England v South Africa LIVE: Cricket result and scorecard as England win second Test at Old Trafford
England are looking to build on a strong start to this Test match and level the three-match series with the Proteas
Ben Stokes produced the crucial double strike to set England on course for a three-day thrashing of South Africa at Old Trafford.
England romped home in the second Test by an innings and 85 runs - an even bigger margin than the one they lost by in similarly crushing fashion last week at Lord’s - as they flattened the tourists for 179. And it was captain Stokes who once again proved his inspirational all-round qualities, following up his fine century on day two with a long spell of bloody-minded brilliance with ball in hand.
Fourth-wicket pair Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen had successfully sucked the heat out of England after a strong start from the hosts, blocking their way in a determined stand of 87 in 261 balls.
With inspiration in short supply it fell to Stokes to break their will as he removed the pair in successive overs at the start of the evening session. His decisive moment came in the middle of a draining 14-over stint either side of the tea break, as flogged himself for the cause and came up trumps. With his work done he tossed the new ball to James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, who finished things off in a blaze of glory by taking the last five wickets for just seven runs in the space of just 30 deliveries.
Follow all the latest score updates and live commentary from Old Trafford below.
OUT! Keshav Maharaj ct Pope b Robinson 0 (7); South Africa 175-7 (81.4)
Gone! Robinson finds the edge for a second time in the over as Maharaj pushes hard at the ball. This one pings over to Ollie Pope at fourth slip and he makes no mistakes and pulls it nicely into his chest.
Robinson has his WICKET!
South Africa 175-6 (81.3); K Verreynne 15, K Maharaj 2 - SA trail by 89
Ollie Robinson is thrown the new ball and Verreynne pushes him away for a single to bring Maharaj back on strike. The spinner dangles his bat wide outside the off stump and gets a thick EDGE on the ball, knocking it to Jonny Bairstow at third slip.
It bounces just before him though.
South Africa 174-6 (81); K Verreynne 14, K Maharaj 2 - SA trail by 90
Keshav Maharaj is the new batter and gets in behind his first delivery with a solid block. Anderson got him first ball in the first innings so he’s avoided a king pair.
Maharaj clips one away through point next up and takes two to get off the mark.
The new ball has worked for England, what can Ollie Robinson conjure up now?
OUT! Simon Harmer b Anderson 16 (48): South Africa 172-6 (80.2)
Two balls is all it takes for Jimmy Anderson to get the breakthrough! His first is an awful loosener, short and wide outside off stump that Simon Harmer slaps to the fielder at cover.
The next delivery is a beauty! Full, swinging away and nipping back of the pitch. It flies through the gate of Harmer and England have their sixth WICKET!
South Africa 172-5 (80); K Verreynne 14, S Harmer 16 - SA trail by 92
England are excited and APPEAL to have Kyle Verreynne caught behind. Stokes digs one in but the ball catches the thigh pad on the way through to Ben Foakes who dives down the leg side to cling onto the ball.
The umpire isn’t interested though and Stokes decides against a review. The England captain looks quite tired now after this bowling effort and he’ll get a breather after this over.
It’s a maiden. 2-30 during this 14 over spell for Stokes. He’s broken the back of the South African defence with the wickets of Van der Dussen and Petersen.
The new ball is now available and it’ll be the turns of Anderson and Robinson.
South Africa 172-5 (79); K Verreynne 14, S Harmer 16 - SA trail by 92
It’s a change of angle from Leach who comes over the wicket and targets the rough outside of Harmer’s leg stump. The batter pads up to the first two deliveries and Leach moves back round the wicket.
Harmer’s looked good since he’s come to the crease and has backed his defence against all of England’s bowlers.
Leach bowls a maiden.
South Africa 172-5 (78); K Verreynne 14, S Harmer 16 - SA trail by 92
For a long spell like this - Stokes is into his 13th over now - his speeds have stayed strong and he’s bowling a line and length that’s tricky to deal with.
The England captain sends five good balls down to Simon Harmer before straying down the leg side to give away another run.
South Africa 171-5 (77); K Verreynne 14, S Harmer 15 - SA trail by 93
Jack Leach is given a bowl and replaces Stuart Broad. He’s an accurate bowler, targeting the stumps but he hasn’t found a great deal of turn on this pitch.
Leach sends one down wide of the off-stump and Harmer cuts him away through point for three runs. Three overs to go until the new ball, Ollie Robinson has gone off the pitch to get his bowling boots on.
South Africa 168-5 (76); K Verreynne 14, S Harmer 12 - SA trail by 96
Stokes does continue and Harmer collects two with a back foot punch through the vacant gap at cover. He seems to have settled in now and steals a single with another push into the offside.
Verreynne sees out the rest of the over. Three runs coming from it.
South Africa 165-5 (75); K Verreynne 14, S Harmer 9 - SA trail by 99
Broad to continue at the James Anderson End. He’s probing on a good length, targeting a middle and off stump but Verreynne is solidly behind it.
If England can nick the South African wicketkeeper before the new ball it’ll be a bonus for them.
Blonde hair boucing on top of his headband, Broad strays too straight and Verreynne flicks the ball away to deep midwicket and collects a couple of runs.
England’s lead is under 100 now.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments