Moeen Ali’s 67* guides England to 360-run lead against South Africa on Day 3, 4th Test

In the first innings, it was Jonny Bairstow while in the second, it was Moeen Ali who stepped up to take England’s lead to a competitive 360 at stumps of Day Three.

Moeen Ali remained unbeaten at 67 on Day 3 © Getty Images

The fourth Test between England and South Africa is a classic example of why England’s current batting line-up can be called the most dangerous in the world. The hosts, at Manchester, had heroes rising to the occasion to pull their side’s batting up. In the first innings, it was Jonny Bairstow while in the second, it was Moeen Ali who stepped up to take England’s lead to a competitive 360 at stumps of Day Three. Though South Africa, in both the occasions, had positive start with the ball, they were defeated to the lower-order batting which added some crucial runs to make things complicated for the visitors.

Morne Morkel and Duanne Olivier added only 6 runs in the morning before Olivier was removed by Stuart Broad. England took a 136-run first-innings lead. However, South Africa pulled things back when Morkel removed Alastair Cook and Tom Westley in the first session. Both were sent back in the same fashion, trying to drive full-length balls outside off and edging to slip.

Joe Root and Keaton Jennings built a stabilising partnership. While Root looked confident, Jennings departed for a mere 18 to a poor shot. Rabada provided South Africa with the first breakthrough after lunch. Root batted well for his 49 before falling to Olivier. Olivier also sent back both Ben Stokes and Bairstow quickly. At 138 for 6 South Africa looked confident of clearing the tail soon, but they still had Moeen to contend with.

Moeen batted with an aggressive mindset. His first four was a streaky edge that ran to the ropes. Eventually, he went on to hit 8 fours and 3 sixes. One of these sixes was caught by Bairstow in the pavilion. He remained unbeaten on 67 off 59 balls, and found support from Toby Roland-Jones: the pair added 58. England now lead by 360.

With 2 wickets in hand, if Moeen manages to convert his 67 into a hundred and Broad hangs around, South Africa will be under real pressure, having to chase a target around 400.

While both Morkel and Rabada bagged a couple of wickets each, Olivier emerged as South Africa’s most successful bowler of Day Three with 3 wickets.

Brief scores:

England 362 and 224 for 8 (Joe Root 49, Moeen Ali 67*; 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.