By CricketCountry Staff
Half-centuries by Jonathan Trott and Jonathan Bairstow brought England back into the match on the final day of the third Test at Lord’s on Monday.
Published: Aug 20, 2012, 08:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 20, 2012, 08:38 PM (IST)
Jonathan Trott scored a gritty 63 to bring England back in the game © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
London: Aug 20, 2012
Half-centuries by Jonathan Trott and Jonathan Bairstow brought England back into the match on the final day of the third Test at Lord’s on Monday.
England need 125 runs in the final session with two wickets remaining to win the match and level the series. Matt Prior and Graeme Swann were unbeaten at the crease when tea was taken.
England need to win the match in order to retain the number one position in the ICC Test Rankings.
Earlier, Jonathan Bairstow inspired an England recovery in a last-gasp effort to prevent South Africa dethroning his team as the world’s best Test side at Lord’s on Monday.
England, at lunch on the fifth day of the third and final Test against the Proteas, were 120 for four – still needing a further 226 runs to reach their daunting victory target of 346.
Their position was even worse when Bairstow, who made a gallant 95 after coming in at 54 for four in the first innings having replaced the dropped Kevin Pietersen, walked out to bat at 45 for four on Monday.
However, Bairstow, whose unbeaten 43 off 36 balls included seven fours, had so far helped Jonathan Trott (57 not out) add 75 for the fifth wicket.
South Africa-born Trott, having started Monday on six not out, went on to complete a 126-ball fifty with six fours.
Brief Scores: South Africa 309 & 351 (Hashim Amla 121, AB de Villiers 43; Steven Finn 4 for 74) lead England 315 & 221 for 7 (Jonathan Trott 63, Jonny Bairstow 54; Vernon Philander 3 for 29) by 125 runs
