KNOCK OF AGES
Sibley stamina puts England in control
DOM SIBLEY came of age as a Test opener in just his fourth match by grinding down South Africa in old-fashioned style.
The 24-year-old blunted the opposition bowlers with patient and effective batting that saw him end the day 85 not out, steadily moving England into the most commanding of positions.
Sibley had been picked to bat for long periods, to wear down bowlers. And over the course of six hours and 222 balls he performed his role to a tee.
Thank goodness there are five days for this Test to come to fruition because Sibley put a hefty price on his wicket in making his highest score to date, forcing the home side to employ conservative tactics as the pitch flattened out.
With Joe Root making 61 in a partnership of 116 and with stroke-makers to come, England are where they want to be.
They have a lead of 264 and the chance to set a target that would leave enough time to take 10 more South African wickets.
England took the previous two inside the first 20 minutes of the day, which was both advantageous and refreshing as they dismissed South Africa for 223 for the addition of eight runs.
That was a welcome change from their struggles in 2019.
In the past 12 months no team have given away more runs for the last three wickets than England, who conceded an average 28 runs per wicket. Inevitably it was James Anderson who led the way by removing Kagiso Rabada first ball with an old favourite, shaping away and taking the edge as he prodded forward.
And with his 13th ball of the day he wrapped things up after
Anrich Nortje edged to Ben Stokes at second slip where he took his fifth catch of the innings, something no Englishman had ever done before.
It signalled the 28th five-wicket haul of Anderson’s career and another England record as he moved past Sir Ian Botham’s previous best mark of 27. And to think that Anderson’s place in the side had been in question beforehand.
His 5-40 from 19 overs highlighted just what a complete bowler he is and how he clearly benefitted from the run-out in the first Test to get him back up to speed after his calf injury.
At 37 years and 159 days, Anderson became England’s oldest bowler since spinner Eddie Hemmings in 1990 to take five wickets in an innings, and the oldest seam bowler to do so since
Dom was there to bat for long periods
Freddie Brown in 1951. He took his first five-wicket haul on his debut against Zimbabwe as a 21-year-old when current teammates Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Dom Bess were just five.
It says everything about both his longevity and his quality that he has now taken 102 Test wickets after the age of 35 at 20.6, placing him fourth behind Sir Richard Hadlee, Sydney Barnes and the great CourtneyWalsh.
On this ground four years ago Stokes produced magic with the bat to evoke memories of Botham.
And the way Stokes took his catches at second slip was also reminiscent of Botham, even though not even Sir Beefy managed to snaffle more than three an innings.
With the bowlers and the fielders playing their part, it was then left to the batsmen to follow suit and thanks to Sibley and then Root that is exactly what they did.