South Africa vs England 2017 3rd Test Full Commentary

Result · Jul 27 2017, Thu - 03:30 PM (IST)

3rd Test, - The Kia Oval

ENGLAND

353, 313/8 decl

SOUTH AFRICA

175, 252

England win by 239 runs

103.2

Ben Stokes c Kagiso Rabada b Morne Morkel 112 (153)

OUT! Caught. Morne Morkel to Ben Stokes. Length ball, outside off stump backing away driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off, by Rabada.

Ben Stokes' innings comes to an end for 112 after he skies the ball straight up. He has been superb with the bat and counter-attacked at the right time after Cook set up the platform. They will be thrilled with today's play after piling on 353 runs thanks to Stokes and also a lower-order cameo from Toby Roland-Jones. It hasn't been the best day for South Africa with the ball even though the conditions were in their favour but they weren't helped by Philander being off the field most of the day. This is going to be a tricky little session before Tea for the openers to face.
103.1

Morne Morkel to Ben Stokes. Short, outside off stump on the front foot pulling, in the air under control to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, fielded by Bavuma.
102.6

Kagiso Rabada to James Anderson. Yorker, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly point for no runs.
102.5

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Off cutter back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to deep backward point for 1 run.
102.4

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Bouncer, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, in the air under control to deep mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Maharaj, fielded by Elgar.
102.3

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Length ball, outside off stump backing away driving, missed to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
102.2

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long on for no runs, fielded by du Plessis.
102.1

Kagiso Rabada to James Anderson. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Maharaj.
101.6

Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Quicker ball half volley, to leg moves in front flick, Play and Miss (Leg Side) to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
101.5

Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
101.4

SIX! Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot slog sweeping, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs. Six more! Stokes is in T20 mode right now to see how many runs he can pile on at the end.
101.3

SIX! Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control over long on for 6 runs. That is how you get to 100. Smack the ball miles over the rope and don't worry about the fielders. What an innings this has been under immense pressure early on but now it is time for some fun.
101.2

SIX! Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock ball half volley, middle stump backing away driving, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs, mis-fielded by du Plessis. It is all happening out there. Stokes is going for the big six but he hasn't got it all. Faf is waiting to take the catch but the momentum has meant he overbalanced and fell into the rope. A huge slice of luck for Ben Stokes.
101.1

Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to long on for no runs, fielded by Kuhn.
100.6

Kagiso Rabada to James Anderson. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
100.5

Kagiso Rabada to James Anderson. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs, fielded by Rabada.
100.4

Kagiso Rabada to James Anderson. Short, outside off stump no foot movement, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
100.3

Stuart Broad c Hashim Amla b Kagiso Rabada 3 (13)

OUT! Caught. Kagiso Rabada to Stuart Broad. Half volley, outside off stump on the back foot flick, leading edge to slips, by Amla. Too easy for South Africa. The threat of a short ball to Broad does the trick as Rabada goes full and straight. Broad is on the back foot and attempted to go legside but got a big leading edge to first slip.
100.2

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Morkel.
100.1

Kagiso Rabada to Stuart Broad. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Kuhn.
99.6

Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to cover for no runs.
99.5

SIX! Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot slog sweeping, well timed in the air under control over long on for 6 runs. What a shot from Stokes. Down on one knee and creamed deep into the crowd. That could have gone out of the ground it was that big.
99.4

Keshav Maharaj to Ben Stokes. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, back to bowler for no runs, fielded by Maharaj.
99.3

Keshav Maharaj to Stuart Broad. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by du Plessis.
99.2

APPEAL! Keshav Maharaj to Stuart Broad. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, hit pad to slips for no runs, by Elgar, appeal made for Caught. Slight appeal for the catch but no one is really that serious about reviewing.
99.1

Keshav Maharaj to Stuart Broad. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to backward point for no runs, fielded by Amla.
98.6

FOUR! Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Bouncer, outside off stump on the back foot hooking, well timed in the air under control past fine leg for 4 runs. Helped down to fine leg from Stokes using the bounce on offer.
98.5

Kagiso Rabada to Stuart Broad. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot Steer, to backward point for 1 run.
98.4

Kagiso Rabada to Stuart Broad. Bouncer, outside off stump swayed away, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
98.3

Kagiso Rabada to Stuart Broad. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to short extra cover for no runs, shy attempt by Bavuma.

