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Match report
Ali Martin After the first day was lost to rain and the second was respectfully interrupted following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the pre-match prediction by both captains that this series decider would produce an outright winner appeared on shaky ground. But the fall of around 17 wickets over the first three sessions from the available nine keeps things on track. Ollie Robinson had torn South Africa apart like crepe paper with figure fives for 49 in 118 and things were looking rosy in the England garden, only for Dean Elgar’s tourists to fight back with character. Come on, as a day that began with a fitting tribute to the late monarch ended in poor light at 6.28pm, England were 154 for seven and leading by just 36 runs. Ollie Pope had stroked an ultimately unfulfilled 67, but a collective willingness to score quickly and a superb four-wicket performance from Marco Janssen saw the hosts slip away.
Cricket in Fast Forward »
So England lead South Africa by 36 runs with three first innings wickets in hand. ‘Five days? Pah – who needs them. We’ll do it in two…” That’s what I did for the day, Ali Martin’s match report will be with you soon. I’ll be back at The Oval tomorrow to take you through the afternoon and afternoon session if it gets that far – you never know with this lot. Tanya Aldred will be your OBO guide for the first half of the work on day two/four. Thanks for your company and comments as always, good night! We’re in the ridiculous situation where the sun is bathing the corner of The Oval, but we’ve probably seen the end of the action. Of course, this is a lot. The game was abandoned, abandoned I tell you. Cricket is so weird sometimes. It was an unforgettable and frantic day, the glitz and swagger of the dawn giving way to a giddy version of the Test cricket we’ve grown accustomed to seeing this summer. 17 wickets have fallen in 70 overs as two flawed batting line-ups crumple in front of Test quality bowling.
Bad light stops the game
Ollie Robinson gets to the crease and manages to pick up three runs off Rabada with a neat punch at mid-off, but the umpires seem to think it’s too grim here in South London and take the players off! Gah! I can see a LOT of blue sky around The Oval and it hasn’t gotten noticeably darker to my eyes in the last 20 minutes or so. It could very well be that you know. South African players leave the field as bad light halts play. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Updated at 18.37 BST
WIRELESS! Broad c Verreynne b Rabada 6 (England 151-7)
It was only a matter of time! All this effort for just six runs. Still, it was fun while Stuart lasted. Broad attempts a wild hack and gets a tickle at the keeper, the big man takes his leave. England’s Stuart Broad walks after losing his case. Photo: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters Updated at 18.38 BST 33rd over: England 151-6 (Foakes 11, Broad 6) A little further from Nortje as things settle down… 32nd over: England 149-6 (Foakes 10, Broad 5) Broad again lines up a huge over and again only connects with clean air. Undaunted he continues proceedings to move one behind the bowler’s arm, frustrating Rabada in the process. After a delay, Broad is happy to continue and duly dismisses the bowler’s winner for four. The crowd loves it. Most of them anyway. Stuart Broad plays and misses a shot. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Updated 19.03 BST 31st over: England 142-6 (Foakes 8, Broad 1) Foakes brings a sense of calm to proceedings when he’s on strike, especially compared to the carnival of edges that occurs when Broad is facing up. The Surrey batsman tickles Nortje well to get four runs. 30th over: England 137-6 (Foakes 3, Broad 1) Broad tries to hit Rabada at the chip, his long-swingers swinging with intent, but ony manages to connect with clean air. It is clear what his orders are. Does Stuart Broad take orders? John Starbuck knocks to save my job: “Jim, sometime today you’ll probably be able to write Enter the Nighthawk – Enjoy John! Updated at 18.15 BST 29th over: England 135-6 (Foakes 2, Broad 0) Foakes takes a couple from Nortje to take England’s lead to 17. Very good question…anyone?
WIRELESS! Pope c Verreynne b Rabada 67 (England 133-6)
The Pope is gone now! The Surrey man nibbles a delivery from Rabada and gives Kyle the keeper an easy catch. South Africa is a rooster. South Africa’s Kyle Verein (right) celebrates after England’s Olly Pope is dismissed. Photo: Ashley Western/Colorsport/Shutterstock England’s Ollie Pope walks after losing his holster. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian 28th over: England 133-6 (Foakes 0, Broad 0) Stuart Broad comes out to bat. Yes. I know. Updated at 18.39 BST 27th over: England 129-5 (Popes 63, Foakes 0) Nortje is at his best, Ben Foakes does well to take his first ball with a defensive power. This game is live. I refer you to my bet at 17:37… will we see England with the ball before the close? Bright sunshine now at The Oval, thirty odd overs scheduled to bowl before the close – Gulp.
