Johnny Bairstow expertly nails an upper cut

England wicket-keeper batsman Johnny Bairstow has been in a rich view of form in the last 18 months. He treated everyone at The Oval with some entertainment as he made a rollicking 58-ball 63 on Day 4 in the 3rd Test against South Africa. With the help of his knock, Joe Root made his first declaration as captain of England at tea with a handsome lead of 491.

Bairstow’s nimble skill

This was only his second half-century in six innings so far in this series. He hit six fours and a six during his innings, the end of which prompted Root to declare. One of the six boundaries hit by the 27-year old deserves a special mention. On the last ball of the 69th over, Rabada dug one in short which was angling towards Bairstow. The first reaction from the wicket keeper was to move away from the line of the ball and then he guided the ball over the slip cordon for a skillful boundary. Such was the timing of Bairstow that the ball went almost for six. The great Sachin Tendulkar used to play this shot dexterously and Bairstow followed in the footsteps of the great man.

Proteas staring down a defeat

England have a tight grip over the Proteas in this Test match after they bundled the visitors out for a paltry score of 175 in the first innings. In an extended final session yesterday, England quicks made early inroads by jolting the top order of South Africa as they had them reeling at 52 for 4. It was due to a gritty partnership between Elgar and Bavuma which took the South African’s to safety as they reached 117 for 4 at stumps on Day 4.

With three sessions left for England to pick the remaining six wickets, the hosts looked certain to take a 2-1 lead before the final Test at Manchester. For the visitors, they face an uphill task of saving the Test on the final day and will be hoping to gain some help from the weather.