Cook defends it back to the bowler
61.5 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, direct hit at the striker's end but Cook looks fine, back of a length delivery and Amla fended it towards backward point and set off. Moeen Ali was quick and rifled the throw at the striker's end, fielders got excited but Cook was well in
61.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, Cook is happy to stay back on this length delivery to turn it towards square leg
The floodlights have been switched on as it looks a bit gloomy out there
61.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, short delivery and outside off, Cook ducks under it
61.2 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, some swing for Stokes there, Amla is watchful and brings down the bat in time to cover for it, nudges it away towards mid-wicket
61.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, that one rises a touch more than Cook would have expected, it was a back of a length delivery and he moved across to tuck it fine into the on-side for a single
60.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, length delivery and on the stumps, Cook prefers to stay back and turns it in front of mid-wicket to retain the strike for the next over
60.5 -
Broad to Amla, 1 run, slipped this one on the pads of Amla, might have been some inward movement as well, Amla looks to flick it fine, gets some bat on that, towards fine leg and they sneak in a run
60.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, touch of shape away from the right hander on this one, but the line is well outside off and that means Amla does not need to play at it
60.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, Broad once again bowls it outside off and that won't make Amla play. He hoists his bat and ignores it
60.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, fuller length and zeroing in on the stumps, Amla presents the full face of the bat and defends
60.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, back of a length delivery and into the rib cage of Cook, he moves across and tucks it in front of square on the on-side for a quick single
59.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, another bouncer and hurled at Amla, he does not bother with it
59.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, back of a length delivery and Amla defends it back to the bowler
59.4 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, bouncer and on off, Amla ducks under it
59.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, back of a length delivery outside off, Amla leaves it
59.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, back of a length and outside off, Amla defends it into the off-side
59.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, a direct hit at the bowler's end might have caught Cook short of the crease. That is a risky single indeed. Replays confirm he won't have got his debut hundred. Back of a length delivery and on off, Cook he pushed it gently to cover and set off. The fielder was quick to recover and rifle the throw. However, he missed and Cook survived
58.6 -
Broad to Amla, no run, touch short and outside off, Amla stays in the crease and looks to cut it, mistimes and the ball rolls away towards cover
58.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, edge and it falls short of Cook at first slip, it was a fuller length delivery with a scrambled seam, Amla poked at it and a thick outside edge was induced, only to fall short of the captain
58.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, back of a length delivery and just outside off, Amla stands tall and defends it into the off-side
58.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, that one came into Amla. More because of the angle, less because of the swing. Amla is nicely behind it and pushes it back to the bowler
58.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, short of a good length outside off but lack of bounce on it, Amla does not bother playing at it. The keeper collects it on a bounce
58.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, length delivery and outside off, Amla does not budge and lets it go through to the keeper
Wooof! There's a big patch of sawdust over the wet area. Hopefully, it works fine, the players in the meantime have taken to the field and we are set to resume
The umpires are seen having a chat with the groundsmen. Meanwhile, the world's best bowler (obviously Broad) is enjoying his chewing gum in the dug-out. Plenty of repair work going on and let's hope the delay won't be long.
Welcome back for the final session of the day. South Africa sit in a commanding position. Will Stephen Cook get a ton on Test debut? We shall know in a while... Oh! Hang on a sec/ What happened there? Just when the players are ready to take guard, they were asked to leave the field. Why? Because there is a huge water burst on the field and the groundsmen are spewing sawdust over it.
Stephen Cook had to be ridiculously patient all these years but when he finally got a shot, aged 33, he has made it count with a score that's naughtily flirting with a debut ton. Not quite armoured like Amla but the opening batsman patiently collected runs, pouncing occasionally on litter balls to keep trudging ahead. England's bowling and fielding were in a race to be abysmal and the latter won, courtesy Cook's dropped catch in the slip to go with Amla's in the first session. Broad was conquered, Anderson quietened and Woakes flogged to wrap up a run-rich second session. Join us at 15:30 local for another bite at this run buffet on a Centurion plate.
Tea, Day 1: Anderson bowled it wide and wider outside off to delay it. de Villiers plucked his eyebrows, rubbed his eyes and revolved around in his chair waiting for it. And the Centurion crowd were up on their feet, waving flags and ticking time to appreciate it, if and when it happened. And it did. Amla registered his first century post the captaincy renunciation to lead up a solid riposte that has all but shredded England. The session which began as an opportunity for England to resurrect their fortunes soon turned into doom as Amla let out one drive after another, threading gaps and effecting dropped shoulders around him.
57.6 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, "Naaaaaah" Stokes vents out his frustration after bowling a full ball outside off. Amla digs it off the toe-end towards third man. Off for a single and Amla leads the players off the field meaning it's time to have a cuppa TEA
57.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, why bowl short balls when you can swing the ball at that pace. This one swung into Amla from a length who watchfully blocks to the off-side
57.4 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, B-O-U-N-C-E-R again, sorry for the unnecessary creativity there. Tired of watching Stokes bowl this, Amla won't play at that
57.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, jagged back in from a length, Amla jumps inside the crease to offer a defensive blade, yanks his bottom hand while trying to do so
57.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, another dug-in-short delivery that doesn't rise much, outside off and Amla is on his knees to evade that
57.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, Stokes continues from where he's left off in the previous over. Hurled in the bumper on the stumps, Amla ducks underneath
56.6 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, flighted around off, Cook responds with a muted bat
56.5 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, a hint of width on offer and Cook is content to place the drive between cover and point, managed a duo of runs for that
56.4 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, turning in from a fullish length, Cook wrists it to the other Cook (Alastair) at straightish short mid-wicket
56.3 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, "wait on" yells Cook after he flicks this loopy delivery to mid-wicket
56.2 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller just outside off, Cook mistimes the drive to cover
56.1 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, floated up on the stumps, blocked to FSL
Moeen Ali [10.0-3-36-1] is back into the attack
Might be the penultimate over before tea..
55.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, another lifter, but this time it's outside off and Amla doesn't bother with it
55.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, bouncer on the stumps, Amla sits under it
55.4 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, back of a length outside off, Amla sits down on one knee to let that go
A bit of delay as Stokes is seen patrolling the field. I can see more than 2 fielders near the boundary line. Have England gone into a shell?
55.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, walks back and across to dead-bat this length delivery to short cover
55.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, full and outside off, Amla toe-ends the drive to short cover
55.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, full and wide, should have been put away. Amla goes with hard hands as he drives this straight to Moeen at cover
Ben Stokes [9.0-1-36-0] is back into the attack
So, will the debutant get to his hundred, before tea? Just 10 minutes left and here is the Durham lad Ben Stokes who replaces Anderson at the other end. Only one slip and a gully in place..
54.6 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, good length curled back in a fraction, Cook walks across and drops it with soft hands towards mid-on
54.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, keeps it fullish and just outside off. Cook drives crisply and to the left of Woakes who lets his hand out. Ensured he took the pace off the ball and there was no run on offer
54.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, tad fuller and outside off, Cook went hard one the drive, slotted to James Taylor at short cover
54.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, straightened a touch, from a good length and in the corridor of uncertainty, Cook shuffles and shoulders arms
54.2 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, full and on off, driven straight to mid-off
54.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, short and just outside off, Cook hops inside the crease to play a cross-batted stroke towards Broad at mid-on
53.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, fuller from Anderson and it is driven straight to the fielder at short cover
53.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, outside off, left alone to the keeper
53.4 -
Anderson to Amla, 2 runs, take a bow Hashim! He's back to his fluent best. What a player he's been and he continues to impress and inspire. Faced severe criticism for stepping down from the captaincy and this is how he responds. South Africa needed this, didn't they? Badly, very badly I reckon. His 25th Test century. Gets a rousing reception from the crowd. Takes his helmet off and lets out a wry smile. Dressing room stand and cheer the effort. Bairtstow and a few of the English fielders are seen clapping too. He reaches the milestone with a gentle push wide of mid-on
53.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 1 run, short and climbing into Cook who swivels and controlls the pull to Compton at long leg
53.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, good length just outside off, 131ks, Cook opened the bat face and tapped that towards cover
53.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, 134ks, fullish just outside off, Cook displays a straight bat as he defends this towards mid-off
52.6 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, perfect line and length for a drive. Cook acknowledges and strokes it through cover, keeps the strike with that single
52.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, wide outside off and Cook ain't bothering with that
52.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, smidgen short and begging to be hit. Cook shuffles across as he's done all day and times the pull to perfection, placed it well wide of mid-on and got the desired outcome
52.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, shows the full face of the bat and drives this to the left of Broad at mid-on who dives and takes the pace off the ball
52.2 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, much better! Outside off and Cook shoulders arms
52.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, meawhile Cook is showing signs of nervousness. Not in the 90s but still 83 is a great if not a good score on Test debut. Tries to grope with an outswinger which beats him on the outside edge
51.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, pitched fuller with width on offer, Amla drives with an open bat face, only to find a diving backward point
51.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, finally makes Amla play by keeping it full on the stumps, driven back towards the bowler
51.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Anderson. What are you trying to do? Is that an attempt to frustrate Amla who is batting on 99. Amla though is unmoved as he leaves one which was well outside off
51.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Anderson is greeted with a round of boos as he repeats the previous delivery
51.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, and again! This one is further wide of off, Amla stays flat-footed and lets it go
51.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Anderson steams in as SuperSport Park start to cheer for their favourite man. But Anderson killed all that excitement, bowled well wide of off which Amla ignores
50.6 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, wide of off, Cook doesn't bother with it
50.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, on a length and seamed away late, Cook does the leaving dance as the line is outside off
50.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, fullish and just outside off, Cook gets forward to push that towards mid-off
50.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, outside off, left alone to the keeper
50.2 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, that one held on the pitch, just a tad! back of a length and just outside off, Amla was looking for the pull - was a bit early in doing so. The ball hits the inner half and lands tantalizingly short of mid-on, jittery times Hashim?
50.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, nipped away off the seam at 137kmph, the line is outside off and Amla shoulders arms
49.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, drifting into the pads again, Cook clips him behind square leg and collects a couple of runs
49.5 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, floated full outside off, Amla square drove it past backward point and got an easy single, just 2 away from the landmark
49.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 1 run, on the stumps, worked behind square on the leg-side, easy pickings that
49.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, FOUR, aaaaand England's woes continue... Pitched up and drew Cook into a drive. Cook obliges as he goes for the shot. Went with laden feet and got a thick inside edge which skims past a diving Bairstow, to his left and into the fine leg fence
49.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, well wider of off and Cook is happy to let that pass
49.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, length ball threatening to hit the top of off, Cook gets across and responds with a dead blade
Now he has a word with Jimmy Anderson...
48.6 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, that won't help! On the pads and Amla, like he did all day, flicks nonchalantly through mid-wicket. Alastair Cook wears a frustrated look on his face and he had every reason to be so
48.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, well wide of off, left alone to the keeper
48.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, short and speared into Amla. He was early into the pull and as a result the ball took the cue end of the bat. To his delight, the ball lobbed well in front of a racing gully
48.3 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, back of a length on and around fifth stump, Amla punches solidly but straight to Root at cover-point
48.2 -
Woakes to Amla, 2 runs, another one shortish and on middle, Amla flicks it in the gap at mid-wicket to bring South Africa's 200
48.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, gets a bit of shape back into the right-hander, bowled it on a length and Cook tucks him wide of mid-wicket
Chris Woakes [9.0-1-52-0] is back into the attack
There's a conflab going on. I can spot Jimmy, Broad, Woakes, Root... What was that about Alastair? Not getting wickets, eh? Dropped catches certainly didn't help their cause. Meanwhile the ball is safely passed to umpire Kumar Dharmasena who does the ball-passing-through-the-rings test. Signals to Alastair that it's fine and it's flinged back to Woakes who trundles in for another fresh spell...
47.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, 137ks, good length in the corridor of uncertainty, Amla has his hands aloft as he lets this one go
47.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, gets into good position as he blocks this length ball to an incoming short cover
47.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, ran hard and bowled one well outside off, Amla stood still and allowed the ball to thud Bairstow's mitts
47.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 1 run, length ball on the hips, Cook rises on his toes and works it behind square on the leg-side. Bottom hand came off the bat while completing the shot
47.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, good length angled in a touch. Cook went for a flowy push-drive but found the fielder at cover
47.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, touch fuller around off, Cook leans forward to drive, finds Broady at mid-off
46.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, curling in from a fuller length, Amla wrists it to the right of straightish short mid-wicket, who puts in the dive to deny Amla the strike
46.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, FOUR, into the 90s now. Full and asking to be driven. Amla placed this to perfection. Leant forward and ensured he got all of it, went through the gap at cover
46.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, strides forward and pushes with soft hands towards cover
46.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, 90ks on the stumps, whipped modestly towards mid-on
46.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, played back to the bowler
46.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, FOUR, full toss on the stumps - Amla doesn't need any second invitation. Drove with sublime timing to the right of Moeen who tried to prevent the boundary
45.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, shuffled across and lifted his bat above his head which tells us that Jimmy's line isn't that threatening
45.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, this time presents a 180-degree willow in defence, back to Jimmy
45.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, that's how he plays. A little shuffle across and a soft nudge towards mid-wicket - did that so many times today
45.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Cook hops inside the crease to block this good length delivery with an angled bat. Placed towards short cover and no single on offer
45.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, pitched on a good length and tested Cook in the corridor of uncertainty. Cook though is a settled man at the crease, ignored
45.1 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, back of a length outside off, Amla rises on his tippy toes to tap that square on the off-side and that average keeps getting better. I'm talking about Hashim's average on this ground..
44.6 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, goes back and across to negate the spin just outside off
44.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, attacking the stumps is Moeen Ali and Amla is content with a single wide of mid-wicket
44.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, floated up on middle, worked away in front of mid-wicket
44.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, FOUR, the 150 stand comes up. Slightly overpitched just outside off. Amla gets forward and clubs the drive through cover, elegant stuff!
44.2 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, 1 run, turned wristily past a diving FSL for a single
44.1 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, tossed up just outside off, Cook drives to the left of the bowler who makes a half-stop
Moeen Ali [8.0-3-22-1] is back into the attack
This comment from a bloke from Southampton got me chuckling. It was mentioned in the BBC sports section. Here's how it read: "Spent last night praying that Cook would make some runs in this Test, but forgot to let God know that it was Alastair. I'm regretting it now." Sorry Alastair. The debutant Cook scored 73 already. Alastair's highest score in this Test series must be somewhere around 40s I reckon. Well! Fun apart. Moeen will continue after the drinks break...
That will be drinks. Poor first hour from England who failed to compensate for the first session miseries. Amla looks set with crunchy drives and a big score beckons...
43.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, lets out a Sharapova-like grunt as he bent his back on this length delivery outside off, Amla lifts his bat and lets it go
43.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, curling away a touch and the indiscipline outside off taking it further away. Amla ignores it
43.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, this nipped in a touch but Amla had his hands high as he looked to let it go
43.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, length ball moving away late, Amla had his hands protracted and ended up slicing the ball in defence to cover
Average first day score here: 258-7
43.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, length ball and in the channel outside off, Amla levers his bat up in defence
There's a short cover-point in place
43.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 1 run, starts with the chef's special of the day. Down the leg-side, Cook gets on his toes and tucks it to backward square leg
James Anderson [8.0-1-26-0] is back into the attack
Anderson has two slips and a gully in place
42.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, pitched up on middle and leg, Amla's clip can't get past mid-wicket
42.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, full outside off, Amla drives it powerfully to cover
42.4 -
Stokes to Amla, FOUR, this wasn't short and Amla could still pull it to deep mid-wicket. Not quite a pull but an uppish cut-the-tree slash. Was cramped for room as the ball wasn't quite short but then got on his toes and placed that to deep mid-wicket
42.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, stayed deep to his length delivery angled in. The angle allowed the ball to take the inside half and rolls to square leg
42.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, this full ball hit the bat hard as Cook slid forward to defend this
42.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, fullish outside off, Cook transfers his bat from one hand to another as he looked to let it go
41.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tossed up on middle, invites Amla forward who meets it with a forward defence
41.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, slower delivery on middle, Amla waited an eternity for it and belatedly brought his bat down to dig that out to mid-on
41.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, flighted delivery on middle and leg line, Amla turns it round the corner
41.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, on the middle and leg, Amla defends it into the leg-side
41.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, down leg, Amla turns around and taps this towards short leg
41.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, FOUR, another serving on the pad, Amla meets it with Warney's wrists and flicks it to deep square leg along the carpet
40.6 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, short and Amla's in the mood. Enough of ducking under these for a year and a half. Takes it on with a pull, deliberately played it uppishly and got a single to deep square leg. A foot either side and it was a boundary
40.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, length ball outside off, Amla leaves it alone
40.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 3 runs, too straight again and Cook adds three runs. Flicked it off his pads and past Samit Patel at mid-on who treadmills after the ball, finally catches up with it and lets back a tame throw
40.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, full and on leg-stump, Cook stretched forward and patted the ball to mid-on
40.2 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, another one curling in, Amla's tentative poke ekes out an inside edge that scoots to mid-on
40.1 -
Stokes to Amla, FOUR, that inswing from Stokes and Amla slid deep in his crease and gave himself room to time the flick to deep mid-wicket
39.6 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, a synchronized shout for an lbw but not given. The ball hurried in off the pitch and rapped on the pads. Cook was late on the flick but the angle might have taken it down leg
39.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, too straight and a bit short too, Amla stayed back and tucked it to backward square leg
39.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, gets his line on the stumps, Amla forces it off the front foot to cover
39.3 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, 1 run, turning down the leg side and Cook softly clips it with the turn to backward square
39.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, dragged down, Amla swiveled to pull but dragged it off the inner half to backward square
39.1 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, 1 run, tossed up and turning in, Cook nudged it to backward square leg
38.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, full and wide, and yelling to be hit. Amla went after it, threw his hands at it but the backward point fielder intercepted that shot
38.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, swerving in, Cook was hurried into closing his bat and patted that to deep square leg for a single
38.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, banged in half-way, this is not quite Jo'burg and Cook could jump high and defend it down
38.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, tempter outside off. Swinging in early giving away the cards but Cook doesn't flirt with it
38.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, pitched up, Cook stabs it to cover in defence
Samit Patel is in for Broad who has gone off the field
38.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, crouches low and meets this full ball with an open bat face. The ball rolls off the outer half to backward point
37.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, pushed through full, Amla blocks it out towards mid-on
37.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, some air on middle, Amla gets forward and defends it
37.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, pitches on leg stump and turns down the leg side, Amla couldn't flick it fine
37.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 2 runs, on off and middle, Amla clips it to mid-wicket and runs a brace
37.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, looked to drive it hard but the ball took the inside half and dug into the pitch near his boot
37.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tossed up fuller, Amla slices it to cover
Moeen Ali [5.0-3-12-1] is back into the attack
A slip, an FSL in place for the spinner
36.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, slides deep in his crease and meets this full ball with an open bat
36.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, length ball that climbs up, Cook was looking to defend but drags his bat back in with a sway to evade that
36.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, overpitched and Cook takes full monty off it. Comes forward, opens the face of the bat and places it wide of the point fielder for a boundary
36.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, pitched up in the channel, Cook gets forward and drives it to mid-off. Not much intent to place it beyond the fielder there
Two slips and a gully in place
36.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, fullish with a hint of movement away, Cook stabs the defence off the outside half
36.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, wanted the yorker but ends up letting out a dipping full toss, Cook crouched low to straight-bat the defence
Ben Stokes [5.0-1-17-0] is back into the attack
35.6 -
Broad to Amla, no run, short of length delivery with some extra bounce off the pitch. The angle was down leg, Amla half-turned to glance but the ball just missed his glove. A throat-clearing appeal from Bairstow is ignored by the umpire. Broad didn't join the chorus
35.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, holds his bat at 45 degrees to the ground and lets the ball pass under it. Too wide to have a go at it but Amla can. We all know it
35.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, the pitch looks settled and Cook hauls his front leg in the air, channels his inner Gordon Greenidge and pulls it to fine leg
35.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, veering into the pad, Cook lets out a wristy flick for a brace to deep square leg. Had his bottom hand off the bat as he completed the shot. 150 up for the Proteas
35.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, almost fell over trying to avoid that angry bouncer. Zooms off and the angle in made it awkward. Cook was on one leg as he tried to sway towards the off-side to avoid that
There's a short point, if you can call that..
35.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, full and wide, Cook leans into a forceful drive-defence to cover
Broad to continue after the 10-run over. Two slips in place
34.6 -
Woakes to Amla, 2 runs, after the off-side, it's leg-side's turn to be astonished. Hops high and works this length delivery off his pads to deep mid-wicket
34.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, a terrible ball down leg, Amla cannot meet with the glance and Bairstow collects it with a leftward shuffle
34.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, another bat lift to ignore a length ball outside off
34.3 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, full and outside off, Amla ignores it with a bat-hoisting
34.2 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, that's been clouted! Put on his jet pack, hopped in the air and pounced on this short delivery mediocred with width. Off she goes to the sweeper cover fence!
34.1 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, ever seen a chef carve out a slice of butter? This shot was just better. Full and curling away, Amla gets to the front foot and eases it through the off-side to get to his fifty
33.6 -
Broad to Amla, 1 run, another one too straight. The full-ball ploy after the nasty bouncer going wrong. To the wrong batsman. Amla just turns it to backward square leg for a single
33.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, veering down the leg side, Cook tickled it to backward square leg and got to the other end
33.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, there is the wake-up bouncer from Broad. Bangs it half-way, the ball bounds off the pitch and Cook had to hurriedly get his gloves in front of his helmet to fend it off. The ball took the gloves and died into the off-side quickly
33.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, FOUR, 100-run partnership is up. The ball was wide on a length, Cook slices it past the cordon and got it to the third man fence
33.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, fullish and on off, Cook ekes out an inside edge that rolled into the leg-side
33.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, FOUR, this is what dreams are made of. Canes a drive through cover, raises his bat high in the middle of a debut he waited so long for and brings up his maiden fifty. Pure delight. Should be happy but there's more to be done
Both batsmen on the brink of fifties
32.6 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, that sped off the bat. Almost like you've always seen Amla. Length ball outside off, Amla gets forward and creams it through cover. On the up and off the middle. Pristine
32.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, that ball climbed. Back-bender on a short of length, Amla had to lift his bat and then lift it more to let it go
32.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, fullish and swinging away, Amla blocks it off the front foot
32.3 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, early swing away and Amla has the time to hop and pat this square on the off-side
32.2 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, length ball straightening a touch off the pitch, Amla defends it off the front foot
32.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, nice shape on this full ball, Amla lifts his bat and lets it go
31.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, beaten. Back of a length and jagging in off the pitch, Cook ends up playing inside the line all befuddled and the ball whizzes past the edge
31.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, it's the second in England's drop-pot. Dropped! On a length and outside off, the ball snaked away. Cook got on his toes but couldn't get behind the line there. Feathered an edge back that was dying low to the right of Bairstow who dived and finger-tipped the ball away. Went with one hand but his initial trigger movement towards the left defeated him there. Catchable it was and another opportunity missed
31.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, zipped in after pitching on a fuller length but Cook had the front foot stride to cover his stumps. Safely left alone
31.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, width on a full ball that hung in the air forever. Cook reached out to it with an open-batted squeeze but can't get it past backward point
31.2 -
Broad to Amla, 1 run, he is not fending it. The short ball sat up to give Amla the time to swivel. But not quite the timing to place it wide of fine leg. Just a single
31.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, angled in on back of a length and zooming into Cook who just gets his hands high and staves it into the leg-side safely
30.6 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, another four runs but it's spanked to the fence this time. Not a flowing drive but a stab off the front foot. Dragged his back leg further back and propelled into an open-bat dispatch through the off-side
30.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, drags it back just outside off, no movement in the air or off the pitch and Amla gets behind the line in defence comfortably
30.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, there's some swing definitely but Amla is too good to spot them early. Levers his bat up and lets this full delivery go by
30.3 -
Woakes to Amla, leg byes, FOUR, horrible follow-up to that ball. Drifting down the leg side, Amla half-turns to tickle, misses and the ball rolls off the pads. To the fences
30.2 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, this is once again full but not close to the bat. Amla lifts his bat and lets it go
30.1 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, that's a delight. Fullish and curling away a touch, Amla gets forward, protracts his hands and canes the half-volley through cover
Chris Woakes [6.0-1-30-0] is back into the attack
Woakes ahead of Anderson under cloud-laden Centurion skies
29.6 -
Broad to Amla, 1 run, a baby step forward to defend, the ball snakes in, takes the inside edge and rolls to backward square leg. No FSL in place and this is the first run after lunch
29.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, gets closer to the stumps, Amla plays with a straight bat and pushes it back. The ball digs into the pitch and bounces high over Broad's one-handed leaping attempt to field
29.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, full and wide of off tempting a drive, Amla resists and lets it pass by
It's not sunny out there at the moment..
29.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, pitched up again, Amla turns his bat face towards cover as he jabs the ball in defence
29.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, stays fullish, Amla plonks his front leg out and pushes this into the off-side
29.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, floats this full just outside off, Amla bends down to keep this out to cover
Afternoon session: So, we are back. The players line out through the narrow stairs and to the centre to bring to us another 30 overs of ecstacy. World's no. 1 bowler has the ball and a growing-in-comfort Amla will be on strike. Two slips and a gully in place. Here we go!
Broad, albeit wicket-less, lived up to the Numero Uno tag to trouble the batsmen. But just when South Africa look settled to cash in after a stable start, Moeen Ali was called in and he struck. More of James Taylor to be fair who clutched the ball between his thighs to stun and send Elgar back. Amla came in, edged one behind to the cordon early off breakthrough-inventor Stokes but the keeper's dive blinded Cook who ultimately shelled it. Runs were then added at pace for the second wicket, with Amla turning back the clock with some caning drives. Stephen Cook, now playing the ball more than the occasion, fed off his pads and looked impressive despite the debut nerves. South Africa look set to cash in on a good toss but the question is if they can. Join us at 13:10 local again.
Lunch, Day 1: South African, at the moment, resemble a revolving door in many ways - people keep walking in, people keep walking out but the team stays there. Hinged, static and win-less. As many as five changes were effected by de Villiers, the most glaring of them being Faf du Plessis who was d-r-o-p-p-e-d. England were forced a change and tamely opted to slot in Woakes for an injured Finn, despite having a shot at unleashing Footitt. The start to the session was bright as debutant Stephen Cook got off the mark with a boundary, feeding off Anderson's leg-side offering. Unlike Jadeja's, de Villiers's comments failed to flare Anderson up who fused his moderate pace with some indiscipline in his 6-over opening burst. Woakes, looking his understudy in every way, emulated him with misdirected lines and lengths later.
28.6 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, spinning in on a length, Cook keeps it out and "Lunch" it will be chirps the umpire....
28.5 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, worked away to mid-wicket
28.4 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, opens the bat face and pats this to backward point
28.3 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, full again, blocked in front of FSL
28.2 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, full on the stumps, dug out to FSL
28.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, leg byes, 1 run, hint of turn for Moeen. Tossed up and spinning in, Amla crouches low and misses on the tickle. The ball brushes the pad and rolls away towards the fine leg fence
Might be the last over before lunch
27.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, fullish just outside off, Cook drives and finds mid-off
27.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, tests him in the corridor of uncertainty, Cook might be the debutant, but is not that young to get tricked into it, just lets it pass
27.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, good length outside off, Cook blocks this to the man at mid-off
27.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, serves up the fuller length and Cook pounces on it. Got forward and push-drives it wide of mid-off, didn't get a boundary but he's just one shot away from his milestone
27.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, gets across and works this with his wrists, all that with soft hands. Turned away towards mid-wicket
27.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, "no" is the shout from Cook after presenting a straight blade to Anderson's length delivery
26.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, FOUR, full and straight, whipped away in the gap at mid-wicket, nicely done that!
26.5 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, 3 runs, 100 for South Africa. It's been a good outing for the debutant and to his delight, his mom and dad stand and applaud the effort. Many more to come Cooky! He plants his front foot outside off and lap-sweeps this flighted delivery towards the fine leg fence. Woakes gives chase and restricts the duo to three
26.4 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, loopy on off, Cook strides forward in defence
26.3 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, Cook lunges forward and blocks this tossed up delivery to the off-side
26.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, driven again. This one went to the left of mid-off and Amla rushes through for a quick single
26.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, floaty delivery outside off, driven to mid-off
Moeen Ali [3.0-2-4-1] is back into the attack
25.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, wooof! There's the first blow for the debutant. Just examines the surface and is not in a mood to express his pain. This short ball curled in and smashed Cook near his chest area, the ball dribbled away towards the slip cordon. Cook shouldered arms and thought it would wobble away from him. But it wasn't to be. Pacy stuff from Jimmy who got the ball to shape back in a long way. Welcome to Test cricket Stephen Cook!
25.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, bouncer angled in. A bit too high and Cook hunkers under sans any discomfort
25.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, some swing for Anderson. On a length and scissored away from Cook who hopped. He judges well and lets it go at the last instant
25.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, pitched fuller and in the swinging arc, driven gently to widish mid-off
25.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, tapped with soft hands towards point
25.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, pitched it on a good length and got it to shape away late. Extra bounce too. But for all that build-up, the line is outside off and hence no shot offered from Mr.Cook
24.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, too many leg-stump balls from the Englishmen! Have seen a truck-load of this since morning. Cook elegantly flicks to long leg, retains the strike with that run
24.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, full and outside off, Cook slots the drive to cover, Hales there fumbles. No harm done though!
24.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length and outside off, Cook hops and taps with soft hands towards Compton at point
24.3 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, 134ks full on middle and leg, Amla works it past the square leg umpire for a joggy single
24.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, on the stumps, Amla keeps it out
24.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, when it is full Amla gives you an impression that he is gonna drive. He does so with soft hands on this occassion, to Moeen at mid-off
23.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, good length and aiming the top of off, Cook shuffles a tad and turns it to mid-wicket
23.5 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, sprayed fuller with a hint of width, Amla is happy to push-drive towards mid-off
23.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, back of a length outside off, chopped towards backward point
23.3 -
Anderson to Amla, FOUR, Amla seems to be in the mood today! Just a touch fuller from Anderson and that's enough for Amla who smacks the punchy-drive through cover, don't bother chasing that
23.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, dragged his length back a little, just outside off. Amla shows a solid, straight bat as he defends this towards cover
23.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Jimmy comes on for the second spell. From over the wicket. Fullish around off, Amla answers with a dead-bat
James Anderson [5.0-0-19-0] is back into the attack
22.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, good length on sixth stump, Cook leaves
22.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, Stokes seems to have lost his line and length since that dropped catch. Bowls another leg-stump half-volley which the debutant smashes through mid-wicket
22.4 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, the 50-run stand comes up as Amla flicks this to the left of Kumar Dharmasena who sticks his lightmeter out to check the reading. Mind you! It's a bit dark but not scary. Good enough for a cricket match
22.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, another one in the outside off zone and Amla keeps his calm
22.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, outside off, Amla shoulders arms
22.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, too many leg-stump half-volleys and the debutant is ensuring that he's squeezing the most of it. Clipped away behind square on the leg-side
21.6 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, mark my words. CLASS! Hashim just exhibited that. He averages 85 at this ground I reckon. Pitched full and width on offer too. Amla dispatches it off his sight with a flowing drive through cover
21.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, that's better! Good length and in that zone where any right-hander would have tempted to offer a stroke. Amla, the classy player that he is, watches it sail through
21.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, short and on leg-stump line, glanced away to the man at long leg
21.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, too straight from Woakes and Cook ain't sparing that. Wristily whips and finds the gap between mid-on and mid-wicket. Both gave chase, but to no avail
21.2 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, asking to be flicked by bowling it down leg. Amla does so with a gentle tickle off his hips to fine leg
21.1 -
Woakes to Amla, 2 runs, extra bounce for Woakes! Back of a length outside off, Amla hops and punches past a diving cover for a double
20.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, the rib-tickler from Stokes, Cook keeps it out, towards an incoming mid-wicket
20.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, a loud shout of "no" this time, blocked towards cover
20.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, "wait, wait, wait" screams Cook to the former South African skipper after tapping this to backward point
20.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, toe-smashing yorker, at 138ks! Swung in and Cook somehow manages to dig that towards mid-off. Well dealt lad!
