Bowling a tad too short, not bad luck, at England has hobbled the paceman just as dropped catches have damaged South Africa’s chances during the Test seriesAs South Africa emerged after tea on the third day their captain, Faf du Plessis, called a huddle on the outfield and urged his players to deliver one final push to protect an under-acclaimed record of losing only one away series in the past nine years.England at this stage were slightly wobbling. Their 138 for six offered a lead of 274 and, though the pitch was already showing signs of capriciousness – not least from the footmarks at the James Anderson End – four quickfire strikes would have given the Proteas something resembling a...
Wicketkeeper-batsman farmed tail expertly to score 99 against South Africa and claimed 100th victim behind stumps to underline balance he brings to the sideJonny Bairstow farmed the strike with England’s tail so superbly on the second morning here at Old Trafford that the wicketkeeper from the other side of the Pennines could well be challenging Alastair Cook as the team’s most agriculturally inclined cricketer.Though he fell one run short of what would have been a fourth Test century, the Yorkshireman’s impact on this series finale could well prove the decisive blow against a South Africa side that finished 220 for nine by stumps, trailing by 142 runs and looking ever more ready for the airport. Related: Jimmy Anderson and Jonny...
Selectors see the 20-year-old Hameed as the long-term solution as partner to Alastair Cook as the Durham opener comes up short again for EnglandThe timing may have been purely coincidental but as Keaton Jennings trudged back to the dressing room stairs at Old Trafford on Friday with 17 to his name, and Haseeb Hameed began a net session with the England coaches, it was hard not to ponder whether the pair will be trading places come the first Test with West Indies in a fortnight’s time.Jennings is the latest in a long line of England openers to find their summer turn into something of a saga and still has one innings remaining in this match at least. But since earning...
England all-rounder dismisses Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis in two balls to leave South Africa on the brink of defeat in the third Test at The OvalAfter seeing what was arguably the most complete of his five Test centuries to date bumped off the back pages by some both‑barrelled delight at Toby Roland-Jones on the second day, Ben Stokes was damned if he was not going to get his moment in the sun this match.And so, on a day when England’s batsmen tightened their grip during the first two sessions before the bowlers punched four almighty holes in South Africa’s hopes of a draw, Stokes made sure he was front and centre. Related: England turn screw on South...
New No3 strokes the most elegant England cover drives since Ian Bell in a cameo display likely to have won the approval of Kevin PietersenKevin Pietersen announced recently that he needed to watch a batsman for only five minutes to know if he could not just play but play, if he truly deserves – the implication was left hanging – to inherit the England shirt worn with such distinction by KP himself. In which case Pietersen will have feasted hungrily on the brief but wonderfully luminous glimpses of Tom Westley’s shot-making brio during a damp, grey, gripping passage of Test cricket on a rain-ruined third day. Related: Rain halts England charge against South Africa after Toby Roland-Jones takes five wickets...