Twitter Reactions: South Africa gasp for survival in stop-start day at Port Elizabeth

Going into the last day of the Port Elizabeth Test, South Africa are well and truly in dire straits. Even as England look favourites to win the penultimate match of the series, it seems only the rain gods could save the home team from a defeat. At the close of play on day four at the St George’s Park, the Proteas are trailing by 188 runs with four wickets left in their second innings.

England strangle the hosts

Only 13.5 overs were possible in the first session as rain interrupted play. But those much time was enough for the Brits to inflict more mayhem in the Proteas camp. To start with, South Africa lost their last four wickets in 4.4 overs, adding only a solitary run to their overnight score. Stuart Broad ripped through the tail and finished with three wickets. Left-armer Sam Curran got the other wicket.

Vernon Philander and Quinton de Kock added 52 runs for the seventh wicket, but couldn’t carry on with the good work on the fourth day’s morning. The hosts were bowled out for 209 and England racked up a lead of 290 runs. It wasn’t a surprise that the Brits enforced a follow on. Even the second session saw the heavens opening up. But there was no stopping the visitors in the 20.4 overs of play.

Root wreaks havoc

After being made to follow on, the hosts kept going down the barrel. Mark Wood pinned Dean Elgar and Zubayr Hamza to jolt the Proteas. From there on, skipper Joe Root started entangling the South African batters with his part-time off-breaks. He trapped Pieter Malan in front to pick his first wicket. Rassie van der Dussen became his second victim after which Root got rid of Quinton de Kock.

With half their batting back to the hut, the hosts had a trail of 216 runs in front of them. Faf du Plessis, at the other end, tried to put his head down. He ground hard for 123 balls and mustered 36 runs. Just when he was set to end the day unbeaten, Root found his inside-edge, caught by Ollie Pope. Faf reviewed it, but to no avail. Philander and Keshav Maharaj played out the remaining 10 overs.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted to the day’s play: –

I suppose archer will play in place of Bess at the bullring… won’t need a spinner there and root will bowl spin if need be. not sure who proteas will replace KG with but might play andile instead of Keshav

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 19, 2020

You beauty!!! Another great catch! Come on boys!! #SAvENG 🔥

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) January 19, 2020

Prob worth giving denly a go .. his leggies aren’t bad at all.. #whynot

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 19, 2020

Ouch!! @OfficialCSA that wasn’t good to watch this morning. Good performance from @ECB_cricket with the ball, doing the job quickly by bowing full and. Reset and get stuck in hard that’s all you can do!! @MikeHaysman @Athersmike #ProteaFire

— Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) January 19, 2020

Once Again @OfficialCSA Disappoint, No Positive, Lack of Energy, complete surrender, we dont know this is same SA which we used to in Past, No Protea fire @faf1307 #SAvENG

— Abhijit the AKS (@akstherko) January 19, 2020

Two tests in a row going to the fifth day fantastically poised! #YouLoveToSeeIt #SAvENG

— Eddie Ballard (@ballarde232) January 19, 2020

The lovely sound of 🌧 here in the mother city👏👏👏 #capetown

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 19, 2020

Meanwhile, as we feasted on Kohli, Joe Nathan Lyon Root has lead from the front #SAvENG

— Vishal (@Vishal_14_) January 19, 2020

19-11-31-4 by Root in the second innings against South Africa. #SAvENG

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 19, 2020

What a day’s cricket from England simply outstanding. From start to finish we controlled that. For the day SA making 106 for 10 over 2 innings. Root amazing with the ball #SAvEng.

— Neal Bateman (@nij81) January 19, 2020

#SAvENG As well as England have played south Africa have been utter shambolic😱

— Mikeh7 (@Mikeh60882356) January 19, 2020

Tomorrow's weather forecast… anybody ?? #SAvENG

— Masst Malang…….. (@mastmalang1214) January 19, 2020

#SAvENG

Painful to watch.

— Thato (@IronicYoung2) January 19, 2020

great day for england 👌 rain gods be kind tomorrow thanks #SAvENG

— Tony Steele (@tds122) January 19, 2020

That's the end of day 4. England need 4 wickets, South Africa are 188 runs behind. We took 10 wickets today, a fantastic performance in the field. You have to imagine the only thing that can stop England securing victory is the weather. #SAvENG #SAvsENG

— England Cricket Selection (@CricketTestEng) January 19, 2020