Published: Jul 28, 2017, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 27, 2017, 11:43 PM (IST)
England and South Africa commenced the third Test of the four-match series at Oval with the scoreline standing at 1-1. Winning the toss, England opted to bat under dark and gloomy clouds. However, it turned out to be a tough ride for the hosts with only Alastair Cook showing resistance and registering his 55th fifty in the format. South Africa, riding on Vernon Philander’s efforts, ended slightly ahead with hosts posting 171 for 4. Constant rain triggered early stumps as only 59 overs were possible on Thursday. Let us walk through some of the top moments of the day.
Cook surpasses Border
The former English skipper reached to a magnificent milestone in the first over of the day. With his first runs, Cook surpassed Australia’s legendary batsman Allan Border to become the 10th highest run-getter in the format. He is still behind the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid.
Westley’s short yet effective debut
Essex’s Tom Westley made his debut with Gary Ballance being ruled out due to injury. He looked more confident than Ballance despite the tough conditions. Coming on the back of an impressive County season, Westley left the balls outside off stump, flicked anything offered on the pads and played out the in-swingers. He headed to lunch notching up a fifty-run stand with senior pro, Cook, but departed soon after.
De Kock’s stunner
Joe Root and Cook stitched a handy 49-run stand for the third wicket. Root looked at his usual best and Cook carried on from one end. Faf du Plessis could not resort to his premier bowler Philander, as he had missed out on the first session due to stomach bug. Hence, he had to serve a long wait before spearheading the attack. Nonetheless, he came and triggered Root’s collapse. The English skipper fell playing a drive and Quinton de Kock plucked a stunner behind the stumps. He dived full length to his right and took a clean catch.
WICKET Brilliant catch from de Kock as Root is caught behind for 29
113/3 #ENGvSA
Match centre: https://t.co/a0qhO1p3jy pic.twitter.com/8sHGwhVm5G
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 27, 2017
Rabada’s vicious yorker stuns Malan
Dawid Malan came at the crease following Root’s departure. He had a job in hand to resurrect the innings with Cook. However, he had to wait for 15 balls to get off the mark. He never got going and was constantly pushed on the back-foot. Rabada finally dismissed him off a peach of a delivery. It was a full in-swinger which uprooted Malan’s middle stump for 1.
WICKET Malan bowled by a vicious yorker from Rabada
120/4 #ENGvSA
Follow: https://t.co/a0qhO1p3jy pic.twitter.com/7WuvOPXJql
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 27, 2017
Cook remains tall amidst rain
It wasn’t an easy day for the batters. Dark clouds loomed throughout and halted proceedings on several occasions. The overcast conditions made the ball to move. Nonetheless, despite constant breaks, Cook moved steadily. He remained unbeaten on 82 and batted with intent and purpose. He was quick on the back-foot, pushed the balls in the gap towards off side and worked away anything offered on the leg. He stitched important stands with Westley, Root and Ben Stokes (21 not out) to take England to a decent position. It was certainly a test of his concentration with other players losing the battle to constant delays.
South Africa would have wanted to get rid of Cook, but picked up 4 wickets to end Day One on an interesting note.