20.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, full and asking to be flicked, Cook does so but finds the floppy-hat Broad at mid-wicket
20.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, angled in from a length, Cook gets across and turns it towards mid-wicket
19.6 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, keeps it around fifth, sixth stump channel, Amla is not playing that
19.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, gets across and bunts this length ball to the off-side
19.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, leg byes, 1 run, strong appeal from the bowler! For an lbw! Cook is not going for that. Signals to Woakes that it might have snaked down leg. This was the cross-seam length delivery that thudded into Cook's pads who was trying to flick. It hit him in line with leg and replays comfortably suggested that it was missing leg. Good call from Cook, not to review that one!
19.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, short and climbing into Cook, just outside off. Cook walks across and drops the ball with soft hands
19.2 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, keeps testing the debutant in the same area, Cook does the leaving dance
19.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, in the corridor of uncertainty, Cook shoulders arms
Replays show Ben Stokes kicking the turf in frustration. So unlucky!
18.6 -
Stokes to Amla, FOUR, brilliant from Amla! Just opened the bat face and massaged that fullish ball through cover, save your legs Hashim!
18.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, length just outside off, Amla gets across to block that towards the off-side
18.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, smidge fuller on and around off, Cook shuffles and works it to the right of Broad at mid-on. Broady dived and saved a boundary there. Well fielded!
18.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, very full on middle, Cook tries to flick it through mid-wicket. Could only manage a leading edge which races away towards Moeen at mid-off
18.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, on a length and hint of shape back in, outside off and Cook isn't chasing that
18.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, length outside off, Cook taps with an open bat face. To the left of Compton at point who dives and saves some runs
17.6 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, angled in full on the pads, wristily whipped straight to mid-wicket
17.5 -
Woakes to Amla, 2 runs, darted full and aiming off, Amla displays the full face as he push-drives to the right of mid-off. Good enough to fetch a couple of runs
17.4 -
Woakes to Amla, leg byes, FOUR, drifting into Amla's pads who misses on the tickle and it runs away off the thigh pad to the fine leg fence
17.3 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, ah, shot! Short and asking to be slapped. Amla obliges as he rises on his toes to flay the cut square on the off-side
17.2 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, good length outside off, left alone to the keeper
17.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, on the stumps, turned to mid-wicket for a single
16.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, still doesn't make him play, Amla is happy to let that go
16.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, just outside off, Amla lifts his bat and lets it go
16.4 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, dropped! Stokes isn't a happy man. He could have easily had Amla for 5 but captain Cook puts down a simple chance. Draws Amla forward by pitching it on a good length and then getting it to shape away (off the seam). The outside edge flies to the right of Bairstow who dives but fails to reach. Cook (at first slip), to his left, tries to grab it inches above the turf but couldn't do so. Just that he couldn't hang on. Bairstow's dive might have caused a bit of confusion I reckon!
16.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, fullish and just outside off. Amla defends. Yanks his bottom hand off the bat while doing so
16.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, curling in a tad from a length, Amla turns it to the just-became-famous-with-the-catch James Taylor
16.1 -
Stokes to Amla, FOUR, Stokes comes in and much like Jimmy Anderson he offers a freebie. Full and outside off. Amla leans forward and creams the drive wide of mid-off. The moment it flew off the bat, everyone knew it was a boundary. No one moved!
Ben Stokes, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
15.6 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, shortish again, Cook gets across and into a bit of tangle as he manages to drop this into the off-side
15.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, targetting the stumps is Woakes and Cook responds with a straight willow
15.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, from better to best. This one jagged back in a little, the line though is a bit outside off and Cook ignores
15.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, much better from Woakes, in the corridor of uncertainty. Cook is circumspect as he lets it pass through
15.2 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, another freebie on offer. Slipping down leg and all Cook needed to do was get some bat on that. He does so nonchalantly, flicked down to the fine leg fence
15.1 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, Beefy on air is not happy with England bowlers bowling short. To rub salt on Botham's wound Woakes continues to bowl short. Easily picked away by Amla who eases a single down to mid-wicket
14.6 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, gets across and presents a straight bat in defence
14.5 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, FOUR, don't bowl there! Full and on the pads and Cook puts it away where it deserved. Clipped off his pads square on the leg-side
14.4 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, pushed through outside off, dabbed with an open face to point
14.3 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, this one is well outside off and hence Cook leaves it alone
14.2 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, played back to the bowler
14.1 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, floated up just outside off, defended to captain Cook at silly point
Phew! What a catch that was from James Taylor! Mark Boucher on BBC reckoned it as the best catch of the series. No wonder. Totally agreed! Moeen continues...
Drinks are on the field now. South Africa's openers played with steel and determination in the first hour. However, just in the nick of time, Taylor pulled off a blinder to send a befuddled Elgar back to the hut. Broad has been the best bowler on show for the tourists. As far as the hosts are concerned, they would hope for Amla and Cook to steer them to lunch.
13.6 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, zippy back of a length delivery and outside off, Amla rides on the bounce to defend it into the off-side
13.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, a tad fuller and just outside off, Amla stays on the back foot and defends. Amla likes to camp on the back foot. Woakes needs to consistently hit a fuller length
13.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, very full and zeroing in on the stumps, defended
13.3 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, this one is angled into the right-hander, Amla camps on the back foot and guards it out
13.2 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Cook jumps in the air and punches it to cover point
13.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, Cook prods forward and traces the line through the cover-region with his drive to a fuller length delivery. It races away to the sweeper cover fence in a hurry. Cook's top-hand did all the work there
12.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, a hint of turn on this flighted delivery for Moeen Ali, Amla covers for the turn and pushes it into the off-side
12.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, flighted ball and on the stumps, Amla is solid in his defence
12.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tossed up delivery and zooming in on the stumps, Amla comes forward and keeps it out. Moeen Ali got a wee bit of drift on that delivery
12.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, another full delivery from Moeen Ali, Amla is steadfast in his forward defence
12.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, very full and on the stumps, defended. Moeen Ali is bowling from round the wicket
12.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, full toss from Moeen Ali, Amla drives it to mid-off. He should have taken a heavy toll of it
11.6 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and on the stumps, defended
11.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery that nips back in a touch, Cook just offers the thigh pad and it dribbles away to fine leg. However, no run taken as he offered no stroke
11.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, wide, Woakes tests the middle of the pitch, but it was too high and going down leg, Cook sinks under it. It is adjudged as a wide
11.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, fullish and in that channel outside off, Cook lets it go by
11.3 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller length delivery and outside off, left alone
11.2 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Cook rides on the bounce and keeps it out
11.1 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, Woakes starts with a delivery that is bowled in the channel outside off, left alone
Chris Woakes, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
10.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, Amla is again solid in his defence to this flatter delivery
10.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tossed up delivery and on the stumps, defended
Hashim Amla, right handed bat, comes to the crease
10.4 -
Moeen Ali to Elgar, out Caught by James Taylor!! Taylor is simply a freak as he has taken another blinder! Wait! The TV umpire is checking whether he has taken it cleanly. The front foot is fine. I think he has clutched onto it. On replays, it seems to have fallen onto his right ankle to me. On expected lines, Elgar has been given out. He might count himself a touch unlucky though. Anyway coming back to the wicket, Elgar danced down the track and looked to loft it over mid-on. However, it came off the inside half of the willow. Taylor showed sharp reflexes to move with the shot at FSL. It hit his left thigh and then his right before finally falling on his right ankle. He squeezed the ball between his legs and held onto it just inches above the ground. On replays, it was clear that he had taken it cleanly. The entire England camp is delighted. Taylor is turning out to be a thorn in the opposition's flesh with his breathtaking fielding. Elgar c James Taylor b Moeen Ali 20(36) [4s-3]
Moeen Ali to Elgar, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
10.3 -
Moeen Ali to Elgar, no run, very full and on the stumps, defended
10.2 -
Moeen Ali to Elgar, no run, tantalisingly flighted delivery from Moeen Ali. He also gets a bit of drift on it, Elgar though defends
10.1 -
Moeen Ali to Elgar, no run, tossed up delivery and just outside off, Elgar mistimes the drive wide of the lone slip fielder
Moeen Ali, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
9.6 -
Broad to Elgar, 1 run, zippy short delivery from Broad that follows the left-hander, Elgar though, rides on the bounce to essay the pull shot and collect a single to deep backward square leg. Elgar certainly likes to bring out the pull shot whenever he gets an opportunity
9.5 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, good length delivery that nips away after pitching, Elgar is drawn into a tentative poke and the ball snakes past the outside edge
9.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, Broad zooms it on the stumps and looks for the LBW. However, Cook turns it away to mid-wicket
9.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, FOUR, Broad bangs it short and gets good shoulder on it. Cook gets on top of the bounce and clips it past the leg-slip fielder for a boundary. He knew where the leg-slip fielder was placed and also rolled his wrists to keep it down
9.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, very full and on the stumps, Cook drives it towards mid-off
9.1 -
Broad to Elgar, 1 run, from slightly wide of the crease, Broad splays it down leg, Elgar rolls his wrists and with tippy toes, clips it to fine leg. He leisurely jogs to the other end to pick up a single
8.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, good length delivery and in that channel outside off, Cook covers his off-pole and leaves it alone
8.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Anderson tests the patience of the batsman outside off, left alone
8.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, another back of a length delivery that nips back into the right-hander to rap Cook on his pads. For the umpteenth time today, it was too high. Hands on head moment for Anderson
8.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Anderson extracts seam movement off the pitch and it nips back into the right-hander, Cook is cut into half as the ball goes through his inside edge and raps him on the pads. However, it was again high
8.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, short delivery and outside off, Cook taps it past the backward point fielder and pinches a couple of runs
8.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Anderson generates appreciable inswing on this delivery, Cook looks to defend. However, it sneaks through his inside edge. Anderson comes up with a muted appeal for LBW, but it was too high
7.6 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, Broad shifts his line to outside off, Elgar ignores
Broad is not happy with the nut. It seemed to have landed on one of the wet spots on the boundary line
7.5 -
Broad to Elgar, FOUR, Broad bangs it on a back of a length and this one is angled into the left-hander, Elgar though, rocks back quickly and pulverizes the ball with his pull shot. It rockets to the deep mid-wicket boundary in a jiffy
7.4 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, tennis ball bounce for Broad. He pitched it on a back of a length and it nipped away from the left-hander, Elgar dropped his hands at the right moment and allowed it to go through to the keeper
7.3 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, Broad pitches it on a length and then it snakes away from the left-hander, Elgar, with hawk-like eyes, watches it all the way through to the keeper
7.2 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, fullish and zeroing in on the stumps, Elgar turns it away towards mid-on. His bottom hand came off the bat handle there. Broad is again hitting the bat hard
7.1 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, from slightly wide of the crease, Broad angles it into the left-hander, Elgar gently turns it into the on-side
6.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, this one shapes back into the right-hander a touch, Cook covers his sticks and defends
6.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, the wobble ball from Anderson. He used it extensively in the Ashes 2010-11. It just about leaves the right-hander to beat the outside edge
6.4 -
Anderson to Elgar, 1 run, Anderson splays it down leg, clipped to backward square leg
6.3 -
Anderson to Elgar, 2 runs, Anderson uses the bouncer and it follows the left-hander. Elgar can't keep his pull shot down. However, it lands wide of Woakes at fine leg and Elgar picks up two runs. Anderson has tended to use the cross-seam bouncer since the 2014 series against India
6.2 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, a tad fuller and just outside off, Elgar ushers it through to the keeper
6.1 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, back of a length delivery that nips away after pitching, Elgar covers his off-pole and leaves it alone
5.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Cook greets it with a lifted bat. Broad again extracted disconcerting bounce on that delivery
5.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, fullish and this one nips back into the right-hander, Cook plants his front foot and looks to keep it out. He ekes out an inside edge back onto the pitch
5.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, well wide outside off, easy leave for the right-hander
5.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery from Broad, Cook defends it off the back foot
5.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, Broad goes for the throat-seeking bouncer. He gets good shoulder on it too. However, Cook leaps in the air and turns it away on one bounce towards FSL
5.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, from mid-crease, the Notts pacer, extracts a hint of inward-nip, Cook tries to defend off the back foot. However, he ekes out an inside edge to deep backward square leg. Good running between the wickets help the pair to add two runs to the total
4.6 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, too straight from Anderson, Elgar tucks it to square leg, but can't breach the gap
4.5 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, from wide of the crease, Anderson angles it away from the left-hander, left alone. Anderson is looking to create the angle across the left-hander to induce the outside edge
4.4 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, a bit better from Anderson as he generates a wee bit of inswing on this delivery, Elgar though covers for the movement and guards it out
4.3 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, back of a length delivery and Anderson hurls it in that one square foot window outside off, Elgar ignores
4.2 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, Anderson shifts his line to outside off, Elgar covers his sticks and lets it go by
4.1 -
Anderson to Elgar, FOUR, Anderson looks for the inswinger. However, this time around, the seam presentation was not great. It was splayed down leg, Elgar neatly clips it to the mid-wicket boundary. No need to run for those
3.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and on the stumps, defended
3.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, shortish delivery that gets big on the right-hander. Cook gets his hands out of the way and Bairstow leaps to his left to snaffle it. There is a muted appeal from behind the stumps, but to no avail
3.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, again Broad gets it to nip back in sharply, Cook does not contemplate in playing at it. It thudded into the keeper's gloves
3.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, oops! That was a brave leave from the right-hander, Broad gets it to jag back into the batsman sharply, Cook jumps in the air and then lets it go by. It was close to shaving the off-stump
3.2 -
Broad to Elgar, 1 run, a tad fuller and just outside off, Elgar rides on the bounce and plays it with soft hands to short cover and nabs a single. Good call from Elgar and Cook responded to it in kind
3.1 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, from wide of the crease, Broad again angles it into the left-hander and it straightens a wee bit after pitching, Elgar covers his off-pole and defends it into the off-side
2.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Anderson tests the middle of the pitch and keeps it in the corridor outside off, Cook ushers it through to the keeper
2.5 -
Anderson to Elgar, 1 run, too straight from Anderson, Elgar turns it away to mid-wicket for a single
2.4 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, Anderson, with subtle changes of wrists and fingers looks to test every crevice of the batsman's defence with a good length delivery, Elgar is steadfast in his back foot defence
2.3 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, good length delivery and zooming in on the stumps, Elgar stays on the back foot and defends
2.2 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, Anderson pulls his length back a bit and it leaves the left-hander, Elgar pushes at it tamely and the ball misses the outside edge by a kitten's whisker. Elgar took the bottom hand off the bat handle there
2.1 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, fuller length delivery and outside off, Elgar waves it through to the keeper
1.6 -
Broad to Elgar, 1 run, Broad bends his back and bangs it short, Elgar does not get into a good position to play the pull shot. He ekes out a top-edge towards backward square leg to collect a single
1.5 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, Broad again extracts awkward bounce on this back of a length delivery, Elgar though, humbly allows it to poodle through to the keeper
1.4 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, now, that is a nasty delivery from Broad. Pacy delivery that angles in and it nips away off the seam, Elgar is caught in the crease and is opened up in his defence. He pushes at it tamely and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Broad also extracted steep bounce on that delivery
1.3 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, short of length delivery that straightens after pitching, Elgar is opened up in his back foot defence. However, in the end, he guards it out
1.2 -
Broad to Elgar, no run, from round the wicket and wide of the crease, Broad bowls it in the channel outside off, Elgar shows the bat face to the cordon and lets it go by
1.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 1 run, Broad generates a wee bit of inswing, Cook prods forward and aims to defend. However, he ekes out an inside edge to deep backward square leg. The duo add one more run to the bag
Stuart Broad, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Anderson to Elgar, FOUR, this time, leg-stump half-volley from Anderson, Elgar rolls his wrists on the ball and flicks it to the deep mid-wicket boundary. It crashes into the ad-cushions in a hurry
0.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 1 run, fuller length delivery and just outside off, Cook taps it to cover and pinches a quick single
0.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, lovely probing line from Anderson. He gets it to in-slant and then it leaves late and away from the right-hander, Cook has a flirty poke at it and the ball whistles past the outside edge
0.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, another away-swinger from Anderson, Cook drives it back towards the bowler, who stops it in his followthrough
0.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, a hint of shape away from the right-hander, Cook is solid in his defence
0.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, FOUR, gentle loosener from Anderson, Cook gets off the mark in Test cricket with a nice flick that scurries to the deep square leg fence. He must be a relieved man after scoring a boundary off his first ball in Test cricket
Stephen Cook and Elgar are at the crease. Stephen Cook is on strike. Anderson will open the attack
England's players are in a huddle. They need someone to match Rabada's superlative effort. The hosts will hope for Elgar and Cook to string together a good opening stand
Rabada was the star performer for South Africa as he bowled with zest and vigour to pick up a seven-for and give South Africa the vital first innings lead. At the other end of the spectrum, Root, Cook and Moeen Ali cracked fifties for the tourists. However, none of them were able to convert it into big ones. Rabada has to take the credit for bowling long spells and spearheading the attack. Join us in a few minutes as South Africa will resume their second innings...
104.2 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, out Caught by D Piedt!! Morkel has picked up the last wicket to end Moeen Ali's entertaining innings. Ali looked to loft this full ball that was bowled outside off, but does not time it well and the bat turned in his hand. It goes towards Piedt stationed at sweeper cover, who snaffles a relatively easy catch. Moeen has given England a glimmer of hope of coming back into the game. Moeen Ali c D Piedt b M Morkel 61(101) [4s-11]
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
104.1 -
M Morkel to Anderson, 1 run, very full and outside off, Anderson jabs it to sweeper cover
Morne Morkel [23.0-4-72-1] is back into the attack
103.6 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, Rabada tests the middle of the pitch and bowls it down leg, Ali aims to pull and misses
103.5 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, FOUR, short and wide delivery, Ali slaps it square of the wicket on the off-side for a boundary. He got it right off the screws. Important runs this for England
103.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, short and wide, Ali aims to cut and misses
103.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, another short delivery from Rabada, Ali pulls it to deep backward square leg. But does not take a single
103.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, wide, Rabada hurls in the bouncer, Ali gets under it easily. It is called as a wide
103.2 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, fuller length delivery from Rabada, Ali drives it all along the ground to long-off, but does not take a single
103.1 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, straying down leg, Ali misses the clip and wears it on his thigh pad
102.6 -
D Piedt to Anderson, no run, Anderson again dabs it to backward point, but can't bisect the gap
102.5 -
D Piedt to Anderson, no run, tossed up delivery and outside off, Anderson pushes it to backward point
102.4 -
D Piedt to Anderson, no run, Anderson prods forward and defends this flighted ball
102.3 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, byes, 1 run, Ali tries to slog-sweep this tossed up delivery and misses. The duo collect a bye
102.2 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, FOUR, Ali was lucky there. However, he will take all the runs that comes his way. Ali premeditated to play the sweep. However, he got it off the back of the bat. Elgar went the wrong way at slip as he looked to snaffle the catch and the ball raced away to the third man boundary. If he had not moved, it would have turned out to be an easy catch
102.1 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, a hint of turn for Piedt, Ali stays on the back foot and guides it towards slip
Dane Piedt [23.0-4-74-0] is back into the attack
101.6 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 1 run, short delivery and drifting down leg, Ali pulls it to fine leg
101.5 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, FOUR, Ali reaches his fifty in style. Fuller length delivery and on the stumps, Ali thumps it past the diving fielder at mid-on and it races away to the long-on fence in a hurry. This has been a vital knock from the England all-rounder
101.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, a tad fuller and this one nips back off the seam, Ali tries to drive and it sneaks through the inside edge. The keeper does well by putting in the dive to collect it
101.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, short delivery that is bowled outside off. Rabada also got good shoulder on it, Ali thinks of pulling it. However, he wisely decides against playing that stroke at the 'nth' moment and lets it go by
101.2 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, fuller length delivery and just outside off, Ali prods half-forward and presents the full face to defend
101.1 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, back of a length delivery that slants across the left-hander, defended
Some good news as the drizzle has stopped.
100.6 -
Duminy to Anderson, no run, flatter delivery that scoots low, Anderson tries to keep it out, but he is beaten outside off
100.5 -
Duminy to Anderson, no run, Anderson goes for the slog-sweep, but misses it by a mile. It stayed a touch low too. It was so close to grazing the off-stump. Missed by a hair's breadth distance
100.4 -
Duminy to Anderson, no run, tossed up delivery and just outside off, Anderson pushes it in front of square on the off-side
100.3 -
Duminy to Anderson, FOUR, The 'Burnley Lara' showing his repertoire of shots. Shorter in length, Anderson rocks back quickly and flays the cut to sweeper cover for a boundary
100.2 -
Duminy to Anderson, no run, shorter in length, Anderson goes back to defend. He does so awkwardly
100.1 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, 1 run, flatter delivery from Duminy, Ali sweeps it to deep mid-wicket
99.6 -
Rabada to Anderson, no run, fuller length delivery and outside off, Anderson looks to keep it out and ekes out an inside edge onto his back pad and the ball got struck in his foot
It is drizzling at the moment and it has got pretty gloomy as well.
99.5 -
Rabada to Anderson, no run, splayed down leg, Anderson aims to flick and misses
99.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 1 run, fuller length delivery and just outside off, Ali drives it to mid-off, who dived and saved a run
James Anderson, left handed bat, comes to the crease
99.3 -
Rabada to Broad, out Caught by Stephen Cook!! Sensational stuff from Rabada. He has picked up another scalp. Rabada bent his back and the short delivery vroomed off the pitch. Broad tries to pull, but gets it high up on the bat. Cook at deep backward square leg takes a few steps to his left and sets under the ball to pouch the catch. Rabada has bowled with fire and aggression today. Broad c Stephen Cook b Rabada 5(18)
Rabada to Broad, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
99.2 -
Rabada to Broad, no run, very full from Rabada, Broad drives it into the off-side
99.1 -
Rabada to Broad, no run, Rabada rolls his fingers and gets it to wobble back into the left-hander, Broad defends it off the back foot. He is staying leg-side of the ball though
Kagiso Rabada [26.0-6-101-6] is back into the attack
98.6 -
Duminy to Broad, 1 run, Broad takes this one on the full and drives it to sweeper cover
98.5 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, 1 run, shorter in length, Ali stays on the back foot and cuts it to sweeper cover for an easy singe
98.4 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, Ali dances down the track and works this flatter delivery to mid-on
98.3 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, tossed up delivery and just outside off, Ali lets it go by
98.2 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, Ali camps on the back foot and looks to cut, but is beaten outside off
98.1 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, what has Amla done? He has dropped an absolute sitter. Juicy full toss from Duminy, Ali drives it straight to Amla at short-cover, but it burst through his hands and the chance goes down
Duminy will start the proceedings after tea...
We are ready to go again. Moeen Ali held England's innings together after they lost a slew of wickets. On the other hand, the South African pacers looked tired at the fag end of the second session. Can Moeen continue to hurt the Proteas? Or will we see South Africa bowl with renewed vigour and clean up the tourists quickly and take a sizeable lead?
Eventually AB turned to Duminy, who had bowled only one over in the series so far. But Duminy turned out to be the man with a golden arm as he sent Woakes back. The pitch has become quite slow and bowlers need to be patient to open the floodgates. Something which Rabada did, sticking to nagging lines. South Africa lead by a mountain. In fact, by avoiding the follow-on, England have saved AB the dilemma of deciding whether to ask England to bat again or not. The South Africans would be itching to come back and wrap it up early to get their batsmen working. Join us for the last session in a while...
Tea, day 3: An extended session due to a 45-minute rain break saw the English tail wag a bit and frustrate the hosts. While Rabada continued to impress, Morkel failed to emulate the junior pacer, allowing England to avoid the follow-on and hold the fortress for another session. Ben Stokes's flashes did not last for long but Moeen Ali survived notwithstanding a couple of nervy moments. In between, both he and Woakes took toll of the loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard moving. Gone are the days when a Protea captain did not have to search for bowlers on the field. With Abbott walking off about 40 minutes before tea, de Villiers looked short of options. What worked against him was the fact that Rabada already had bowled a longer spell and Morkel was struggling to get it right consistently.
97.6 -
D Piedt to Broad, no run, gets forward nicely, gets his legs in a tangle as he defended but survives to tea
97.5 -
D Piedt to Broad, no run, this one's on the pad and Broad push-drives it defensively into the off-side
97.4 -
D Piedt to Broad, no run, flighted delivery on off, Broad gets forward to defend it
97.3 -
D Piedt to Broad, no run, tossed up outside off, Broad shoulders arms to this
97.2 -
D Piedt to Broad, no run, turns it into the leg-side uppishly but on the bounce to Bavuma at FSL
97.1 -
D Piedt to Broad, no run, that looked close but too wide of Bavuma at FSL. Looked to lap sweep the ball, played it in the air but well wide - to the right - of the man at FSL
96.6 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, looked like he was shaping to flick but the ball didn't turn. Came back in and Ali tamely defended it back to Duminy with a 45-degree bat
96.5 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, hangs forward to meet this delivery with a straight bat
96.4 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, tossed up on off, Ali comes forward, gets on his knee and drives straight to short cover
96.3 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, 2 runs, more like it. Hangs it in the air, Ali leans forward, opens the face of the bat and drives it to the right of backward point
96.2 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, FOUR, sliding down the leg side, Ali half-turns, manages some bat and gets four runs to fine leg
96.1 -
Duminy to Broad, 1 run, hint of turn away and Broad managed to defend it off the outer half. The ball rolled to point and they rotate the strike with a very quick single
95.6 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, pushes this through and the ball went in with the angle. Ali met it with a straight bat and defended it towards backward square leg
95.5 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, lunges forward and blunts this flighted delivery on off
95.4 -
D Piedt to Broad, 1 run, more flight and the ball dips in front of Broad. He was looking for another sweep but manages an under-edge that rolls to backward square leg
95.3 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, 1 run, gets low and sweeps this full delivery. On the bounce to deep square leg and it's only a single
95.2 -
D Piedt to Broad, 1 run, steals a quick run to short mid-wicket. Was half-forward to defend it and tha ball skewed off the inner half and rolled as the batsmen cross over
95.1 -
D Piedt to Broad, no run, tossed up and angled on leg, Broad gets forward and defends it off the outer half of the bat
Dane Piedt [21.0-3-71-0] is back into the attack
94.6 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, that kept low. Too low. Ali was looking to flash it but the ball pootled to the keeper. Made its way under the bat
94.5 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, FOUR, that's sliced. Waits for an eternity, lets the ball come to him and then cuts it late wide of slip for a sumptuous boundary
94.4 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, drifts this across Ali who was looking for a leg-side flick but the ball straightens and the leading-edge rolls towards cover
94.3 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, no run, slow in pace, Ali gets forward and blocks it
94.2 -
Duminy to Broad, 1 run, greedily tossed up and it ended up being a full toss. Broad skipped out and patted it to long-off
94.1 -
Duminy to Broad, no run, slow and dipping, Broad is well forward to defend this low-bouncing ball
93.6 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, FOUR, fabulous. Morkel bowls short outside off, Ali fetches it with a pull. Kicks his front leg in the air as he swivels and dispatches the ball behind square on the leg-side
93.5 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, goes wide to create the angle in, Ali gets his bat high and uses hard hands to defend the ball towards mid-on
93.4 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, bumper that was aiming for Ali's throat. The batsman pins his back heel, swivels and then ducks to evade that
93.3 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, back of a length on the pad, Ali closes the bat face and pats it towards square leg
93.2 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, FOUR, Rabada is tired. Like really tired. Couldn't get down to stop a speeding Ali drive at mid-off and the ball just sneaked through between his compass-wide legs
93.1 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, steams in and hurls it on a fullish length, Ali defends it with a straight bat
92.6 -
Duminy to Broad, no run, flat outside off, Broad pats it into the off-side
92.5 -
Duminy to Broad, no run, sliding down the leg side, Broad turns it past FSL
Stuart Broad, left handed bat, comes to the crease
92.4 -
Duminy to Woakes, out Caught by Elgar!! There's the karma. Patted the full toss tamely last ball and he perishes this ball. To a luck that rivals Morkel's wicket-taking abilities. The ball was looped up, straightened as he looked to defend. Edge was dying down in front of the keeper. To make things worse for Woakes, the ball took de Kock's knee, ricocheted to the slip cordon and Elgar had a piece of it. A comfortable one high up and he was waiting under it like a hungry fox. Woakes c Elgar b Duminy 26(38) [4s-4]
Duminy to Woakes, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
92.3 -
Duminy to Woakes, no run, now a full toss. Talk about a buffet. Woakes wases it into the off-side. Some more intent would have helped
92.2 -
Duminy to Moeen Ali, 1 run, if not for the sweeper cover, that would have run away. Horribly dragged down, Ali slapped it well past cover but couldn't beat the man in the deep
92.1 -
Duminy to Woakes, 1 run, touch short, Woakes swipes it to long-on and crosses over
Jean-Paul Duminy, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Mexican waves around the ground as Duminy gets the ball..a slip in place. Round the wicket
91.6 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, fullish and on off, Ali nicely gets behind the line and middles the defence
91.5 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, shuffles back in his crease and lays a dead bat on this length ball delivered from over the wicket
91.4 -
M Morkel to Woakes, 1 run, back of a length delivery closer to him, Woakes open-bats the defence to deep backward point and runs to the other end
91.3 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, bends his back, gets the ball to speed off the turf and Woakes sanely opts to half-duck to avoid. de Kock flung himself high to grab that and was arched back mid-air on impact
91.2 -
M Morkel to Woakes, 2 runs, Piedt chases the ball from cover, slides and stops it to save four runs. The ball was on a length and wide, Woakes got the stretched punch off the lower half. Would have raced away if the ball pinged the middle, of course
91.1 -
M Morkel to Woakes, FOUR, that's the wheelchair shot. No feet at all. Length delivery, Woakes just used his bat to guide the punch through cover. Stand and deliver, as they say
Morne Morkel [21.0-4-57-1] is back into the attack
90.6 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, goes fuller but the bounce is short of standard again. Scoots low to the keeper as Ali leaves it
90.5 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, shortens his length and rips it to get it to turn, Ali rocks back and open-bats the defence
90.4 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, looked like a full and quick ball. Ali was half-forward, eked out an inside edge that rolls into the leg-side
90.3 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, Ali opens the face of the bat and guides the defence square of the wicket
90.2 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, tossed up on off, Ali invited forward to defend. Executes it well
90.1 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, comes in with the arm, Ali stabs it off the back foot to cover
Abbott is going off the field. He had a chat with AB and was in visible discomfort. Morris is on
89.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Woakes, no run, fullish again and swerving away really late but the line's touch wide. Woakes watches it all along and leaves it all alone
89.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Woakes, no run, full ball that doesn't get up. de Kock does the sit-up, gets low this time and collects
89.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Woakes, no run, pitched up wide of off, Woakes doesn't have a golf club and he opts to shoulder arms
89.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Woakes, no run, on the pads, Woakes clips it into the leg-side
89.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Woakes, FOUR, Abbott is getting the famous Steyn-curve but at a pace 10ks slower. Goes full, gets it to shape away. Woakes leans in to drive, couldn't quite cover the swing and the thick outside edge squirts wide of backward point
89.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Woakes, no run, goes full and gets the patented swing but the line's wide and Woakes lets it go easily
Kyle Abbott [18.0-9-32-0] is back into the attack
Abbott, the perceived workhorse, is back. Three slips..
