South Africa are trialing 0-1 in the ongoing 3-match Test series vs England © Getty Images
South Africa and England face off on the third day of the third Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. All eyes will be on Joe Root as he resumes from his overnight score of 106, hoping to guide England past South Africa’s first innings total of 313 towards a major score. Jonny Bairstow, who was batting on 4 at the other end, will be giving him company. For the South African all-seam attack, the task will be a simple one — that of getting Root as early in the day as possible if they are to walk away with a first innings lead. LIVE SCORECARD: South Africa vs England, 3rd Test at Johannesburg
England were struggling after a few early dismissals. Alex Hales departed for 1 off the bowling of Rabada, before Cook became Viljoen’s first international wicket off his very first delivery. Nick Compton added 52 runs for the third wicket with Root before Rabada once again struck for the hosts. England were in real trouble when James Taylor was caught by Temba Bavuma in a superb leaping catch at short-leg off Morkel’s bowling as the side lost their fourth wicket with 91 on board.
Ben Stokes then joined Root at the centre, and soon the duo began to despatch the ball all over the park, before switching completely into Twenty20 mode. The pressure got into the South African pacers, as they began to bowl wayward lines without any game plan, which allowed the duo to make merry in the meantime. Stokes completed his half-century in just 35 balls, and was looking set to bring up yet another century until he got a leading edge off Morkel to give the lanky pacer a simple return catch.