England pin their hopes on Jonny Bairstow in bid for big lead against South Africa on Day 3, 4th Test

Though England have lost 6 wickets already, they still have Bairstow at the crease to take the lead past 300, which will increase problems for South Africa.

The England team is certainly struck by some bad luck charm. While it was Jonny Bairstow who got out for 99 in the first innings, in the second innings it was Joe Root, the young captain, who fell short of 1 run to get to his half-century. Nevertheless, His knock helped England survive the early loss of wickets in the first session and accumulate a lead of 274 runs as they headed for tea on Day Three of the fourth Test against South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester.

In the first session, losing both Alastair Cook and Tom Westley to Morne Morkel, England looked up to Root and Keaton Jennings for a partnership. They had taken the first innings lead but it was important for them to add more to that, for South Africa too have many talented batsmen. However, Jennings failed to provide much support to Root, departing for 18 right after lunch. Rabada bowled a short-length delivery and Jennings, failing to read the line and cramped of room, cut the ball straight to Hashim Amla at slip for an easy catch.

Having lost Jennings, Root first partnered with Dawid Malan (6) and then Ben Stokes, while building his own innings. Root, whose numbers in this series read 190, 78 and 50, looked good for yet another half-century until the Duanne Olivier delivery that kissed the inside edge of Root’s bat to hit the stumps, getting clean bowled for 49. With this, Olivier dismissed Root in both the occasions in the match.

England lost yet another wicket before tea — that of Stokes. Olivier struck again, being able to move the ball late to Stokes whose forward defense edged the ball to Faf du Plessis.

Though England have lost 6 wickets already, they still have Bairstow at the crease to take the lead past 300, which will increase problems for South Africa. In the final session, Faf du Plessis might consider giving few more overs to Keshav Maharaj. However, hopes still will be on the seasoned pace duo Morkel and Rabada to clear the English tail.

Brief scores

England 362 and 138 for 6 (Joe Root 49, Ben Stokes 23; Morne Morkel 2 for 39, Duanne Olivier 2 for 13) lead South Africa 226 (Hashim Amla 30, Temba Bavuma 46, Faf du Plessis 27; James Anderson 4 for 33, Moeen Ali 2 for 48) by 274 runs

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