SA have target of 331 to win Test
LONDON: South Africa face a target of 331 to win the first Test at Lord’s after England overcame a morning rush of wickets to post valuable runs as they posted a second-innings total of 233 by early afternoon on the fourth day.
Combative batting by Jonny Bairstow, who had been dropped off a simple chance to Vernon Philander on seven, and tailender Mark Wood helped England push their lead past 300 as South Africa’s bowlers struggled to match their early success.
Only three teams have won a Test match by chasing more than 300 at Lord’s.
PARTNERSHIP
Bairstow and Wood shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 45 before the Durham paceman was bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 28 off 36 balls. With last-man Jimmy Anderson at the wicket, Bairstow reached his fifty before falling one run later, stumped by Quinton de Kock off Keshav Maharaj, who claimed his fourth wicket of the innings.
Earlier, Resuming on 119-1 and a lead of 216 runs, England lost seven wickets for 43 runs in 93 balls. Jonny Bairstow was unbeaten on 28, although he was dropped on 7 by fit-again Vernon Philander in the deep.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel did the early damage, dismissing overnight batsmen Alastair Cook (69) and Gary Ballance (34) in quick succession after England added 20 runs.
Wickets continued to tumble on a bare and dying pitch.
England captain Joe Root, who made 190 in the first innings, dragged a topspinner from Keshav Maharaj onto his stumps for 5 before Kagiso Rabada was introduced to the attack and trapped Ben Stokes lbw with a delivery that kept low.
Rabada has been banned form the second test at Trent Bridge, starting Friday, for swearing at Stokes following his dismissal of the allrounder in the first innings Thursday.
The paceman kept his celebrations muted this time, putting a finger to his lips and not making eye contact with Stokes.