88.6 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, tossed up on off, Ali lunges forward and defends it
88.5 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, FOUR, the Moeen skates are back out. Comes down again, gets to the pitch and wrists it through mid-on. Seemed to have dragged it off the lower half but the ball was wooded too well
88.4 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, gets forward this time and bunts the ball back
88.3 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, slows his pace this time and Ali can only see the ball turn and beat his outside edge
88.2 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, FOUR, Ali needs no second invitation. Piedt flights it, Ali skips out and tonks it over the infield to the long-on fence
88.1 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, full and flighted, Ali shuffles to leg and flicks it to mid-on
Dane Piedt [19.0-2-63-0] is back into the attack
The crowd's back in after that shower interruption. Piedt will roll his arm over...a slip and an FSL in place
87.6 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, short of length and scissoring back in off the pitch, Woakes stays back and defends it with hard hands towards cover
87.5 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, fullish outside off, swings away but takes it wider, Woakes lets it go. 137ks when he's being bowled into the ground. He did ask for one more over from de Villiers to be fair
87.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 1 run, fullish but on leg-stump, Ali half-turns and flicks it to deep square leg
Three slips in place
87.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, this length ball goes on with the angle from over the wicket, Ali gets behind the line and defends it
87.2 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, gets high and stabs the defence back to the left of Rabada
87.1 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, this one's angled across but nips in a touch, Ali is surprised and ekes out an inside edge on his thigh
86.6 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, this is wild and short outside off, Woakes leaves it easily
86.5 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, that was ugly. Problem of plenty, perhaps. Attempted bumper which doesn't rise up. Woakes was looking to duck, then gets his bat in the way and then lowered his hand to duck. The ball touched the helmet's grill and flies to the keeper
86.4 -
M Morkel to Woakes, FOUR, just back of a length and that's been punched away with swagger. Slides back and middles the ball through cover
86.3 -
M Morkel to Woakes, 2 runs, that seemed to have held in the pitch. Length delivery, Woakes looked to drive on the up. Was early and took the bottom hand off as the ball hit him high on the bat. A brace to long-off as mid-off runs back to field
86.2 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, short of length delivery lifting off the pitch. The Morkel delicacy. Woakes hops on his back foot and then pendulums his high-elbowed bat inside the line
86.1 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, full and there to be driven, Woakes plays the shot alright but finds cover-point
85.6 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, bumper just outside off, and Ali ducks to evade that
85.5 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, good length just outside off, Ali bunts it onto the pitch before it dribbled away towards cover
85.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, FOUR, shot! Opened the bat face and tapped that behind backward point, there was width on offer and hence Ali couldn't resist. It paid off though..
85.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, moving away off the seam from a good length. Ali pushes with soft hands and had it not been for those soft hands he would have been walking back to the pavilion. The outside edge died down to the right of second slip who dives and fields
85.2 -
Rabada to Woakes, 1 run, this one's around Woakes' pads who works a single down to fine leg
85.1 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, jaffa! Pitched on a good length and gets good zip off the surface. Woakes just withdrew the stroke at the last moment or might have played inside the line. Even de Kock was suprised by that delivery, hit him bang on the gloves...
84.6 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, 2 runs, fuller around off, Ali drives with laden feet. Manages to stroke it off the inside half and placed it over Woakes at the other end
84.5 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, length on Ali's hips, clipped in front of mid-wicket
84.4 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, bumper around leg-stump, Ali ducks underneath it
84.3 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, back of a length angled across, wider of off, Ali has a waft at it, missed by a long way
84.2 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, this one rose a bit extra, caught Ali inside the crease who was looking to work it through leg. Ali missed it completely and is hit around the hip
84.1 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, "Howzaaaat" screamed the Proteas in unison. But pitched outside leg and might have missed leg. Ali was surprised by the lack of bounce on this one. Fullish and aiming for the leg peg, Ali fails to tuck and is slammed low on the pad
83.6 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, good length aiming the top of off, Woakes defends watchfully
83.5 -
Rabada to Woakes, FOUR, short and Woakes had all the time in the world to place it wherever he wanted. Pulled nonchalantly in front of square on the on-side
83.4 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, curled back in from a length, Woakes stays back to block
83.3 -
Rabada to Woakes, 2 runs, back of a length outside off, Woakes punches. Ensured he got on top of the bounce and placed it wide of the cover fielder
83.2 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, on a length and outside off, Woakes leaves
83.1 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 1 run, too straight from Rabada, Ali clips square on the leg-side
82.6 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, nipped back in from a length, Woakes misses the flick and is rapped on the thigh pad
82.5 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, dropped by QDK. Short and wide, Woakes has a wild slash at it. Ekes out a thick top-edge that flies high over the keeper. de Kock leaps high and gets a hand but fails to hang on. Went with one hand as it was too far out of his reach. The ball kissed his mitts but couldn't cling on. Morkel isn't happy with the effort
82.4 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, bouncer just outside off, got some steep bounce on that. One for the over signals umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Woakes half-ducks and lets it go. Perfume ball?
82.3 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, this one shaped in too. From a length and Woakes goes deep inside the crease to block
82.2 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, nipped back in from a good length, Woakes turns it to the on-side
82.1 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, back of a length climbing into Woakes who hops and defends
Morne Morkel [18.0-3-49-1] is back into the attack
81.6 -
Rabada to Woakes, 1 run, direct-hit and Ali was gone! But it wasn't to be. Woakes pushed this length delivery towards mid-off and Moeen Ali was keen on the single. Woakes had to respond. de Villiers gets across and flings the ball at the striker's end. Missed just by a whisker. Ali would have had his heart in his mouth. Tough times!
81.5 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, nearly another one for Rabada! Good length in the corridor of uncertainty, got it to swing away late. Woakes was forward and flirting with it, lucky not to have nicked that
81.4 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, length delivery that holds its line outside off, Woakes shoulders arms
81.3 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, back of a length with a hint of nip away, the line is well wide and Woakes doesn't play at it
Chris Woakes, right handed bat, comes to the crease
81.2 -
Rabada to Stokes, out Caught by Amla!! Thank you Rabada! Thank you for proving my words right. He certainly made that talk. Not by much but still good enough to draw an edge from a dangerous-looking Stokes. Kept it on a good length and got it to wobble away a tad. The line was on and around that corridor of uncertainty, just slightly outside off. Stokes, with cemented feet, has a lazy poke and the edge flies to Amla at first slip. Snaffled at a comfortable height and England sense trouble now. Stokes c Amla b Rabada 33(29) [4s-5 6s-1]
Rabada to Stokes, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
81.1 -
Rabada to Stokes, no run, length delivery on the stumps, not much of swing, Stokes defends towards mid-on
Kagiso Rabada [22.0-6-87-5] is back into the attack
Now, they have decided to take the new ball. Rabada will be the man to make it talk
80.6 -
D Piedt to Stokes, 1 run, sliding in with the arm, Stokes nudges wide of mid-on to retain strike
80.5 -
D Piedt to Stokes, no run, darted in around middle, from a fuller length, Stokes lunges forward and blocks
80.4 -
D Piedt to Stokes, no run, flatter outside off, left alone
80.3 -
D Piedt to Stokes, SIX, that's Ben Stokes for you! That's the way he plays. Dances down the track and lifts this flighted delivery high and over long-off for a maximum
80.2 -
D Piedt to Stokes, no run, clipped towards mid-on, didn't get all of it
80.1 -
D Piedt to Stokes, FOUR, not quite short but short enough for Stokes who rocks on the back foot to muscle the pull over mid-on, couple of bounces and into the fence
The new ball is out. South Africa still don't take it though. Fancy some turn?
79.6 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, angled away from a good length, still outside off and Ali leaves
Over the wicket comes Morne...
79.5 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, "Harmless bouncer" as Bumble put it aptly on air. Angled down leg and Ali half-ducks to evade that
79.4 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, 137ks, didn't come as quick as Ali expected. Outside off from a length and Ali mistimes the push down the ground
79.3 -
M Morkel to Stokes, 1 run, leg-sidish and Stokes will put that away all day. Rises on his toes and clips it towards fine leg
79.2 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, this one held on the pitch, just a little. And that's enough for Stokes to chop the cut onto his pad
79.1 -
M Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, half-volley outside off. Stokes bends his back knee and times the pants off a forward drive, all timing and placement! Raced away through cover
Three slips as Morkel steams in from round the wicket...
78.6 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, this one's much flatter, outside off and Ali doesn't bother with it
78.5 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, this one spun and bounced. Tossed up and kicked off the surface, still doesn't make Ali play though
78.4 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, big turn on this one! Floated up just outside off and spun away from Ali, left alone to the keeper
78.3 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, shortish just outside off, punched to the left of short cover who gets across to field
78.2 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, spinning away slightly around off, blocked back to the bowler
78.1 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, lovely flight on this delivery, driven crisply to short cover
77.6 -
M Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, cannot bowl to Stokes there! To any batsman for that matter. Length delivery on the pads, Stokes gets across and whips it through mid-wicket. Timed it well and the man in the deep couldn't cut it off
77.5 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, back of a length just outside off, Stokes chops it to backward point
77.4 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, full again and this time it's driven to mid-off
77.3 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, fullish outside off, pushed to cover
77.2 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, length delivery, Stokes mistimes the punchy drive back towards the bowler
77.1 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, fuller and drivable width, Stokes times but it goes to the right of cover who puts in the dive to make a commendable stop
Morne Morkel [16.0-3-40-1] is back into the attack
The giraffe is on to bowl now. And he repeats what he'd done for most part of the day. Pulling out just when he's about to bowl
76.6 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, tossed up around off and Ali responds with a nice, forward stride
Place yourself on a comfy sofa, preferably with a cuppa coffee. The play is about to resume. A crucial hour of play beckons. Piedt will continue with a slip in place
13:54 Local Time, 11:54 GMT, 17:24 IST: The news is that, the play will resume in around 25 minutes from now. Local time 14:15. The second session has been extended by 30 minutes. So, tea will be taken at 15:40 local.
The covers are coming off now meaning we should be back soon...
13:42 Local Time, 11:42 GMT, 17:12 IST: Well! Here comes some good news! The rain has stopped. Don't get too excited. It will and should take some time for play to resume. Why? Because the groundstaff have a bit of job to do. Cleaning up, mopping up. Call it whatever you want...Meanwhile, Sydney Thunder have won their first ever BBL title
Don't worry folks! Looking for some T20 action? Sydney Thunder need 24 from 16 with 5 wickets in hand. Maybe be a last-over thriller I reckon. Hop tabs and follow the action from that game...
13:28 Local Time, 11:28 GMT, 16:58 IST: The rain has picked up and the umpires have decided to take the players off the field. Off go the bails and the players. The crowd are looking for some cover and at the moment it doesn't look great. The pitch is under covers now. The groundsmen, as ever, doing all the hard yards. I just got a reminder from my colleague, Bharath Ramaraj who loves his twitter account more than cricket (pun intended), "Historically, this venue has a better drainage system when compared to the rest of the grounds in South Africa."
76.5 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, Ali hangs back and defends this down the ground. It has started to drizzle...
76.4 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, lovely flight on this delivery, on the stumps. Ali is upto the task though, blocking it right under his eyes
76.3 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, tossed up around off, Ali leans forward and presents a dead-bat
76.2 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, no run, fuller on the stumps, Ali strides forward to block
76.1 -
D Piedt to Moeen Ali, FOUR, freebie! Full toss just outside off, Ali drives and ensures he got it wide of mid-off, raced away
Dane Piedt [16.0-1-48-0] is back into the attack
Piedt comes onto bowl now, replacing Abbott. Slip and a FSL in place
75.6 -
Rabada to Stokes, no run, good length on and around off, Stokes gets across to block. Manages it off the inside half towards mid-on
75.5 -
Rabada to Stokes, FOUR, errs in line this time! On the pads and Stokes is content to tickle it off his pads, way she goes into the fine leg fence. Don't bother chasing that
75.4 -
Rabada to Stokes, no run, goes wide of the crease and darts it in from a fullish length. Kept low after it went past the batsman. Not close enough to draw a stroke from Stokes
Rabada shifts to round the wicket now...
75.3 -
Rabada to Stokes, 2 runs, short again and Stokes starts his pulling dance. Managing to keep it along the ground, square on the leg-side for a couple of runs
75.2 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 3 runs, length ball sat up nicely for Ali. He hops and punches it on its head. Slotted it wide of mid-off and the giraffe (Morne Morkel) had to sprint and dive to save a run
75.1 -
Rabada to Stokes, 1 run, good length on the stumps, Stokes flicks off his pads to find the gap through mid-wicket
It is pitch-dark at the moment but the lights haven't yet come on. There's some rain around but let's hope it will stay away..
74.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, kept low! The same old story. Two-paced surface? Fullish and drifted into Ali's pads who manages to turn it towards square leg
74.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, this one is around sixth stump line and Ali is happy to let it go
74.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, rozzer! That one was bowled at 132 ks. But don't look at the pace when he nearly produced the outside edge of Ali. Angled in and then straightened to beat Ali's groping edge outside off. Ali had no clue!
74.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, length and a hint of width on offer, Ali punches gently only to find point who moves switly to his left to stop
74.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, slightly short and around off, punched back to the bowler
Three slips in place now...
74.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, curled in from a good length, Ali tucks and finds the man at mid-wicket
73.6 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 1 run, targetting the stumps is Rabada and Ali picks him through square leg for a single
73.5 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, bumper just outside off, Ali lets it go
73.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, fuller again and this one's driven to mid-off
73.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, fullish around off, Ali drives with a closed bat face to mid-on
73.2 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, angled away outside off, left alone to the keeper
73.1 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, the dangerman sprints into bowl and straightaway he (nearly) produces a wicket. Angled across from a fuller length around off. Ali was trying to tuck it wide of mid-wicket but was hurried on the stroke. Ended up checking the shot and the ball landed well short of a forward diving mid-on. Nearly Rabada, nearly!
72.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, no run, bouncer just outside off, came back in with the angle too. Stokes tries to ramp it over the cordon but the extra bounce beat him
72.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, FOUR, full and asking to be driven down the ground. Stokes acknowledges as he places the stroke through Abbott's legs, raced away
72.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, no run, on the stumps, Stokes presents the full face of the bat in defence, towards mid-on
72.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, 1 run, strays one onto the pads and Ali is happy to clip a single towards square leg. Temba Bavuma gets across and threatens a direct hit at the striker's end, but Stokes was home
72.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, there's the awkward bounce again! Nipped back in from a length and caught Ali inside the crease. He was trying to work it to the leg-side but missed. Gets rapped high on the thigh pad
72.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, 1 run, gentle loosener from Abbott. Bowls one on Stokes' pads which he flicks through mid-wicket
Moeen Ali, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Crikey! What was that from Rabada? No Steyn. No Philander. But see what this young man from J'burg has done to the mighty England. Elsewhere, Sydney Thunders are on course to clinch their first BBL title. What is this man up to? Usman Khawaja! Manufacturing runs at will. Kallis, the Thunder batsman, who departed a while ago will surely be happy for two reasons. One for his T20 team (that he's currently playing) and of course for his national team. Meanwhile the players are out in the middle. Moeen Ali is the new man in. Kyle Abbott will get us underway. 2 slips and a gully in place. From round the wicket...
Courtesy a 475-run first innings effort, South Africa manage to stay ahead on a 22-yard that resembles their idea of an Indian pitch - figmental seam, low bounce and aiding turn progressively. And then Piedt getting it to bite off the pitch to leave Cook all dumbstruck. England's No. 4 was consumed by Rabada with a nick back to the keeper, a dismissal type that's a recurring entry in Root's cricket passbook. Rabada then went bang-bang with two quick wickets to bag another five-for, a follow-up to the one at the Wanderers. The pitch is in moribund state and bowling die-straight can potentially sweep away teams. With Bairstow perishing, Stokes' reply and more at 13:10 local.
Lunch, Day 3: Day three, supposed to refuel the tank and accelerate the Test vehicle, has begun its job well. Four wickets fell, including that of Root and Cook, and England's perceived backbone were patiently won over after a 99-run stand. Bowling was a tough assignment yesterday but the pitch today, more obliging to their masters, intermittently woke up to take Taylor's head and then went back to sleep. South Africa lived through tight spells, litter reviews and some breathtaking shots to finally see Cook's back, courtesy a Morkel snorter that changed his spell from mediocre to spectacular. The batsman fell well short of his ton and the much anticipated 10,000-run mark but not before he had toughed out the early hours.
71.6 -
Rabada to Bairstow, out Caught by de Kock!! You beauty, Rabada, this man is on fire. Back to back fifers for KG. He has sent back the keeper. As I had said the pressure was on the new man coming in and he departs without troubling the scorers. Rolled his fingers on this short of a good length delivery and by the time Bairstow withdrew his bat out of the line, the ball had kissed his glove on its way to the keeper. With that wicket, it will be lunch on day 3. Bairstow c de Kock b Rabada 0(3)
Rabada to Bairstow, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
71.5 -
Rabada to Bairstow, no run, back of a length and on off, Bairstow prefers to stay back and defend
71.4 -
Rabada to Bairstow, no run, short of a good length and on the stumps, Bairstow defends it from the crease
Jonny Bairstow, right handed bat, comes to the crease
71.3 -
Rabada to James Taylor, out Caught by de Kock!! And there is the bouncer. That short leg was playing in Taylor's mind and he did not want to defend the bouncer. Went for the mighty pull on the bumper outside off and got a thick under edge. Everyone heard it and the umpire acknowledged the appeal. However, Taylor confirmed with his partner once again who told him that he edged it and he continued his long walk back to the pavilion. What a wicket just before lunch. Pressure on the new man out of the hutch. James Taylor c de Kock b Rabada 14(46) [4s-2]
Rabada to James Taylor, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
71.2 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, length delivery and outside off, Taylor gets bat and pad together and defends it with ease
One short leg has been brought in. Bouncer coming up?
71.1 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, length delivery and on off, Taylor presses across and softly defends it back to the bowler
70.6 -
D Piedt to Stokes, no run, tossed up delivery and on the stumps, Stokes flicks it to mid-on
70.5 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, 1 run, uses the feet to smother the spin, wrists the drive to long-on for a single
70.4 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, goes a touch fuller this time, the ball continues to turn, Taylor gets a little stride forward and bunts it down the pitch
70.3 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, flatter delivery but skids on with turn, Taylor is watchful in back foot defence
70.2 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, this one turned a lot but Taylor was well behind it and defended it with ease
70.1 -
D Piedt to Stokes, 1 run, flatter delivery and Stokes accounts for the turn, cuts it to sweeper cover to get off the mark
Dane Piedt [15.0-1-46-0] is back into the attack
69.6 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, back of a length and outside off, Taylor is watchful and lets it go
69.5 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, some extra bounce outside off from a length and it troubles Taylor, he takes the bottom hand of the bat to compensate for the bounce. Nonetheless, it had him hurried for sure
69.4 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, on a length and outside off, Taylor presses forward and across to blunt it towards cover
69.3 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, short of a good length delivery and Taylor stays behind to defend it
69.2 -
Rabada to Stokes, leg byes, 1 run, slips this one on the hips of Stokes and he does not get bat on the tuck, the ball rolls away behind square of his thigh pad and they sneak in a run
Ben Stokes, left handed bat, comes to the crease
69.1 -
Rabada to Root, out Caught by de Kock!! Rabada is chuffed to bits and why should not he be? He has got the big fish. He has got the better of Root, probing lines outside off and Root gets outdone by it. Root thought he had the length delivery covered on the defence but the ball just nipped away a touch to kiss the outside edge of the blade. de Kock behind the stumps made no mistake and England have lost a set batsman. Root c de Kock b Rabada 76(128) [4s-11]
Rabada to Root, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
68.6 -
Elgar to Root, 1 run, flighted again and Root taps it gently to cover to retain the strike for the next over
68.5 -
Elgar to James Taylor, 1 run, too full for the off-drive, Taylor jams it to long-off for a single
68.4 -
Elgar to Root, 1 run, full toss this time, Root flays the drive straight to Morkel at sweeper cover
68.3 -
Elgar to Root, no run, loopy delivery and on middle and off, Root dead bats it
68.2 -
Elgar to Root, no run, tossed up and on the stumps, driven back to the bowler
68.1 -
Elgar to Root, no run, flighted delivery and on off, Root pushes it to short cover
67.6 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, better from Rabada, bowls it full and on the stumps, Taylor push-drives it to mid-on
67.5 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, length delivery and outside off, Taylor guards it out from the crease
67.4 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, not in control of the pull shot but it falls in no-man's land, there were two fielders in the deep but it did not carry to either of those, Root sneaks in a single in the meantime
67.3 -
Rabada to Root, no run, beaten by the lack of bounce. Fuller length and outside off, Root went for the drive and the ball sneaked under his bat, keeper collected it at ankle height
67.2 -
Rabada to Root, no run, redux of the previous delivery, Root repeats the action, this time with a softer blade though
67.1 -
Rabada to Root, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Root stays behind and punches to backward point
66.6 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, full toss again, overcooked the flight perhaps, Taylor drives it to mid-on
66.5 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, slower outside off, Taylor shuffles across to defend, gets an inside edge onto his pad
66.4 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, low full toss and Taylor misses out, drives it straight to the fielder at mid-on
66.3 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, extra bounce for Elgar as well, pitched outside off and jumped in to Taylor who did well to fence it towards cover point
66.2 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, gives this one a lot of flight, Taylor uses his feet to smother the spin and defends it back to the bowler
66.1 -
Elgar to Root, 1 run, bowls it flat outside off and Root steers it to backward point for a single
Dean Elgar [2.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack
So now time for Elgar to roll his arm over. Will that arm turn out to be golden? One slip for him
65.6 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, and this time KG brings in off the seam, Taylor is beaten by the movment and the bounce. Wears it on his abdomen area
65.5 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, was there some away movement? Might have been because Taylor adjusted his defence on this length delivery to get it towards mid-off
65.4 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, dangled down the leg-side, Taylor does not get any bat on the flick and the keeper does the formality
65.3 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, touch fuller than the previous delivery, Taylor presses across and defends it down the pitch
65.2 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, length delivery and outside off, that kept coming in with the angle and Taylor withdrew his bat at the last moment
65.1 -
Rabada to James Taylor, 2 runs, Rabada slips it on the pads of Taylor and he flicks it behind square on the on-side, good running to complete a couple
Kagiso Rabada [16.0-4-73-2] is back into the attack
64.6 -
D Piedt to Root, FOUR, great shot from Root, driving against the turn is a top art. Gets to the pitch of the delivery by using his feet and drives it through extra cover, creamed it
64.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, flatter and a quicker one, Root manages to tuck it to square leg
64.4 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, 1 run, tossed up delivery and Taylor push-drives it to long-on
64.3 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, touch short and Root pulls it behind square on the on-side for a single
64.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, it was a similar delivery and Root once again attempted the lap sweep, missed and de Kock moved to his left to snaffle it, the Proteas appealed in unison and Dharmasena raised his finger. Root reviwed it straightaway and the decision was overturned
Root has reviewed a caught behind appeal given against him. Front foot is fine, lack of evidence from the first angle, even the second one does not suggest Root got any bat on it. Nothing on UltraEdge as well. Root knew he had not touched it and the third umpire is going to conform with him for sure. And Dharmasena's decision is overturned
64.1 -
D Piedt to Root, 2 runs, flatter delivery, Root gets back low and moves across, laps past behind the keeper for a couple
Piedt is seen making some changes in the field
63.6 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, better from Taylor, gets right behind this short of a good length delivery and defends it down the pitch
63.5 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, the ball nips in off the seam and hits Taylor in the box who was trying to get forward in defence. Must have hurt
63.4 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, trying to strangle him down the leg-side, does not succeed and the keeper moves to his left to collect
63.3 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, short delivery and a good one, Taylor drops his gloves but keeps his eyes on the bumper before letting it go
63.2 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, short delivery and well outside off, Taylor decides to go for the pull, does not get any bat on it. Fetching the pull from outside off in Test cricket? A strange idea from Taylor
63.1 -
M Morkel to Root, 1 run, touch straight from Morkel, Root mistimes the clip to mid-wicket and takes a single
62.6 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, quicker delivery and on the stumps once again, Taylor stays in the crease and defends
62.5 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, short delivery but it skids onto Taylor, he was trying to pull it, the ball kept a bit low but he managed to get it towards mid-wicket, de Villiers ran back and prevented a single
62.4 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, beaten by the flight once again, manages to play this tossed up delivery to short mid-wicket
62.3 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, FOUR, sounds of "catch it" but it is over the fielder at mid-on, used his feet this time, got to the pitch of the delivery and lofted it over mid-on, a couple of bounces and the ball races away
62.2 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, tossed up delivery and Root brings out the sweep, gets it to the man stationed at deep backward square leg
62.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, pushed through on the stumps, Root waits back and turns to mid-wicket
61.6 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, off the shoulder of the bat but Taylor did well to take his bottom hand of the bat. Once again gets an awkward bounce and the ball rolls to the slip cordon
61.5 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, Morkel hurls this one at back of a length, Taylor stays inside the crease and defends
61.4 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, could have left it easily, but reaches out for a length delivery and fences it into the off-side
61.3 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, the trigger movement was on the front foot and the ball just rose a lot more than he expected. Taylor thought he would compensate for the bounce by jumping, ducked at the last moment. Looked pretty ugly this time
61.2 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, similar lines from Morkel, Taylor repeats the action
61.1 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, fuller length and on the stumps, Taylor drives to mid-on
60.6 -
D Piedt to Root, FOUR, Root gets a four but Piedt will think it's his victory, forced Root to go for the sweep, which he connected well to get past FSL. The ball raced through backward square leg after beating the man in the ring
60.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, beaten by the turn this time, used his feet but did not get to the pitch, the ball turned and hit him on the pad
60.4 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, Root stays back in the crease and turns this flatter delivery into the on-side
60.3 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, 1 run, Taylor uses his feet to get to the pitch and work it towards mid-wicket
60.2 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, flighted delivery and Root swung at it, was beaten in the flight for sure, it was not far away from a leaping mid-wicket, the ball rolls away to deep mid-wicket
60.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, tossed up and on the stumps, Root turns it to mid-wicket
59.6 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, short delivery and well outside off, Taylor is not interested in that one
59.5 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, half-volley once again, this time Taylor checks the drive, good work by de Villiers at mid-off
59.4 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, back of a length delivery outside off, Taylor lifts his bat and lets it go through to the keeper
59.3 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, FOUR, gift for Taylor, gets a half-volley outside off and drives it straight past mid-off to get off the mark with a four
James Taylor, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Drinks are on the field now. Just before the drinks break, South Africa have succeeded in removing Cook. Now, that should lift the sagging spirits in the South African camp. Morkel was the successful bowler on that occasion. Until then Root and Cook were largely untroubled at the crease.
59.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, out Caught by de Kock!! From that time, Morkel was looking to land it on a length and then get it to nip away from England's captain to induce the outside edge. He finally succeeds in his endeavour and makes the first incision of the day. This one was hurled on a good length and then it nipped away from the left-hander, Cook was not expecting it to seam away off the surface. He got himself caught in the crease and slightly closed his bat face. Eventually, he pushed at the ball and the keeper snaffled it. Cook c de Kock b M Morkel 76(186) [4s-11]
M Morkel to Cook, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
59.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, wide, well wide of off, left alone. The umpire rightly calls it as a wide
59.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, fuller length delivery and outside off, Cook drives it to mid-off
58.6 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, flatter delivery and on the stumps, Root pushes it back towards the bowler
58.5 -
D Piedt to Cook, 1 run, Piedt drags this one down, Cook cuts it to sweeper cover
58.4 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, a hint of turn away from the left-hander, Cook lets it go by
58.3 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, flighted ball from Piedt, Cook drives it to short cover
58.2 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, Root tucks this tossed up delivery to mid-wicket for a single. If de Villiers at mid-wicket had collected the ball cleanly, Cook might have found himself in trouble at the striker's end
58.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, tossed up delivery and just outside off, driven to cover
57.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, down the leg-side from Morkel, left alone and de Kock does well to move to his left and does so quickly to gather
57.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, Morkel dishes out a huge appeal for LBW. It might have been sliding down leg there. from wide of the crease, Morkel gets it to jag back off the seam and it stayed a touch low. Cook jumped in the air as he looked to defend. However, he was rapped on the pads. On replays, it showed that it was just brushing top of leg-stump
57.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, well, this time, Morkel hurls it outside off, Cook is not interested in playing at it. He needs to make the batsman play
57.3 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, from round the wicket, Morkel bowls it well outside off, easy leave for the batsman
57.2 -
M Morkel to Root, 1 run, Morkel again creates sharp angle into the right-hander, Root looks to drive and gets an inside edge to fine leg to pick up a single
57.1 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, oops! That would have hurt. Length delivery that angles back into the right-hander, Root aimed to drive and eked out an inside edge onto the inside part of his knee. Now, that would have hurt
Twice Morkel runs up to bowl. However, just when he was in his delivery stride, he lost his run, so runs back to rebowl. We have seen that a few times today
56.6 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, a hint of turn for Piedt, Cook stockades it into the pitch off the front foot
56.5 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, sharp turn and bounce for Piedt, Cook is surprised by it. He pokes at it and is beaten. The keeper did well to collect the ball cleanly there
56.4 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, Cook comes well-forward to keep it out
56.3 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, tossed up delivery and just outside off, defended off the front foot
56.2 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, slightly shorter in length, Root flicks it past Bavuma at FSL to collect a single. The bowler shouts to Bavuma to pouch the catch, but he had no chance there
56.1 -
D Piedt to Cook, 1 run, shorter in length, Cook flays the cut to sweeper cover and leisurely jogs to the other end for a single
Dane Piedt [10.0-1-23-0] is back into the attack
55.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, 1 leg bye, Morkel has certainly lost his radar. He again splays it down leg. Cook misses out with the tuck and the pair pinch a leg-bye
55.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, FOUR, Morkel again drifts it down the leg-side, Cook gets a tickle on it. It runs away past de Kock, who dived to his right, but to no avail
55.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, Morkel pulls his length back, Cook turns it in front of square on the on-side
55.3 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, fuller length delivery and just outside off, Cook drives it back to mid-off
55.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, a wasted review by South Africa there. Morkel strays it down the leg-side, Cook aims to flick it around the corner and missed. Morkel burst out a loud appeal for a strangle down the leg-side. He then convinced de Villiers to take the review. However, on review it was clear that it had missed Cook's bat by 9-10 inches with the keeper diving to his right to snaffle it. Cook should be careful though, as his head has tended to fall across in this series
South Africa have gone up for a review for a strangle down the leg-side. The front foot is fine. It has missed the bat by 9-10 inches, I reckon. There was no noise either. A wasted review and rightly Cook survives
55.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, from round the wicket and wide of the crease, Morkel hits a fullish length and on the stumps. It kept a touch low. Cook though, blunts it
Morne Morkel [11.0-2-29-0] is back into the attack
54.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, a hint of shape back into the right-hander, Root closes the bat face and drives it to mid-on
54.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, back of a length delivery that angles back into the right-hander, Root dead-bats it
54.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, a hint of shape away from the right-hander, Root hoists his bat above his shoulder and lets it go by
54.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, from mid-crease, Kyle Abbott hits a fullish length, Root aims to drive and ekes out an inside edge in front of square on the on-side. Root aimed to drive it through the line and that did not help his cause
54.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, 1 run, a touch too straight from Kyle Abbott, Cook turns this length delivery to pick up an easy single to mid-wicket
54.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, Kyle Abbott slants it across the left-hander, Cook pats it to cover
53.6 -
Rabada to Root, FOUR, Root has ushered in a slew of glorious punches. Again a touch of width on offer, Root stands tall to punch it through the backward point region. No need to run for those
53.5 -
Rabada to Root, no run, Root pushes this length delivery to point
53.4 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, too straight from Rabada, Cook clips it to mid-wicket
53.3 -
Rabada to Root, 3 runs, Root is certainly in prime form. He reaches his fifty in style with a fine shot. Back of a length delivery and outside off, Root rides on the bounce and punches it right off the screws past the backward point fielder. Piedt gives the chase and hauls it back with a slide. The duo pinch three runs
53.2 -
Rabada to Root, FOUR, a bit of width on offer, Root stands tall in the crease and punches it past the diving backward point fielder (Bavuma). It runs away to the boundary boards
53.1 -
Rabada to Root, FOUR, Root just about escaped there. Length delivery and in that channel outside off, Root looked to play a half-hearted punch and eked out an outside edge. Duminy at gully stretched his left-hand out, but couldn't pouch onto the catch. It flew to the third man fence in a hurry
52.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, this time, it surely hit a crack as it jagged off the seam appreciably, Cook pushed at it and was beaten outside off
52.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and just outside off, Cook gets on top of the bounce and defends
52.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, Kyle Abbott continues to zoom it on the stumps. He is looking to trap Cook is front. However, Cook comes half-forward and defends. It might have hit a crack there
52.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, a tad fuller and it stops on Cook. Cook plays it too early and gets a leading edge. However, it lands just in front of Kyle Abbott
52.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, this one swung late into the batsman, Cook though is steadfast in his defence
52.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, straying down leg, Cook tucks it to square leg, but can't breach the gap as Duminy covers good ground to make a diving stop
51.6 -
Rabada to Root, no run, Rabada hurls in the short delivery, Root is hurried onto his pull shot. It hits him high up on the bat. However, it goes on one bounce to the fielder at mid-wicket. Rabada has that uncanny ability to test the batsman with a surprise bouncer. He did that even in the Under-19 World Cup against Australia, when he prised out Matthew Short with a well-directed bouncer
51.5 -
Rabada to Root, no run, length delivery that stays low, Root does not contemplate in playing at it
51.4 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 leg bye, Rabada spears it down leg, Cook tries to clip it around the corner and the duo steal a leg-bye
It is drizzling at the ground. Hopefully, it will clear soon.
