Twitter Reactions: Pieter Malan key for South Africa as England need eight wickets to win the Cape Town Test

England resumed the play in their second innings on Day 4 of the second Test with a massive lead already. The likes of Dominic Sibley and Ben Stokes helped extend that further with great knocks. While they might have felt comfortable when they declared, South Africa is fighting its way back into this game. Pieter Malan has done really well thus far and will look to do better on the last day. All three results seem possible at this stage as the track seems to have got better for batting.

Overnight batsman Dominic Sibley walked out along with Ben Stokes at the start of the day. Sibley started from 85 and played cautiously while the left-hander was the aggressor. Stokes didn’t back off from playing his shots and scored 72 runs from only 47 balls before he was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj. Jos Buttler also played a quick cameo and scored 23 runs in quick time. At the other end, Sibley got to his maiden century and remained unbeaten on 133 runs as England declared on 391/8.

A mountain to scale for the Proteas despite best efforts from Pieter Malan

South Africa started off this positive chase on a great note. While it is extremely tough for them to get to the herculean target of 438 runs, the intent was there from the openers who put up 71 runs together. Dean Elgar was the first to fall after scoring 34 runs and couldn’t replicate the heroics of the first innings. Then, Pieter Malan joined hands with Zubayr Hamza and put together a decent partnership.

It seemed as if these two would be the overnight batsmen on Day 5. However, the legend – James Anderson struck in the penultimate over of the day to dismiss Hamza for 18 runs. Hamza tried to play the line but the ball nipped away just enough to find the edge and Jos Buttler completed a clinical catch behind the stumps.

After the fall of this wicket, Keshav Maharaj was sent in as the night watchman. South Africa finished the day with a score of 126/2 and Pieter Malan was unbeaten on 63 runs. They still need another 312 runs to win this game. England will clearly fancy their chances on the last day.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

All 3 results a possibility at Newlands! Excited to watch our boys fight their way through the next 2 days #ProteaFire

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 6, 2020

Newlands right now…! pic.twitter.com/nmfjHzgTpM

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 6, 2020

Very surprised roots been so defensive on a challenging wicket. Have more than enough runs to be concerned about.

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 6, 2020

If the Proteas can chase 438 in 50 overs, surely they can chase it in 4 sessions 😃

— Jacques Rudolph (@Jacques_Rudolph) January 6, 2020

Had SA chased 438 to win before? 😱

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 6, 2020

Entertainer of note @benstokes38 👏

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 6, 2020

Buzzing for Sibs. Top quality opening batsman and an alright bloke too… @DomSibley 💯🙌🏼🐪

— Ben Duckett (@BenDuckett1) January 6, 2020

Congrats Dom Sibley excellent performance 👏👏 @englandcricket #SAvENG

— Alan Butcher (@abutch58) January 6, 2020

Yes siiiiib! Well deserved. @DomSibley 🙌🏼

— Sam Billings (@sambillings) January 6, 2020

Vern smashing a length and Sibley happy to depend, situation screams for a little effort/surprise ball bouncer!

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 6, 2020

STUMPS on Day 4. What would've been SA's session turns into England's with the late wicket. SA 126-2. Malan has been spectacularly brilliant today (63*) #SAvENG

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 6, 2020

Jimmy Anderson now has the most wickets in England vs South Africa Test Matches! 🏏

Jimmy Anderson 92 wickets 🏏
Shaun Pollock 91 wickets 🏏
Allan Donald 86 wickets 🏏
Sydney Barnes 83 wickets 🏏
Morne Morkel 79 wickets 🏏#SAvENG #bbccricket

— James (@Surreycricfan) January 6, 2020

That set up of Hamza by Anderson was incredible. THAT is Test cricket at it's best. #SAvENG

— Mahomed Seedat (@mo_seedat) January 6, 2020

Hamza should have seen the day out, no excuses #SAvENG

— Mohammed Waseem Omar (@mwo_dhoodh) January 6, 2020

#SAvENG – Dear @icc, that’s how a proper 5 Day Test should be when played between 2 competitive sides. Don’t change the purest form of the game !!

— Danish Khan (@danishkhan_30) January 6, 2020