SA staring down defeat at 136/4
South Africa were heading towards defeat as they reached 136/4, needing a further 280 runs for victory, against England at stumps on day four of the first Test at Kingsmead, in Durban, on Tuesday.
Holding in their hands the hopes of the nation were AB de Villiers (37) and nightwatchman Dale Steyn (0) as the unbeaten men in the middle.
Faf du Plessis (9) departed shortly before the close of play as he edged a rising delivery just outside offstump from Steven Finn, caught by captain Alastair Cook in the slips to leave South Africa four down with 136 runs on the board.
The strike brought Finn’s (3/27) wicket-tally to three as he also dismissed Dean Elgar (40) and Proteas captain Hashim Amla (12).
After lunch, set a lofty 416 runs to win as England were bowled out for 326 earlier in the day, both openers made starts before getting out. Stiaan van Zyl (33) was out bowled by Ben Stokes shortly before tea as South Africa lost their first wicket on 53.
After bowling England out for 326 halfway through the afternoon session, South African openers Van Zyl and Elgar put together their first 50 run stand since the first Test against Bangladesh in July.
Before their innings came to a close, led by Jonny Bairstow (79), the English scored at close to five runs per over in the period lasting 50 minutes after lunch as they steadily grew their lead.
Out of form Proteas opening batsman Van Zyl turned on the magic with the ball as he picked up two wickets to return figures of 3/20 to knock over the tail. In the process Van Zyl doubled his Test wicket haul to six.
In morning play, England batsmen Joe Root (73), Ben Stokes (5) and James Taylor (42) and Moeen Ali (16) all fell after England resumed on their overnight score of 172/3.
First to depart was the big wicket of Root off the bowling of Abbott as the batsman edged a length ball which flew to Van Zyl at first slip who took the catch to leave England 192/4.
Spinner Dane Piedt accounted for Taylor, Stokes and Ali to bring his tally to five scalps as he returned figures of 5/153 – his best figures in the three Tests he’s played.
ANA
(File photo)