Published: Jul 27, 2017, 08:48 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 27, 2017, 08:54 PM (IST)
England reached 149 for 4 at tea on Day One of the penultimate Test versus South Africa, at The Oval. Resuming after lunch, visitors struck early by removing debutant Tom Westley for 25. A crisp partnership between Joe Root and Alastair Cook looked set to take the home side forward, but Vernon Philander’s return to the field changed the equation in South Africa’s favour. Cook still remains unbeaten on 72 and holds fort in the final session.
England were 62 for 1 at lunch. Cook and Westley looked well set at that stage. However, early lunch due to bad weather helped South Africa recover. Chris Morris got rid of the debutant in the first few overs of the second session. Westley went hard for a drive off a half-volley and gave a catch to the third slip.
Root joined Cook in the middle. Faf du Plessis could not resort to Philander, his premier bowler. He was out of action in the first session due to stomach bug and served a long wait before turning up with the ball. Root and Cook stitched a handy 49-run stand with the former displaying elegant strokes, whereas Cook continued to look good.
However, Philander’s comeback resulted in Root’s fall. He deviated the ball slightly and forced an edge out of Root’s willow. However, the highlight of the dismissal was Quinton de Kock stretching full length to his right to pluck a brilliant catch. Dawid Malan, another debutant, joined Cook. Nonetheless, rain made its presence felt for a brief period.
Cook slammed his 55th Test fifty after the rain halt. However, South Africa were more aggressive after seeing the back of Root. Seeing a newcomer in Malan, they tightened the screws with some tight bowling courtesy Kagiso Rabada and Philander. Rabada reaped instant reward: his full inswinger uprooted the middle-stump of Malan, who fell for 1. Ben Stokes and Cook steadied the ship for sometime, before another rain delay led to tea break at Oval.
South Africa kept control and pushed the run-rate below 3 to consolidate the second session.
Brief scores:
England 149 for 4 (Alastair Cook 72*, Tom Westley 25, Joe Root 29; Vernon Philander 2 for 8, Kagiso Rabada 1 for 32) vs South Africa.
