South Africa ripped through England’s top order
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
South Africa were all over England on the fourth day of the fourth Test in Centurion and now require just seven wickets to earn a consolation win.
Batsmen Hashim Amla and Temba Bavuma built on South Africa’s first innings lead with brilliant knocks of 96 and 78 not out respectively before the Proteas’ pace attack sliced through England’s top order.
Starting out the day on 42/1, England pace bowler James Anderson dismissed debutant Stephen Cook and captain AB de Villiers in the space of three balls before Amla and JP Duminy steadied the innings with a 57-run partnership.
However, just when everything seemed to be going swimmingly for the Proteas, Duminy was caught behind off the bowling of Ben Stokes for 29.
Despite the loss of Duminy, Amla and Bavuma kept the runs flowing with a 117-run stand, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Amla was caught behind off the bowling of Stuart Broad for 96, which came off 199 balls and included 11 boundaries.
Amla fell four agonising runs short of his 25th Test century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Bavuma went on to make 78 not out, which came off 154 deliveries and included nine boundaries and a six, before de Villiers’ decided to declare with his side on 248/5, which set England a target of 382 to win.
Bavuma hit nine boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 78
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Anderson was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Stokes and Broad took one wicket apiece.
Chasing 382 to win, England found themselves in deep trouble early on as Alex Hales, captain Alastair Cook and Nick Compton were all back in the pavilion with just 18 runs on the board.
Joe Root and James Taylor managed to stem the bleeding with an unbeaten 34-run partnership before stumps was called.
Root finished on 19 off 49 balls, which included three boundaries, while Taylor remained undefeated on 19 off 34 deliveries, which included three boundaries.
Kagiso Rabada was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Morne Morkel claimed one.
England ended day four on 52/3 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 08:00 GMT.