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58.4

OUT! Caught. Toby Roland-Jones to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, outside edge to wicketkeeper, by Bairstow.

There it is! Five wicket haul for Roland-Jones on debut. Very clever bowling to take the final one, going wider of the crease and making Bavuma play.

England will take a 178 run lead going into the second innings but it would have been a lot more if it wasn't for Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel. Batting does seem a lot easier today so with a lot of overs still to play England will be wanting to pile on plenty of runs and put themselves in a commanding position.
58.3

Toby Roland-Jones to Vernon Philander. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, top edge in the air uncontrolled to long off for 1 run, fielded by Broad.
58.2

Toby Roland-Jones to Vernon Philander. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, shoulders arms to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
58.1

FOUR! Toby Roland-Jones to Vernon Philander. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, outside edge in the air uncontrolled past third man for 4 runs. Getting closer to the five wicket haul. Philander is pushing hard at the ball but not in a very good position to play the shot.
57.6

James Anderson to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to cover for no runs, fielded by Westley.
57.5

James Anderson to Temba Bavuma. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
57.4

James Anderson to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Steer, to backward point for no runs, fielded by Jennings.
57.3

James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to cover for 1 run, fielded by Broad.
57.2

James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump no foot movement defending, hit pad to gully for no runs, fielded by Stokes.
57.1

FOUR! James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past long off for 4 runs, mis-fielded by Broad. Philander is off the mark with a drive. Eased past Broad with the full face of the blade.
56.6

Toby Roland-Jones to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, shoulders arms to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
56.5

Toby Roland-Jones to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to mid on for no runs, fielded by Anderson.
56.4

Toby Roland-Jones to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to point for no runs, fielded by Jennings.
56.3

Toby Roland-Jones to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to backward point for no runs, fielded by Jennings.
56.2

Toby Roland-Jones to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, shoulders arms to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
56.1

FOUR! Toby Roland-Jones to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, outside edge past third man for 4 runs. Hard fought fifty for Bavuma. Picks it up with soft hands and guided the ball nicely through the slips.
55.6

James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to extra cover for no runs, fielded by Broad.
55.5

James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to mid on for no runs, fielded by Roland-Jones.
55.4

James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Roland-Jones.
55.3

James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to extra cover for no runs, fielded by Broad.
55.2

James Anderson to Vernon Philander. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs, fielded by Anderson.
55.1

OUT! Caught. James Anderson to Morne Morkel. Seaming away length ball, down leg side on the back foot defending, outside edge to slips, by Cook. Anderson gets the breakthrough. Nice line and length to Morkel who hangs his bat away from his body and edges to first slip. A slight juggle from Cook but he takes it comfortably in the end.
54.6

Moeen Ali to Temba Bavuma. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to cover for no runs, fielded by Anderson.
54.5

Moeen Ali to Temba Bavuma. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to point for no runs, fielded by Roland-Jones.
54.4

Moeen Ali to Temba Bavuma. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, thick edge to point for no runs, fielded by Roland-Jones.
54.3

Moeen Ali to Temba Bavuma. Off break length ball, outside off stump moves in front defending, to point for no runs, fielded by Roland-Jones.
54.2

Moeen Ali to Temba Bavuma. Off break length ball, outside off stump moves in front working, leading edge to extra cover for no runs, fielded by Anderson.
54.1

Moeen Ali to Morne Morkel. Off break length ball, off stump moves in front pushing, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Roland-Jones.
53.6

James Anderson to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, shoulders arms to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
53.5

James Anderson to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.

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79.5

OUT! Caught. Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Stock ball full toss, off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air under control to long off, by Rabada.

