Twitter Reactions: Rory Burns keeps England in hunt for victory in Centurion

The Centurion Test was in the balance after a flurry of wickets went down in the third day. Things didn’t quite change at the SuperSport Park. With couple of days left, both England and South Africa will be fancying their chances of pulling the game off and taking a 1-0 lead. At the close of play on Day three, Joe Root and Co need 255 runs with nine wickets remaining in their second innings.

Archer rips apart the Proteas

Rassie van der Dussen (51) and night-watchman Anrich Nortje (40) already had a cushion of a 175-run lead. And the duo carried on the good work, putting on a 91-run stand that further extended the Proteas’ lead. Fortunately for the Three Lions, Jofra Archer came to the rescue, getting rid of both the batters in a space of 12 balls. Ben Stokes came to the party and got rid of Dwaine Pretorius.

But Quinton de Kock (34) and Vernon Philander (46) piled on the Brits’ agony. The duo added 43 runs with the former being the more aggressive off the two. De Kock smacked two fours and three sixes in his 37-ball stay. Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada added some valuable runs and took the hosts to 272. Archer got Maharaj to pick up a fifer and was arguably England’s standout bowler.

Rory Burns holds his ground

Most importantly, the visitors were set with a daunting target of 376 to chase down. But the openers, Rory Burns (77*) and Dominic Sibley (29) put their heads down. The duo played out the brand-new cherry and churned out a 92-run stand off 28 overs. Both were able to make amends to some extent after single-digit scores in the first innings. Maharaj pinned Sibley to separate the duo.

Burns trod the attacking route, reaching his fifty off 67 balls. The left-hander slowed down a wee bit at the fag end of the day. The opener hit 11 fours to keep the scoreboard ticking. Joe Denly (10*) gave him the apt support and they played out 14 overs together. Denly would be aiming to replicate his performance from the first innings. The Proteas’ bowlers will be keen to break the stand.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play: –

Imagine me saying these things 😳 🤷🏾‍♂️ , @Jacques_Rudolph @DaleSteyn62 ……. all I asked was he hurt 😂😂😂 happy Saturday everyone 🙏🏾❤️. But looka Steyn comment 😳🙃🧐 pic.twitter.com/bEpKOPVmei

— Tino95 (@tinobest) December 28, 2019

Good fight from Rory Burns, proper test match opener. #SAvENG

— Harry 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@Harry_Currall) December 28, 2019

Stumps – day 3, 121 (1). England need 255 more runs to win. Tomorrow will be an interesting one. #SAvENG

— Sibu (@SibuMkiva) December 28, 2019

This Test match is heating up for sure. Another entertaining day and England go to STUMPS in a good position on 121-1 and need another 255 runs to win. Day 4 is set up to be a cracker. See ya then 🙌 #SAvENG

— Naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) December 28, 2019

England digging in brilliantly here… looking forward to tomorrow 👀#SAVENG

— Christo Herholdt (@Christo_Jnr) December 28, 2019

Burns went shopping last night & has bought a lot of luck. Damn so much luck #SAvENG

— Naruto (@Naruto56352410) December 28, 2019

Sensible Test match batting, that. Nice. #SAvEng

— Andy Clark (@clarkyfanzine) December 28, 2019

Brilliant last session for England. It’s the hope that kills you. #SAvENG

— James Whaling (@jjwhaling) December 28, 2019

Well played, England. Given themselves a chance to win tomorrow #SAvEng

— Richard Upton (@richupton1970) December 28, 2019

Its set-up for a cracking day four. England need 255 runs, South Africa need 9 wickets. Rory Burns is on 77 after being dropped on 20 and Vernon Philander is playing his final Test at SuperSport Park. It's going to be a goodie. #SAvENG

— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) December 28, 2019

This will be an interesting chase…👀#SAvENG

— VINAY🏏 (@CRICKETDUDE_) December 28, 2019

Possibly the best session of Test cricket I've seen from England's top 3 batsmen for a long time, absolutely brilliant. It's a funny old game!!! 😂🏏🇿🇦 #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/uHNs1KlNTn

— Andrew Knapper (@andyknapper83) December 28, 2019

@ICC why is @dwainep__29 allowed to play with a smart watch? #SAvENG #SAvsENG

— NISHKA 🇮🇳 (@NishkaSookdev) December 28, 2019

England could pull this off. #SAvENG

— Mann Persson (@unhiddenness) December 28, 2019

Is there a collapse coming 😉😉😉 #SAvENG

— Reason_Movie (@MovieReason) December 28, 2019