England Tour of South Africa 19/20

What a performance by Stokes!

Ben Stokes in the last 9 months:

*That* catch vs. South Africa
82 vs. Sri Lanka
89 vs. Australia
79 vs. India
84* in the World Cup final
50 at Edgbaston
100 at Lord's
135* at Headingley
91 vs. New Zealand
5 catches vs. South Africa
72 vs. South Africa

I accept Stokes's post match verdict though.
Sibley played a crucial part in setting up the victory with that century.
Batted with the sort of patience and application that allowed things to flourish later on in the 2nd innings.

It England can start putting big 1st innings runs on the board things will improve even more.

They also need to recapture that World Cup Final spirit and apply it in Test matches

The 3rd test from Port Elizabeth is underway. The pitch looks a little placid and England are currently 26-0.

One change for England, with Wood replacing the injured Anderson. Still no place for Woakes, even with Anderson and Archer both missing.

At Stumps England were 224-4.

At lunch England reached 334 - 4. Stokes has got another century.

The news this morning is that South Africa pace bowler Kagiso Rabada has been banned for the final Test against England following his celebration of Joe Root's dismissal yesterday

England declared at 499-9

South Africa ended the day at 60-2

England have carved out a clear advantage today. It won't be easy bowling SA out twice on this track - even with the uneven nature of it being more pronounced today - and obviously unlikely to get any better from here, so still a lot of work to do!! I would still place my bet on a draw from here.....only just!! The pressure of fighting to save it may be SA undoing - if they are going to go down