Two batting places are up for grabs in Test series against West Indies as selectors search for settled line-up in time for the Ashes in AustraliaIt is quite an achievement to beat South Africa for the first time in two decades in this country with what was to all intents a nine-man side. England were dependent on their old guard for victory while those seeking to establish a place in the side were unable to make telling contributions.The combination of Liam Dawson, Gary Ballance and Dawid Malan mustered 138 runs in 12 innings in this series – though one should not discount Dawson’s five wickets. At the top of the order Keaton Jennings scored 127 runs in eight visits to...
With his five-wicket burst, Moeen became the second England cricketer after Ian Botham to take 25 wickets and score more than 250 runs in a Test seriesIt had to be Moeen Ali, the man of Joe Root’s first summer as Test captain, who would pick the lock that sent England hurtling towards a 177-run win at Old Trafford and what was their first series win over South Africa at home in 19 years. After his 10 wickets and 96 runs at Lord’s came his hat-trick at The Oval, before the audacious counterattack with the bat here on the third evening was followed by figures of five for 69 in England’s fourth-innings surge.The shining smile that resides above the luxuriant beard...
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...