A fantastic day’s play for England saw middle order batsmen Stokes and Pope complete fabulous centuries in a day marred by Rabada controversy.
Ben Stokes accelerated past fifty and achieved his century just after lunch. He played convincingly in typical Stokes fashion before being caught at gully to Paterson’s persistent bowling who took his first wicket in Test cricket.
Not long after, new man at the crease, Jos Buttler was heading back to the pavilion as he chipped a Maharaj delivery straight back to the bowler and departed for just 1 run, dismissed caught and bowled. At this stage, Ollie Pope was edging towards his maiden Test century and built a strong partnership with Sam Curran who, alongside Pope increased the run rate considerably, playing some fantastic 360 degree shots.
There was a scare for Pope as Quentin de Kock came close with a stumping but the young Surrey batsman dragged his foot back just in the nick of time. Curran and Pope’s partnership saw England fly past 400 before he departed for a quickfire 44 runs off just 50 deliveries.
Pope ploughed onwards as he drove a Rabada delivery through the onside to achieve a fantastic century. Dom Bess departed shortly after to the bowling of Maharaj which brought Mark Wood to the crease for the first time since the World Cup Final.
Wood and Pope began playing some extraordinary shots, notably Pope against Rabada and Wood against Maharaj. You have not truly lived until you’ve seen Mark Wood attempting to reverse slog sweep Maharaj and missing by about 3 feet.
There was a kick in the teeth for Faf du Plessis and his men when they thought they had finally taken the wicket of Mark Wood which prompted Joe Root to usher his batsmen inside for a declaration, ending on 499/9. However, a no-ball was soon called and South African’s men were required to head back to the field after almost two days attempting to bowl England out.
Wood fell shortly after, making a handy 44 runs which finally prompted England’s declaration – they had about 20 overs to bowl at South Africa until the close of play.
Sam Curran and Stuart Broad had little joy with the new ball as they were unable to produce any swing. Mark Wood looked fired up and desperate to be back bowling – he has already bowled the fastest ball of the series so far with one delivery clocking in at 150kph. One of which clattered into Dean Elgar’s arm causing considerable pain for the South African opener.
Dom Bess bowled some absolute jaffers with the ball turning nicely out of the rough and soon claimed the scalps of Pieter Malan and Zubayr Hamza. A downpour of rain ended the day’s play prematurely – South Africa scored quickly despite losing two wickets and finished the day at 60-2.
Controversially, Kagiso Rabada has been banned from playing in the fourth Test after receiving his fourth demerit point in the last 24 months. The ICC found him guilty of “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his or her dismissal during an international match” when celebrating the wicket of Joe Root on Day 1.
England finished Day 2 as the far happier side especially for standout performers Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Dom Bess.
Cricket is electric 