Player of the Match
Player of the Match

5.12pm: The highest score of the Test, though it's not saying too much. The pitch has probably played slightly better, and England will doubtless be confident of overhauling this target - and keen to do it tonight, you'd imagine, given the way they have attacked every challenge this summer. There are some 35 overs to be bowled this evening, although there's no chance of getting that many in before the light goes. South Africa will hope they can knock over three or four with the new ball, take the wind out of England's sails, and make them sweat on a small chase overnight

"Nighthawk to open the batting?" chirps Peter Morley

"South Africa defended less than this vs Aus in the 1990s in the days of Vinnige Fanie (PS de Villiers), on a less helpful pitch," declares Johann. "England will back themselves. But SA will know they have a chance. And will have to hold onto all their chances."

"'England one wicket away from setting up The Chase.' With Kagiso Rabada as the Dark Destroyer?" Perfectly suited for the role. James. But who will be (former cricinfo stalwart) The Shark?

"Time for England to put Bazball to one side. 30-0 at the close please." That, Roger, is about the least likely outcome tonight

56.2
W
Anderson to Verreynne, OUT, top-edged and taken in his follow through! Verreynne does go for his shots, but falls without addition to the score, scooping a pull straight up for Anderson to take a dolly a few yards off the cut strip. SA's second innings is wrapped up, and England will need 130 to win this final Test of the summer

K Verreynne c & b Anderson 12 (76m 36b 0x4 1x6) SR: 33.33

56.1
0
Anderson to Verreynne, no run, length ball, top of middle stump, defended

Verreynne on strike to Anderson. Will he tee off here, try to swindle a few more?

END OF OVER:
56 | 1 Run 1 Wkt | SA: 169/9

  • Anrich Nortje0 (3b)
  • Kyle Verreynne12 (34b)
  • Stuart Broad13-2-45-3
  • James Anderson15-4-37-1
55.6
0
Broad to Nortje, no run, perfect length, just a touch wide with his line and Nortje is beaten by a distance as he props out
55.5
0
Broad to Nortje, no run, fuller, starting to swing away, Nortje decides to withdraw his bat late and ends up steering towards gully. Verreynne declines the potential run
55.4
0
Broad to Nortje, no run, length ball wide of the stumps, left well alone

Anrich Nortje is SA's last batter. Broad gesturing to the crowd as he prepares to run in again...

55.3
W
Broad to Maharaj, OUT, straight through 'im! Broad finds the right length with just a hint of inward seam movement, and pings the top of middle stump. In fact, it just brushed the bails, and they fall gently to earth behind Maharaj as he bows his head and then exits stage left. England one wicket away from setting up The Chase

KA Maharaj b Broad 18 (30m 24b 2x4 0x6) SR: 75.00

55.2
1
Broad to Verreynne, 1 run, good length, 84mph/135kph on fourth stump, chopped into the covers for one
55.1
0
Broad to Verreynne, no run, banged in just back of a length, the ball climbing through past the outside edge as Verreynne hung the bat out

END OF OVER:
55 | 4 Runs | SA: 168/8

  • Keshav Maharaj18 (23b)
  • Kyle Verreynne11 (32b)
  • James Anderson15-4-37-1
  • Stuart Broad12-2-44-2

"Any target approaching 150 will be a serious challenge for England's suspect batting." Well, possibly, Andrew Thomas. Although England have four times chased 270 or above this summer

54.6
2
Anderson to Maharaj, 2 runs, length ball outside off, Maharaj opens the face and guides a couple more through backward point
54.5
0
Anderson to Maharaj, no run, length ball, prodded into the covers

Stokes is back on the field now, by the way

54.4
0
Anderson to Maharaj, no run, full, 81mph/130kph on fifth stump, past Maharaj's cautious defensive push and through to the keeper
54.3
0
Anderson to Maharaj, no run, length ball outside off, left alone
54.2
1
Anderson to Verreynne, 1 run, touch short and Verreynne also picks up one pulling behind square on the leg side

"No sign of Leach this innings? Not enough spin on a day 2, sorry day 4 pitch?" The ball has been doing so much for the seamers, Barney - and during a period when you'd most likely turn to Leach if it was quiet - that he's not got a look-in

54.1
1
Anderson to Maharaj, 1 run, slightly back of a length and Maharaj forearm paddles it around the corner for one

Sure enough, Anderson does replace Stokes at the Vauxhall End

END OF OVER:
54 | 4 Runs | SA: 164/8

  • Kyle Verreynne10 (31b)
  • Keshav Maharaj15 (18b)
  • Stuart Broad12-2-44-2
  • Ben Stokes13-2-39-3
53.6
0
Broad to Verreynne, no run, straighter line, 81mph/130kph and clipped to midwicket
53.5
0
Broad to Verreynne, no run, back of a length on the stumps, 83mph/134kph and he starts to close the face, gets a low leading edge towards point
53.4
0
Broad to Verreynne, no run, some away shape for Broad, on a good length outside off, Verreynne dabs and misses