Published: Jul 27, 2017, 11:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 27, 2017, 11:24 PM (IST)
The evening session of Day One of the third Test between England and South Africa never got going as rain continued to play a part in the proceedings. England added only 22 runs post tea, going into stumps at 171 for 4 with Alastair Cook fighting hard with an unbeaten 82. He added a fifty-run stand with Ben Stokes (21 not out) to take England to a modest position in the opening day of the penultimate Test. Vernon Philander again stood tall for the visitors with a 2-for, and was ably supported by Kagiso Rabada in the later phase of the day. South Africa would be hoping to get rid of Cook, and go all out at England’s lower order when play resumes on Day Two.
Earlier, England opted to bat first. They were off to a poor start with Keaton Jennings falling prey to Philander. However, Tom Westley rebuilt the innings with Cook in the middle. The newcomer looked in good touch amid tough batting conditions. Nonetheless, he was dismissed soon after lunch. Joe Root got to a start but fell trying to drive outside off stump. Dawid Malan was ripped apart from a vicious yorker by Rabada as South Africa tightened the screws. They were fast, aggressive and maintained tight lines with the fall of a wicket.
Stokes and Cook steadied the ship with some hits and misses. There were few edges, but Stokes continued to add runs at the crease. Cook, on the other hand, looked least bothered by continuous rain delays, and notched up his 55th half-century. He was rock solid on the back-foot, drove with aplomb and was quick on his pads. He also became the 10th highest run-getter in the format, surpassing Allan Border.
The pair of Cook and Stokes will hold fort on Day Two of the third Test. They will have to take England close to the 300-run mark, which would be a challenging score under overcast conditions akin for seamers.
Brief scores:
England 171 for 4 (Alastair Cook 82*, Joe Root 29; Vernon Philander 2 for 17, Kagiso Rabada 1 for 32) vs South Africa.