WIRELESS! Stokes c Erwee b Nortje 6 (England 129-5)
Fall! Tough chance but South Africa put Ben Stokes down. It’s his opponent, Dean Elgar, who comes back to mid-on, the ball swirls over his shoulder and he can’t hang onto the dive. It’s a nasty shot from Stokes who tries to hit Norge down the ground for a six but completely loses his shape on the shot, his lower hand slipping off the bat in the process… will it cost… no it won’t! Norge dismisses Stokes and has the last laugh. Dean Elgar looks awfully relieved. South Africa’s Dean Elgar takes a catch off a shot by England’s Ben Stokes. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianEngland’s Ben Stokes reacts as he leaves the field after losing his wicket. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Updated at 18.14 BST 26th over: England 127-4 (Popes 63, Stokes 5) England lead with a thick Ben Stokes edge to edge. Pope then cuts the lanes for another boundary. He had no control over this, Jenny. Rabada bowls three dots but can’t stop the runs completely, his last ball is hit down the middle for another four. Pope and England for the charge. 25th over: England 118-4 (Pope 55, Stokes 4) Ollie Pope goes for his ninth Test fifty with a top edge over the keeper, something that happens almost every ball here. Pope put his arm around him, but it was smart, hitting ten fours in 66 balls. A walk to third for a pair sees England draw level with South Africa. England’s Ollie Pope celebrates after completing his half century. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Updated 18.09 BST 24th over: England 112-4 (Popes 49, Stokes 4) Rabada comes in from the Vauxhall End and Stokes lines up a powerful sweep, stepping on the pitch to scythe the bowler over cover, but it ends up being cut in two with an irregular, fast delivery. Stokes was never going to play any other way. Next ball Stokes cuts with a flourish of his meaty wrists to take four. Good contest. Do not customize your set. 23rd over: England 107-4 (Popes 48, Stokes 0) A loud cheer greets Ben Stokes as he arrives to replace the departing Brook. The England captain blocks his first ball to see the end of the first over back after the break. What odds will you give me of hitting South Africa again before the day is done?
WIRELESS! Brooke c Rabada b Janssen 12 (England 107-4)
Marco Jansen starts from the wicket to Harry Brook. Four dots on a good length brings tees to a short ball which Brook hits lazily and fails to keep the ball down, it goes straight to Kagiso Rabada at long leg. A soft dismissal in his first Test knock. England’s Harry Brook reacts after losing his wicket. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Updated at 17.53 BST Good news! Players return, notional 39 overs left in the day. Secrets. England continue on 107-3, just 11 runs behind South Africa’s 118. Ollie Pope hits home, as he often does – he has 48 off 58. Debutant Harry Brook joins him on 12 off 16 balls. We can go on until 7.30! Although we won’t be able to… autumn. — George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) September 10, 2022 The rain has stopped and it looks brighter above the stands and across Harleyford Road. If there are no more wet things then play will resume at 5.30pm. It’s 17.30 with old money. The rain is still coming down and more covers are coming here at The Oval. This gave me a real laugh. 22nd over: England 107-3 (Popes 48, Brooke 12) Nortje walks in through mid off and darkness. The debutant unleashes another confident effort to take another three, Brook has settled in nicely here.* *SPOILER WARNING And I’m afraid to say the rain has become very heavy, the umpires are calling for the covers and the players are taking it off the field. I don’t think/hope they stay for long… 21st over: England 100-3 (Popes 46, Brooke 8) A solitary single to Pope brings up the hundred for England. Jansen, who has been South Africa’s best bowler, keeps Brook honest. Floodlights on at The Oval and a few spots of rain, not ideal conditions for batting. 20th over: England 99-3 (Pope 45, Brooke 8) England reach 99, Pope picks up a couple with a mis-route to mid-on before hurling the kitchen sink, pots and pans at an over, but no does At such a time, the ball turns to deep third, where the fielder does not pick up the ball in the dark. It’s getting dark and murky here at The Oval, a storm? 19th over: England 96-3 (Popes 42, Brooke 0) Harry Brooke makes his first runs in Test cricket with a superb move…