51.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, too straight from Rabada, Cook clips it neatly to mid-on
51.2 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and just outside off, Cook adjusts for the angle and then defends it towards cover
51.1 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, Rabada slants it across the left-hander, Cook comes forward and tries to defend. He ekes out an inside edge into the on-side
50.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, FOUR, Root gets width to swing it hard. He goes up and over backward point with his cut shot and it scurries to the fence in a hurry
50.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, Kyle Abbott bends his back and hits Root's willow hard. Root aims to defend and ekes out an inside edge behind square on the on-side
50.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, a tad fuller and this one scoots low through to the keeper. However, as it was well outside off, left alone
50.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Root drives it to mid-on
50.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, Kyle Abbott keeps it in that channel outside off, Root shows the bat face to the cordon and waves it off
50.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, FOUR, the first loose ball of the morning from South Africa. It was a half-volley bowled by Kyle Abbott. Root takes a heavy toll of it, by essaying the drive. He opened the bat face there and that helped him to place it square of the wicket on the off-side for a boundary. He shifted his weight superbly too
Dharmasena is not happy with the ball. The fourth umpire is out with a box full of balls. After a bit of deliberation, the umpires have selected another one. Maybe the ball that has just been replaced landed on a few wet spots beyond the boundary rope. South Africa will hope that the ball that has been changed will do a bit more. Meanwhile, Root is having a bit of attention from the physio. He was hit on the index finger by Rabada.
49.6 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, back of a length delivery that jags back in sharply, Root aims to turn it away into the on-side. However, it hits Root hard on his bottom hand. He picks up a single to backward square leg
49.5 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, fuller length delivery that nips away a touch from the left-hander, Cook mistimes the drive to mid-on and picks up the first run of the morning
49.4 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, Rabada shifts his line to outside off, Cook greets it with a lifted bat
49.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, still England have not scored a single run today. A tad fuller and slanting across the left-hander, Cook drives it solidly down the ground. Rabada though, dives in his followthrough and saves a few runs
49.2 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, from close to the stumps, Rabada hits the bat hard with a back of a length delivery. Cook tries to turn it into the on-side and gets a soft leading edge towards cover
49.1 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, back of a length delivery from Rabada, Cook rides on the bounce and blunts it into the off-side
48.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, back of a length delivery and just outside off, Root steers it towards gully on one bounce
48.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, back of a length delivery that straightens a wee bit after pitching, Root is opened up a bit in his defence. He gets a soft leading edge back down the pitch
48.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, Kyle Abbott continues to join the dots by hitting it on a good length and angling it into the right-hander, Root drives it back towards the bowler
48.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, good length delivery that angles back into the right-hander, Root drives it all along the carpet towards mid-off
There are two slips and a gully in place
48.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, length delivery and just outside off, Root camps on the back foot and defends
48.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, fuller length delivery and on the stumps, Root pushes it to mid-on
47.6 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, back of a length delivery that stays a touch low, Cook though, is able to keep it out
47.5 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, Rabada goes slightly wide of the crease to create a nice angle across Cook. However, Cook is solid in his back foot defence
47.4 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, just behind a good length and in that probing channel outside off, Cook presents the full face of the blade to defend
47.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, back of a length delivery that slants across the left-hander, Cook stands tall in the crease and pushes it straight down the ground
47.2 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, Rabada drifts it down the leg-side, Cook, by rolling his wrists, flicks it towards mid-wicket, but can't bisect the gap
47.1 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, from mid-crease, Rabada slants it across the left-hander, Cook stays inside the crease and defends
Kagiso Rabada [12.0-2-55-2] is back into the attack
46.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, a tad fuller that straightens a bit after pitching, Root defends it with soft hands
46.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, more signs of uneven bounce as Abbott targets the stumps. It keeps low, but Root is able to keep it out
46.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Root camps on the back foot and defends
Oops! Root pulled out very late with Abbott in his delivery stride. It feels as if someone moved and Root lost his concentration. Abbott even bowled the delivery, but by then Root had moved away
46.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, Kyle Abbott extracts extra bounce on this back of a length delivery and bowls it in the channel outside off, Root leaves it untouched
46.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, length delivery that angles into the right-hander, Root defends
46.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, Kyle Abbott straightaway gets it to nip away from the right-hander, Root pokes at it tentatively before withdrawing his bat. He is beaten outside off
Kyle Abbott has the nut in his hand. We are ready to go...
The players have made their way out to the middle. It is overcast at the moment. The South African camp won't mind that. AB de Villiers is having a few final words to say to his team. Both Cook and Root are wearing black armbands in memory of Jack Bannister who passed away yesterday.
Weather update: It was drizzling for a few minutes. However, the good news is that it seems to have stopped for now.
The Centurion track is known for cracking up as the game progresses. Compton's dismissal perhaps gives an inkling that a few cracks have already developed. It rained overnight in Centurion. Hopefully, it will stay away and we can have an engrossing day of Test cricket.
For the tourists, Ben Stokes bowled probing spells to tighten the screws and snaffle a four-for. Broad and Moeen Ali chipped in with two each. Kagiso Rabada exposed Alex Hales's porous defence and prised him out. Nick Compton was done in by a delivery that scooted through to trap him in front. Root and Cook though, exuded command for most part of the last hour to guide them to safety. Remember, Cook is just 50 runs short of becoming the first Englishman to amass 10,000 runs in Tests.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock's free-wheeling century proved to be the dominant figure in South Africa's first innings. de Kock's innings was replete with ferocious cuts and pulls. England would rue that they let de Kock off the hook by dropping a couple of chances. de Kock was well supported by Dane Piedt, who frustrated the opposition camp with steadfast defence. In fact, the hosts rallied on the 82-run stand between de Kock and Piedt after Stuart Broad and James Anderson had made inroads on Day 2.
Day 3: In a game full of twists and turns, England made a strong reply after South Africa aggregated a substantial total. Alastair Cook showed placid calmness and rotated the strike. His partner at the other end, Joe Root, survived a few anxious moments against Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel to remain unbeaten on 31. Hello and welcome to the crucial third day's play of the Centurion Test.
The pitch has started to keep a bit low and Piedt is extracting some turn off it. He looked fairly potent against the left-hander Cook and was close to sending him back on a number of occasions. The English captain was much more comfortable against the quicks but struggled to judge Piedt both off his hands and the pitch. Root, on the other hand, too had his moments, couple of his edges did not carry to the slips. But it is more like a double-edged sword, the edges might not carry but the same low-keeping deliveries can produce lbws if kept on the stumps. England still have a long way to go. The day has completely gone to South Africa but English batsmen have fought to keep the interest alive in the match. Join us tomorrow at 10:30 local for what is expected to be an enthralling third day. For now, it's bye from us!
Stumps, Day 2: Typical English cricket on display. They certainly know how to please the purists. With their backs against the wall after the loss of Hales and Compton, who ran out of luck, England turned to old guard Cook and the young blood of Joe Root to help them come out of the predicament. And the duo did not disappoint, They blocked themselves out of trouble. In between, there were moments when edges did not carry or flew past the infield. But in the end, England ended the day only two down.
45.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, no drama when Cook's there. The quintessential and sane collector. Angled in ball, Cook stays back and closes the bat face in defence. And that will be stumps on day 2
Last ball of the day coming up. Odds on a drama?
45.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, full and ducking in a touch after pitching, Cook lifts his bat and lets it go
45.4 -
M Morkel to Root, 1 run, full and straight, looking to take down the pad. Root is quick to flick his wrists and clip the ball to mid-on for a harey single
45.3 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, stays back to this length delivery and pats it into the cover region
Three slips for this last over..
45.2 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, spreads his feet apart and defends this length delivery below his eye-line
45.1 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, atypical fullish length from Morkel, Root gets forward and defends it
Last over of the day and Morkel will have the honours
44.6 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, looked like an intended dipping full toss, Cook blocks it back employing a straight bat
44.5 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, slid back and across to tap the ball to cover. Ran through as Bavuma hurried to the ball and attempted a run out at the bowler's end. Root way too quick against the wayward throw
44.4 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, this short ball is pretty and sat up. Cook spindles across in his crease and then middles the pull to backward square leg
44.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, lovely bouncer from over the wicket. Well directed and heading for Cook's throat. Cook intended to fend it off but then belatedly dropped his hands and swayed out of the way
44.2 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, veering in again, Root bends forward and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single
44.1 -
Rabada to Root, no run, down the leg-side, Root turns to tickle but misses
44.1 -
Rabada to Root, wide, Dharmasena signals one bouncer for the over. Repeated that action far too many times than required. Too high a bouncer, Root gets his back parallel to the ground as he crouched under this high bouncer
43.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, wild bumper down the leg-side. Cook kingpins his back heel, hauls his front leg in the air and swivels to avoid that
Actually the lights are on. The broadcasters never updated us
43.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, gets a good front foot stride and defends the length ball back to a dejected Morkel
It looks murky out there. No artificial lights as of now
43.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, full and wide of off, Cook watches the ball being gloved by de Kock
Umpire has a point with Morkel. Perhaps that he's flirting with the line there
43.3 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, hopped back in his crease and defends it towards cover
43.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, FOUR, that's the surprise of the day. Minutes before stumps and Cook just presents the full face of the bat and pushes the ball through the vacant mid-on region. On this outfield and pinged against Cook's bat, the ball sped off
43.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, fullish ball in the channel, Cook holds his bat close to his pad, opens the face a touch and defends it towards cover-point
Morne Morkel [9.0-2-24-0] is back into the attack
42.6 -
Rabada to Root, no run, the shorter height means that Root has to be all airy fairy to meet short of length deliveries. Rabada dishes one out and Root plays the punchy air-borne defence into the off-side
42.5 -
Rabada to Root, no run, stays deep inside his crease and taps this full ball on its head
42.4 -
Rabada to Root, no run, another one wide, Root steers it to gully
42.3 -
Rabada to Root, no run, short of length outside off, Root turns it with an open bat face towards the gully region. 150.6 ks that. How can you be this quick at the fag end of the day?
42.2 -
Rabada to Root, no run, left a huge pad-bat gap as he stayed put and protracted his hands to defends it this length ball. The inside edge ricocheted on his pad. Could have been worse if the bat-pad gap was breached
42.1 -
Rabada to Root, no run, full delivery on the fifth stump, Root leans forward and carves out a drive. No intention whatsoever to place it past mid-off. Ticking-the-time-to-stumps drive that
Kagiso Rabada [10.0-1-51-2] is back into the attack
There's a man sleeping in the grass banks and his evil neighbours have encircled him with a beer-glass snake. Hehe
41.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, full and crying to be driven. Cook chased the width with a nice front foot lean, middled the cover drive but couldn't pierce cover
41.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, hurled on a fuller length. Looked like Kyle Abbott had bent his back on that one. Cook was upto it and came forward to blunt any aberration on that ball
41.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, sane fullish delivery on off, Cook comes forward and defends it like an ideal batsman would
41.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length ball on off and middle, Cook blocks it back to Abbott
41.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, Kyle Abbott lets out a quizzical "phhfft" as Cook was nearly strangled down the leg-side. Already been out twice to those deliveries in this series. Length delivery angled down, Cook turned but thankfully couldn't connect the glance
41.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length and on off, Cook high-elbows the defence towards a straightish mid-on
Round the wicket to Cook now. Two slips and a gully in place still
40.6 -
Elgar to Cook, 1 run, manages to finally get one past backward square leg. Down the leg-side, Cook swivels more and guides this past the fielder to retain the strike
40.5 -
Elgar to Cook, no run, into the pads but not short, Cook meets it off the back foot and tucks it into the leg-side
40.4 -
Elgar to Cook, no run, goes fuller and drive-defends back to the bowler
40.3 -
Elgar to Cook, FOUR, if the ball is dropped short, Cook will consume it. That's what the Royalty dishes him out on High Tea. The ball stayed low but it was dragged down, Cook swiveled and pulled it to deep square leg. As easy as pie these for Cook
40.2 -
Elgar to Cook, no run, comes nicely forward and taps the ball back on its head
40.1 -
Elgar to Cook, no run, full and airy, Cook gets forward and clips it to short mid-wicket
39.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, back of a length and Root stays back, opens the face of the bat and tapped it to gully in defence
39.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, another one that stays low but Root was half-forward this time and kept it out
39.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, inside edge? The appeal died midway there and yes, a thick inside edge on the pad. Stayed back to this fullish ball. Was actually on his toes to meet that. Ball stayed low, like it's done all day long, an inside edge on the pad and the ball rolls away
39.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, fullish in the channel and it refused to bounce. Kept low and de Kock stooped to collect that. A gentle reminder that it's only day two
39.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, smidgen full and closer to Root this time who comes forward and middles the defence back to Kyle Abbott
Two slips and a gully in place
39.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, patented full length outside off with some late away swing, Root lifts his bat and lets it go
38.6 -
Elgar to Cook, no run, gets forward and defends this flighted delivery into the off-side
38.5 -
Elgar to Root, 1 run, on the pads, Root clips it gently to mid-on where a floppy-hatted Cook puts in a slide to field that
38.4 -
Elgar to Cook, 1 run, slider. Unintended because there's no turn for him. Cook flays it to sweeper cover and runs through
38.3 -
Elgar to Cook, no run, gets it straighter and on the pad to make up for the width last time, Cook stoops and turns it to FSL
38.2 -
Elgar to Root, 1 run, greedily tosses it up. So much that it ends up being a full toss. Root comes forward and drives it along the carpet to long-off for a jog-along single
38.1 -
Elgar to Cook, 1 run, slides it across Cook who gets the width to flash. Sweeper cover cuts off that shot and keeps it to a single
Dean Elgar, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
Piedt has done enough from this end. Time for Elgar to tweak his arm..from round the wicket
37.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, fullish outside off, Root gets a stride forward, opens the bat face and guides the defence to point
37.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, goes fuller and Root comes forward, drives but couldn't pinch a hole through cover
37.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, again meets this length delivery off the back foot but more so defensively
37.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, FOUR, rockets himself in the air, arches his back on the ball's impact and places the open-batted punch through cover for a delicious boundary
37.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, on the pads and nudged into the leg-side
37.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, edged but it dies down quickly in front of second slip. Elgar grabbed the ball and tossed it up in the air to mock celebrations. Length delivery, harmlessly yawning outside off invited a tentative defence. Edged and it wasn't to be
Kyle Abbott [8.0-3-13-0] is back into the attack
36.6 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, the line's straight and the trajectory's flat, Root just arches forward and wrists the ball to mid-on
36.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, gets forward and defends it firmly down the pitch
36.4 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, in the air and Bavuma at short leg has made it tough for himself here. Whenever the ball's in the air, there are shouts of "catch it!". That was at least two feet wide from Bavuma who could only see it get grounded. Was turned round uppishly but couldn't effect a miracle
36.3 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, drags back his length Root skids back deep to middle the defence
36.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, leg-sidish line and Root stays back and clips it but straight to mid-on
36.1 -
D Piedt to Root, 2 runs, comes down the track and takes the ball on the full, drives it with an open blade through point
35.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, slightly short and Cook mistimes the back foot punch to cover
35.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, Bavuma cannot catch everything. He isn't Superman. This ball nipped in and took a thick inside edge onto the pad. Too high and wooded to invite an LBW appeal. But the ball ricocheted off the pads and fell a yard short of Bavuma running in from point
35.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, swings in from a length but only after Cook had let it pass by him
35.3 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, some are staying low and some are roaring up. More streaky than a Game of Thrones episode. Width there made it into an easy leave
35.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, just stayed there and poked his hands out in defence. The ball skewed the inside edge and scooted to short mid-wicket
35.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, slides back, closes the bat face and defends this length ball into the leg-side
34.6 -
D Piedt to Cook, 1 run, gets forward to compensate for his error and pushes the ball. Off the middle and to sweeper cover for an intended single this time
34.5 -
D Piedt to Cook, 2 runs, and that turn now has made Cook tentative. Wasn't quite forward and eked out an outside edge. Not quite the prodigious turn but the lack of a front foot stride beating him there. Sped past the slip and to the third man for a brace
34.4 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, there's the turn. Tossed it up, the ball dipped and turned away viciously. Like it should on day 5. Beaten by a mile
34.3 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, flighted delivery on off, Cook defends it to backward point with an open blade
34.2 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, looped up on a fuller length and straightening, Cook cuts but ends up looking ugly. Too close and de Kock let out a sharp appeal only to not be supported
34.1 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, uses his long leg to plonk his front foot and defends it towards extra cover
33.6 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, speared into the pads, Root nudges it into the leg-side
33.5 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, this stayed low too. Root was well forward to it and was hunched to compensate for the lateral movement. But there's none. Instead stays low and takes the bottom edge to bury itself near his boot
33.4 -
M Morkel to Root, FOUR, short and wide, Root makes a grimacing pace as he cuts this pacy delivery past point. Off to the fences in a flash
33.3 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, length ball on the pads. Looked like it bounced higher than anticipated. Can't rule that out when Morkel's bowling. Takes his bottom hand off as he staves it towards FSL
33.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, 1 run, half-spindles in his crease and helps this full delivery on the pads to backward square leg
33.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, angled in but Cook makes them look so easy. Was back but well aware of his stumps. Lifts his bat and then watches the ball go past him
32.6 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, shortish and turning into Root slowly who waits on his back foot and nudges it towards square leg
32.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, comes down the track and drives uppishly. On the bounce to extra cover
32.4 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, sounds of "catch it" as Root was looking to turn this flat delivery round the corner. It was dug into the pitch and reached Bavuma at FSL only on the bounce
32.3 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, skips down the pitch and clips the ball to mid-wicket
32.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, gets forward and clips the ball to backward square leg
32.1 -
D Piedt to Root, FOUR, short ball and it deserved it. Tripe. Gets low and swings his arm to pull that through square leg
31.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, fullish and ducking in, Cook's bat face says hello to the slips as he ignores the ball
31.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, stays put and crosses his hand in front of his body. Taps the ball to mid-on looking all awkward
31.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, length outside off, Cook airlifts his bat and lets it go
31.3 -
M Morkel to Root, 1 run, veering into the pads, Root tucks it to backward square leg
31.2 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, nearly. Bowls it full and gets to straighten off the pitch. Root was hopping to defend it, the ball stays low and the edge off the lower part falls tantalizingly short of the keeper. de Kock dived to his right with his hand stuck out but it bounced just in front
31.1 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, short with width, Root wafts it but straight to fielder at backward point
30.6 -
D Piedt to Cook, FOUR, brings up the hundred for England and his 47th Test fifty. This was floated wide of off, Cook got the opportunity to open the bat face and placed the back foot punch wide of a leaping extra cover
30.5 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, full and Cook drives only to be beaten by a diving stop at cover
30.4 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, drags it a touch short and Cook rocked back and whipped it. Can't beat Bavuma Circle of Magic
30.3 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, flighted much fuller, Cook was waiting on his front foot to ease it back
30.2 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, floated up, Cook came forward and middled the defence into the off-side
30.1 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, drags his back leg towards leg and flicks this drifter past mid-wicket
29.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, struck on the pad but it looked high. Scissored in from back of a length, Cook was beaten on the flick and was rapped above the knee roll. The appeal died as everyone noted a thick inside edge on the pad
29.5 -
M Morkel to Root, 1 run, speared into the pads, Root hunches, flicks the ball tad uppishly and gets a single to fine leg
29.4 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, pitched up wide of off and unthreateningly stuck to its linear trajectory, safely left
29.3 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, kicks his front leg out and in front as Root gets behind this length ball and defends it
29.2 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, goes fuller and looks dangerous. Close to off and Root had to lift his bat high up to evade that
29.1 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, full but seaming away making the ball tripe and wide. Easy lift of the bat
Morne Morkel [5.0-1-17-0] is back into the attack
Two slips for Morkel
28.6 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, Piedt goes full and flat, Cook defends it off the toe-end as the ball rolls towards point
28.5 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, gets his bat down in a hurry and bunts this flighted delivery back down the pitch
28.4 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, gets forward and pushes this ball to cover
28.3 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, tentatively came forward, the ball arrowed in with the angle and an inside edge was effected. Flew low to the left of Bavuma at short leg who turned around to hound the ball back
28.2 -
D Piedt to Cook, FOUR, veering down on the ideal length to sweep, Cook gets low and brooms it away to the deep backward square leg fence
28.1 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, tossed up on middle, Cook stoops to defend it back
One slip and an FSL as Piedt continues..
Before drinks, there was a man waiting on the boundary with a plate of cookies. Now that makes me want to be a Test cricketer. Flaying drives and munching on delicacies every hour.
Drinks are on the field now. A good hour of cricket, South Africa were lucky to see the back of Compton, who was looking good. On the other hand, Cook has looked solid so far and a lot depends on the current pair on the field
27.6 -
Rabada to Root, FOUR, full on off and driven, not off the meat of the bat but will beat de Villiers who gave a chase from the covers
27.5 -
Rabada to Root, no run, short of a good length delivery and it comes in with the angle, Root tucks it to mid-wicket
27.4 -
Rabada to Root, no run, back of a length and on off, Root gets on his toes and defends to backward point
27.3 -
Rabada to Root, no run, tha ball nips in off the seam but only after it goes past the batsman who leaves it outside off
27.2 -
Rabada to Root, no run, fuller and on the stumps, Root turns it into the on-side, cannot find the gap though
27.1 -
Rabada to Root, no run, length delivery and outside off, Root does not bother with it
26.6 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, Piedt bowls it flat this time, Cook judges the length to perfection, goes deep in the crease and defends
26.5 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, Cook gets a big stride forward and defends this flighted delivery
26.4 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, loopy delivery on the stumps, Cook bunts it down the pitch
26.3 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, tossed up and on off, Cook dead bats it off the front foot
26.2 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, flighted delivery and once again Cook's bat is in front of pad as he defends
26.1 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, tossed up delivery and sounds of "catch it" from the bowler as Root comes down the track to nudge it to mid-on
25.6 -
Rabada to Cook, FOUR, not that short to be pulled, but Cook saw it early and got into a nice position, pulled it well in front of square, through mid-wicket
25.5 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, round the wicket comes Rabada, angles it into Cook, who is watchful and defends it back to Rabada
25.4 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, Rabada goes a little wide outside off, Cook is happy to usher it through to the keeper
25.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, solid as a rock this time, gets behind this length delivery and defends it back to the bowler
25.2 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, little shorter than the previous delivery, Root moves across and tucks it behind square on the on-side
25.1 -
Rabada to Root, no run, fuller length delivery and on off, Root mistimes the drive back to the bowler. The bottom hand came off his bat as he did so
24.6 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, nice technique from Cook, gets his bat in front of pad on this tossed up delivery and dead bats it
24.5 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, a lot of air on this delivery, Cook defends it towards point
24.4 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, flighted delivery this time, Cook comes forward and defends
24.3 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, tossed up delivery and Root clips it to mid-wicket for a single
24.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, touch short delivery and Root pulls it in the air, fell short of backward square leg though
24.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, tossed up delivery and Root flicks it to short mid-wicket
23.6 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, short of a good length and just outside off, Root pushes it softly to cover and gets off the mark
23.5 -
Rabada to Root, no run, and the ball keeps low from around the same length, Root was left poking at it and it missed the edge of his bat
23.4 -
Rabada to Root, no run, and now Rabada is getting bounce from the same length, Root leaves it on this occasion as well
23.3 -
Rabada to Root, no run, back of a length outside off, Root hoists his bat and lets it go
Joe Root, right handed bat, comes to the crease
23.2 -
Rabada to Compton, out Lbw!! Previously on a few occasions the ball had kept a bit low and I mentioned that it will be a concern for England. This time the lack of bounce devours Compton, nothing special with the delivery, came in with the angle after pitching on a short of good length, Compton did not get his bat down in time as it kept low. Hit him right in front, Rabada appealed and the umpire raised his finger. Compton was dejected and why won't he be? He did nothing wrong but the demons in the pitch got the better of him. He was so plumb that he did not even bother to review. Unfortunate dismissal from an English point of view. Compton lbw b Rabada 19(52) [4s-3]
Rabada to Compton, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
23.1 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, an innocuous one, Compton does not bother playing at it
22.6 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, tossed up delivery and Cook comes forward to defend it, gets it off the inside edge onto the pad. Luckily the ball did not lob off as Bavuma has been active at FSL today
22.5 -
D Piedt to Compton, 1 run, flighted delivery and Compton drives it to the left of mid-off for a single
22.4 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, tossed up delivery and it turned a little, Compton moved across in the crease to defend
22.3 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, flatter delivery and a quicker one, Compton goes back and defends
22.2 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, gives this one a little air, Compton turns it to to mid-wicket
22.1 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, tossed up and on the stumps, Compton defends it to Bavuma at FSL
21.6 -
Rabada to Cook, FOUR, short and enough time for Cook to rock back and pull it over mid-on with ease. He looks to be in good touch, finally some runs for the English captain
21.5 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, back of a length delivery and on off, Cook stands tall and defends
21.4 -
Rabada to Cook, FOUR, short of a good length and Cook uses the depth of the crease, clips it through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence
21.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, angled across Cook once again, this time he pushes it from the crease to cover
21.2 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, this time he has pitched it slightly closer to Cook, he defends it off the front foot
21.1 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, length delivery angled across Cook from over the wicket, Cook lets it go
Kagiso Rabada [6.0-1-33-1] is back into the attack
20.6 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, and once again the tossed up delivery is defended to Bavuma at short leg
20.5 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, almost all the deliveries in this over Bavuma has been in action, this time too Compton turns it to him
20.4 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, Piedt keeps it short and Compton stays back to turn it to Bavuma
20.3 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, tossed up on off, Compton comes forward and defends
20.2 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, slower and tossed up from Piedt, turned to FSL
20.1 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, turn on this one, Compton was looking to turn it into the on-side, succeeds but was not far away from Bavuma at short leg
Dane Piedt [1.0-0-1-0] is back into the attack
Once again the umpires are having a look at the ball. It looks fine though. Piedt is back into the attack
19.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, similar line and length from Abbott, Cook presses across and defends to cover
19.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length delivery and angling across Cook, he pushes it to cover
19.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, slanted across Cook this time and he covers his sticks and leaves it
19.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, short of a good length and on the stumps, Cook covers the line of the delivery and pushes it to mid-on
19.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Cook defends it with soft hands back to the bowler
19.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, full length delivery and outside off, Cook defends it off the front foot to cover
18.6 -
M Morkel to Compton, 2 runs, straight from Morkel once again and Compton moves across, clips it uppishly behind square. It was away from a diving Bavuma at backward square leg
18.5 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, good length delivery outside off, Compton defends it off the front foot to point
18.4 -
M Morkel to Compton, FOUR, straying in line this time and Compton moves across to clip it through mid-wicket for the second four of the over
18.3 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Compton lets it go
18.2 -
M Morkel to Compton, leg byes, too straight from Morkel and Compton misses the flick, the ball rolls off his pad to fine leg
18.1 -
M Morkel to Compton, FOUR, edged and rolls wide of third slip. It was a fuller length delivery and Compton was drawn forward to push at it, got a thick bottom edge. Luckily it rolled along the ground to third man fence
17.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, the bat turned in Cook's hand as he looked drive hard this time, the ball dribbles down to mid-on
17.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, straightened a touch, but won't trouble Cook who stood tall and punched it to mid-off
17.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, solid from Cook. Gets right behind this short of a good length delivery and bunts it down the pitch
17.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, full goes Abbott and Cook push-drives it with a full blade to mid-on
17.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, was there a little extra bounce than Cook expected? Might have been, because he hurriedly dropped this length delivery in front of cover
17.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length delivery slanted across Cook, he presses across and defends
16.6 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Compton is happy to leave
16.5 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, short and wide and Compton was eyeing the cut. Went for the shot but withdrew the bat at the last moment
16.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, 1 run, length delivery and on the stumps, Cook pushes it between the bowler and mid-on for a quick single
16.3 -
M Morkel to Compton, 1 run, that came in with the angle, a fuller length delivery this time, the ball rolls down to fine leg off the inside edge. Lucky for Compton indeed
16.2 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, back of a length and a lot of bounce on that one, the line is well outside off and that allows Compton the liberty to leave it
16.1 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, length delivery and outside off, Compton lets it go. Straightaway signals that he is not happy with something behind the bowler's arm. The question is why did not he back away?
15.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Cook moves across and tucks it to the left of Bavuma at square leg
15.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, very full from Abbott, Cook flicked it to square leg where Bavuma made a diving save
15.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, 2 runs, fuller length from Abbott, Cook presents the full face of the bat on the drive and gets it between the bowler and mid-on for a couple
15.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length delivery and nipped in once again, Cook clips it to Bavuma at mid-wicket
15.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, this time Cook is watchul in the defence and bunts this length delivery down the pitch
15.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, that has hit Cook on the abdomen, the ball nipped in off the pitch and Cook failed to get any bat on the tuck, the ball hits his fleshy part and rolls away
14.6 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, back of a length delivery and miles outside off, lifts his bat and lets it go through to the keeper
14.5 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Compton does not budge
14.4 -
M Morkel to Compton, legbyes, 2 runs, too full and on the pads of Compton, he misses to flick it away, ball pads away to the man scouting fine leg, gets a couple of leg byes
14.3 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, short of a good length and well outside off, Compton shows his bat face to the cordon and lets it go
14.2 -
M Morkel to Compton, FOUR, short delivery and the pull went between Bavuma's leg at FSL. The ball races away to deep square leg fence
14.1 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, angled into Compton this time, his bat comes down at an angle. He gets the blade in front of the pad and pushes it to mid-on
13.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, full and on off, Cook punches it back to the bowler
13.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, back of a length delivery once again, angled across the left-hander, he trusts the bounce and lets it go
13.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, 1 run, quick single stolen, fuller length from Abbott, Compton pushes it softly in front of cover. Bavuma collects and rifles the throw at the striker's end but the batsman is home
13.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, no run, nicely behind this one, gets on top of the bounce on this back of a length delivery and quells it in front of cover point
13.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, no run, that almost kissed the blade on its way to the keeper. On a length and just outside off, Compton hangs his bat at it and gets beaten. It excited the Proteas camp
13.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, no run, length delivery and outside off, Compton does not bother playing at it
Kyle Abbott [4.0-1-10-0] is back into the attack
12.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, length delivery outside off and Cook lets it go. The only thing interesting about this delivery was that de Kock gloved it above his eye level
12.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, length delivery and outside off, Cook pushes it to backward point
12.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, the tough angle from Morkel troubles Cook a little, he does well to let this one go to the keeper down the leg-side
12.3 -
M Morkel to Compton, 1 run, the ball comes in with the angle this time, Compton tucks it behind square on the on-side, he took off the bottom hand as well
12.2 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, Morkel goes full again and Compton repeats the action, does not succeed to beat the lanky pacer in his followthrough
12.1 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, fuller length from Morkel, Compton presents the full blade and drives it back to the bowler. That was hurled at 144kph
11.6 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Cook defends it back to the bowler
11.5 -
Rabada to Cook, 2 runs, short of a good length and on Cook's hips, he tucks it between square leg and mid-wicket for Bavuma to chase down
11.4 -
Rabada to Cook, FOUR, buffet for Cook and he will gorge on those, short and wide outside off, he camps on the back foot and clatters the cut through point. It raced away to fence in a jiffy
11.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, slightly fuller from Rabada, Cook presses across and defends to mid-off
11.2 -
Rabada to Compton, 1 run, back of a length delivery and on off, Compton gets on his toes and punches it to short cover for a quick single
11.1 -
Rabada to Cook, 3 runs, length delivery angled across Cook, who opens the face of the bat a little to get it in the gap at backward point. Duminy hounds it down but not before Cook had taken three
10.6 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, length delivery outside off, comes in slightly but after going past the batsman who had left it for the keeper
10.5 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, Morkel looks to exploit the low bounce and comes closer to Compton, he is solid in defence though
10.4 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, low bounce once again, actually a cause of concern for England. Length delivery and outside off, hugged the pitch on its way to the keeper
10.3 -
M Morkel to Compton, no run, short of a good length delivery and just outside off, pretty straight, Compton lets it go through to the keeper
10.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, byes, 1 run, slips this one down the leg-side once again, the keeper fails to collect it cleanly and they sneak in one extra run
10.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, Morkel comes round the wicket and dangles it down the leg-side. The low bounce on that one looked like Motera not Centurion
Morne Morkel, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
9.6 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, a little too straight from Rabada, Cook clips it off the pads to fine leg, might have got it off the thick inner part of the bat
9.5 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, Rabada comes closer to the stumps this time, Cook stays behind the line of the delivery and bunts it down the pitch
9.4 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, fuller length and the line is well outside off, Cook reaches out and defends
9.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, fuller from Rabada, Cook comes forward and defends
9.2 -
Rabada to Cook, FOUR, that is the second four of the innings for the England captain. Very full and outside off, Cook squeezes out the drive through deep backward point
9.1 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, slanted across Cook and he covers the line of the delivery, pushed to mid-off
Time for the last session's action. The players have trudged out into the centre. Here we go...