A freebie for Bairstow but he can't connect how he would like and he picks out Rabada in the deep. What should have been a simple catch was made a little trickier with the South African bowler having a juggle and a slip. England have set South Africa 492 runs to win after Bairstow's 63 took the score past 300 before Root decided to declare. There might be people saying it should have come earlier but that still leaves England four sessions to bowl out South Africa. Big session coming up for both teams after Tea.
79.4

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long on for 1 run, fielded by Morkel.
79.3

Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Quicker ball yorker, outside off stump no foot movement pushing, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Morris.
79.2

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot flick, to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Elgar.
79.1

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, outside off stump backing away driving, to cover for no runs, fielded by Kuhn.
78.6

Dean Elgar to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Amla.
78.5

Dean Elgar to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, to leg on the front foot flick, to mid wicket for no runs, fielded by du Plessis.
78.4

SIX! Dean Elgar to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control over long on for 6 runs. Six more for TRJ. Put in the slot and the tailender swipes it back over the bowler's head.
78.3

Dean Elgar to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, off stump backing away pushing, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Amla.
78.2

Dean Elgar to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock ball full toss, outside off stump down the track driving, in the air under control to long on for 1 run, fielded by Kuhn.
78.1

SIX! Dean Elgar to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot slog sweeping, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs. Six more to the total. Long levers from Roland-Jones and he connects with the middle of the bat to bring up the England 300.
77.6

Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to cover for no runs, fielded by du Plessis.
77.5

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Quicker ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Rabada.
77.4

Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, outside off stump backing away cutting, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Morris.
77.3

SIX! Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, down leg side backing away slog sweeping, well timed in the air under control over deep square leg for 6 runs. Up and away from the England keeper. Huge hit and the step away from the wicket enables him to free his arms and get the power.
77.2

Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, down leg side backing away slog sweeping, Gloved to fine leg for 2 runs, fielded by Amla.
77.1

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot working, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Philander.
76.6

Dean Elgar to Jonny Bairstow. Stock ball half volley, down leg side backing away flick, to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, fielded by Rabada.
76.5

FOUR! Dean Elgar to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, well timed past deep backward point for 4 runs. Bairstow doesn't miss out on the reverse-sweep this time. Placed far enough away from Bavuma to pick up the boundary which takes him to fifty.
76.4

Dean Elgar to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, off stump down the track driving, mis-timed to long on for 1 run, fielded by Kuhn.
76.3

Dean Elgar to Jonny Bairstow. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long on for 1 run, mis-fielded by Elgar, fielded by Kuhn.
76.2

Dean Elgar to Jonny Bairstow. Stock ball full toss, middle stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, to backward point for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.
76.1

Dean Elgar to Jonny Bairstow. Stock ball full toss, outside off stump down the track driving, to long off for 2 runs, fielded by Maharaj.
75.6

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to cover for no runs, fielded by Morris.
75.5

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, outside off stump down the track pushing, inside edge to fine leg for 2 runs, fielded by de Kock.
75.4

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot cutting, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Kuhn.
75.3

Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot pushing, to long on for 1 run, fielded by Amla.
75.2

Keshav Maharaj to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Morris.
75.1

Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot working, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Bavuma.
74.6

Dean Elgar to Toby Roland-Jones. Stock ball full toss, to leg down the track driving, back to bowler for no runs, fielded by Elgar.

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77.1

OUT! L.B.W. NOT OUT changed by umpire to OUT after REFERRAL. Moeen Ali to Morne Morkel. Off break length ball, off stump on the front foot defending, hit pad.

Moeen Ali you beauty! He picks up the hat-trick and England take the victory by a huge 239 runs to lead the series 2-1. It looked very close as the ball slid into the pads but it needed a review which Root was always going to take. All three red lights on hawk-eye and the players are jumping all over Ali. What a moment for the England spinner.

