England and South Africa have been going through a state of transition to a young and inexperienced squad. However, England’s transition has proved to be more beneficial than South Africa’s and they don’t seem to see any light at the tunnel.
England started really well with Dom Bess taking his maiden fifer. It was brilliant bowling and he generated lots of turn. He got many edges to fly to Ollie Pope who took some incredible catches. However, Nortje showed great discipline to survive 139 balls. Despite this, he got out to Stokes, the man of the moment. He played with better temperament than the entire South Africa top order.
Van der Dussen and De Kock put in a very good partnership to keep England on their toes. However Van der Dussen did not last long and departed for 24 with three fours. Quinton was dropped thrice and made a lucky 63. Philander also looked solid but just gave it away when he looked as if he was in. However, he gave his wicket away in the first over of Day 4 from Stuart Broad. This triggered a batting collapse which saw South Africa to lose 4/1. England were now on top.
England enforced the follow on while SA needed 291 to make England bat again and avoid the innings defeat. Pieter Malan and Elgar started well but Elgar gave it away and the experienced open got out for 15, bowled by Mark Wood. Mark Wood then took another one with a strangle down the leg side. This was Hamza’s problem with Test cricket. This may be his last game. Wood looked threatening at the start and deserved these wickets. He was also very fast and consistent at these paces.
Root then took 4 wickets and looked set to get his fifer. However the next day the last wicket was hard to come by after the first 3 wickets fell. Root was destroyed for 28 in an over from Maharaj. Maharaj and Paterson put a partnership of 99 but this couldn’t stop England winning by an innings and 53 runs.
Cricflash 