SA v Eng 3rd Test Day 2 Review: Joe Root helps England recover from an early slump

It was a thoroughly satisfying day from England’s point of view. The visitors ended on 238/5 with the gritty Joe Root (106*) and Jonny Bairstow (4*) standing tall against South Africa.

England did not have a great start to the second innings as they lost a couple of early wicket in the form of Alex Hales and Alastair Cook. Hales was the first one to depart in the 4th over. A full delivery from Kagiso Rabada induced him to play a cover drive which he couldn’t connect and nicked it straight to AB de Villiers at slips.

Hardus Viljeon made a memorable entry into Test cricket when he claimed the scalp of England’s captain Alastair Cook with his first delivery. Viljeon was bowling with pace, clocking around 150 kmph consistently.

England’s number three, Nick Compton batted unconvincingly for his 26 runs before he was made to depart by Kagiso Rabada, who snarled his second wicket with the dismissal. Rabada was constantly challenging Compton with his immaculate line and length and missed taking edges on a couple of occasions. However, a fractional movement outside off stump finally lured him to play a false stroke and edge the ball to Dean Elgar at slips.

James Taylor looked uncomfortable against the pace and bounce of Morne Morkel and he was on his toes all the time against him and eventually became his first victim of the day after he caught at short leg by Temba Bavuma when on just 7 runs. England looked nervous at this stage.

Ben Stokes batted in his usual aggressive approach and counter attacked the South African fast bowlers who appeared to have gained an upper hand over England, as they slipped down to 91/4. Stokes stroked 58 runs off 54 balls before top edging a return catch to Morne Morkel. His departure also put an end to the blazing partnership of 111 runs between him and Root.

Morkel looked highly impressive today and charged in with great energy. The tall fast bowler directed few blows at Stokes and Taylor. While wickets fell from one end, Joe Root played the South African fast bowlers without much problem and reached his ninth Test century with a stunning boundary just an over before the play was called off. He celebrated the milestone with another four off the next delivery.

The interesting day of Test cricket was brought to an end after rain forced the day to be called off an hour before the schedule.

Earlier in the day, South Africa was dismissed for 313 in the morning session. Tail-enders showed some resistance in the morning session and added 46 runs to the total before folding up. Chris Morris was the first to go after he nicked one to wicketkeeper Bairstow. Rabada followed him in the nezt over and Stokes removed the last man Morkel to end the first innings.

Brief Scores:

South Africa: 313 all out (Dean Elgar 46; Ben Stokes 3/53)

England: 238/5 in 52.4 overs (Joe Root 106*; Morne Morkel 2/63)