Cricket Highlights, 29 Aug: ENG vs SA (2nd Test)

ENG vs SA (2nd Test)

The Manchester Test has ended in just three days. After wrapping up South Africa for 151 runs in the first innings, the English bowled them out for only 179 runs in the second innings. Thanks to this, England won against the Proteas by an innings and 85 runs. After South Africa won the first test, the host England has now leveled the series at 1-1 by winning this test.

South Africa’s batsmen could not score runs close to England’s first innings even though they batted for two innings. Proteas scored 330 in two innings and England declared their first innings scoring 415 runs.

However, the Proteas ended the day with 23 runs for no wicket at the end of the second day. However, the South African batting order collapsed at the beginning of the third day. Dean Elgar was bowled by James Anderson to add just 10 runs to the scoreboard on the third day.

After five overs, Sarel Erwee was caught by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes. Then when Aiden Markram was sent back by Stuart Broad, South Africa was 54 for 3. Markram survived being bowled for 0 runs as the delivery by Broad was found to be a no-ball. The team was then led by Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen.

They both went to the tea break with 87 runs for the 4th wicket partnership. From what it seemed; they were unlikely not to lose at least by innings. However, Van der Dussen was caught by the wicketkeeper in the third ball of the first over after the tea break.

In the next over too, the Stokes-Foakes duo sent back Petersen. Petersen scored 42 off 159 balls, Van der Dussen scored 41 runs off 132 balls. After that, the Proteas surrendered helplessly to the decent bowling performance of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson.

Robinson, who came to play in Tests after almost seven months, took one wicket in the first innings and bowled a fiery spell in the second innings. This pacer took 4 wickets for 43 runs with the ball. Meanwhile, Anderson took 3 wickets in both innings. He now holds the record for the highest wicket-taking pace bowler in international cricket with 951 wickets. He has broken the record of Australia’s Glenn McGrath (949 wickets).

Earlier, in response to South Africa’s 151 in the 1st innings, Ben Stokes’ team declared the innings by picking up 415 runs for 9 wickets. Where Stokes and wicket-keeper batsman Ben Foakes played key roles. These two together made a remarkable partnership of 174 runs off 324 balls.

Stokes notched up his 12th career Test century. He scored 103 off 163 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes. The partnership was broken as his wicket was picked up by Rabada. Foakes also made a century. The English wicketkeeper remained unbeaten till the end of the innings.

Foakes added a crucial 95 runs with the last three batters. He scored the second Test century of his career with great batting. His unbeaten innings of 113 off 217 balls was lined with 9 boundaries. Anrich Nortje took 3 wickets for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj took two wickets each.

England captain Ben Stokes won the player of the match award by playing equally well with the bat and ball. Stokes took two wickets in both innings and scored 103 runs in the only innings that his team could bat. These two teams will face each other at Kennington Oval in London in the final and series-deciding match on September 8.

ENG vs SA Scoreboard

South Africa (1st Innings) – 151/10 (53.2)

England (1st Innings) – 415/9 (D) (106.4)

South Africa (2nd Innings) – 179/10 (85.1)

Result – England won by an innings & 85 runs

Player of the match – Ben Stokes

ENG vs SA Playing XIs