Overall England have been the better team since day one and they thoroughly deserved the win after coming back from a crushing loss. Ben Stokes' marvellous century set up the first innings after Alastair Cook saw off the new ball before an inspired spell from Toby Roland-Jones, on debut, skittled out the Proteas for 175. From that point on South Africa were always behind the eight ball and if it wasn't from a gutsy century from their opener Dean Elgar in the second innings they might not have made 150.

With each team's win coming with a huge margin of victory who knows what to expect at Old Trafford.
76.6

Ben Stokes to Keshav Maharaj. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, inside edge to short leg for no runs, fielded by Malan.
76.5

Ben Stokes to Keshav Maharaj. Bouncer, outside off stump ducked, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
76.4

Ben Stokes to Keshav Maharaj. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot, shoulders arms to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
76.3

Ben Stokes to Keshav Maharaj. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to point for no runs, fielded by Ali.
76.2

Ben Stokes to Keshav Maharaj. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot glancing, Play and Miss (Leg Side) to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
76.1

Ben Stokes to Keshav Maharaj. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs, fielded by Stokes.
75.6

OUT! Caught. Moeen Ali to Kagiso Rabada. Off break half volley, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, outside edge to slips, by Stokes. Carbon copy stuff from Ali. Tossed up above the eyeline and Rabada goes for the booming drive from his first ball but gets an edge to first slip. England are one away from victory and for the third time in the match an English player is on a hat-trick.
75.5

OUT! Caught. Moeen Ali to Dean Elgar. Off break half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge to slips, by Stokes. Floated up from Moeen outside the off stump and Elgar can't resist going for the drive. There was enough turn though to take the edge which went straight to Stokes at slip. A gutsy innings from Elgar comes to an end for 136 which has lasted 228 deliveries. The whole crowd applauds what has been a brilliant display of batting.
75.4

Moeen Ali to Dean Elgar. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
75.3

Moeen Ali to Dean Elgar. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.

75.2

Moeen Ali to Dean Elgar. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to cover for no runs, fielded by Anderson.
75.1

Moeen Ali to Dean Elgar. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs, fielded by Ali.
74.6

Ben Stokes to Keshav Maharaj. Half volley, outside off stump no foot movement, shoulders arms to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
74.5

Ben Stokes to Dean Elgar. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to deep mid wicket for 1 run.
74.4

Ben Stokes to Dean Elgar. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to mid on for no runs, fielded by Broad.
74.3

Ben Stokes to Dean Elgar. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Malan.
74.2

Ben Stokes to Dean Elgar. Short, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Malan.
74.1

Ben Stokes to Dean Elgar. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot, Left to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
73.6

Moeen Ali to Keshav Maharaj. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, missed to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
73.5

Moeen Ali to Keshav Maharaj. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, hit pad to short leg for no runs, fielded by Jennings.

73.4

Moeen Ali to Dean Elgar. Off break half volley, off stump on the front foot working, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Broad.
73.3

Moeen Ali to Dean Elgar. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to short leg for no runs, fielded by Jennings.
73.2

Moeen Ali to Keshav Maharaj. Off break half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep extra cover for 1 run, mis-fielded by Cook, fielded by Broad.
73.1

FOUR! Moeen Ali to Keshav Maharaj. Off break back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed past deep backward point for 4 runs. Runs are flowing for South Africa. On the shorter side and Maharaj rocks back, cutting hard and into the wide open space.
72.6

Toby Roland-Jones to Dean Elgar. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by Bairstow.
72.5

Toby Roland-Jones to Dean Elgar. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to long on for 2 runs, fielded by Broad.
72.4

Toby Roland-Jones to Dean Elgar. Short, outside off stump on the front foot Steer, to deep backward point for 2 runs, fielded by Anderson.
72.3

Toby Roland-Jones to Keshav Maharaj. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Anderson.
72.2

FOUR! Toby Roland-Jones to Keshav Maharaj. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, outside edge past third man for 4 runs. Down into the ground and through the slips. Awkward bounce for the two Durham fielders to deal with.

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South Africa vs England 2017 3rd Test Full Commentary

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