ROOT’S RECORD TARGET
England on the ropes
ENGLAND are staring down the barrel with Joe Root’s men needing to rewrite Test history to beat South Africa at Trent Bridge.
The Proteas batted the hosts into submission as they close on levelling the series with victory in the second Test.
Set 474 to win, England were given four overs to survive before the close of play.
It didn’t start well – Alastair Cook was given out lbw first ball before he overturned the decision on review.
However, those 24 balls at the end of the third day were enough to suggest the chances of posting the highest-ever Test run chase are minimal.
Forlorn
On a pitch beginning to misbehave, with some uneven bounce, England look down and out.
At least Moeen Ali stayed positive. The all-rounder said: “The top three can be very solid and bat time. Then we have Joe in good form who can block it.
“We have batters who are capable of doing it.”
Despite Moeen’s upbeat message, it looks a forlorn task after another tough day for Root.
England took eight wickets, with Ben Stokes producing his best bowling spell of the summer and Moeen claiming four late scalps. But they’ll surely be footnotes in a heavy defeat.
Root will have plenty to ponder before they head to The Oval for next week’s third Test. And top of his list will be stamping his authority on the team’s reviews as yesterday was a shambles.
They have called 10 during this series, getting just three right. But there seems to be no process or consultation, with bowlers taking it on themselves to review.
Ironically, the worst came when they didn’t review. Hashim Amla, on 25, nicked behind but there was barely an appeal, let alone a thought of a review. It all added to a sense of helplessness.
By the time opener Dean Elgar was bounced out by Stokes, the South Africans already boasted a lead of 283 – just one short of the biggest chase ever on this ground.
Jimmy Anderson soon picked up Quinton de Kock and Liam Dawson – on review – finally accounted for Amla on 87.
But South Africa showed patience and application – the characteristics that eluded the hosts on Saturday as they were bundled out for 205.
England bowling coach Ottis Gibson admitted: “They’ve put us under a lot of pressure, some of it we haven’t responded well to.”