Earlier, it was tough to guess whether England were playing to get the two wickets or they were just waiting for South Africa to declare? Eventually, they managed to wrap the tail up but not before QDK, courtesy a maiden Test ton, helped the hosts post a mountain on the board. The credit must go to Piedt and Abbott as well who stayed patient and did not try to force the issue, allowing de Kock to get to his ton and then add a few quick runs. Finally in this series, the hosts have started to dominate. Will they continue to press the issue or will Cook, along with his troops, help England get out of the pickle? Join us in sometime for all the answers.
Tea, Day 2: Alex Hales's lean patch continued as England failed to see off the little over 40 minutes of play cautiously. Though, Rabada and Abbott bowled probing lines outside off, Cook and Hales, for a while, made sure that a bad session did not turn into a worse one for England. However, just when both the batsmen seemed to have successfully avoided the early jitters, Hales departed giving a dolly to Dane Piedt off Rabada.
8.6 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, turning away with some bounce, Compton stayed back and nudged it into the leg-side. That will be the sipping break. It's tea
8.5 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, flighted outside off, Compton opens the face of the bat as he met the ball. Oohs and aahs as the ball rolls square
8.4 -
D Piedt to Compton, no run, tossed up outside off, Compton clips it to mid-wicket
Batsmen have a mid-pitch chat. To ensure this is the last over before tea. Or they might be chatting about current affairs
8.3 -
D Piedt to Cook, 1 run, another one quicker than it'd be. And the line's straight. Turned into the leg-side
8.2 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, pushed through. Cook stands up and pushes into the off-side
8.1 -
D Piedt to Cook, no run, bit of turn outside off, Cook jabs the defence and squirts it off the outside half to backward point
Dane Piedt, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Piedt saved three with the dive and ABD hopes he can make something out of that confidence. One slip, silly point and short leg
7.6 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, inswinger this time. Compton was on the back foot to leave it alone. The ball cound have swung more and taken the stumps but it didn't. Compton's safe and still there. On nought off 7 balls
7.5 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, fullish and swinging away, Compton stands tall, keeps the bat close to his body and lets the ball go by
7.4 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, that's the fishy poke. Full and nips away after pitching, Compton looked dumbfounded as the ball whistled past his tentative forward push
7.3 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, that was crunched off the bat. Width and Cook pounced on it but Piedt had other plans. Dived at cover and half-stopped the ball to save three runs
7.2 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, there's the ball that Cook feeds on. On the leg-stump, Cook clips it but finds backward square leg this time
7.1 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, in-ducker on a straighter line, Cook hurriedly staves it off to mid-wicket
6.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, 1 run, swinging into Cook again but he went with the flick this time. Slanted his body to off and wristed it away to backward square
6.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, goes back to the fuller length and the ball moved in a bit. Cook had played the perfect forward defence but only for the ball to be skewed off the inner half to square leg
6.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, the length was back again but the ball was dying. Cook was hopping in the air to meet the ball but then jabbed his bat down to block the ball out
6.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, drags his length back to put the lid on these braces. Cook stands up, gets his bat in front of his chest and pats the ball back
6.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, 2 runs, this one's fuller and straighter and Cook finds the right spot for this one. Presents a straight bat and punches it down the ground for another brace
6.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, 2 runs, Cook's off-side shots can quite resemble fend-offs. Just stays inside the comfort of his crease and pushes at the ball. Pings it off the middle and it evades mid-off for a brace
5.6 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, when you bend your back, the pitch roars. Absolute zipper wide of off but the width turned the ball ordinary
5.5 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, gets a feel of the ball as he forcibly bunts a ball off the back foot to cover
5.4 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, fullish again and Compton isn't interested a bit
5.3 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, full and outside off, Compton lifts his bat and lets it go
There's a deep silly point in place
Nick Compton, right handed bat, comes to the crease
5.2 -
Rabada to Hales, out Caught by D Piedt!! How do I put that? He did employ his front leg whilst facing the last ball but decides against it on this occasion. Had his feet stuck in a blob as he looked to drive on the up. You just don't do that in whites because Test cricket is an evil vamp that punishes you hard. Ball swings away a touch, takes the outside half of the open-faced bat and settles itself into Piedt's hands at point. Hales c D Piedt b Rabada 15(14) [4s-3]
Rabada to Hales, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
5.1 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, makes use of his front leg for a change. Gets a step forward and straight-bats the defence back down the pitch
4.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, got deep inside his crease as he straightened his back and punched the defence back to Kyle Abbott
4.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length ball and going away with the angle, Cook shoulders arms to this one. That boundary has fulfilled his run-quota for the next fifteen minutes or more
4.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, jabs his hands as he pushes the ball to cover
4.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, where were you? The swing makes a late appearance. Full and swung away after Cook had let it go with a lifted bat
4.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, FOUR, that's ominous. You can count these occasions on your fingers. Full ball invites Cook forward who obliges with a push. Just an extended forward defence and the ball vroomed to the fence
4.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, full and on middle, Cook skips back and digs it out
3.6 -
Rabada to Hales, FOUR, ah, lovely. You won't see that being played that often but Tendulkar perfected it. And Hales emulated it. Xeroxed. Stood tall, pointed his elbows high as he punched it to the sweeper cover fence
3.5 -
Rabada to Hales, FOUR, short, wide and buried. Flashes at it employing a horizontal bat and ushers it to deep point
3.4 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, skids deep in his crease ignores this full ball outside off. Pie leaves these
3.3 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, full and undeviating in its trajectory. Around the fifth stump channel and Hales shoulders arms
3.2 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, not the width to free the arms but Hales goes after it. Ends up chopping this length ball to gully
3.1 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, the ball is unwished for at the moment. Decent length ball zipping off the pitch but Hales offers no shot
2.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, slightly shorter length allows Cook to stand up and play a punchy defence to short cover
2.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, takes his front leg to the pitch of the ball and ignores the ball. There hasn't been any swing as yet. Just going linear with the angle from over the wicket
2.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, this one's as full but it's wider. Cook will stare at it all day, with his bat lifted over his head
2.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, wipe-the-windshield withdrawal of bat from Cook who lets this full ball pass
2.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, full and straight, Cook eases the defence down the ground
2.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, stands tall, half-turns and tucks it length ball off his pads but straight to square leg
1.6 -
Rabada to Hales, FOUR, hurls this one full on the pads in order to make him play. And boy did he play. Timed the flick to backward square leg and ended a 9-run over on a high
1.5 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, carrot ball dangled very full outside off, Hales just hauls his slip-facing bat in belatedly to open the gate and let the ball pass
1.4 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, fullish and on off, Hales waits for it to arrive and digs it into the pitch
1.3 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, rides the bounce whilst getting high on his toes and pats the ball to cover
1.2 -
Rabada to Hales, 3 runs, delicious leg-stump half-volley, Hales can't quite do a Stephen Cook. Manages three runs to backward square leg with a flick
1.1 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, a day and half with feet up on the chair and he bends his back straightaway. Gets extra bounce on this length delivery within the stumps making Cook take his bottom hand off as he fends this to fine leg
Kagiso Rabada, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, no run, sticks to the fuller length. Something that he's known for and something that will differentiate him from the rest in this attack. The ball was wide and Hales offers no shot
0.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, no run, full and curling away outside off, Hales hoists his bat to let this go
0.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, 1 run, tries the full ball again but this zips on alright, Cook bends low and tucks it to short mid-wicket
0.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, full and straight from over the wicket, Cook hurriedly gets his bat in front of the pad and blocks it out. It stayed low to prompt such a hasty defence from Cook
0.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, a touch fuller and around off, Cook gets on his toes, closes the bat face and guides the ball towards mid-wicket
0.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Cook, no run, length ball straight in line with the stumps, Cook slides back and defends it with a high bat
Cook and Hales are at the crease. Cook is on strike. Kyle Abbott will open the attack
The action is back live and it looks bright and dry. England need 382 runs to win. The news is that Kyle Abbott won't be bowling today. 24 overs to go in the day. The bigger news is that Morne Morkel has the new ball for a change. Three slips and a leg slip in place. Round the wicket..
Twitter comment from @vijaymamnani: "@cricbuzz they need to pick 2-3 wckts before stumps". And bonus if that includes Cook's wicket because he likes camping. Loves to nail his tent across 22 yards and just choke the opposition. He is also 41 runs short of the 10K mark.
16:56 Local Time, 14:56 GMT, 20:26 IST: The latest is that the play will resume at 17:10 local. Just hoping that there's enough light to prevent the umpires from reverting to their lightmeter ritual. Abbott has a soft warmup as South Africa get ready to bowl out England. Just a reminder that play can go upto 18:04 local
Twitter comment from @suman__k: "@cricbuzz #dont understimate the power of amla and bavuma!" Well, we now want to see the power of Rabada and Morkel. Right after this rain break. And on this note, South Africa have declared. Stop the press.
16:43 Local Time, 14:43 GMT, 20:13 IST: The umpires are out there to inspect as the sun makes an appearance. Fingers crossed. I want to see a Bavuma century...err...a declaration. And some intent to win. The groundsmen spring to action as the covers are now being peeled away..
16:30 Local Time, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST: Some good news. Rain has abated. There's a lot of Twitter hate that I can spot for de Villiers and his diffident declaration (which is yet to come). I opine that people are being plain harsh. Just his second game and leading a team that hasn't won in a while. Winning is a habit for a reason. [Cliche just died a thousand deaths]. Expect him to channel his aggression into captaincy but when the team finds its feet (read: Steyn and Philander). Meanwhile, Alviro Petersen has this to say on Twitter: "We might, and i mean MUMGHT get some more cricket here this afternoon..."
16:22 Local Time, 14:22 GMT, 19:52 IST: It's still rainy and dark out there but never trust this Centurion outfield. One of the thirstiest and beastly water-gulpers across the globe. Lights, if not rain, might just prove to be the caveat
16:02 Local Time, 14:02 GMT, 19:32 IST: That's it. The big, blue demon has arrived. Not the one from the haunted hotel nearby but the covers. The drizzle looks heavier and the umpires must have reckoned that it's too dangerous to keep playing. "What if my boy slips?". Talk about football and playing in the rain. Only place where I feel that our sport is let's say not as good as theirs. Meanwhile, the square has been covered already. The play can go until 18:04 local, light permitting. Only if the balls were made of radium and the batsmen had a miner-like torchlight attached to their helmets. Definitely not going to happen in my lifetime. Rains make me funny. There, I said it.
83.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 1 run, fullish on off, Bavuma gets forward and clips the ball to mid-on. Singles aren't going to do. Is he taking the game deep? Is he Dhoni?
83.1 -
Woakes to de Kock, 1 run, width outside off, Kock swings his arms and ends up with a tamely pat to point. Long strides and those energy shakes mean a quick single is stolen
Chris Woakes [13.0-0-51-0] is back into the attack
It continues to drizzle..Woakes has the ball now for his softeners outside off. Who am I to say that? My pace is far worse...typing and bowling
82.6 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, Bavuma just opens his bat face and pats the ball. Finds backward point and de Kock has the strike for the next over. This is exciting. Much like a T20 with a purpose
82.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, pitched up outside off, Bavuma gets a stride forward and push-drives. The ball gains pace as Moeen ends up running across it from extra cover. A deepish mid-off cuts it off to stop the run
82.4 -
Broad to de Kock, leg byes, 1 run, down the leg side again but de Kock was ready. Swiveled on his knee and attempts the lap-sweep. The ball takes the pads and lobs to backward square leg
82.3 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, another one. Swings his arms, like using a slasher to cut the grass. But the ball stays low, goes under the wild swish and pootles to the keeper
82.2 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, goes fuller and outside off, de Kock tries the airy tonk, fails to connect and the ball beats the outside edge
82.1 -
Broad to de Kock, no run, swinging away and the ball turned from poor to terrible owing to the line. Wide down leg, too far for de Kock to turn and tickle
81.6 -
Anderson to de Kock, 1 run, there's at least intent now. They are throwing their bats after torturing their edges with defensive prods last session. Flays the ball hard but his extended hands aren't enough. Toe-ended to mid-off and de Kock has the strike, somehow
81.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, 1 run, this was a short ball that was perhaps higher than Bavuma's reach but this man has a jet pack. Switches it on, goes air-borne and cuts it to deep backward point
81.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, width on this length ball, Bavuma open-bats the defence to the point region
81.3 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, fuller and curling out late, Bavuma wanted a cute little steer to third man but the ball swung away more than anticipated and beat the outside edge
81.2 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, short and width provided, Bavuma cuts it again but couldn't pierce the off-side ring
81.1 -
Anderson to Bavuma, 2 runs, that's like a dress that's too expensive to be sold. Short and wide, Bavuma nails the pull. Booms it, to put it aptly but deep point plays the devil and cuts it off
80.6 -
Broad to de Kock, 2 runs, whipped uppishly off the pads to backward square for a single. A misfield there and the batsmen sneak in another one
80.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, 1 run, oh, another one that's mistimed. Knelt to play the lofted drive over mid-off, but the ball was far outside off and Bavuma could only loft it off the toe-end to an unmanned mid-off
80.4 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, full intent but robbed of all timing. Extended his hands to flay the ball through the covers. There was width but he mistimed it to cover
80.3 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, leans forward and drives this full ball back to the bowler. Not middled but skewed off the inside half
80.2 -
Broad to de Kock, 1 run, walks down the pitch and works this full ball to backward square for a single
80.1 -
Broad to de Kock, FOUR, on the pads, de Kock bends forward and places the clip through the vacant fine leg region
79.6 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length outside off, Bavuma pats it defensively to cover
79.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length outside off, Bavuma lifts his bat high and taps it into the off-side
79.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, this one has bounced. Too unpredictable at the moment. Bavuma had to take his bottom hand off as the ball shot off the pitch to jarr his bottom fingers
79.3 -
Anderson to Bavuma, FOUR, and this time his feet were in a pot. Stayed inside his crease and attempted a drive, the thin inside edge rolled periliously close to the off-stump and rolled behind to the fine leg fence. Like a bonus you get for playing a shot too well
79.2 -
Anderson to Bavuma, SIX, that's imperious. Makes up for half of the Amla disappointment. Short ball, Bavuma picks it up and short-arm jabs it up and over the deep mid-wicket fence. That ball had wings. Flew and kept flying
79.1 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, this one stayed really low. Swing in and Bavuma had to hurry his straight bat down to keep it out
James Anderson [16.0-5-33-3] is back into the attack
Quinton de Kock, left handed bat, comes to the crease
78.6 -
Broad to Amla, out Caught by Bairstow!! No. No. No. Amla perishes to nerves, a stroke so poor that my gully cricket shots would look superlative. He has chased a short and wide ball with a shuffle outside off and edged it behind. Had looked nervy all along after tea and has finally shot on his own foot. No Eden Gardens repeat, no nostalgia of the era when Amla reigned. No ton but Amla has walked after a brilliant innings on a pitch that's all but sleepy. Amla c Bairstow b Broad 96(199) [4s-11]
Broad to Amla, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
78.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, crunched but straight to Taylor! Holding reckons that the best way is to get a thick edge to third man. Yes. This was creamed. Driven right off the bat but Taylor at extra cover intercepted it again
78.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, gets his front leg across and drives this fullish ball straight to extra cover
It's drizzling..
78.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, loud appeal for a caught behind. More to put off Amla it seems. And the reviews get reset in an over and a half. Reviewed by England. Fair delivery. No noise at all. Amla had crouched, protracted his hands to fetch that ball with a cut. Looked to have missed the top-edge by an inch or so. UltraEdge confirms. Not out. And Amla can still get to that ton
78.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, there's the nerves. Length ball very wide of off, Amla gets across to fetch that and whips it towards mid-on. Not well-timed and Broad has a stare to offer
Lights are on..
78.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, full and low-bouncing ball outside off, Amla lets it go
The England players are back out. So are Amla and Bavuma. Sky stays clear, Amla's on strike and a smiling Broad has the ball. Packed off-side, no slips. "Go, earn your century" field this
Day 4, Tea: It was such a snoozefest that Kumar Dharmasena sweeps away the session-winner's trophy for his colour-rich boots. South Africa grinded, England persisted but the paltry crowd at Centurion could only yawn until something finally happened. Bavuma's stocks skyrocketed as he blocked his way to a noteworthy half-century. The pitch's a sleeping demon but it's been all but won over by this 25-year old who, in phases, showed us glimpses of South Africa's future No.3. The incumbent, Hashim Amla, looked unconquerable as ever as he is on the brink of another ton, thus corroborating his top run-getter spot this series. A little more intent with the bat could have helped, an urgent declaration would have excited but South Africa's attitude largely summarizes a team that hasn't won in a year. Judging de Villiers's captaincy too seems harsh with a half-fit Abbott being the latest addition to the long injury list. Who wants to win this Test? Who? That answer perhaps in the last session. Join us in 15 minutes..
77.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tossed up delivery and Bavuma pushes it to cover off the front foot. And with that the players will walk off for tea
77.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, this one keeps low outside off, the ball sneaks under the bat of Bavuma who was looking to push it off the back foot
77.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tossed up delivery and Bavuma defends off the front foot
77.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, flatter delivery and Bavuma wrists it to mid-wicket off the back foot
77.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, goes for the sweep again but misses, England appeal but it is more of enthusiasm than confidence, the ball had clearly pitched outside leg
77.1 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 2 runs, tossed up delivery and Bavuma sweeps it to deep backward square leg
Moeen Ali [16.0-3-58-0] is back into the attack
76.6 -
Root to Amla, no run, quicker one that skids onto Amla who flicked it to backward square leg
76.5 -
Root to Bavuma, 1 run, pushed through down leg and Bavuma sweeps it to backward square leg
76.4 -
Root to Bavuma, no run, tossed up delivery and on the stumps, Bavuma is well forward in defence
76.3 -
Root to Bavuma, no run, there was nothing great about this delivery but Bairstow remarked, "Rooty, Rooty", Bavuma was well forward to defend it
76.2 -
Root to Amla, 1 run, similar delivery but this time Amla plays it a touch late and gets it to Moeen Ali at backward square leg
76.1 -
Root to Amla, no run, flat and quick on the stumps, Amla stays in the crease and flicks it to mid-wicket
75.6 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Bavuma punches it to cover
75.5 -
Stokes to Bavuma, FOUR, beaten by the lack of bounce on this bumper, tried to roll his wrists. Eventually, he top-edged it and the ball ballooned high in the air towards fine leg, there was no one who could cut it off, and the ball rolled into the fence after a couple of bounces
75.4 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, length outside off, harmless for Bavuma, he does not bother playing at it
75.3 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, rises from a length once again, Bavuma uses the depth of the crease and gets tall to keep it out into the off-side, did well to accomodate the bounce there
75.2 -
Stokes to Bavuma, FOUR, the square leg was pushed back for this delivery but there was no fine leg, short of a good length and too straight, Bavuma moved across and glanced it fine, it raced away to the fence in a jiffy
Square leg has gone back, so there are three fielders in the deep on the on-side
75.1 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, back of a length and on off, Bavuma stands tall and drops it in front of Moeen Ali at cover
74.6 -
Root to Amla, no run, flatter delivery, Amla stays in the crease and flicks it to mid-wicket
74.5 -
Root to Amla, no run, straighter one but down the leg-side, Amla lets it go
74.4 -
Root to Amla, no run, loopy delivery and on the stumps, Amla turns it to mid-wicket
74.3 -
Root to Bavuma, 1 run, flighted delivery and outside off, Bavuma push-drives it to mid-off
74.2 -
Root to Amla, 1 run, softly works it towards mid-wicket with the turn for a single
74.1 -
Root to Amla, no run, tossed up delivery and Amla nudges it to mid-wicket
73.6 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, where did that come from? Pitched on a good length and left off the pitch, Bavuma was caught dancing on it, just managed to drop his guard and keep himself away from the line of the delivery
73.5 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, length outside off, Bavuma drives off the outer part of the bat towards gully where Anderson makes a diving save
73.4 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, almost chopped that back into the stumps, it was a length delivery and Amla was forcing it into the off-side off the back foot, the ball took a thick inside edge and rolled away to square leg
73.3 -
Stokes to Amla, FOUR, intentional from Amla, steered this length delivery between slip and gully into the third man fence. Might have been a thickish outside edge, replays will confirm soon. Replays have confirmed it was deliberate from Amla
73.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, bumper but the lack of bounce forces Amla to pull it into the ground, the ball dribbles down to mid-wicket
73.1 -
Stokes to Bavuma, 1 run, short of a good length and Bavuma moves across to tuck it to fine leg
72.6 -
Root to Bavuma, 1 run, that will be fifty for Bavuma, his second one in Test cricket. Well played, young man. It was a full toss and he mistimed the pull to fine leg but enough time to take a single
72.5 -
Root to Bavuma, no run, tossed up delivery and Bavuma defends off the front foot
72.4 -
Root to Bavuma, no run, appeal for lbw against Bavuma, but the ball pitched outside leg perhaps. Bavuma was low trying to sweep it but missed it completely
72.3 -
Root to Bavuma, no run, flighted delivery and Bavuma turns it to mid-wicket
72.2 -
Root to Amla, 1 run, flatter from Root, Amla tucks it to fine leg to get Bavuma on strike
72.1 -
Root to Amla, 2 runs, tossed up and on the stumps, Amla nudges it softly and beats a diving mid-wicket, the man in the deep tidies up and keeps it down to two
Joe Root [1.0-0-4-0] is back into the attack
Will Root uproot Amla and Bavuma's tent?
71.6 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, length delivery and outside off, Bavuma goes for the expansive on the rise drive, the ball rolls off the inside part of the bat to mid-on
71.5 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, back of a length and outside off, Bavuma taps it to backward point from the crease
71.4 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, short and below the eye level of Bavuma, who brings out the short-arm pull, the ball just dropped in front of Taylor at mid-wicket
71.3 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, well short and wide of off, Bavuma initially thought of cutting it, withdrew his bat and left it belatedly
71.2 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, very full and well outside off, Bavuma reaches out on the drive and mistimes it to Moeen Ali at cover
71.1 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, bowls it on a back of a length and the ball comes in with the angle, Amla takes off the bottom hand on the tuck and gets it behind square on the on-side
Ben Stokes [13.0-4-21-1] is back into the attack
Stokes is back into the attack. Will he produce a wicket? For England desperately need one
70.6 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, fuller length and outside off, Bavuma drives it straight to the fielder at cover
70.5 -
Woakes to Bavuma, FOUR, bumper and it did not rise enough to bother the little man, he camped back and pierced the gap between the man at fine leg and deep square leg. One short of fifty now
70.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, short of a good length delivery and Bavuma tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket
70.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, fuller length once again, the line is outside off though, Bavuma drives it to cover, where the fielder makes a little effort towards his right and prevents any run
70.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, fuller length and on the stumps, Bavuma gets a stride forward and drives it to the left of the man at mid-on
70.1 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, good length outside off, Amla comes forward and drives on the up to the left of sweeper cover
69.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, quicker one from Ali and it skids to Bavuma, he stays back and clips it to backward square leg
69.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tossed up and Bavuma defends it to mid-wicket
69.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, flighted delivery and Amla clips it to mid-wicket
69.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, flatter from Ali, Bavuma turns it to deep square leg and calls for the second run straightaway, Amla refuses and they settle for one
69.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tad short from Ali and Bavuma tried to steer it to third man, a good work by Anderson at slip prevented any run
69.1 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tossed up and on off, Bavuma bunts it down the pitch
68.6 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 1 run, length delivery and Bavuma tucks it to the right of mid-wicket, calls for a quick single and gets it easily in the end as the fielder failed to gather it on the first attempt
68.5 -
Woakes to Bavuma, FOUR, that is majestic from Bavuma, presented the full face of the bat, threaded the gap between mid-off and cover with ease. Do not bother chasing that
68.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, short of a good length and on off, Bavuma drops it in front of his eyes, the ball rolls down to short cover
68.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Bavuma defends from the crease
68.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, this one keeps low again, the line was outside off and Bavuma sandwiched it between his bat and the pitch off the bottom part of the bat, Bairstow collects on one bounce
68.1 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, length delivery outside off, Amla drives it on the up to sweeper cover
67.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, loopy delivery and on the stumps, Bavuma dead bats it into the pitch
67.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, gives a hint of air this time, Bavuma turns it towards mid-wicket with the turn
67.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, quicker and flat, Bavuma turns it into the on-side
67.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, flatter delivery from Ali, Bavuma blocks it
67.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, FOUR, overcooks the flight and gives a juicy full toss to Bavuma who opens the face of the bat on the drive to find the gap through cover, the fielder gives the chase but the ball beats him to the fence
67.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, tossed up delivery and on the stumps, Amla wrists it to mid-on
A few patches of those white fluffy clouds have started to turn dark
66.6 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, right on the money is Woakes but the ball is not doing anything. The line was on the stumps and Bavuma defended it right under his nose
66.5 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, length delivery and on off, Bavuma gets a big stride forward and defends it towards cover
66.5 -
Woakes to Amla, 2 wides, bumper and too high, Amla ducks but it is too high and Bairstow only gets his mitts to it, the ball deflects away and they sneak in one extra run
66.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, nagging lines but harmless, this was on the stumps and Amla worked it straight to the fielder at mid-wicket
66.3 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, length and on the stumps, Amla pushes it towards mid-on
66.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 1 run, this one again kept a touch low on the stumps, Bavuma has spent enough time in the middle to be wary of it, clips it to fine leg
66.1 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, short delivery and Amla gets in the line of the delivery, swivel-pulls it to deep backward square leg, looked in control of the shot
65.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, quicker from Ali, Bavuma uses the depth of the crease and turns it to backward square leg
65.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, flatter from Ali and Amla goes back to tuck it behind square on the on-side
65.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, tossed up and Bavuma swoops low, brings out the sweep and sends it to deep backward square leg for a single
65.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, pushed through outside off, Bavuma stays back and blocks it
65.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, flighted delivery and on the stumps, Bavuma flicks it to square leg
65.1 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tossed up and on the stumps, Bavuma dead bats it into the pitch
64.6 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, length delivery and comes closer to Amla, he keeps it out into the on-side
64.5 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, width and still needed to be put away. On a pitch where the bounce is not true, that is some shot to play. Got on the front foot, it was not a half-volley but Amla went with the drive and found the gap through cover with ease
64.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 1 run, similar delivery and this time Bavuma slightly closes the bat on the defence and gets it to square leg for a single
64.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, nothing special about that delivery, pitches on a length and is on the stumps, Bavuma blocks
The lead is over 300, when are the hosts going to declare?
64.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, length and on off, Bavuma is happy to bunt it down the pitch
64.1 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, length delivery and angled into Amla, he moves across and clips it to mid-wicket for an easy single
63.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, Ali keeps the line flat for the last time in the over, Bavuma presents the full blade and defends
63.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, this one kept a bit low and hurried onto Bavuma at the stumps, he watchfully defends it
63.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, flatter trajectory from Ali, Amla tucks it behind square on the on-side
63.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, skids onto Amla and he stays on the back foot and turns it into the on-side
63.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, pushed through on the stumps, Amla defends it softly
63.1 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, touch short and Bavuma rocks back and flicks it through mid-wicket
Moeen Ali [12.0-3-47-0] is back into the attack
Drinks. "Cricket is a bit slow at the moment" chirrups Holding just a couple of deliveries before the drinks break. That should tell you the story of the session so far. Nothing really happened. England are trying everything possible, but Amla looks rock solid. Much stronger than a China Wall I reckon. Meanwhile, it feels like the crowd have painted themselves in blue seats....Absolutely nothing happening you know. There is a chance of a storm tomorrow, I hope AB knows that.
62.6 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, stays firm in the crease and blocks this watchfully
62.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, on a length and just outside off, Amla blocks it to the off-side
62.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 1 run, Bumble and Mic. Holding too seem bored on air. Kept themselves busy in discussing non-cricketing stuff. "Your teeth are like stars, they come out at night" murmurs Bumble to Holding. Having fun, aren't they? Coming back to cricket, Bavuma flicks a length delivery through mid-wicket
62.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, fuller around off, Bavuma push-drives and gets it off the toe-end towards mid-on
62.2 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, loop loop, repeat repeat, good length on the stumps, blocked
62.1 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, good length on the stumps, Bavuma defends it gently, down the pitch
Chris Woakes [8.0-0-29-0] is back into the attack
Woakes comes on now. England fielders don't look energetic. Just a couple days folks and you can rest for months before some of these guys play a Test match again. One slip for Woakes as he trundles in towards a settled Bavuma...
61.6 -
Broad to Amla, no run, back of a length on the stumps, Amla turns it in front of FSL
61.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, good length on and around off, punched on its head, back towards Broad
61.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, fuller and wider of off, Amla lifts his bat and lets it go
61.3 -
Broad to Amla, FOUR, he ain't missing out on this one. Way too short for a batsman of Amla's class. He brings his rubber-esque wrists into play as he short-arm pulls over a ducking FSL. No point chasing that lads!
61.2 -
Broad to Bavuma, 1 run, dug in short, Bavuma fetches the pull around off and slots it wide of fine leg
61.1 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, fullish just outside off, Bavuma drives off the front foot and finds cover
Where is the crowd? It looks absolutely calm. No noise. C'mon Centurion, give us some noise and a couple of wickets maybe. Just to keep the match in balance. With all due respect to South Africa and their fans...
60.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, quicker around off, Amla bends forward to block
60.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, whippy wrists, flicked with soft hands towards short mid-wicket
60.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, turned this towards mid-wicket
60.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, Amla lunges forward to block this flatter delivery
60.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, similar delivery and a relatively similar stroke, another easy single
60.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, shortish on the stumps, Amla whips it towards mid-wicket and gets across for quick single. Amla was a bit slow to take off, all well in the end. No harm done!
59.6 -
Broad to Amla, 1 run, on the stumps, Amla works it towards mid-wicket to keep strike
59.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, "Dangerous stroke to play on this kind of surface" reckons HD Ackerman on air. Well said! Amla saw the length and went for a pull stroke. It was short and outside off and the ball kept low to sneak under Amla's flashing blade, lucky not to have got some bat on that. Another day, it could have easily clattered onto the stumps (off the inside edge)
59.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, tailing in again, looking for lbw Broady? Amla is a tough man, he adjusts well and flicks with soft hands towards mid-on
59.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, nipped back in a touch, at 131ks. Amla, as usual, drops it with soft hands, bottom hand came off
59.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, this one came back in, just a touch from a fuller length, Amla gets his front foot across to turn this into the on-side
59.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, no! Not the short delivery but wide enough for Amla to let that go
Stuart Broad [10.0-2-19-0] is back into the attack
Very dull phase of play this. But credit must go to the South African batsmen for coping well with the awkward bounce. Here comes Broad for another burst. Let's see if he can produce something. One slip, short cover-point and a deepish short leg in place. So, you all know what's coming...
