England complete innings win despite 99-run last-wicket stand
Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson bludgeon quick runs before England wrap up win
Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson bludgeon quick runs before England wrap up win
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: Varun Shetty
That is a wrap for our live ball-by-ball coverage of this Test. Stick around for Miller's report and all the analysis and reaction from George and Firdose at the ground, but until then, thanks from Miller, Varun, Chandan and myself, and we'll look forward to seeing you at the Wanderers.
Ollie Pope is player of the match for his maiden ton and six catches. "It's an amazing feeling, but it wouldn't have counted for much if we didn't win the game. [Stokes] To bat with Stokesy is a privilege, he just keeps getting better and better. I was in a pretty good seat to watch another special innings from him. My dad spent a while in the sports bar, I think he enjoyed it with one of his mates... I saw a few pictures and I think he was a bit worse for wear. [Short leg] We've got Sri Lanka coming up, hopefully I can get a few more in there. I really enjoyed it in there this week, the way Rooty and Bessy bowled kept me in the game pretty much every ball. Maharaj and Paterson batted well, pretty frustrating at times, but it's a great mood in the changing room."
And here comes England captain Joe Root: "It's a great template for how we want to play our cricket moving forward, big first-innings score and drive the game forward from there. We knew that we had to take the Newlands effort forward into this week. We've had four guys under 25 making hundreds or taking five-fors and that's a great place to be. That's what it's about, it's not going to be the same guys every week. We've got a very good squad of players, there's a couple of very good players who aren't in this XI, and that's going to fill everyone with a huge amount of confidence. [Variety of pitches] We've adapted quickly so far. We learned our lesson very quickly from Centurion. It'll be very different in Joburg, different challenges for both batters and bowlers."
Here's Faf du Plessis at the presentation - any news on his future? "The toss, we knew that it was going to play a roll. We did a job there with the ball, controlled the run-rate really well. Our bowlers have kept a lid on their batting line-up through the series but England showed some application with Pope and Stokes. The two of them played very good innings and set the platform for the other guys to play freely. We batted poorly in our first innings, I don't think we played Bess very well - obviously he bowled well to get five wickets. [Retirement] I've heard the rumours. I've been pretty clear and consistent that the T20 World Cup is what I'm looking for. It's important for me as captain that we keep driving forward. Nothing has changed when it comes to that. From a performance point of view, yes, me and the team are feeling the pressure but we'll keep fighting." Interesting, completely plays it down. "[On Rabada's ban] It's a big frustration, disappointment. It's not the first time that we've lost him. Already a little bit light on experience in our Test unit, he'll be a huge loss, but those are the cards that we've been dealt."
11.59am Jumping back in for the post-match frolics. That's England's first innings win overseas since the Sydney Test of 2011! Some of the gloss has been taken off by that last-wicket partnership, but it's still a handsome win.
11:53am Well that was fun for a day that began with England needing just four wickets and having three of those inside the first hour. They win by an innings and 53 runs to go 2-1 ahead in the series. And it is thoroughly deserved, this lead. They've shown up in diverse conditions after being 0-1 down, and for the most part been miles ahead of the home side. It was Ollie Pope who set it up brilliantly with the bat, and was around contributing during the next two innings as well, taking six catches, which is the joint second-most for a non-keeper. His efforts aided Bess and Broad in the first innings, who shared eight wickets, and then Root and Wood who shared seven to have South Africa crumbling. As much as that final-wicket flourish would have given some life to the dressing room, it will not be a happy place any time soon. Lots of glaring issues to address. They have about three days to sort things out and try to draw this series.
KA Maharaj run out 71 (148m 106b 10x4 3x6) SR: 66.98
Venkat: "This partnership is the lesson that SA batting line up needed. Had they played normal positive cricket without blocking too much they wouldn't have allowed the likes of root to dominate them. I still can't fathom why they didn't think of striking off the lead batting normally. "
Right, this is getting silly now. But how silly? Have your say on the Live Report
Troy: "Get Root back on, these two are too expensive!"
Tony: "BOWL AT THE BLOODY STUMPS! "
Remember the good old days, when England were truly woeful, but at least the show was able to go on
How good were Pope and Bess in Port Elizabeth?
Not so long ago, it seemed England had forgotten how to bat time, had few spin options and little idea how to strike with the Kookaburra ball
South Africa captain expects to stay on until end of West Indies series in July
South Africa batting too late as Maharaj and Paterson play with freedom of men who have everything to gain