Published: Jul 31, 2017, 07:42 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 31, 2017, 07:42 PM (IST)
England took more than a session on the final day to win the third Test, against South Africa, by 239 runs, retaining the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy and taking 2-1 a lead in the four-match series. Resuming at 205 for 7 after lunch, South Africa started well with a brief partnership between Dean Elgar and Keshav Maharaj, but the former’s dismissal triggered a collapse. Moeen Ali removed the lower order in no time and became the first spinner since 1938, after Tom Goddard, to take a hat-trick against South Africa in the longest format. He ended with figures of 4 for 45. Meanwhile, Toby Roland-Jones and Ben Stokes shared 5 wickets between them.
South Africa bundled out for 252 in pursuit of 492. Ben Stokes was adjudged Man of the Match for his spirited hundred in the first innings and vital contribution with the ball. It was a spectacular performance by the hosts after a shambolic exhibition at Trent Bridge. Setting a mammoth target, South Africa were never in the chase, gradually being reduced for 52 for 4.
A 108-run stand between Elgar and Temba Bavuma pushed their score forward, but the debutant Roland-Jones, after an impressive five-for in the first innings, struck early on the final day.
His twin strikes removed Bavuma and Vernon Philander. South Africa’s struggle was carried forward courtesy two brief stands which Elgar, shared with Chris Morris and Keshav Maharaj. However, it was only a matter of time after Moeen Ali removed Elgar for 136. The left-hander did all the hard work to slam his 8th century, but ended giving a simple catch to Stokes at slips. His dismissal allowed Moeen to dominate South Africa’s lower order and ended with a four-wicket haul. The off-spinner also became the first to take a hat-trick at The Oval — in the 100th Test at the venue.
The writing was on the wall ever since Philander went off the field on the opening day. His absence helped England score more than 350 under overcast conditions, courtesy Stokes’ defiant hundred and Alastair Cook’s resolute 88. The rest of the damage was done by Roland-Jones, whose in-swingers troubled visitors in the first innings. A lead of 178 runs was enough for hosts to stamp their authority in the Test. England swelled the overall lead to 491 runs on the back of fifties from Tom Westley, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.
South Africa were done and dusted with consecutive failure of their top order. Elgar showed resistance and carried his bat in a tough phase. He took some blows on his fingers but did not throw his scalp. He got minimal support from the other end, and as a result, South Africa finished second by some margin.
The final Test begins from August 4 at Manchester, and South Africa will have to brush aside their flaws to level the series.
Captains speak
Joe Root: It’s been a great week for us. What a way to celebrate hundredth Test on this ground. We got the tempo and scored runs in the first innings. Very crucial, in these conditions we could have been easily 4-5 down. But the he (Cook) played, it was exceptional. We don’t make excuses, we are always looking to improve. David would have liked to score a few more runs but that can happen in Test cricket. It’s great to see him (Roland-Jones) come in and take things like that. I think it is important to look at the wickets and make decisions according to that.
Faf du Plessis: I think that someone like Vernon missing in the first innings was unfortunate. Credit to the English team for getting 350 here. Vernon is one of our world class performers and we take him at almost 50 percent. We knew he was going to be sick but we took him in and thought, we will give him a day. He consistently lands in good areas and we missed him in the first innings. If there was an option we would have taken it. As I said it would have been nice to play the next Test without that break after the second Test. Probably the hardest of conditions that you face in Test cricket but you have to fight through it. It has been an extreme series. But hopefully we will come good. The mistakes have been obvious. Our batters can learn from Elgar. We came out today and the guys fought really well. As Test batsmen, we have to score hundreds. Amazing knock from Dean today, showed us what we needed to do here.
Ben stokes, Man of the Match: It was hard to bat early on. It was difficult, especially with Vernon Philander. It is pleasing when you get through those hard times and then get some runs. I always try and play my cricket in the same way. Look to be positive. I asked Joe if it was sliding down, there were two sounds as well (on Moeen Ali’s hat-trick wicket). Credit to Elgar as well the way he played. The last spell I bowled at Trent Bridge was a confidence booster. We start again on Friday, we will want to do the same.
Brief scores:
England 353 & 313 for 8 decl. (Tom Westley 59, Joe Root 50, Jonny Bairstow 63; Keshav Maharaj 3 for 50, Chris Morris 2 for 70) lead South Africa 175 & 252 (Dean Elgar 136, Temba Bavuma 32, Chris Morris 24; Moeen Ali 4 for 45,Toby Roland-Jones 3 for 72, Ben Stokes 2 for 51) by 287 runs.