58.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 2 runs, 50-run stand. Bavuma stoops low to this full delivery and gets the sweep fine to nab a couple of runs
58.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, Bavuma strides forward to negate the spin on this flighted delivery
58.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, fullish on off, Amla hangs back to tap it on its head through cover, easy single on offer
From round the wicket now. Same field
58.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 3 runs, quicker and outside off, a bit short in length. Bavuma executes the late-cut to perfection, goes deep inside the crease and placed it wide of backward point. Broad gives chase and saves a run
58.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tossed up around off, Bavuma prods forward in defence
58.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, no bounce whatsoever, this flatter delivery stays low outside off and hence Amla whips it nonchalantly through mid-wicket
57.6 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, length just outside off, Bavuma isn't chasing that
57.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, awkward bounce again! This one seamed in a tad and cut Bavuma into half. He left the ball on length, shouldered arms and the ball stays a touch low to hit him on the thigh
57.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, Anderson sprints hard and hits the deck hard on a good length, Bavuma though is content with a solid, forward defence
57.3 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, there's that extra zip and bounce off the surface. Back of a length drifting in on the stumps, Bavuma yanks his bottom hand off as he defends with soft hands
57.2 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, very full again, Bavuma blocks it to mid-on
57.1 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, angled in at 137ks, aiming for the base of off, Bavuma responds with a straight willow
56.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, Amla shuffles across and offers a dead-bat to this flatter delivery
56.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, Bavuma was lunging forward to defend, gets a soft outside edge which rolls wide of backward point
56.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, FOUR, not that short but Bavuma is happy to play the pull shot. Rocked back and stroked it over mid-wicket, no one in the deep and that will be four
56.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, pushed to the right of the bowler who gets across to field
56.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, FOUR, well played Bavuma! He fetched this full delivery from just outside off and swept it fine, got good wood on that and beat Woakes' dive at fine leg
56.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, quicker outside off, gently punched in the gap at cover
55.6 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, a touch wider of off, Bavuma plays with a slightly angled bat as he dabs it towards gully
55.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length on the stumps, Bavuma defends off the back foot
55.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, huge appeal from Anderson! For lbw and had it not been for that big inside edge, Bavuma would have been a goner. Good length delivery that snaked back in sharply, Bavuma was pushing it off the front foot, got an edge which slams the back pad. The umpire was spot on!
55.3 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, on the stumps, Amla nudges it off his pds towards mid-wicket
55.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, defended from the crease
55.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, too full outside off, Amla digs it towards gully
54.6 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, beaten again! This is a touch shorter but the line was straight again to beat Bavuma's back foot punch. Deceived by the dip and was not far away from kissing the outside edge
54.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, flighted up just outside off and went on straight, Bavuma was playing for the turn. He was on the front foot, trying to drive, beaten on the outside edge. Bairstow had the bails off in a flash but Bavuma went nowhere
54.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, leant forward and pushed this flatter delivery towards point
54.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 2 runs, shortish and a bit of width on offer, Bavuma goes on the back foot and punches that through cover. Hales gives chase, slides near the boundary ropes to keep it down to a double
54.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, floated outside off, Amla punches square on the off-side
54.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, flatter and well outside off, Amla knelt down to sweep, misses and is rapped on the pads. No real appeal!
Moeen Ali [8.0-3-25-0] is back into the attack
Moeen Ali for the first time in this session. Slip and a FSL in place
53.6 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, drifting around middle and leg, Amla flicks behind square to keep the strike
53.5 -
Anderson to Amla, FOUR, streaky but four. Touch fuller and outside off, Amla throws his bat on the drive, gets a thick outside edge which races wide of the slip cordon
53.4 -
Anderson to Amla, FOUR, class! Rose on his toes and played a textbook-esque back foot punch, ensured he got on top of the bounce and placed it well wide of the fielder at cover-point. Raced away!
53.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Amla stays back inside the crease to play a solid defensive stroke
53.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, there's the low bounce again! It was on a fuller length and hence Amla was tempted to offer a stroke (push/drive) off the front foot. The ball kept low and scooted under his bat, didn't carry to the keeper
53.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, better from Jimmy, pitched on a length and got some curl in late, the line though is well outside off and Amla will leave that all day long
52.6 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, this is further wide of off and Bavuma doesn't bother with it
52.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, peach! Good length and around fifth stump line, Bavuma withdraws his bat (from poking at it) and plays inside the line, missed the outside edge by a whisker
52.4 -
Broad to Amla, 1 run, full and straight from Broad, Amla wrists it wide of Anderson at mid-on and hustles for a quick single. Jimmy though aims for a direct hit at the bowler's end and misses, Amla was well in
52.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, back of a length on and around off, Amla bunts it onto the pitch, the ball dribbles away towards point
52.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, short of length wide of off, Amla plays with an open bat face as he guides this straight towards gully
52.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, outside off, left alone
51.6 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, venomous bounce again! Splice-jarring to be precise, length delivery angled in and Bavuma had to play that with soft hands. Dropped his bottom hand while doing so and that might have saved him from ekeing out an edge
51.5 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, good length outside off, patted towards point
51.4 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, drifting into the pads is Anderson, Bavuma picks him around leg-stump but finds mid-wicket with the flick
51.3 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, there's the uncertain length from Jimmy. From a good length and shaped back in around off, Bavuma was hurried and was surprised by the lack of bounce. He hops and manages to block it off the toe-end, gets a tiny bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper
51.2 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, here we go again! That low bounce, pitched slightly fuller outside off, died down before Bairstow crouched low to collect that, left alone
51.1 -
Anderson to Bavuma, no run, back of a length on the stumps, Bavuma presents the full face of the bat as he blocks it back to Anderson
50.6 -
Broad to Bavuma, 3 runs, deft! Just opened the bat face and steered it to the left of Compton at backward point who gives chase and saves a run
50.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, 130ks, looked like Bavuma had so much time to play that ball wherever he wanted. It's slowed down, the pitch. Angled in on a length, Bavuma blocks under his eyes
50.4 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, zips off the surface from a length, still outside off and Bavuma leaves
50.3 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, targetting the stumps is blonde-haired Broad and Bavuma safely tucks him towards mid-wicket
50.2 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, this one came back in, certainly off the seam, still not good enough to make Bavuma play though
50.1 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, perfect line and length from Broad, good length in the channel and Bavuma lets it go
49.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, kept low again! Fullish on and around off, Amla blocks it towards cover
49.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, this one kept low! Anderson is certainly posing challenging questions to a sedate looking Amla. He tries to force this length delivery through the off-side, gets an inside edge onto his pad
49.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, that's more like it, good length in the corridor of uncertainty, a hint of swing too, left alone to the keeper
49.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, curled in from good length, a bit too leg-sidish, Amla misses the tuck and wears it on his thigh pad
49.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, this one had that extra lift. From a length and darted in around middle and off, Amla had to hop to try and fend that down. Yet again, played with soft hands, bottom hand came off the bat while doing so
49.1 -
Anderson to Amla, 2 runs, 129ks, back of a length just around the top of off, Amla looks to tap with soft hands. Since he played that with soft hands, the ball sneaked wide of the slip cordon off the face, a double towards third man
James Anderson [11.0-3-21-3] is back into the attack
Anderson from the other end. 2 slips in place for him...
48.6 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, offers Bavuma a length to punch off the back foot, Bavuma goes for the shot but picks out Compton at backward point
48.5 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, angled in from a fullish length again, Bavuma is solid in his front foot defence
48.4 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, touch fuller outside off, Bavuma strides forward to push the ball towards point
48.3 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, beauty! Pitched this on a good length and got some shape back (off the seam) in to the right-hander. To make matters worse for Bavuma it was in the corridor of uncertainty, played inside the line. Not too far away from grazing the outside edge
48.2 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, full and targetting off, Bavuma drills the drive but baaaang goes the bails at the other end. It was dead-straight and it went onto clatter the stumps at the bowler's end
48.1 -
Broad to Bavuma, no run, pitched up outside off, Bavuma reaches out for the drive and could only get it off the toe-end. Stroked to the right of Anderson at short cover who dives and fields
Hello again! It's bright and sunny out there. We are set for action again. England players are seen moseying out to the middle. Jimmy Anderson accompanies Bavuma and Amla who stride out to the middle with a stronger intent. Looks like Broady might begin the proceedings. Yes! He will..2 slips in place. Bavuma will face the music. Off we go then...
Talking of England bowling, Anderson made the ball to talk in the first hour. He looked like the swing bowler he had been before this tour, moving it both in and away from the South African batsmen. The odd ball is keeping low but there is enough bounce on offer for the pacers. And it is bound to create doubt in the minds of the batsmen. The sun will shine bright in the second session, opening up the cracks even more. While Moeen Ali will relish exploiting those, it will only add to Cook's worry from a batting point of view. For the hosts, the only question is how much is enough here? With rain expected to intervene, will South Africa think a lead of 300 will be enough for the final innings? We shall know in a little while from now...
Lunch, day 4: It's amazing how Ben Stokes keeps pulling out tricks and rises to the occasion by breaking partnerships. After losing Stephen Cook and de Villiers to rozzers from Anderson, South Africa were steadied by Amla and Duminy. But Stokes produced a gem to send Duminy back. Duminy had until then looked good, attacking Moeen Ali straightaway to make sure that he was taken off the attack. England were already trailing by a lot and prospects of Duminy getting outfoxed by Moeen was not tempting enough for Cook to risk South Africa racking up the lead. As much as it was a match defining session, it was also a session which will give sleepless nights to AB de Villiers. It was the first ever pair for the South African captain, also his third consecutive duck in the series.
47.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, gets his elbow high, bat straight and dead-bats this back of a length ball. And that signals lunch
47.5 -
Stokes to Bavuma, 1 run, that angle in and the added inswing is troubling Bavuma. Stokes has his hands on his head as Bavuma's attempted flick ekes out an inside edge that rolls along the carpet to mid-wicket
47.4 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, in-ducker outside off, Bavuma judged it well and left it alone
47.3 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, smidges this fuller, Bavuma gets forward and push-drives to mid-off. Ali leaps to his right and cuts it off
47.2 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, wide ball back of a length, Bavuma lifts his bat and lets it go
Last over before lunch..
47.1 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, short of length ball curling in, Bavuma gets his bat high and blocks it back
46.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, flatter ball wide of off, Amla with his leg-stump exposed already finds him behind the line of this ball. Jabs his bat down and digs the ball into the pitch
46.5 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, 1 run, some width and Bavuma quickly backs away and cuts it square of the wicket for a single
46.4 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, full and flat on middle, Bavuma stretches forward and pats it back with a flick
46.3 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, on the pads, Bavuma clips it towards mid-on
A silly point in now
46.2 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, a forward defence to a flighted delivery on off
46.1 -
Moeen Ali to Bavuma, no run, tossed up and going on straight, Bavuma had his bat hidden behind his pad as he leaned to the pitch of the ball
Moeen Ali [7.0-3-24-0] is back into the attack
Time for spin to count the minutes to lunch..a slip and a leg-slip, FSL too
45.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, shortish ball with some outswing this time. Was wide but Amla respects it with a squatty duck
45.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, Amla is digging everything into the pitch and ball is just managing to evade the stumps. Rather repel. Amla gets high and brings his bat down in a hurry to bunt the ball down. It ricochets and luckily rolls towards point
45.4 -
Stokes to Bavuma, 1 run, a more confident arm-guarded Bavuma is on his toes to clip this nippy length delivery to mid-wicket
45.3 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, oh, what a way to get to your fifty! Not ideal, I should say. The ball rocketed off the pitch and Amla hid his face behind his gloves in defence. Ball struck the front glove and lobbed to the unmanned backward square leg. Amla takes his gloves off, stares at his jarred fingers and lures Bavuma into calling for an arm-guard
45.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, and now an ambitious pull. Was standing straight in his crease to fetch the ball but the ball takes the underedge and ricochets onto the ground. Could have taken the stumps but all safe
45.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, Stokes can swing the ball from any length. There, I said it. Short of length, the ball curls in and beats Amla's turn-around shot to hit him on the midriff
44.6 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, gets as high he can, holds his bat horizontally in line with his eyes and pats the shortish ball to point in defence
44.5 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, full ball, Bavuma is well forward and indeliberately slices the defence to cover-point. Hard hands perhaps
44.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, FOUR, Stokes sprints back, huffs and puffs but Bavuma wins. And so does the ball. Gets forward and places the push crisply between extra cover and mid-off for a boundary
44.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, fullish ball on and around the fifth stump, Bavuma airlifts his bat and lets it go
44.2 -
Woakes to Amla, leg byes, 1 run, everything is going under the bat. Amla hops and swipes, the ball gets under the bat-face and hits him on the front thigh. Rolls past FSL for a leg bye
44.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, Amla's one-handed defence back to the bowler. His thumb seems to be still hurting
Physio is out after that elbow blow. As the physio looks for meds in his bag, a helmet-less Bavuma holds his bat up and practices the straight-batted defence. Umpires subtly asking them to hurry up by standing in the vicinity. Okay, we are back on.
43.6 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, hooping inswing from Stokes, Bavuma stretches forward and is struck high on the pad. England have gone up for a review. Fair call. No inside edge. UltraEdge confirms. It hits him on the elbow first and then deflects on the inside thigh pad with the middle and off visible. Impact was in line but it was going just over the leg spigot. Decision stays and Bavuma survives. Looked more like a desperate intent-less appeal
43.5 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, that was ouchy. Cuts back in from a length, Bavuma hops up to make for it. Survives as the inside edge takes the top of his right thigh pad
43.4 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, back of a length ball on middle and leg, Amla jumps up, closes the bat face and bunts it into the ground. Ball runs to mid-wicket and Amla runs through
Only two slips for Amla
43.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, short ball that doesn't rise up and gets under Amla's swiveling pull. Second of the day
43.2 -
Stokes to Bavuma, 1 run, that looked like a flashy pull. Half-turns, lifts his front leg in air and pulls it uppishly over short leg for a single
43.1 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, fullish ball on off, Bavuma stands up and defends it with a high, straight bat
Three slips now
42.6 -
Woakes to Bavuma, 1 run, and he's off the mark. Overpitched on off, Bavuma makes room and squeezes the ball to cover where the diving stop is good but not good enough
42.5 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, very full ball wide of off. Bavuma reached for it with a front foot stride but the ball dipped just in front. Bavuma mistimed it back to the bowler
42.4 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, doesn't let out a forward stride but transfers his weight forward and forces the drive to cover
42.3 -
Woakes to Bavuma, no run, ah, die-straight bat to defend this ball. The perfect forward defence
42.2 -
Woakes to Amla, 3 runs, fullish ball sees Amla go back and across and bunt this ball to third man. Open-faced bat that has been a feature of his batting lately was on show again here
42.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, bouncer on the fifth stump outside off, Amla lowers his hands and half-sways to get out of the way
Amla is already the highest scorer of this series and he's just 5 short of a half-century
41.6 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, comes slower off the pitch this time and Bavuma had more time to let it go. Shoulders arms to this length delivery outside off
41.5 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, the cracks have made an appearance it seems. Late swing in and with vicious bounce, Bavuma puts in a lot of effort to lift his bat and lets it go
41.4 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, back of a length on the stumps, Bavuma closes the bat face on defence
41.3 -
Stokes to Bavuma, no run, had it been a foot closer to Bavuma, he'd in trouble. That zoomed off the pitch as Stokes bent his back, Bavuma dropped his hands and swayed away. Skull-seeking delivery is the right way to put it
Temba Bavuma, right handed bat, comes to the crease
41.2 -
Stokes to Duminy, out Caught by Bairstow!! Stokes has pulled out another one off the hat! Gets the ball within the stumps from over the wicket and angles it away on a length. Duminy runs out of the patience fuel, goes for the flashy drive and the ball swung away a tad to eke out an outside edge to the keeper. Bands are on in the stands and this wicket nails the session for England. Duminy c Bairstow b Stokes 29(64) [4s-3 6s-1]
Stokes to Duminy, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
41.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, this looked like the off-cutter. Pitched on back of a length and way outside off, it gripped and turned into Duminy who held his bat high to defend
A spattering of people in the ground today..
40.6 -
Woakes to Duminy, 1 run, another one on back of a length and Duminy swivels and tucks it to backward square
40.5 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, that was a 180-degree horizontal bat slash from Amla. Shortish ball sitting up, Amla turned inside his crease but failed to place this pull wide of fine leg
40.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, slides deep in his crease, gets his bat lower down and compensates for the low bounce on this fullish ball
40.3 -
Woakes to Duminy, 1 run, fullish delivery that Duminy looked to play towards mid-on. The ball took the inside edge and scooted to mid-wicket as Bairstow cried "Ohhhh"
40.2 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, the ball held onto the pitch for a nanosecond longer. Duminy had widened his stance to dead-bat it and ended up defending it uppishly and off the top-half
40.1 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, fullish ball within the stumps, Amla closes the bat face as he takes his bottom hand off and guides the ball to backward square
Only white clouds and blue skies at the moment..
39.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, on a length and angled across the batsman from over the wicket. Duminy lifts his bat and lets it go. Straighter and a little bit of nip in, and Duminy might be in trouble
39.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, length on off, Duminy blocks it with a baby stride forward
39.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, short ball that doesn't rise up. The angle down leg made it easy for Duminy to sink low and avoid that
39.3 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, length ball with extra bounce, Duminy meets it with a hop and a dead-defensive bat
39.2 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, this one zips up and Amla takes it on. Hauls his bat high, turns around and hooks it to deep square leg
39.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, Amla was already halfway into his swiveling pull when the ball arrived. Slowly with its bounce all robbed off as the ball made its way under the whirling bat
38.6 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, full and speared on the pads, Duminy shows the full face of the bat and pushes it down the ground. Woakes bends to his left and tips the ball away to deny any run off that
38.5 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, and..he is back to the sit-ups. Another one short and going over his head, Duminy greets it with a squat
38.4 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, fullish and angled in, Duminy stays inside the crease and blocks it with ease.
38.3 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, dwarf-like short ball near his tummy and Amla crouched to swivel-pull that to backward square leg
38.2 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, Amla nearly did a Cook there. Gutter short of length ball down leg, Amla just had to turn and tickle. Missed and the ball took the thigh pad to make a woody sound that invited that appeal. Dharmasena was unmoved
Is Amla gone? No. No review.
38.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, full and straight, Amla wrists it to mid-on
37.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, effort ball on back of a length that does just about everything. Swings in and nips away with bounce. Too many cooks spoil the broth and that's what happened. Easy leave with the width on offer. Bairstow had to leap to glove that
37.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, swung in late from a fullish length, Duminy had a forward stride to blunt it
37.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, this was banged in again but it didn't fly off the pitch. Allowed Duminy to jump in the air and middle the high-elbowed straight bat defence
37.3 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, full sucker ball that would have been ideal, say to Amla. Veering down by a distance, Duminy turns to see Bairstow collect it
37.2 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, short of words. Another one hurled short. Looked pacier than the last one and Duminy is in a duck-loop
37.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, is it the battering time for the mid-pitch already? Another bouncer angled in, Duminy ducked under it
36.6 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, bent knee and Amla had to arch his back a long way to evade this well-directed bouncer. Modest-paced but you don't take it on, on this pitch. The partnership is 51 already
36.5 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, more like it. Full ball on off that brings Amla forward to defend
36.4 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, on the leg-stump and on a length, Amla turns to glance it but is hit on the pad. Ball goes nowhere denying even a leg bye
36.3 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, the riposte is a bouncer and Amla lets his pad hug the pitch as he ducks under this
36.2 -
Woakes to Amla, FOUR, that's dispatched. With the flick of the wrists and through the covers. Stays put, protracts his hands and bullets this fullish ball to the fences
36.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, dipping full toss curling in, down the leg side and Amla half-turns and clips it into the leg-side
35.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, bends his back with a bumper. Duminy, in no mood to take that on, just sits under it
35.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, incoming ball to the left-hander this time, Duminy was late on the flick. Got hit on the thigh and the ball popped into his knee-pad gap, and then rolled onto the ground
35.4 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, back of a length ball sees Amla attempt the back foot punch. Didn't compensate for the angle in and the ball managed an inside edge that rolled to mid-wicket, allowing the single
35.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, gets one to come in from wide of the crease. Short of length, Amla jumped back in his crease and stabbed the ball in defence
35.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, a quick and short one outside off, Amla had his bat held parallel as he swayed away. Looked like he wanted to play but gave up belatedly
35.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, good run there. Stokes too went wide on the crease, the ball held its line and Duminy pushed it comfortably to mid-off. And then sprinted to the other end
34.6 -
Woakes to Duminy, 1 run, and now he's getting sucked into this angle. Woakes keeps it angled in, down the leg again and Duminy tucks it off his hips behind square and retains the strike
34.5 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, angles this one in again but it's on the pads, Duminy gets his bat down and turns it into the leg-side
34.4 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, that was a ripper. How often we see a good ball sandwiched between tripes? Goes wide, angles this in and gets it to straighten just a touch. Beaten, fair and square as Duminy looked to poke off the back foot
34.3 -
Woakes to Duminy, FOUR, short and width provided, Duminy gets on his toes, flashes his blade and cuts it brutally square past point
34.2 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, this one zipped to the keeper. Woakes had dragged the length back a touch and Duminy shoulders arms to this one
34.1 -
Woakes to Duminy, no run, there's the roller again. Hurled on a length, the ball refuses to rise. Just scoots along the ground to Bairstow. Line was wide and Duminy let it go
Chris Woakes [2.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack
What was the pace on the ball that got de Villiers? 135ks and around it must have been. Surely pace is not everything. de Villiers knows it best..at least now. Woakes has the ball and is shadow-throwing the ball on top of his mark. Two slips in place..
Drinks are on the field now. England have managed to send Cook and de Villiers back, but Amla has been able to hold one end. He is the key for South Africa, if they are to get a substantial lead from here
33.6 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, that one almost sneaked through Amla's defence as he tried to defend this back of the length delivery from the crease
33.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, back of a length this time, a pacy one hurled into Amla, who gets on his toes and defends it back to the bowler
33.4 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, similar delivery, the line is a touch wider outside off, making life easier for Amla, who drops his guard and leaves it
33.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, good bumper, the lack of bounce on it made it even more potent, Amla keeps his eye on the ball, drops his gloves and lets it go
33.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, back of a length delivery and going down the leg-side, Amla moves inside the line and leaves it
33.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, bouncer and hurled at Duminy, he looks to keep the pull into the ground by pointing the bat face down, does not succeed, the ball balloons off the top edge but falls in no-man's land at fine leg
Some talk between Stokes and Broad at the moment. Stokes is ready to go now. Two slips in place, one deepish short leg as well
32.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, gives this one a lot of air, Amla defends it off the front foot
32.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, loopy delivery and Amla stonewalls it in front of FSL
32.4 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, 1 run, uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the delivery completely, gets the flick off the inside part of the bat to backward square leg
32.3 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, tossed up delivery and Duminy defends off the inside part of the bat into the on-side
Those paddle sweeps have prompted Cook to have a leg gully for Duminy
32.2 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, FOUR, this ODI style batting is suiting Duminy, he sinks down once again and paddles it fine, the ball races away into the fine leg fence
32.1 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, tossed up delivery and Duminy blocks off the front foot
31.6 -
Stokes to Amla, FOUR, short of a good length and outside off, Amla opens the face of the bat and guides it to the square third man fence
31.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, it was in the air for some time, but did it carry to Taylor, no it did not, just fell short. Short delivery and Duminy rocked back to pull it, gets it high on the bat and the ball nearly carried to Taylor, who hurt his fingers while attempting to field it on the bounce
31.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, back of a length delivery and on off, Duminy stays on the back foot and defends
31.3 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, short of a good length and into Amla, he hops in the crease to tuck it, was early into the shot and it went uppishly towards deep mid-wicket, no damage done though
31.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, length is same, a bumper, line changes though as it is outside off, action from Amla remains the same again, ducks under it
31.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, bumper and down the leg-side, Amla sits under it
30.6 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, flighted delivery and on off, Duminy dead bats it into the pitch
30.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, now Amla sweeps and sweeps it fine, but there is a man at fine leg and he has to be content with a single
30.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tossed up delivery and on the stumps, Amla is steadfast in forward defence
30.3 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, 3 runs, flatter delivery and outside off, Duminy sinks low and paddles it fine into the on-side, big chase for Broad but he cuts it off well behind the boundary to save a run for his team
The ball actually fell into a pool in the stands. It has gotten damp and now we have a change. Frustrating for England as they had worked beautifully on the previous ball
30.2 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, SIX, what a beautiful shot from Duminy, uses his feet and flicks it against the turn after getting to the pitch. Since he was closer to the ball, the turn did not matter and the ball sailed over the cow corner fence
Round the wicket for Duminy
30.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, tossed up delivery and Amla works it with the turn into the mid-wicket region for an easy single
29.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, tad short than the previous delivery and closer to Duminy as well, he gets on his toes and defends it into the pitch
29.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, length delivery nipping in off the pitch, the line is well outside off and Duminy covers his stumps to leave it
29.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, did it keep low? Duminy indicated so, as he came forward to block this length delivery back to the bowler
29.3 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, similar lines from Stokes, Duminy pushes it to the left of backward point
29.2 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, short of a good length and hurled into Duminy, he defends it to backward point
29.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, some swing for Stokes who is coming round the wicket to Duminy, the line is well outside off and Duminy leaves it
Ben Stokes [3.0-1-6-0] is back into the attack
28.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tosses this one once again and Amla is well forward in defence
28.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tossed up delivery and Amla dead bats it
28.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, tossed up delivery and Amla looks to defend it, the ball just bounces in front of Bairstow after hitting the splice of Amla
28.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, quicker one and on the stumps, Amla turns it to mid-wicket
28.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, flighted delivery and on off, Amla defends it into the pitch
28.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, "catch it" was the call for Taylor at FSL, but there was no inside edge onto the pad as Amla tried to defend this tossed up delivery off the front foot
27.6 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, outswinger and outside off, Duminy leaves it through to the keeper
27.5 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, slightly opens the bat to accomodate the swing on this length delivery and defends it into the off-side
27.4 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, that is a courageous shot from Duminy, drives this length delivery on the up to cover. Has he forgotten that the ball is swinging miles?
27.3 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, back of a length delivery and outside off, Duminy shoulders arms
Four slips have been placed for Duminy
27.2 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, slightly fuller and straight from Anderson, Amla clips it to mid-wicket for a single
27.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, what was that appeal from Cook and Co. from the slip cordon? The ball was angled into Amla and was clearly going down the leg-side after hitting Amla on the thigh
26.6 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Ali gives this one some air and Duminy is well forward to dead bat it into the pitch
26.5 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, with a little stride across off Duminy defends this flatter delivery
26.4 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Duminy uses the feet but gets too close to the pitch of the delivery, drives it to mid-off
26.3 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, pushed through and on off, Duminy goes back and bunts it down the pitch
26.2 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, Ali tosses this one up and and Duminy gets a big stride forward to defend
26.1 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, flatter delivery and a touch short, Duminy defends off the back foot
25.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, smidgen full and on off, Amla gets a little stride forward and defends it back to the bowler
25.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, angled into Amla from a back of a length, Amla gets on his toes and defends
25.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, short of a good length and on off, Amla stands tall in the crease and defends
25.3 -
Anderson to Amla, FOUR, fuller length and well outside off, allows Amla the width to flay the cover drive, he does so elegantly and there was no chance for Taylor at cover
25.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, harmless delivery outside off, Amla is happy to leave
25.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, short of a good length delivery that comes in with the angle and hint of moving away a touch, Amla takes off the bottom hand on the defence
24.6 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, loopy delivery and on off, Duminy mistimes the drive to mid-off
24.5 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, no run, flatter and quicker on off, Duminy stays back in the crease and defends
24.4 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, FOUR, Duminy gets low and paddles this tossed up delivery fine, there is no man stationed in the deep and the ball races away to the fine leg fence
24.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, tossed up and on the middle and leg, Amla comes down the track and nudges it to the right of mid-on for a single
24.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 2 runs, flighted delivery and outside off, Amla clips it to mid-wicket for a couple
24.1 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, leg byes, 1 run, Duminy comes forward to defend this tossed up delivery which goes on with the angle, rapped on the pads and England appeal but it was going over the stumps. They steal a single in the meantime, there was a throw at the bowler's end end but Amla was in
Moeen Ali [2.0-1-1-0] is back into the attack
23.6 -
Anderson to Duminy, leg byes, 1 run, all of a sudden Anderson is getting some great inswing, this time hits Duminy on the pad and England appeal softly, the ball was going down the leg-side though, they sneak in an extra run
What happened there? Something bothered Duminy and he backed away at the last moment. Actually, a bird flew across the pitch and blocked Duminy's vision
23.5 -
Anderson to Amla, leg byes, 1 run, inswing again Amla does not get any bat on the flick and the ball rolls off his pad behind square on the leg-side
23.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, brings this one into Amla from a length and he defends softly
One more slip has been added for Duminy
23.3 -
Anderson to Duminy, 1 run, length delivery and outside off, Duminy pushes at it to get it towards cover
23.2 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, Anderson comes round the wicket and angles into Duminy, the ball pitches outside off tempting Duminy to poke at it, just when Duminy is about to push at the ball nips away to elude the bat
23.1 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, back of a length delivery outside off but rose like a bouncer, Duminy hoists his bat and leaves it
22.6 -
Broad to Amla, no run, short of a good length and well outside off, Amla shoulders arms
22.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, dangled down the leg-side, Amla misses the flick and Bairstow collects behind the stump
22.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, length delivery outside off and it keeps a touch low, Amla defends it from the crease
22.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, inswing and smidgen full, came in quite late, Amla gets down the bat in time and defends
22.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, length delivery outside off, Amla leaves it
22.2 -
Broad to Amla, wide, bumper and hurled at Amla, he ducks under it. Too high and it is called as a wide
22.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Amla lets it go
21.6 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, the ball comes in sharply, Duminy shouldered arms to leave it but it was not far away from hitting the off stick
21.5 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, length delivery outside off, Duminy leaves it
21.4 -
Anderson to Duminy, no run, length delivery on the stumps, Duminy pushes it to mid-on
Jean-Paul Duminy, left handed bat, comes to the crease
21.3 -
Anderson to de Villiers, out Lbw!! (Review part: de Villiers has reviewed an lbw decision given against him. The front foot is fine, seems to be in hitting in line. Nothing on the UltraEdge as well. I do not think there is enough evidene to overturn the decision and he has to go, the ball is crashing into the leg stick). Wicket part: What an inswinging delivery it was, came in the air and kept coming in after pitching. It would have got the better of any batsman in the world, this time it was ABD. de Villiers did nothing wrong, might have played a little late though to avoid it but it was only the second ball of his innings. Anderson appealed and started celebrating straightaway, he knew he was gone. de Villiers thought there was an inside edge, but it was not the case and Anderson has got his second wicket of the day. Third consecutive duck for the South African skipper and first ever pair for him in Tests.. de Villiers lbw b Anderson 0(2)
Anderson to de Villiers, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
de Villiers has reviewed an lbw decision given against him. The front foot is fine, seems to be in hitting in line. Nothing on the UltraEdge as well. I do not think there is enough evidene to overturn the decision and he has to go, the ball is crashing into the leg stick
21.2 -
Anderson to de Villiers, no run, length delivery and outside off, de Villiers leaves it
AB de Villiers, right handed bat, comes to the crease
21.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, out Caught by Bairstow!! The full delivery has got the better of Cook. In the last over, Amla played a similar drive but he got the line covered by getting a stride forward, Cook does not do so and the ball swings away late to get a thick edge, an easy catch for Bairstow behind the stumps. Stephen Cook c Bairstow b Anderson 25(69) [4s-4]
Anderson to Stephen Cook, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
20.6 -
Broad to Amla, FOUR, having faced 5 deliveries and blocking and leaving them, this time Amla goes for the drive on this fuller length delivery, opens the blade just a little on the drive to find the gap through cover, the ball races away to the sweeper cover fence
20.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, one length delivery followed by a fuller one has been the order of the over. Once again Broad goes full and Amla blocks it off the front foot
20.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, Broad does not bother Amla much and keeps it on a length outside off, Amla hoists his bat and lets it go
20.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, even on full deliveries Amla is seen taking the bottom hand of the bat, this time he defends this one on off with a little stride forward
20.2 -
Broad to Amla, no run, shortens the length a tad this time and goes wide of off, Amla lets it go
20.1 -
Broad to Amla, no run, full and angled into Amla, he is careful enough to not play across the line, presents the full face of the bat and defends softly
19.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, seaming in from a length but Cook is watchful and defends it towards cover, got a little stride forward this time
19.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length stuff continues and Cook does not bother venturing forward, remains in the crease and bunts it down the pitch
19.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, back of a length and on the stumps, Cook moves across and tucks it to mid-wicket
19.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, probing lines from Jimmy, beats Cook outside off, he was left poking at it from the crease, the ball straightened a bit and eluded his bat
19.2 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, similar lines from Anderson, Amla opens the blade a touch on the defence to get it towards square third man region for a single
19.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Anderson gets the ball to nip in from short of a good length, Amla defends from the crease and takes off the bottom hand while doing so
18.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, interesting stuff from Broad this time, just a touch of movement outside off and Cook was caught hanging his bat, gets beaten in the end
18.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, slightly fuller and on off, Cook opens the bat a little on the push and finds the gap through cover to get first runs of the morning
18.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, length ball from Broad once again, brings it in from outside off, Cook trusts the line and leaves it
18.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, hint of inward movement for Broad but the line is well outside off and it does not interest Cook
18.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, full and outside off, Cook reaches out on the drive and toe-ends it to the right of cover
18.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, length ball and not much movement outside off, Cook is happy to let it go
Stuart Broad [4.0-1-8-0] is back into the attack
Same field for Broad as well
17.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Amla does not budge
17.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, short of a good length and angling into Amla, he is well behind in defence. However, once again takes off the bottom hand of the bat. That injury he suffered on his right thumb yesterday is playing on his mind for sure
17.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, similar line and length from Anderson, Amla hops in the crease and defends towards point
17.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, smidgen on a length and well outside off, Amla lifts his bat and lets it go
17.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, back of a length delivery rearing into the splice area of Amla, who takes the bottom hand of the bat as he defends into the off-side
17.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, starts of a with a length ball outside off, Amla lets it go through to the keeper
Anderson will open the attack with three slips in place
Monday's effects are clearly to be seen as there is a not big crowd as compared to yesterday. Overnight batsmen Amla and Cook have walked out into the middle. England players are in a huddle.
