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.
South Africa 116-3 (49); R van der Dussen 25, K Petersen 36 - SA trail by 148
Foakes being very vocal in his praise of “Leachy” from behind the stumps as he produces an absolute ripper that pitches and turns hard past the outside edge of Petersen’s bat. CLOSE!
A maiden over.
South Africa 116-3 (48); R van der Dussen 25, K Petersen 36 - SA trail by 148
Ben Stokes hasn’t bowled himself yet. Surely soon as England need to break this partnership. For now, it’s Ollie Robinson back into the attack. Can he make something happen? Strains of “Mrs Robinson” heard from the brass section of the Barmy Army...
Consecutive twos into the leg side off his pads from Petersen and he nurdles a single round the corner to fine leg from the final delivery. Actually, it’s a leg bye but same difference
I’ve added how many South Africa trail by to the title of each post as the Proteas start to steadily eradicate the deficit.
South Africa 111-3 (47); R van der Dussen 25, K Petersen 32
Ooooooh! CLOSE! Inside edge from Petersen on a Leach delivery that skids through. He looks round in alarm but it slides past the stumps and they run a single.
Van der Dussen more defensive but takes full advantage of a poor final delivery, overpitched, on leg and it’s whipped away through midwicket for FOUR! A rare loosener from Leach
South Africa 106-3 (46); R van der Dussen 21, K Petersen 31
A beauty from Anderson as he gets one to straighten on Van der Dussen who plays and misses outside off, on a fifth-stump line. The next delivery is the same! Van der Dussen can’t pick him here.
Anderson is looking a bit frustrated but it’s good Test bowling. A maiden over.
South Africa 106-3 (45); R van der Dussen 21, K Petersen 31
Leach bowling into really nice areas although not getting huge amounts of turn. Oooh, that one had a bit more movement about it and induces a bit of a leading edge from Petersen.
He’s trying to work runs into the off side, all from his back foot, but it’s another maiden.
South Africa 106-3 (44); R van der Dussen 21, K Petersen 31
Anderson is pitching the ball up superbly here, giving Van der Dussen no room to work with. Beats the outside edge with the third delivery
Nice drive for two in response, although Rassie still lifting the top hand off the bat to protect that injured index finger.
South Africa 104-3 (43); R van der Dussen 19, K Petersen 31
A couple of skewed shots off Petersen’s bat from Leach’s bowling but no damage done. They think about a sharp single into the off side off the final delivery but opt against it. Maiden over.
South Africa 104-3 (42); R van der Dussen 19, K Petersen 31
This Anderson over is a little bit more dramatic! CHANCE! Petersen clips one in the air and it is inches away from Ollie Pope at sill mid-on but just beyond his outstretched right hand and they run two.
CLOSE! The next ball is jabbed down on the pitch off a thick inside edge and bounces over the stumps. Petersen then regains his composure and clips a ball on his pads into the leg side for three. That’s also the 50 PARTNERSHIP UP!
South Africa 98-3 (41); R van der Dussen 18, K Petersen 26
Petersen loves playing the slower bowlers off his back foot. Can England lure him forward?
Leach airs one shorter and Petersen is indeed enticed forward - encouraging ‘there we go’ noises from Ben Foakes and those around the bat. Rest of the over is more defensive and he sees out the maiden
South Africa 98-3 (40); R van der Dussen 18, K Petersen 26
Some slightly threatening grey clouds in the sky above Old Trafford. We’ll see if any rain starts to move in.
Nice straight drive from Petersen off Anderson that stops just short of the boundary for three. Joe Root really working hard on the ball in the slips, trying to keep one side shiny. I wonder if it’s starting to get a bit soft?
These two are steadily starting to build a partnership here - it’s up to 44 now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments