Razeen Gutta
The final and decisive test between England and South Africa finally got underway at The Oval in London with the visitors kicking off with a low score batting first.
Following Thursday’s washout and Friday’s day of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the England faithful were serenaded with a soul-stirring rendition of God Save the King before play got underway on Saturday.
The hosts got off to the best possible start with the ball as Ollie Robinson dismissed captain Dean Elgar in the second over of the day before Jimmy Anderson picked up Sarel Erwee five balls later.
The wickets kept on falling at regular intervals with the Proteas top six batters all dismissed for just 36 runs.
Marco Jansen top scorer for the visitors to get them over the 100 run mark with 30 off 59 balls, while Keshav Maharaj made 18 off 32 before Stuart Broad picked him up.
Robinson ruled the roost in the first innings, eventually getting Jansen out to cap an outstanding five wickets for 49 runs in his 14 overs as the Proteas finished all out for 118.
Jansen carried on his good form with the ball as he picked up both England’s openers within the first 10 overs of their first innings.
It was 84/3 when Joe Root also fell to the left-armer and it was Jansen too who got debutant Harry Brook out to make it 107/4.
Ollie Pope kept the scoreboard ticking for England with 67 off 77 balls before Kagiso Rabada got him out.
Rabada next picked up Broad before the day’s play came to an end prematurely as bad light came in the way of a fast-moving game of cricket.
With just two days remaining the chances of a result still seem possible as the hosts go into day four with a lead of 36 and three wickets still in hand.
Image source: @TheGuardian