Though there is a chance of rain spoiling things later in the day, the weather is clear at this moment. The Protea camp will definitely keep an eye on the weather. After all this hard work, the last thing they would want is rain spoiling their party
When SA came into bat for the second time, Elgar's corridor-of-uncertainty struggle was ended by Anderson whilst Amla and Cook survived a tough phase of play. It'll be a simple equation from now: The more South Africa bat, the further England will sink. So Let's hope for another classic-Test-match-cricket-day on display, just like yesterday. Chop a smidgen part of that excitement as the weather radar tells me a different story (chances of rain). Another -------marred day on the cards? Let's hope not. Live action in a little while...
Certainly, I had to make a special mention of that bloke for what he had done in this Test match so far. Yesterday was all about him. To put it aptly: He bowled his heart out. Nah! He bowled himself out indeed. Michael Holding, who was in awe of this YUNG MAAN (typical Jamaican accent) on air, couldn't resist himself from saying "Someone bring a stretcher to carry that man (Rabada) off the field." After Rabada recorded his career-best figures, England were bowled out eventually offering a 133-run lead to the Proteas and how crucial was that knock from QDK? Only time will tell. Although it was rain-marred, bad light-marred, nearly 76 overs were possible, and the spectators surely got their money's worth.
Day 4: Greetings all! With 11 needed from 6 balls in an ODI game and that too with arguably the best finisher at the crease - MS Dhoni - Where would you put your money on? Batting side or the fielding side? I'm pretty sure 8 out of 10 will go for the former. Guess what! A young lad, with fire in his belly, ran in and consumed India's skipper and Stuart Binny off successive deliveries to hand South Africa a memorable win. Yup! You got it right. It was the first of the 5-match ODI series in Kanpur held during October 2015. Much before that, Rabada also registered the best ODI bowling figures on debut (6/16 against Bangladesh on 10th July 2015). Wondering what all this Rabada-razzmatazz is about?
This pitch is no one's friend with an assortment of aberrations on offer. Ball has kicked, stayed low and jagged around to make batting tough. Totally expect this dry pitch to crack, despite rains, to aid turn as we get deeper into this Test. Piedt did get the ball to bite off the pitch today and with Moeen reenacting that later in the day, it does look gloomy for England who'll be batting last. Abbott suffered a hamstring strain to add to the injury numbers and his further participation looks iffy. In their second attempt, Protea opener in Elgar perished early to give Anderson only his fifth wicket of the series. Cook and Amla then steeled out nagging spells and injuries to see off the day that ended prematurely owing to bad light. Join us tomorrow at 10:00 local for the build-up.
Stumps, Day 3: "Someone please get a stretcher for Rabada", screamed Holding on air as the 22-year old finished with a 7-for to help his side to a 133-run lead. With little-or-no support from the other end, Rabada ran relentlessly in long spells, at times separated by 3 overs, and Broad'd his way to a pocketful of wickets. Attack-leader Morkel, who was held back early in the day, had provided the all important breakthrough by sending Cook back with a tripe-sandwiched scorcher to unlock the floodgates. Rabada then ran in to send Root, Taylor and Bairstow in a hurry and extended his efforts into the afternoon session to get to his career-best figures. Cook, Root and Ali chipped in with half-centuries but their collective effort couldn't quash the centuries from Amla, Stephen Cook and de Kock.
18:03 Local Time, 16:03 GMT, 21:33 IST: Called off. It's official now. The legendary Michael Holding just confirmed the update on air as the fourth umpire dislodges the stumps on the pitch. So that ends the most happening day of the Test match so far. Stay tuned for the summary. The official news is that, play will begin at 10:04 local time tomorrow meaning half-an-hour (well! 26 minutes to be precise) early before scheduled start. To make up for the lost time.
The telly commentators are seen getting ready to pull out the evening interviews. Obviously, with the players. I can see Sir Ian Botham near the circumference of the boundary rope. So, what does that indicate and who will Beefy interview? Let me guess. Kagiso Rabada should be the man. Now the umpires are off too. Kumar Dharmasena, the former Sri Lankan cricketer turned umpire can be seen obliging for selfies from the crowd as he trudges off.
17:54 Local Time, 15:54 GMT, 21:24 IST: The umpires have seen enough. Now they converge and decide to take the players off the field. I don't see play resuming again. The fourth umpire who just joined the on-field conflab is seen signalling something...Another check from Dharma and he shakes his head in disapproval. Definitely, not a good sign. So, will it be just a matter of time before the umpires call it a day? Let's wait and see...
16.6 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, huge appeal for lbw! Umpire Dharmasena says "NOOO".. This looked interesting to the naked eye but replays show a different picture. It was just missing the top of off. Pitched on middle and went through with the arm, hardly any turn as Cook shouldered arms. He shuffled across and is hit in line with off. The close-in fielders plead with Dharma but he got it right. Meanwhile the umpires are not happy with the light...
16.5 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, around leg-stump, Cook strides forward in defence
16.4 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, on the stumps again, tucked to FSL
16.3 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, tossed up on the stumps, Cook wrists it to short mid-wicket
16.2 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, floated up on the stumps, Cook prods forward in defence
16.1 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, dabbed towards backward point
15.6 -
Root to Amla, no run, yorker length on the stumps, blocked
15.5 -
Root to Amla, no run, blocked into the on-side
15.4 -
Root to Amla, FOUR, fullish around leg-stump, Amla flicks off his toes, manages to get it past a diving leg slip, raced away to the fine leg fence
15.3 -
Root to Amla, no run, another one down leg, Amla lets it go
15.2 -
Root to Amla, no run, down leg again, this time Bairstow gets around
15.1 -
Root to Amla, byes, 2 runs, spinning down leg, Amla misses on the leg-glance and Bairstow fails to gather it cleanly, allowing the duo to sneak a couple of byes
Joe Root, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
The lightmeters are out and the umpires are checking the readings. They feel it's okay at the moment and we are ready to continue. Root from this end...
14.6 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, another one that turns in and dips slightly, Cook misses the block and is hit high on the pad. This time the catch is taken at FSL
14.5 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, another muted appeal! This time for a catch, but nothing from the umpire. Cook went across to block this tossed up delivery outside off, the ball spun in sharply and Ali extracted dip off the surface too. The ball though lobbed off Cook's pad and the umpire was spot on. The catch was taken at silly point
14.4 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, floated up outside off, Cook shuffles across and tries to clip it wide of FSL, gets it off the inside half towards backward square
14.3 -
Moeen Ali to Stephen Cook, no run, tossed up around off and middle, Cook turns it to FSL
14.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, spinning in, worked through mid-wicket for a single
14.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, flighted delivery just outside off, Amla gets a big stride forward to block. Misses and is rapped on the front pad. A mild appeal but Amla was well outside the line of off
Moeen Ali, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Time for a drink. England started well by claiming Elgar, but couldn't quite capitalise. Although the pitch showed ample signs to trouble the batsmen, the bowlers haven't forced any errors from Amla and Cook. Moeen into the attack now. One slip in place, a deep FSL too...
13.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, this one came in with the angle and Cook gets an inside edge on the forward push, towards Taylor at FSL
13.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, seamed in a long way. This good length delivery shaped in late and Cook was caught flirting with it with loose hands. Just passed the outside edge by a hair's breadth distance. Must say, he is so lucky to have survived so far
13.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, similar delivery and this time Cook is more assured with his stroke, drops the ball well wide of the helmeted man at FSL
13.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, well played Cook! Short delivery that hurries him on to the back foot. Cook jumps inside the crease and tucks it to the right of a diving FSL. Tough chance for Taylor! It was a rib-tickler as I would love to call
13.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, bunted towards the off-side
13.1 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, Cook isn't certainly looking comfortable. Short and wide, Cook opens the bat face and tries to steer it wide of backward point, the ball got big on him and he ended up stroking it nearly off the splice. Compton moves to his left at backward point but it fell well short of him
12.6 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, 1 run, another leg-sidish line delivery from Woakes and it's been clipped away towards fine leg
12.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, what happened there? This one jagged back in from a length to hit the splice of Cook's bat. He was trying to fend with soft hands, pulled his bottom hand off the bat, the ball dropped well in front of the slip cordon
12.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, full and zips off the surface, at 139ks, the line though doesn't make Cook play
12.3 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, back of a length slipping in on leg, Amla tucks off his pads behind square leg
12.2 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, kept low outside off, on a fullish length, Amla doesn't bother with it
12.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, on a good length and just outside off, Amla bends his front knee forward to block it towards point
11.6 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, some bounce on that one, short and outside off, Cook was left dancing as the ball pootled through to the keeper. However, it was away from Cook's body and he would have survived even without being so acrobatic
11.5 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, late inswing and it almost got rid of Cook, Cook was glued in the crease as he looked to play it across, the ball was drifting down the leg-side and England did not appeal
11.4 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, it went hugging the pitch outside off, Cook was watchful and left it
11.3 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, back of a length and angling in, Cook moves across and tucks it fine, the ball scoots past the keeper and races to the fine leg fence in a jiffy
11.2 -
Stokes to Stephen Cook, no run, length outside off, Cook does not break away from the order of the innings and leaves it
11.1 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, back of a length and at Amla, he moves across and tucks it behind square for an easy single, once again takes the bottom hand off the bat while playing the shot
10.6 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, FOUR, Cook had been quite quiet for some time now, not this time though. Gets a gift, short and wide and he cracks the punch through cover, no one bothered chasing it
10.5 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, on a length and outside off, Cook hoists his bat and lets it go
10.4 -
Woakes to Stephen Cook, no run, fuller length and outside off, luring Cook to drive, he resists the temptation and lets it go
10.3 -
Woakes to Amla, 1 run, length delivery but Amla uses the depth of the crease and nudges it softly in front of mid-on for a quick single, there is a throw at the striker's end and replays show that had it hit, it would have been pretty close
10.2 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, comes closer to Amla and makes him play the length delivery, Amla defends it softly from the crease
10.1 -
Woakes to Amla, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Amla repeats what he has been doing on such deliveries, leaves it
Chris Woakes, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
Woakes replaces Anderson as Summer of 69 plays in the background
9.6 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, once again it just left off the surface after pitching on a length, Amla took his bottom hand off the bat as he tucked it to fine leg for a single
9.5 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, slightly fuller and outside off, Amla mistimes the drive to mid-off
9.4 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Amla defends from the crease
9.3 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, length delivery outside off, Amla guards it into the backward point region
9.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, big appeal from behind the wicket but Stokes is not interested. He had a better view and Amla was hit high on the thigh pad as he tried to tuck this length delivery into the on-side. Might have been sliding down the leg-side as well
9.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, short of a good length delivery that rose to hit Amla on the glove, forcing him to drop the bat immediately. He seems to be in some pain and has asked for medical attention. Mind you, his thumb was hurt when he dropped Anderson just after tea. The thumbnail is bleeding and the physio is attending to the injury. Hopefully, he will continue from here, such injuries are common. Not a big cause of concern. As I type this, it has started to drizzle again. Amla is ready to go again after some work from the physio
Ben Stokes, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
Broad has been taken off, it's time for Stokes to roll his arm over
8.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 2 runs, fuller length delivery and just outside off, Cook guides with a slightly open blade to Compton at backward point who misfields to allow a couple
8.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Anderson goes full after forcing him on the back foot on the previous delivery. Cook is watchful to get a little stride forward and defend
8.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, taking a cue from Broad, this time Anderson brings it into Cook, he is ready for it though, gets tall in the crease and defends back to the bowler
8.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, short of a good length and well outside off, Cook withdraws his bat and lets it go
8.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, short of a good length and off, Cook gets on his toes and keeps it out towards cover-point
8.1 -
Anderson to Amla, 1 run, length delivery outside off, Amla drives on the up to Compton at backward point, the ball deflects off his grasp and they take a single
7.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, FOUR, just a touch short than the previous delivery, allows Cook the time to stand tall and punch it through cover-point for an easy four
7.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, Broad has been bowling well to Cook, once again draws an inside edge onto his pad, the ball rolls away to the off-side
7.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, length delivery and on off, Cook pushes at it from the crease
A leg gully has been put in for Cook. Those deliveries which has been angling into Cook might be the reason for that field
7.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, length delivery and outside off, sensible from Cook, he covers his stumps and lets it go
7.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, length delivery curling in, Cook pushes at it tentatively from the crease. Lucky that he got the full blade on it
7.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, cut him into half, Broad's angle has been troubling Cook for some time now, this time he had no clue as the ball came in a lot and sneaked through between his bat and abdomen area to the keeper
Good news is that the drizzle has abated
6.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Amla defends it from the crease
6.5 -
Anderson to Amla, 2 runs, short of a good length and on off, Amla looks to punch it off the back foot, ekes out an inside edge and the ball rolls away towards mid-wicket
6.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, almost, it almost kissed the blade of Amla, who was flirting with it outside off, the ball held its line and pootled through to the keeper
6.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Anderson goes wide of the crease to bring this one in, but the line is well outside off and won't harm Amla, he does not budge
6.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, short of a good length and outside off, moves away a touch and Amla leaves it
6.1 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, length delivery and on the stumps, Amla presents the full face of the bat and defends it back to the bowler
It has started to drizzle
5.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, short of a good length and once again Broad gets the ball to nip in. Cook defends it off the outer part of the bat to the man at short cover-point
5.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, this one kept low but luckily for Cook the line was outside off. He got the bat down in time to defend it towards the cover-point region
5.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, strayed down the leg-side this time, Cook moves inside the line of the delivery and leaves it through to the keeper
5.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, length delivery and angled into Cook, he is nicely behind it and once again takes off the bottom hand to make sure that the ball is bunted down the pitch
5.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, pacy delivery that nips in from a short of good length, Cook takes off the bottom hand of the bat to quell it into the on-side
5.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, short delivery but came at a slower pace to Cook, he stood tall and defended it softly to backward point
4.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, good length and on off, Amla blocks it towards cover-point
4.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, good length outside off, Amla leaves it through to the keeper
4.4 -
Anderson to Amla, FOUR, edged and dropped. Hales at third slip got a hand to it but just could not get hold of it, it was a fuller length delivery that drew Amla forward on the drive. He played away from the body and the thick edge flew past Hales and into the third man fence
4.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, short of good length and meandering away outside off, Amla does not budge
4.2 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, length delivery just outside off, Amla firmly punches it to the man at backward point
4.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, 1 run, short delivery and hurled at Cook, he gets tall on it and tucks it in front of square leg
Floodlights have been switched on
3.6 -
Broad to Amla, no run, Broad is continously bringing it in, this time Amla is fell forward to keep it out into the off-side
3.5 -
Broad to Amla, no run, length delivery and it nipped in off the seam, Amla was drawn forward in the defence, got a faint inside edge onto his thigh pad
3.4 -
Broad to Amla, no run, fuller length and angling into Amla, he defends it to short leg from the crease
Three slips in place for Amla
3.3 -
Broad to Amla, no run, good length delivery and outside off, Amla has no issues in leaving it for the keeper
3.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, 3 runs, fuller length and on the pads of Cook, he moves across and clips it through mid-wicket, Hales gives a long chase and slides at the fence to keep it down to three
3.1 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, short of a good length and outside off, Cook lets it go
2.6 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, from slightly wide of the crease, Anderson gets it to seam back into the right-hander, left alone
2.5 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, Anderson pulls his length back a touch and gets it to shape away from the right-hander, Amla covers for the movement and then defends
2.4 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, fuller length delivery from Anderson, defended
2.3 -
Anderson to Amla, no run, good length delivery that nips back in a touch, Amla is steadfast in his forward defence
Hashim Amla, right handed bat, comes to the crease
2.2 -
Anderson to Elgar, out Caught by Bairstow!! Anderson has finally induced an outside edge. From round the wicket, Anderson created a nice angle into the left-hander and then it moved away a tad. Elgar jumped in the crease, got squared up and then pushed at it tamely with him getting caught in the crease. Bairstow moved to his left and took an easy catch. This is only Anderson's fifth wicket of this series. Elgar c Bairstow b Anderson 1(3)
Anderson to Elgar, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
2.1 -
Anderson to Elgar, no run, back of a length delivery that straightens after pitching, Elgar stays on the back foot and defends
1.6 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, Broad bowled that one with a good burst of pace. He pitched it short and it jagged back off the seam, Cook did well to keep his eyes on the ball and lets it go by. The seam was pointing towards the leg-slip, on that occasion
1.5 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, Broad has lost his radar as he bowls it down the leg-side, Cook lets it go by
1.4 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, from slightly wide of the crease, Broad nips it back off the seam, Cook leaves it untouched. Broad needs to make the batsman play
1.3 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, straying down leg, Cook leaves it alone easily
1.2 -
Broad to Stephen Cook, no run, Broad uses the leg-cutter, this time, Cook pushes at it tamely and is beaten outside off
1.1 -
Broad to Elgar, 1 run, short and wide, Elgar mistimes the cut to cover and picks up a single
Stuart Broad, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, good length delivery and outside off, left alone
Dharamasena is already looking at where Anderson is landing. Remember, he was taken off the attack in the last Test
0.5 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, FOUR, width on offer, Cook cuts it through the backward point region. Compton looks to haul it down from backward point, but he had no chance there. Cook starts on a good note in the second innings
0.4 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, good length delivery that scoots low, Cook though, lets it go by. If he had attacked the stumps, Cook would have been in trouble
0.3 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, a tad fuller that shapes away from the right-hander, Cook greets it with a lifted bat
0.2 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, Anderson again tests the patience of the batsman outside off, Cook ushers it through to the keeper
0.1 -
Anderson to Stephen Cook, no run, there and thereabouts outside off, easy leave for the batsman
Stephen Cook and Elgar are at the crease. Stephen Cook is on strike. Anderson will open the attack
Anderson has the new nut in his hand. He has four slips and a gully in place
So a long Test series ends. I personally would've wanted a fifth and final Test. Which would've been a decider. Especially after South Africa's crushing win here. But some things are best left as it is I guess. The Tests are done but there is a five-match ODI series which will follow. Do join us then. We have had a ball covering this series. Hope you have enjoyed our coverage. If you still haven't had your cricketing fix, then hop tabs to follow the T20I between Australia and India. Until next time, it is goodbye from us here. Be safe and enjoy life. And remember to sleep tight. Sayonara!
Team review
England: England continue to prosper as a team. What a series this has been for them. They might have lost the last match but it did not matter as their deeds in the first three had made sure that the last one turned inconsequential. Under Cook, England look like a solid unit. They have got a solid opener in the captain, Hales's place in the team can be debatable but winners have this liberty to ignore such questions. Stokes (Man of the Series) has been a revelation for them. Such all-rounders are a source of envy to Dhoni, who always rues the lack of a medium-pace all-rounder in the team. Without further digressing from the issue in hand, James Anderson did not look like the leader of the attack and Broad conveniently dethroned him from there. Such was Jimmy's plight that it prompted AB de Villiers to take a jibe at him. ABD famously remarked, "Some of the guys have lost some pace over the years." However, Anderson answered everyone, including ABD in the last match. There is not nothing faulty about this English team. Though a cynic may point out that Adil Rashid deserves Moeen Ali's place in the team. But that is something which is not going to bother them for sometime now. For now, they can bask in the glory of their hard-work.
South Africa: When a Test captain relinquishes the captaincy mid-series, it should be considered as a signal to press the panic button. Hashim Amla stepped down as the captain after the second Test and the rein passed into the hands of AB de Villiers, who could not bring about a change in their luck. There are a lot of questions for South Africa to answer. They must not forget their misery after the win in the last game. England kept them under their thumb for most part of the series and made the last game an inconsequential one. With Steyn picking up injuries more often than not, their bowling attack needs some revamp. However, they will be a little relieved with how Rabada performed in the last game. Though he is very young and needs someone senior around whom he can grow as a bowler. Talking of the batting department, the opening slot looks unsettled for the Proteas. The success of a Test team depends on how solid and dominant its openers are. The South African management would hope that Stephen Cook, who hit a debut ton in the last game, and Dean Elgar will put the debate to rest. Another thing which is a big headache for South Africa is AB de Villiers's retirement rumours. He had a horrendous series and just when the cricket community had started to believe that the 'superman' was unconquerable, England showed that they had the 'Kryptonite'. The Proteas would want that their newly-appointed Test skipper continues for sometime as South Africa look like a shaky unit in whites.
Cook and his team get to pose with the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy. A proud moment for them. They certainly were the better team in the series. And deservedly won. So that winds up things then. Before we sign off, have a look at our team summaries where we analyse how the respective sides went in the series.
Cook: "It has been a disappointing five days, we haven't been there, we have hung in there without ever been able to get on top of them. Credit to South Africa. Trevor (Bayliss) described it as a limp batting performance which probably sums it up perfectly. We didn't back up our words with our actions today. We didn't get the balance right today. You've to get in on this pitch and play a few more shots later. I can't really fault the lads too much, they have put in a huge amount of work for the last seven-eight weeks. They deserve what they get. It shows the variety you play on (on the pitches in the series). They were good cricket wickets. Cape Town was a flat wicket, the last two had something in it. We have got guys who can change the game very quickly, it makes us very dangerous to play against. At this moment, we will enjoy today for winning the series away from home which not many people thought we could do. Credit to the coaching staff and to the Barmy Army, even when we play as badly as we did today, they put a smile on our faces with the songs they were singing."
Stokes: "I think batting still (when asked what he prefers, batting or bowling). It is nice to be contributing with both. Consistency is something I lack, it is good to come here and put in some really good performances. I really enjoy batting with Rooty, he keeps it simple, we don't chat much in the middle. It also comes from the captains and coaches. Accidentally the yorker comes out every now and again, the role I have been given is to pick up wickets. I'm not too fussed about going for runs, my job is to pick up vital wickets."
Ben Stokes is the Man of the Series for his 411 runs at 58 and 12 wickets at 29
Rabada: "It was a bit up and down. The key on that was to bowl in the right areas, hit a good length and you will get your rewards. Everyone in the team managed all the bowlers well, we knew that it would be tough as Abbott was struggling with a hammy, but credit to him for coming out and bowling with half-a-hammy. Great to play with a quality cricket team - it's what I always wanted to do."
Rabada is the Man of the Match for his haul of 13-144
AB de Villiers: "Thought the boys were very fired up for this Test match. It's been a while since we won a Test match and we will enjoy the celebrations after this now. Very excited about some of the guys. Kagiso taking 13 wickets in a match, doesn't come every day. And Temba who has been consistent throughout the series. To win against a solid England side 0-2 down showed a lot of character and we can build on that in the future. Taking seven wickets so quickly today wasn't on my mind when I was in bed last night. I was prepared to go till 5:30 today. I have really enjoyed it (on captaincy) and it's been a good space to be in and looking forward to the future with a few young guys coming in. It's a bit of a rebuilding phase for us. We have lost quite a few players in the last few years. There is a bright future with the guys showing character. Looking forward to the challenges that is going to come our way."
4th Test: A shocking series loss forced changes and five of them to be specific. The most glaring were dropping du Plessis and the inclusion of 33-year old Stephen Cook. South Africa opted to bat and didn't disappoint with a 475-all out, puffed up by Cook's debut ton and Amla's serene post-captaincy hundred. de Kock then seized the initiative with a maiden century and zoomed the score out of England's comfort zone. Cook and Root resisted with 76 each but the Protea total proved to be too many against Rabada who bowled relentless spells for a 7-for. Amla again came to the fore with an effort 4 runs of his ton and de Villiers declared belatedly, raising eyebrows, to set a 382-run target. But the vile, low bounce, on offer throughout the Test, inhibited a 3-0 and Rabada's 13-144 gave South Africa an elusive Test win.
3rd Test: With Amla gone, de Villiers was to be the messiah but Broad, in one of his most audacious spells ever, buried South Africa's hopes to clinch the series 2-0. South Africa underwhelmed with 313 runs post winning a good toss as none of their batsmen could score a fifty on what looked like a tough pitch. Extra seam and throat-seeking bounce but Joe Root conquered it all to perhaps bring up his career's best ton - a 139-ball 110 scored against a 4-man South African pace attack that featured debutant Viljoen clocking 150ks. The scores now being at par, Broad sensed the opportunity for a series win, hit his straps and stunned with figures of 6-17, an effort that engulfed South Africa for an 83-all out. The captaincy change hadn't worked, another series was lost, this time at home, and South Africa had hit rock bottom.
2nd Test: This Test was all about "How to bowl to Ben Stokes?". Given a flat pitch and a bowling attack so thin that Morris had to be handed a debut, Stokes marauded the ball to all the corners in front of a packed but stunned crowd. Bairstow all but prolonged Buttler's wait for a Test return as he chipped in with a century and a half, an innings that perhaps be the most subtle ever, thanks to Stokes's 30 fours and 11 sixes. South Africa, replying to 629-6, showed steel as Amla put the form ghosts to rest to compile a double, a number that might have coaxed him to renounce the captaincy throne. Bavuma registered his maiden Test ton, du Plessis and de Villiers put up 80-somethings to co-lead South Africa's reply of 627-7. With two first innings totals so huge, a draw was likely and so it was.
1st Test: It looked gloomy for South Africa but not as gloomy as it proved to be. Dale Steyn was back to strengthen the attack and impacted immediately with a 4-wicket haul that involved Cook's 11-ball duck. Thanks to another comeback in Compton, England managed 303, a total that proved plenty when an Anderson-less English attack wiped off Elgar's lonely ton to eke out an 89-run lead, courtesy Broad and the surprise package Moeen Ali. England bettered their first innings total with half-century contributions from Root and Bairstow, and another 49-run contribution from Compton to set a daunting target of 416 runs. In Steyn's absence, Piedt bagged a five-for but Moeen Ali ultimately stole the thunder with 3 wickets, that included de Villiers to hand South Africa an embarrassing 241-run defeat.
Since we are waiting for the presentation. Why don't you go and read up on our summaries of all the four Tests. Trust me, it's a beauty. Will give the complete picture of the series as well. Will have the team summaries as well after the presentation. Hang on for that
What a moment for young KG. His dad is there in the stands and takes the stump from his son. He wants to keep it. A proud dad. Smiles all around. The South Africans have ended this in exactly 66 minutes today. Morkel set the tone when he ripped a snorter to get Taylor out and then Root followed next over, edging one off Piedt. Then it was a procession and the turn of 20-year old Kagiso Rabada to steal all the limelight. His figures of 13-144 are now the second best ever figures by a South African in Tests just behind Ntini. And he is just 20. Can you believe that! He will only get better and better. A priceless find for South Africa and AB has his first win as Test captain. The series may have been won 2-1 by England but they have been decimated here at SuperSport Park in Centurion. There is lots of post-match stuff to get through. Do stay tuned for everything...
