South Africa’s air of elation after the first Test has been truly and fully deflated as they lost the third Test at Port Elizabeth to England by an innings and 53 runs. England had made South Africa follow on after declaring their only innings in the Test at 499/9 and bowling them out for 209 in 1st innings.
Ollie Pope (135*) and Ben Stokes (120) had starred for England with the bat, while Keshav Maharaj had picked 5/180 for the Proteas. Meanwhile, in South Africa’s first do, Quinton de Kock showed some reliance, making 63, as Dom Bess picked 5/51 and Stuart Broad got 3/30 to rout SA for 209 runs, 290 behind England’s total.
Joe Root asked Faf du Plessis’ side to follow on and the story remained the same, as Proteas batting just didn’t look in touch, with skipper Root picking 4/87 and Mark Wood showing great form to pick 3/32. Though Keshav Maharaj hit 71 and Dane Paterson made 39, the main batsmen failed to come to the rescue, as South Africa folded for 237 and lost the match by an innings and 53 runs.
A small moment of rejoicing for the home team came when Maharaj hit Root for 28 runs in one over, equaling the record for most runs in one over of a Test match. The other record holders are Brian Lara and George Bailey.
Ollie Pope was named Man of the match. The fourth and final Test will be played at the Wanderers in Jo’burg from January 24.
BRIEF SCORES:
ENG 499/9d (O POPE 135*, B STOKES 120; K MAHARAJ 5/180) AND SA 209 (Q DE Kock 63; D BESS 5/51) & 237 f/o (K MAHARAJ 71; J ROOT 4/87)
England won by an innings and 53 runs and lead four-match series 2-1
