Third LV= Insurance Test, The Kia Oval (day three of five) |
South Africa 118: Robinson 5-49, Broad 4-41 |
England 154-7: Pope 67, Jansen 4-34 |
England lead by 36 runs |
Scorecard |
England hold a narrow advantage over South Africa in the third and final Test after 17 wickets fell on a day when cricket paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
The crowd joined in the singing of God Save The King after a minute's silence at The Oval.
The applause had barely ended when the seamer was set on the way to 5 USC.
With Stuart Broad also claiming 4-41, South Africa were bowled out for 118 in only 36.2 overs, something of a recovery from their earlier 366).
England had the chance to take a firm grip on the contest, but a number of rash shots caused the hosts to slip to 133-6.
They led by 36 when bad light stopped play.
A positive result is likely even though this third day was the first to contain any play.
In the first two Tests, the series is level at one win each.
There were no doubts about the decision to continue the match at the beginning of the day.
The players and umpires entered the field through a military guard of honor. The sound of the crowd singing along to Laura Wright's performance of God Save The King was very emotional.
While the mood remained respectful, the cricket itself became spectacle, with the joint-mostwickets in a single day at The Oval since 1933.
The low scores were not justified by the movement in the pitch. South Africa's batting was flimsy and England's occasionally reckless.
Even in a match short on time, regular Test batting would give England a sizeable lead at some point on the fourth day, with plenty of overs remaining to bowl out South Africa again.
South Africa will feel like they have a chance midway through the day, even though England is still in control.
Robinson only returned to the England team for the second Test after eight months out of international cricket, but has quickly re-established himself as the natural successor to Broad and Anderson.
Robinson's length was perfect to exploit the seam movement on offer.
Elgar was the first to be taken through the gate and the second to lose his off stump. Robinson had four in his first spell when Kyle Verryenne was behind him.
South Africa did not play any cricket in the two weeks since they lost the second Test and England were relentless.
Broad took over after the lunch break, getting extra bounce to have Khaya Zondo caught at point and then inducing Anrich Nortje to chip to mid-off.
Robinson had his best figures in Test cricket and third five-star haul when he ended Jansen's resistance on 30.
He kept South Africa in it, first with his runs, then by taking the first four South Africa's fell.
Pope and Joe Root put on 41 for the third wicket after Pope had pinned Alex Lees LBW.
Pope was busy, playing cuts and flicks, while Root looked in ominous touch until he was guilty of England's first poor stroke, a slash at a wide one that was caught by Petersen at third slip.
Debutant Harry Brook unfurled some nice drives for 12 but was too aggressive and captain Ben Stokes was too aggressive. He was dropped from a skier to mid-off before he slipped on the snow.
Pope poked at Kagiso Rabada to catch him and Broad fell in the same way.
Ben Foakes and Robinson were batting at the end of the day when the bowler should have been able to make a difference.
It was a really special morning to be a part of it. It was a huge honor for us to do that. When we walked down the steps, there was no sound.
Ben told us to be positive and try to force a result. I believe we did that.
Stuart Broad said it felt right to be in a cricket stadium when he looked around the stadium.
Everyone was showing respect to the Queen and celebrating her life with a sporting game on the day.