34.4 -
Rabada to Anderson, out Lbw!! What a good review that is. South Africa win - they have ended their nine match winless run. They last won a Test in January 2015 against West Indies. Since then they have gone over an year to wait for a win. Rare that. Consolation victory for them. It was a superb yorker from Rabada, right on the boot of Anderson who was deep in his crease. No inside edge onto boot, impact in-line, crashing into base of leg and that will do. Wonder why AB and Kyle Abbott didn't seem interested in the review. Only when Rabada convinced them, did they go reluctantly upstairs. Dharmasena got that wrong, but the technology corrected him. Rabada ends with 6 and 13 for the match. This has ended so quickly. That's how games should be finished off. Anderson lbw b Rabada 0(1)
Rabada to Anderson, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
What is happening here? AB doesn't want to take the review. Kyle Abbott says there is an inside edge onto the pad. Rabada seems to be convinced. And after a long while, they go for it. And it looks stone dead, yes it is out. Given not out for an lbw call. And Anderson is struck right on the boot, on the full, all three reds. OUT and South Africa win
James Anderson, left handed bat, comes to the crease
34.3 -
Rabada to Broad, out Caught by de Villiers!! Another five-for for Rabada. He is having a dream game. Make that 12 in the match. Can get to 13. This was full and outside off, Broad went for a big drive, got a thick outside edge and well held by de Villiers tumbling to his right at first slip. Caught with both hands and went to ground. Just a smile from Rabada after the catch is taken. Broad wasn't going to hang around here, and this was always on the cards. Didn't want to get in line too and wanted to smash anything in his zone. This time it wasn't to be. Broad c de Villiers b Rabada 2(5)
Rabada to Broad, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
Now there is a leg gully
34.2 -
Rabada to Broad, no run, speared into the pads of Broad who is backing away, but the ball keeps following him, Broad flicks and misses. Comfortably going down
34.1 -
Rabada to Broad, no run, short on the stumps, very quick too, Broad had to sway away from the line of the ball and did so. QDK took it with a leap
33.6 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, short and outside off, cramps Moeen Ali on the back foot punch, he cannot get any timing on the stroke as he finds mid-off
33.5 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, that kept low and nearly sneaked through Moeen Ali's defences. But he got his bat down in time and the inside edge clattered into the pad. That certainly didn't rise very high and Moeen Ali had to be very careful in dealing with it
Now round the wicket. Change of angle
33.4 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, and again, same result
33.3 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, the sucker delivery, full and wide outside off, asking Moeen Ali to cover-drive, he lets it go
33.2 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, FOUR, wow! Now the off-drive. Classical stuff from Moeen Ali. If ever there needed a demonstration of how to play the on and the off-drives, then these last two shots could be used as the best example. It was full on off, again just a push, no extended followthrough, the bat came down nice and straight and the ball comfortably beat mid-off. So effortlessly done by Moeen Ali and the 100 is up. The England supporters get a chance to clear their throats once again. They have been quite chirpy today
33.1 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, FOUR, beautiful shot. Very classy. Moeen Ali timed the on-drive through mid-on. It was full on off, Moeen Ali leant forward and just eased the push. Nothing more than that. Lovely stuff
32.6 -
Rabada to Broad, 2 runs, why is there no leg gully, AB? That would've been a dolly to the man, if there was one. Broad got inside the line to clip that and played it in the air. Slack effort from Morkel at fine leg too, could've kept it to a single, but allowed the second which means Broad won't be on strike
32.5 -
Rabada to Broad, no run, short down leg, Broad half-ducks to leave
Stuart Broad, left handed bat, comes to the crease
32.4 -
Rabada to Woakes, out Caught by de Kock!! Another one goes. Woakes walks. Such a loose shot that is. 11-fer for Rabada. On a length and outside off, a nothing shot from Woakes as he aimed a punch through the off-side, feet didn't move towards the ball and the outside edge was snaffled by de Kock. This time, they don't check for the front-foot. The umpire must have been pretty sure where Rabada's foot landed. Woakes c de Kock b Rabada 5(8) [4s-1]
Rabada to Woakes, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
32.3 -
Rabada to Woakes, no run, good length on the stumps, kept a bit low, but Woakes defended that back down the track
32.2 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 1 run, down leg, Moeen Ali clipped it to deep backward square leg, Woakes didn't want to risk the second, happy with just a single
32.1 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, down leg, wasted delivery
31.6 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, 1 run, too straight and on the stumps, Moeen Ali jabs at it, the thick inside edge goes in the air, but behind square. Retains strike
31.5 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, ooh! That has lifted off a good length, seriously! Trampoline-bounce for Morkel, it was outside off, Moeen Ali came forward to defend and the amount of bounce on that left him with no hope. Miles away from the outside edge
31.4 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, dug in short on the stumps, Moeen Ali dropped his gloves and then wore one on the chest. The ball rolls to the slip cordon. That must have stung but Moeen Ali isn't showing any emotion
31.3 -
M Morkel to Moeen Ali, no run, length delivery outside off, left alone
31.2 -
M Morkel to Woakes, 1 run, "Catch" was the cry as Woakes fended an awkward flick in the air, near Bavuma at square leg, the ball bounces in front of him and drops wide, they take a single. Never anywhere near catching range
31.1 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, back of a length on the stumps, Woakes stands tall and defends it back down the pitch
30.6 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, much better, sees the angled delivery outside off and leaves
30.5 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, short and angled across Moeen Ali, it wasn't short enough to be pulling, Moeen Ali lifted one leg up in the air and tried to do so, missed. Not far from under-edging that to the keeper
30.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, teasing line outside off, fuller length, Moeen Ali doesn't go for the drive, left alone
30.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, wide, way outside off and that's called a wide
30.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, dug in short on the stumps, Moeen Ali saw that early and dropped the gloves, played awkwardly but eventually the ball passes through to the keeper
30.2 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, length on off, Moeen Ali stays on the crease and defends solidly to cover
30.1 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, length delivery angled outside off, left alone
29.6 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, length delivery outside off, Woakes lets it go
29.5 -
M Morkel to Woakes, FOUR, half-volley on the pads of Woakes and he clips it through mid-wicket for an easy four
29.4 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, tad fuller than the previous delivery and Woakes gets beaten on the drive
29.3 -
M Morkel to Woakes, no run, short of a good length outside off and Woakes pokes at it, gets beaten
Chris Woakes, right handed bat, comes to the crease
29.2 -
M Morkel to Stokes, out Caught by Stephen Cook!! What a game this is turning out to be? Who would have thought that England will lose 4 wickets in the first hour itself? Lack of application from Stokes, he could not curb his natural instincts and has to depart now. Short delivery outside off and Stokes pulled it, did not get enough bat but hit it straight to the man at deep mid-wicket stationed for the shot. What have you done, Stokes? Stokes c Stephen Cook b M Morkel 10(14) [4s-2]
M Morkel to Stokes, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
29.1 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, short of the length delivery and Stokes punches it mid-off
28.6 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, full outside off, Ali goes for the drive, gets beaten once again
28.5 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, length delivery outside off, Ali lets it go
28.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, no run, length delivery and Ali pokes at it, gets beaten
Moeen Ali, left handed bat, comes to the crease
28.3 -
Rabada to Bairstow, out Caught by de Kock!! You can continue celebrating Rabada. For he has got Bairstow this time, the front foot is fine, so umpire cannot deny him his maiden 10-wicket haul. The ball came in with the angle and straightened just a touch, Bairstow was playing inside the line and the outside edge carried to the keeper to give Rabada the joy of his life. He will remember it for long. He is now the youngest South African to get a ten-wicket haul in Tests. Bairstow c de Kock b Rabada 14(13) [4s-2]
Rabada to Bairstow, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
28.3 -
Rabada to Bairstow, no ball, maiden ten-wicket haul for Rabada. Youngest South African to do. He is the man of the moment. Take a bow, Rabada! Oh, hold on, they are checking for the no-ball, the crowd has gone silent. HE HAS OVERSTEPPED! WHAT A SAD MOMENT! HE WILahore HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE TENTH WICKET. It was a full ball outside off and Bairstow flashed the drive at it, got a thick edge and it flew to ABD at slip, who leaped high to snaffle it
28.2 -
Rabada to Bairstow, no run, Bairstow drives this one outside off once again, this time only to mistime it to the cover region
28.1 -
Rabada to Bairstow, FOUR, oblivious of the situation of the match Bairstow is perhaps, drives this length delivery on the up and pierces the gap through cover with ease, the ball raced away
27.6 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, once again takes this one across Stokes and he is happy to leave
27.5 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, dangled down the leg-side to strangle him, Stokes does not get any bat on the flick
27.4 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, length delivery and slanted across Stokes, he ushers it through to the keeper
27.3 -
M Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, moved way too across this time and tucked it into the fine leg fence
27.2 -
M Morkel to Stokes, 2 runs, fuller length and outside off, Stokes gets a stride forward and looks to drive it through cover, a thickish inside edge rolls through mid-wicket
27.1 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, back of a length delivery and Stokes is hit on the abdomen area as he looks to defend it from the crease
26.6 -
Rabada to Bairstow, 2 runs, waits for this length delivery on the stumps and flicks it away from mid-wicket and steals two. Piedt was a little slow and Bairstow optimized the opportunity
26.5 -
Rabada to Bairstow, FOUR, a little too straight from Rabada, Bairstow moves across and clips it elegantly through mid-wicket. That will give him some confidence
26.4 -
Rabada to Bairstow, no run, similar delivery, this comes in with the angle though, Bairstow does not bother playing at it
26.3 -
Rabada to Bairstow, no run, some shape outside off, Bairstow lifts his bat and lets it go through to the keeper
26.2 -
Rabada to Bairstow, no run, length delivery outside off, Bairstow steers it into the ground towards the slip cordon
26.1 -
Rabada to Bairstow, 2 runs, touch short of a half-volley and Bairstow drives it softly through cover, Amla hounds it down
Kagiso Rabada [6.0-2-15-2] is back into the attack
Rabada has the luxury of four slips
25.6 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, hurried by the pace of the delivery there, the line was leg stumpish from Morkel, Stokes got the bottom hand off the bat as he tucked it to mid-wicket
25.5 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, short of a good length and angled across Stokes, who leaves it
25.4 -
M Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, Stokes is not going to get cowed by the situation of the match, short delivery and Stokes went for the pull, got a thick top edge and it flew over AB at first slip, raced away to fence
25.3 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, much closer to Stokes this time, he gets his elbow high and bat straight in the crease, defends with ease
25.2 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, Morkel slants this one across Stokes from a length, who lifts his bat and lets it go
Three slips and a gully for Stokes
25.1 -
M Morkel to Stokes, no run, fuller length and on the stumps, Stokes shows the full face of the bat and drives it firmly to mid-on
24.6 -
D Piedt to Bairstow, 2 runs, flighted delivery and on off, Bairstow drives it softly to sweeper cover and gets off the mark with a couple
24.5 -
D Piedt to Bairstow, no run, tossed up on off, Bairstow comes forward and bunts it down the pitch
24.4 -
D Piedt to Bairstow, no run, pushed through on the stumps, Bairstow nudges it to FSL
Jonny Bairstow, right handed bat, comes to the crease
24.3 -
D Piedt to Root, out Caught by Elgar!! What happened there? Root is gone. Tossed up delivery and outside off, a lot of flight on it, Root was lured into the drive and could not resist, went hard at it, it took a thick edge and carried at a nice height to Elgar at slip, who was elated as he took it. This might get over earlier than expected. Root c Elgar b D Piedt 20(56) [4s-3]
D Piedt to Root, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
24.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, flatter one and on the stumps, Root stays back and turns it into the on-side
24.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, tossed up delivery and Root wrist drives it uppishly to the right of mid-on
Ben Stokes, left handed bat, comes to the crease
23.6 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, out Caught by de Kock!! Back of a length delivery and Taylor could not have done anything about it. He is not that tall and by the time he decided to drop his guard and sway away from the line, the ball had brushed the gloves. de Kock does not commit any mistake this time and South Africa have struck early. In comes burly Stokes. James Taylor c de Kock b M Morkel 24(48) [4s-4]
M Morkel to James Taylor, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
23.5 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, short of a good length outside off, not much movement on it, Taylor does not budge
23.4 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, fuller length angling into Taylor, Taylor drives it with straight bat to the fielder at mid-on
23.3 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, length delivery outside off, Taylor hoists his bat and leaves it through to the keeper
23.2 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, fuller length once again, Taylor push-drives it back to the bowler, takes off the bottom hand while doing so
23.1 -
M Morkel to James Taylor, no run, fuller length and Taylor drives it to the right of Rabada at mid-off who dives to prevent a few runs for his team
Morne Morkel [6.0-4-12-1] is back into the attack
22.6 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, straighter one outside off, Root comes forward to defend it but is beaten once again
22.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, the ball keeps low outside off, Root was trying to dab it, gets beaten
22.4 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, Root comes forwards and flicks it to mid-wicket
22.3 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, 1 run, uses his feet once again, this time turns it to mid-wicket and takes a single
22.2 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, tossed up delivery and Taylor comes down the track and flicks to mid-wicket
22.1 -
D Piedt to Root, 1 run, edge straightaway, might have been a dropped chance. de Kock is the culprit once again, the ball goes straight through and kisses the blade of Root, but de Kock was not able to cling onto it, Root survives, remember he was given a lifeline yesterday as well when de Kock had missed the stumping chance
Dane Piedt [5.0-2-7-0] is back into the attack
Spin from the other hand, Dane Piedt has the ball now
21.6 -
Kyle Abbott to James Taylor, FOUR, drifts into the pads of Taylor, he moves across and clips it through mid-wicket for the first runs of the morning
21.5 -
Kyle Abbott to James Taylor, no run, length delivery and Taylor push-defends it to mid-on
21.4 -
Kyle Abbott to James Taylor, no run, similar lines from Abbott, Taylor stays in the crease and defends
21.3 -
Kyle Abbott to James Taylor, no run, short of a good length and Taylor shuffles across to flick it to mid-wicket
21.2 -
Kyle Abbott to James Taylor, no run, the ball keeps a bit low outside off, induces a thickish bottom edge and rolls down to the keeper
21.1 -
Kyle Abbott to James Taylor, no run, yorker length and on the stumps, Taylor drives it straight to the fielder at mid-on
The players are ambling out to the middle and they are greeted with overcast conditions. Rabada and Morkel would be chuffed to see the clouds hovering over. A little surprise though, Abbott will start the proceedings for South Africa.
Yesterday belonged to South Africa, Hashim Amla and Temba Bavuma helped them get a big lead after losing AB de Villiers and Stephen Cook early. Coming into bowl, Rabada and Morkel made early inroads to rattle the top order. The cracks in the pitch have opened up and the ball is keeping low more often than not. However, more than Dane Piedt, the hosts will rely on Rabada and Morkel, the former is just a wicket away from his first 10-wicket haul in a Test match. England's hopes depend on for how long the current pair of Root and Taylor are there at the crease. If South Africa manage to get one of these two early, it will be too tough for the batsmen to come to hold the fortress for long against the Proteas.
Day 5: Hello and a warm welcome to all of you. It's 'Australia Day' in Australia and 'Republic Day' in India. Both these teams are going to take on each other in the first match of the 3-match T20I series in a while from now. If the fast-paced T20Is are not for you, but at the same time, you do not want to miss out on thrill and excitement, stay tuned here. As for the next few hours, England are going to display every bit of their skill hoping that they deny South Africa the 7 wickets they need to win the 4th and last Test. On the other hand, who needs a Test match win more than South Africa at this moment? They have not tasted success in whites for more than a year now. Although, the match is inconsequential as far as the result of the series is concerned, a win here will keep the morale alive in the South Africa camp who are not playing the longer format for a few months to come.
Moving on, while it is understandable that Bavuma had batted beautifully and deserved a century, South Africa could have declared after the fall of Amla's wicket. Who knows two, three overs before the rain break and England openers would have found it difficult to adjust in the gloomy conditions? However, de Villiers would be relieved that Rabada and Morkel put this debate to rest by striking early. The highest successful chase at Centurion is 251/8. An England win from here is all but ruled out. All South Africa need to figure out is how to rotate the bowlers tomorrow to keep them fresh. Remember, Abbott is not fully fit and that might put extra pressure on Rabada and Morkel. However, South Africa won't want to stretch it for long, knowing that there is a chance of thunderstorm as well. Join us tomorrow at 10:00 local for all the action from the 5th day.
Stumps, day 4: What is Rabada made of? Steel for sure! While the commentators, after his marathon spell in the first innings, kept emphasizing that South Africa need to preserve him and not make him over-bowl, KG showed that he is ready to provide all that ABD expects from him. He sent back Hales early in the innings and it must have inspired Morkel to pull off a blinder off his own bowling to get the big fish, Alastair Cook. South Africa declared after the rain stopped, giving England tricky 24 overs to see off the day (only 21 could be bowled though). Earlier before the rain break, all eyes were on Amla who was approaching his second century of the match. He had batted with tremendous patience to pull the hosts out of the precarious situation they once found themselves in after the early wickets of ABD and Stephen Cook. But he was outdone by England's defensive ploy after tea. It must have been heartbreaking for him to have missed out on his second century of the match.
So, the day was like a sleeping giant that snored under the sun and woke up belatedly to maul England. Pitch put on its hideous cloak and breathed fire, as ball spat off and rolled along the ground to push England back in every sense. The last day can be expected to be a short one, specially with Morkel running in with that high-arm action. Roll your eyes above to recapture the day that eventually turned from bland to exciting..
20.6 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, full and straight hoping to end the day with an LBW. Not to be. Defended with ease into the leg-side and that will be stumps. What a day!
20.5 -
M Morkel to Root, FOUR, there's the fifty for England. Have trickled there on a wheelchair but at least they have made it. Short again, Root throws his bat at it, flashes hard and he gets a boundary. Didn't look out of the middle, more out of the top-half but he went hard and it flew away
20.4 -
M Morkel to Root, FOUR, fearless. Can easily chop it on but this short-wide ball stayed up. Root goes airy fairy and cuts it to the sweeper cover fence
20.3 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, banged in, keeps low. Sigh. Root ducks under it and lets it go
20.2 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, beaten. Root smiles, as if he could have done something else. This full ball outside off just about scoots along the ground as Root had a poke at it. Defeated on the outside edge and Morkel is the Day 5 beast
20.1 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, full and straight, Root must have had his heart in his mouth but the ball just stayed at a comfortable height. Worked easily into the leg-side
Last over of the day coming up..
19.6 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, cuts back in from a length, Taylor hurriedly swings his bat in front of his pad and just about manages some bat on that
19.5 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, length outside off, Taylor lifts his bat and lets it go
19.4 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, how do I put that? That ball was banged in, it perhaps hit a pond of jelly and never rose up. Taylor had left it alone and it bounced before getting to a squatting de Kock. Might have hurt his finger there too
19.3 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, length ball on off, doesn't do the extraordinary and Taylor defends it back
19.2 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, length and straight, Taylor ekes out an inside edge as he defended it with a forward reach. The ball thuds into the pad, lobs but well short of Bavuma at FSL
19.1 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, sharp short ball down leg, Taylor thought of a tickle and then hauled his bat in. The ball absolutely zipped past Taylor's gloves
Kagiso Rabada [5.0-1-15-2] is back into the attack
Dharmasena was checking the light again there. With the sun out. It's quite far away being murky there, let alone dark
18.6 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, length outside off, Root shuffles to his leg-stump and stretches his hands for a punch to point
18.5 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, puts his back and shoulder into this ball as the ball kicks off short of length. Root sways out of the way and it bounced as expected to make things look sane
18.4 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, that bat's lower half is taking a pounding. Stays low, Root brings his bat down in time. Had to slide deep to do that and manages to survive
18.3 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, jumping off the pitch from a fuller length and then swinging post passing Root who had his bat lifted to greet that
18.2 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, length ball on off, Root stretches forward and blocks it back
Those four crouching hands-on-knees slips are quite a sight
18.1 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, fullish ball outside off, Root lifts his hands high anticipating the awkward bounce and lets it go
Morne Morkel [4.0-3-4-1] is back into the attack
With the sun out, Morkel's back. Dharmasena checks the light and quickly walks to his spot. The lightmeters have just gone extinct..Four slips as Morkel runs in from over the wicket
17.6 -
Duminy to James Taylor, no run, loopy trajectory on middle, Taylor gets far forward and defends it with a straight bat
17.5 -
Duminy to James Taylor, no run, crosses his bat in front of his pad and pats the ball back
17.4 -
Duminy to Root, 1 run, short and tripe, Root swivels to pull, middles it but can't beat deep square leg
The sun is out!
17.3 -
Duminy to Root, no run, full and drifting across Root who leans and push-drives straight to cover
17.2 -
Duminy to James Taylor, 1 run, shortish ball on the stumps, Taylor tucks it off his hips to backward square leg
17.1 -
Duminy to James Taylor, no run, staying low as this is flighted full, Taylor gets his bat down in a jiffy and guides this into the leg-side
Jean-Paul Duminy, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Duminy from round the wicket with a slip and a FSL
16.6 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, shortish and turning down the leg side, Root turns and tucks, cannot get this past square leg
16.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, this was a review that was sent upstairs. Looking to sweep the ball on the stumps, Root missed his shot as the ball stayed low. The HawkEye suggested that it would have missed the leg-stump by a distance. A huge stride forward could have saved him there. Root survives a close LBW call. Would have been reversed even if it was given out on the field
Review: There's a review for an LBW against Root. Given Not Out onfield. Fair ball. Looks straight to the naked eye. No way near the bat. Impact inline but it was turning down leg. Hard to believe. Technology, I say. Not out it will stay
16.4 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, veering in, Root uses his feet and clips it into the leg-side
16.3 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, gets back and defends it back to Piedt
16.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, under-edge being the saviour here. Piedt is bowling it straight and attacking the stumps, the ball stays lower - far lower than Root expected and ekes out an under-edge on his pad
16.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, stays dangerously low and Root survives. Was looking to pull but got it off the toe-end, went close to short mid-wicket but not close enough to be taken
Another light check. If rains won't get you, light will. We will continue for the moment..
15.6 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, nice and forward as he sees this ripped delivery dip in front of him. Defended off the middle
15.5 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, tossed up on off, Taylor defends it towards mid-off
15.4 -
Elgar to James Taylor, FOUR, back-to-back fours here. If that was brutal, this was stylish. Flighted fuller on middle, Taylor hauls his back leg in the air, swipes the bat across his pads and flicks it through mid-wicket
15.3 -
Elgar to James Taylor, FOUR, murdered. You do that when you are offered a full toss. Flung his arms and bulleted the drive through extra cover
15.2 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, lunges forward again and mistimes the ball straight to Elgar who fields in his followthrough
15.1 -
Elgar to James Taylor, no run, gets forward and shows the full face of the bat. Defends it off the inner half of the bat to FSL
14.6 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, some width and the ball was full too, Root flogs it hard. Stretched hands and cemented feet but the ball was mistimed to cover
14.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, drags his back leg further back, allows the ball to turn and tucks it wide of FSL
14.4 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, 1 run, was in a position to cut but the ball stayed low. Taylor had to crouch and manages to pat the ball to cover
A leg-slip, a slip and a FSL
14.3 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, shorter length, Taylor rocks back and punches it into the off-side
14.2 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, bat and pad together as Taylor stretched forward to defend
14.1 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, turns in from outside off and stays down, Taylor skips back in his crease and bunts it into the pitch
13.6 -
Elgar to Root, no run, straightening a touch from the stump-line, Root pats it back with a high bat
13.5 -
Elgar to Root, no run, full and outside off, Root gets forward and drives straight to cover
13.4 -
Elgar to Root, no run, loud, loud shout that was perhaps intended for throat-clearing. Was drifted in, didn't turn and hit Root's left pad that was outside leg. Not out by a mile
13.3 -
Elgar to Root, no run, flighted delivery wide of off, Root leaves it alone
13.2 -
Elgar to Root, no run, tossed up on middle, Root defends it back
13.1 -
Elgar to James Taylor, leg byes, 1 run, angled in, no turn and Taylor misses the tickle. Takes his pad and races towards fine leg. Optimistic appeal van Gogh-eared by the umpire
Dean Elgar, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
The umpires had a chat and de Villiers was forced to bowl with two spinners. Rabada off, Elgar on.
12.6 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, full and flighted outside off, Root leans into the drive but straight to extra cover
12.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, missed stumping. That's a crime from de Kock. The ball spun in sharply through the truck-wide bat-pad gap as Root looked to flick. de Kock was right-footed there and had to really stretch to his left to glove-tip the ball. To make matters worse, the ball had flicked Root's pad for de Kock to be more befuddled. Couldn't get there ultimately and a chance dropped. Who drops Root?
12.4 -
D Piedt to Root, 2 runs, short and wide, and yelling to be hit. Root was kind enough to flash it off for a brace as Amla at point dived to his left and fumbled
12.3 -
D Piedt to Root, 2 runs, hint of turn in and Root makes merry with a clipped brace to deep mid-wicket. Some turn is better than no turn
12.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, flighted delivery that goes on straight, Root drove and the leading edge travelled uppishly to mid-off
12.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, floated wide of off and it spun back in. Huge turn. Root had his stumps covered and let it go there
The lightmeter is out. All seems fine now
11.6 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, bouncy length ball speared into the batsman, Taylor shrugs his bottom hand off and closed the bat face as he fended the ball towards FSL
11.5 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, full and swinging away outside off, Taylor lifts his bat and lets it go
11.4 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, the ball seemed to have zipped off the turf. Taylor had his feet stuck, reached out for it with extended hands and lifted them higher to dig the ball down into the pitch. Off the splice
11.3 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, this was a lovely shot. Allowed this back of a length ball to come right upto him and just guided it to third man with an open bat
11.2 -
Rabada to Root, no run, bangs it on short of length and on off, Root rocks back, stands tall and punches the defence into the off-side
11.1 -
Rabada to Root, no run, "edge me" ball outside off. On a length and wide enough to lure a flashy drive. Root resists and lets it go
10.6 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, straighter line on middle and Taylor defends it back
10.5 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, beaten for the lack of turn. New ball and the ball's just refusing to turn. Taylor had done well to reach for it but overread the turn. Beaten on the outside edge and the slip cordon's in play here
10.4 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, digs the defence into the pitch and Piedt collects on the bounce
10.3 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, 2 runs, looped up outside off, Taylor reaches it with a stride but the ball goes on arrow-straight. Takes the outside edge and runs wide of a stretching slip
10.2 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, quickly takes a step back as he sees the length short, compensates for the little turn in and straight-bats it
10.1 -
D Piedt to James Taylor, no run, dances out of the crease with a hunched back and pats this back to Piedt
9.6 -
Rabada to Root, no run, short of length ball, Root digs deep inside his crease with a slide back and offers a high-elbowed bat in defence
9.5 -
Rabada to James Taylor, 1 run, short of length ball veering down, Taylor tucks it off the hips to fine leg
9.4 -
Rabada to James Taylor, 2 runs, bowls it on the pad again and a greedy Taylor was looking to tuck it again. Had his bat face closed already but the inside edge flies safely out of Bavuma's large radar and gets him a brace
9.3 -
Rabada to James Taylor, FOUR, no. You don't do that. On the pads, Taylor reaches forward, flicks his wrists and clips it to deep mid-wicket
Four slips as a reward
9.2 -
Rabada to James Taylor, no run, pushes forward with laden feet and ended up reaching out to push-drive this ball to mid-off
James Taylor, right handed bat, comes to the crease
9.1 -
Rabada to Compton, out Caught by de Kock!! How many bowlers do South Africa have? Four. Rabada, Rabada, Rabada and Rabada. The 20-year old has another and the feared English procession is on its way. Full and swinging away, Compton is lured into a drive. He obliges with laden feet and hard hands, and the thick nick flies to the keeper. Review drama but that looked more out of shock than reason. "My mum would have spotted that", as Boycott would have put it. The worst review I have seen. England three down. SA seven away. Compton c de Kock b Rabada 6(9) [4s-1]
Rabada to Compton, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
Review: Compton has reviewed an obvious one. Legal ball. That was a nick that my grandma could spot. Big nick and he has wasted one. OUT
Kagiso Rabada [3.0-1-7-1] is back into the attack
8.6 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, tossed up on off, Root clips it to mid-wicket
8.5 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, hurls it on a length again. Nothing full this over and Root tucks it into the leg-side
8.4 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, rips it in from a length, Root spots it and rocks back. Ekes out an inside edge that ricochets from one thigh to the other
8.3 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, turning in again, Root defends it back
8.2 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, this turns in from a shorter length, Root makes room and then takes his bottom hand off as he punched the ball to cover
8.1 -
D Piedt to Root, no run, slower delivery outside off, Root slides towards leg and punches the defence square
Dane Piedt, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Piedt in. Clarke did that to spinners often - bringing them early into the game. A slip and a FSL
7.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, 1 run, back of a length outside off, Root again digs deep, arches his back with a back foot punch and steals a single to cover
7.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, no run, expect Root to have his hands high up while defending. Looks as pretty as anything. Back of length and the defence was middled
7.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, 1 run, swerving into the pads from a full length, Compton slides and clips it to backward square leg for a single
7.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, no run, length ball outside off, Compton meets it with a push to extra-cover
7.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, FOUR, edged and it runs away! Can't call it a chance as the ball just dug into the pitch and raced away between second and the third slip. Compton was defending the ball whilst being deep in his crease, doesn't compensate for the swing and ekes out the edge
7.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Compton, no run, full ball delivered gingerly from Kyle Abbott, Compton pats it to mid-off
Kyle Abbott, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
We were told that Kyle Abbott won't bowl but here he is. Three slips and over the wicket to Compton
6.6 -
M Morkel to Root, FOUR, ah, what a shot! Length ball, Root goes airy and pulls out his patented back foot punch. Opens the bat face and places it square of the wicket
6.5 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, full ball zipping outside off and inviting Root to nick another one to the keeper, the batsman ignores
6.4 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, banged in with a slight angle in, Root stands tall and keeps this ball down
6.3 -
M Morkel to Root, no run, and now the other Cook has sprung to life. Dives to his left at gully and stops Root's open-batted tap
Joe Root, right handed bat, comes to the crease
6.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, out Caught&Bowled!! What a catch! That stuck like gum. Harmless full ball on off, Cook plays it perfectly - with a straight bat with his weight leaning forward. But Morkel had other plans. Aborts his followthrough, sticks out his right hand and palms it. And then roars and mistimes his high-fives. What a moment in the game. Have the floodgates opened? Cook c and b M Morkel 5(27) [4s-1]
M Morkel to Cook, THAT'S OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!
6.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, slants his body to the off-side and taps it with an angled bat towards mid-on
5.6 -
Rabada to Cook, leg byes, 1 run, there was an appeal from the cordon but it'd have been out if the stumps were twice as tall. Short ball staying low, Cook swivels to pull with his front leg in air. Ball scoots low, hits him on the thigh pad and ricochets towards the short leg region
5.5 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, full ball and there's was no seam in. Cook watches it like a hawk and then lets it go
5.4 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, short of length ball, Cook raises his bat high and blocks it into the off-side
5.3 -
Rabada to Cook, FOUR, short down the leg side, Cook's is unnerved by that run-out scare. Just swivels and helps it with a pull behind square
5.2 -
Rabada to Compton, 1 run, stands tall and taps it to cover-point. Piedt hurries to the ball and fires in a throw as Cook is mid-pitch to complete that run. Had Piedt hit, Cook's potential camp would have been cut short. The throw to be fair was way off target
5.1 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, that's the Rabada-ripper. On a length outside off, it pitches with some nip and bounce. Enough to climb past Compton's edge and square him up. So much so that he nearly had his hips side on
4.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, waits for this full delivery to arrive and then levers his bat up to make way for the ball
4.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, fullish and around outside off, Cook takes a little stride forward and defends it back
Morkel loses his run-up for the umpteenth time this match. Footholes?
4.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, length and going close to Cook outside off, the batsman lifts his bat and lets it go
Over the wicket...
4.3 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, on off and staying down, Cook jumps back and gives himself the room to bring his bat down in time
4.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, short of length and this one zips back in with bounce. It's a lottery and Cook isn't going to win
4.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, "where's my roller?". "It's at Centurion, mom." Full and this just sat on the pitch and rolled away. Cook stared at it and then got back to his concentration tactics, or whatever he does
3.6 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, shortish and flying off the pitch outside off, Compton holds his open bat close to his body and ignores it
3.5 -
Rabada to Compton, no run, nips in from a length again but this was the normal bounce. Compton had his bat in front of his pad to block that. What an irony that a Compton-like dismissal brings Compton to the crease
Nick Compton, right handed bat, comes to the crease
3.4 -
Rabada to Hales, out Lbw!! Compton'd! Odds on getting a good ball when you're playing for your place? Many. Hales looks back in surprise, ponders and then walks back. That was plumb - hitting the middle of middle. He was waiting deep inside his crease, the length ball seams in and stays low. He's struck on his back leg's knee roll and the umpire, witness of the low bounce on offer all through, sends him back with a raised finger. Hales lbw b Rabada 1(7)
Rabada to Hales, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
3.3 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, wild and short outside off. Not ideal if a length ball can harm Hales more. Easily ignored with a half-duck
3.2 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, back of a length ball nipping back in, and with that regular delicacy of extra bounce. Hales crouches as he missed his shot and took a blow on his thigh
3.1 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, full and outside off, the length that you wan't to bowl to Hales. Left alone this time
2.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, ouch, must have hurt. The ball scissored in at pace and hit Cook's front thigh. Was late into the tuck and the ball just hurried into him. Had him clutching his thighs there
2.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, pitched up and moving away outside off but too wide to lure Cook. Left alone, by a distance
2.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, de Kock had to bend a little low to take that. Ball was outside off and on a length, doesn't bounce and Cook doesn't flirt with it. Seldom does
2.3 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, shuffles outside his off-stump with a jerk and lays a straight bat onto this ball on middle
2.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, full ball pitching wide of off, no swing and Cook just ignores it with a bat-hoisting
2.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, this length ball darts in and stays low. Cook slides back and keeps it out
1.6 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, presses forward and bunts this back of a length ball into the ground
1.5 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, back of a length just outside off, Hales widens his stance, lifts his bat high and blocks
1.4 -
Rabada to Cook, 1 run, gets high up and taps the ball to point. Starts running immediately and a fumble from Piedt means that it's a comfortable single
1.3 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, back of a length and going across, Cook jumps and defends it into the off-side
1.2 -
Rabada to Cook, no run, from over the wicket, Rabada bangs it on a length and Cook stands up to straight-bat this
Similar field for Rabada too
1.1 -
Rabada to Hales, 1 run, "get off the mark" ball. Full and on the pads, Hales just bends and clips it to backward square leg
Kagiso Rabada, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
Amla is at cover who does not want to hurt his finger anymore. Ironically, he was first hurt there when he shelled a catch
0.6 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, too much angle into Cook who takes his bottom hand off as he fends the ball towards FSL which is staggeringly deep
0.5 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, full and staying low, Cook jumps in the air and jabs his bat down to keep the ball out
0.4 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, this looks like the script for a sitcom. Down leg, Cook tickles, de Kock goes up. Not out this time. Took the thigh pad as Cook failed to tickle
0.3 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, full and into the pads with the angle, Cook just clips it towards mid-on
A deep short leg is in too.
0.2 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, angled in on a length, Cook hops in the air and forces the tap towards point
0.1 -
M Morkel to Cook, no run, on a length and ducking in, Cook sees some width and safely shoulders arms
Cook and Hales are at the crease. Cook is on strike. M Morkel will open the attack