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England vs South Africa, 3rd Test (Men): Ben Stokes’ century, Toby Roland-Jones’ dream debut and other highlights

England take an unassailable lead in the four-match series versus South Africa.

user-circle cricketcountry.com Written by Aditya Sahay
Published: Aug 01, 2017, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 31, 2017, 10:21 PM (IST)

© Getty Images
© Getty Images

It was England all the way at Lord’s. South Africa came back with a thorough performance at Trent Bridge. However, England again turned things around at The Oval, hosting its’ Centenary Test, to notch up a 239-run win. England lead the four-match series 2-1 and have retained the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy as well. They have answered their critics with an all-round performance in the penultimate match. There were many contributors in their victory in form of Ben Stokes, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley, Jonny Bairstow, Toby Roland-Jones and Moeen Ali. Let us walk through some of the key moments of the third Test:

Vernon Philander’s stomach bug rues South Africa’s chances: The writing was on the wall for visitors ever since Philander went missing on the first day. The Man-of-the-Match from the second Test had constant issues courtesy an upset stomach. It was soon revealed that the pacer was struggling due to viral infection. As a result, he was off the field in a crunch phase when the ball was seaming around. Being the face of the pace attack, he bowled only 17 overs in the first innings. England managed 353 on board in his absence which was challenging enough under overcast conditions.

Ben Stokes, a champion all-rounder: England were 112 for 4 with the ball doing a bit. Alastair Cook was settled but needed company from the other end. He got one in form of Joe Root’s deputy, Stokes. The flamboyant left-hander understood the need of hour and stepped up accordingly. He stitched a handy 63-run stand with Cook by applying himself in the middle. He presented a straight bat to full length deliveries, went on the back-foot with ease and was nonchalant in his drives. It wasn’t power, but timing on which he relied upon. Nonetheless, he changed gears effectively when wickets fell from the other end.

After a valuable 75-run partnership with Bairstow, he took on the responsibility with England reeling at 279 for 7. He added 37 runs with Roland-Jones and smashed three back-to-back sixes to Keshav Maharaj to slam his 5th hundred.

Also, Alastair Cook was immaculate with a resilient 88-run knock at the top. He laid the foundation with cautious approach. The former skipper left the balls outside off stump, punched the drives and was at his best on the back-foot. Cook, in a way, handed the baton to Stokes, who in turn, did not disappoint.

Toby Roland-Jones, remember the name: Overcast conditions. The lights were on. Conditions were akin for seamers. Nonetheless, no one would have placed a bet on debutant Roland-Jones to steal the thunder in front of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The 29-year-old did everything asked for. Not one with vicious pace, Roland-Jones bowled in right channels and managed to deviate the ball after hitting the deck. He got rid of Heino Kuhn, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock to strangle visitors at 117 for 8 on the second day.

Roland-Jones was not done yet. He came back the next morning and picked up a debut five-for dismissing Temba Bavuma for 52.

Bairstow’s ups the ante: Bairstow may always be excitable behind the stumps, but can be entrusted with the willow in all forms of the game. His recent success with the bat across formats is a testimony to the fact. England were 380 runs ahead when Bairstow came to bat on Sunday. The platform was set by Westley’s maiden fifty and Root’s 94-ball 50. Nonetheless, England needed to accelerate for a timely declaration. Bairstow bought little time and presented all strokes in his armoury.

Bairstow played the upper cut, cracking flicks, late cuts, drives and smacked a maximum to Maharaj. His 58-ball 63 enabled England to declare with a lead of 491 runs. Apart from all this, he was also seen having fun in the park. There was a funny incident during his stay. In the 71st over, the ball slipped off Kagiso Rabada’s hands during his run-up. Bairstow moved intimidatingly towards the ball and left it. Everyone saw a funny side to it.

Dean Elgar’s proper Test century: Many believed that South Africa would fight hard to salvage a draw in pursuit of 492. After all, they have a knack of producing resilient performances in such situations. Nonetheless, they were 52 for 4 in reply. No batsmen stood firm except Elgar. The left-hander exhibited what it means to bat for long hours in Test cricket. He had the zeal and determination to hang in close to 6 hours. His application was spot on. Elgar took some blows while batting, but it did not deter his concentration.

Elgar wasn’t the most convincing during his innings, but stuck around for the team’s cause. He pulled, hooked, flicked and even shuffled a bit after getting into the groove. His was the lone fighter in South Africa’s twin failure with the bat in this Test. Nonetheless, his innings was praised by many on air. Even Stokes admired his resistance in the presentation ceremony.

‘Moeen finishes off in style’: South Africa were 205 for 7 at lunch on the final day. It was only a matter of time before England stamped their authority on the match. Dismissing Chris Morris on the last ball before lunch, Moeen was introduced into the attack with enough cracks on the turf. He removed Elgar and put the final nail in the coffin. Elgar went for a drive and was caught by Stokes at slips. Moeen then cleaned up the tail in no time. He dismissed Rabada and Morne Morkel off successive deliveries to become the first bowler with a hat-trick at The Oval.

Moeen also became the first English spinner, after Tom Goddard, to take a hat-trick against South Africa since 1938 in whites. It was a fitting way to end the landmark Test at the picturesque ground.

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