A determined South Africa attack claimed the key wickets of Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes to leave the fourth and final Test finely poised at Old Trafford, where England reached stumps at 260-6 on Friday. Lady luck had smiled on Root in Manchester, where South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock inexplicably failed to dive when presented with a routine catch off the bowling of the controlled and dangerous Morne Morkel (1-58). READ | England vs South Africa, 4th Test, Day 1, Manchester, full cricket scoreCook fell just short of a half-century of his own, departing for 46 on a day that started out by offering plenty for the bowlers, before making them work harder as the pitch dried out. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow (33 not out) survived to resume on Saturday alongside nightwatchman Toby Roland-Jones, who is yet to face a ball. But further cause for South Africa celebration did arrive with the final ball of the 89th over, Stokes’ exit ending a seemingly ominous innings and offering the tourists plenty of reason for hope going into day two as they bid to share the series.

Source: Hindustan Times August 04, 2017 18:00 UTC