(Source: AP)Joe Root survived one chance but not a second one, and Ben Stokes fell just before stumps, as England finished Day 1 of the final Test against South Africa on 260-6 on Friday. The day reflected the seesaw nature of the series, which has swung one way and then the other: England won heavily in the first test, South Africa dominated the second test, and England was convincing in the third test. For the decider, Olivier was in the team after South Africa was forced to leave out the injured Vernon Philander, the tourists’ best bowler on current form. It cost South Africa just 12 runs _ to De Kock’s relief _ as Olivier trapped Root lbw fairly soon after, with an added bonus for South Africa as Root wasted a review. Root again held up South Africa, hitting six fours and registering a 30th test half-century, to go with 12 centuries, in just 57 tests.

Source: Indian Express August 04, 2017 18:45 UTC