South Africa beat England by an innings and 12 runs inside three days to go 1-0 up in the three-match Test series and consolidate their position at the top of the ICC World Test Championship Standings.
South Africa rocked early, but put up fighting lead
What turned out to be a rosy day did not begin great for South Africa with Kagiso Rabada dismissed by a stunning catch from Stuart Broad at mid-wicket. Maco Jansen found support from Anrich Nortje, but the former couldn’t complete his maiden Test fifty as he fell two runs short of the landmark.
Nrotje remained unbeaten on 28 as South Africa put up a comfortable lead after the first innings. England minimised the damage early on day three, but the same, however, would not turn true for their batting.
Dean Elgar’s masterstroke
Elgar pulled a rabbit out of his hat when he gave Keshav Maharaj a bowl before the sheen had worn off the new ball. Coming in to bowl in the eighth over of England’s innings, the left-arm spinner prized out two big wickets before the lunch break to put South Africa firmly in control.
Both Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, the first innings hero, were trapped in front as South Africa piled on the pressure on the hosts.
Nortje’s burst
While it was Lungi Ngidi who put South Africa well and truly ahead with the big scalp of Joe Root shortly after lunch, it was Nortje who destroyed England’s hopes in the Test in a 10-ball burst that yielded three wickets and leaked zero runs.
Nortje sent back Jonny Bairstow for the second time in the Test match and then had Alex Lees and Ben Foakes dismissed next over to complete the demolition job.
South Africa’s Lord’s domination
South Africa sealed a victory without having to bat again as they continued their domination at Lord’s since readmission. The visitors have now won five of their seven Tests at the venue since 1992, losing only once.
The win put South Africa one step closer to the ICC World Test Championship finals next year. They are on top of the standings with six wins and two losses this cycle, a win percentage of 75%. Australia and Sri Lanka follow them in the table, with England languishing at seventh spot with eight losses this cycle.
A comprehensive victory for South Africa 🔥#WTC23 | #ENGvSA | 📝 Scorecard: https://t.co/jSaMPUpESo pic.twitter.com/DOTTAvdDve
— ICC (@ICC) August 19, 2022
South Africa 326 (Erwee 73, Jansen 48, Elgar 47, Maharaj 41, Broad 3-71, Stokes 3-71) beat England 165 (Pope 73, Rabada 5-52, Nortje 3-63) and 149 (Nortje 3-47) by an innings and 12 runs
Kagiso Rabada gets the Player of the Match award : “Always special to contribute to a team success. For us to get over the line, especaily at Lord’s, is really special. I didn’t even know about the stats. All I try and do is repeat my processes and get into the contest and do what’s best for the team and for myself. (Biggest learnings since 2017) You always pick up skills along the day.
The pitches here are different, bowling with the Duke’s ball is different. It’s about adjusting your lengths, and getting used to the ball. (On the seam attack) I will leave you guys to name that. (On Maharaj) Exactly., Kesh has been an outstanding performer for us down the years. Those two wickets really helped us, and nobody expected that from him. Looking forward to Manchester.”
Dean Elgar: “Didn’t think, especially waking up this morning. We thought they’d bat hard and get a big lead. When it was our turn to bowl, we had to put the ball in the right areas. The guys did a great job. Very grateful with a young side. I have got a great think-tank behind the scenes.
Good coaches who give great advice. As things work out, with Kesh getting a few wickets. And bringing Anrich who bowls at the speed of light. I am just looking to get better as captain. (On his partnership) Having Sarel around helps. He’s an experienced cricketer, and a great team-mate. He is a pretty fiesty character. We’ll enjoy tonight, it is Friday after all. We won’t rush it, because we need to let the young guys take in the moment.”
Ben Stokes: “We can’t think too much about what was talked about in the pre-match, but we can’t think about it and that will affect what happens in the next game. Captains before have also been criticised for the way the teams have played. This is not a wake-up call or anything, but we haven’t executed our plans well. South Africa have played better. (On not having played red-ball cricket in the lead-up) I don’t want to make excuses. Maybe there was a case for some of the guys to get a first-class game, but I don’t want to be talking about it. (Next game) Probably win the toss.”
Greg: “I had tickets for tomorrow – haven’t been to a test match since 2019. I’m not sure gutless, brainless collapses are the way to keep the public engaged. But credit where it’s due – South Africa have an excellent bowling attack and they’ve ruthlessly outperformed England here.”
Peter: “If you add up the total overs the match didn’t even last 2 days. Without the rain this would be England’s second two-day defeat in as many years (India the other at Ahmedabad). This also came a week after the Lions, which perhaps wasn’t even a second-string England team given the players that are playing in the hundred, racked up almost 700 and beat South Africa by an innings. Serious questions to be asked!”
