With the first day washed out and no games on Friday, concerns were expressed whether the games could be completed within three days.
With the first day washed out and no games on Friday, concerns were expressed whether the games could be completed within three days.
England took a 36-run lead after an emotionally charged third day of the deciding Test against South Africa with 17 wickets falling and cricket paid respects to Queen Elizabeth II in a moving pre-match tribute on Saturday.
After bowling out the Proteas for 118 in the middle of the second session at the Oval, England scored 154-7 until bad light came on to play the third Test.
The match – and a series closed at 1-1 – is in the balance of what has essentially become a three-day Test as Day 1 was completely washed out and Day 2 was canceled as a mark of respect. The Queen at the age of 96 on Thursday.
“We knew it would only be a three-day game, so we had to play some fun stuff,” said England fast bowler Stuart Broad.
The entertainment came after a solemn start to the day in South London, when players from both teams – all wearing black stripes – walked through a guard of honor formed by Senna and stood on either side of the wicket.
An impeccably observed minute’s silence was observed – “It was unbelievable. You could hear a pin drop,” Broad said – before a high-ranking member of the military rang the bell once.
The anthems for both South Africa and England were then sung by English soprano Laura Wright. Seven decades after the English anthem “God Save the Queen”, it was now a rendition of “God Save the King” waving around the ground. Hours before Saturday, King Charles III was officially proclaimed Britain’s monarch in a ceremony, automatically becoming king following the death of his mother.
There was a standing ovation as Wright left the field and the players prepared to start the match – two days after England won the toss.
England’s pacers were excellent, with Ollie Robinson taking 5-49 and Broad at 4-41 joining former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath for 563 wickets in his Test career – tied for fifth place on the all-time list.
For Robinson, it was his third five-wicket haul in Tests after regaining his spot in the team during this series following fitness issues.
He took four of the first six as the Proteas trailed 36-6, before Khaya Zondo (23) and Marco Janssen (30) led the mini-recoveries.
Robinson completed his five-for before Broad took the final two wickets to wrap up the innings in 36.2 overs.
England openers Alex Lees (13) and Zak Crowley (5) fell cheap again, both losing to left-arm pacer Janssen, but Ollie Pope (67) took the hosts to South Africa’s total. Helped to push.
The Proteas made a good comeback in the final session, however, as Jensen removed Joe Root (23) and debutant Harry Brooke (12) to finish with figures of 4–34.
Some of England’s shot-making left much to be desired, even as the aggressive style followed the team’s new approach demanded by captain Ben Stokes.
Stoke trailed for 6 and Broad fell for the same score, leaving Ben Fox (11) and Robinson (3) in the middle when the players came out for bad light.