But then AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis looked as though they might be setting themselves up for another of their fourth innings epic partnerships until Finn struck again in the last over of the day, getting a delivery to bounce sharply off a good length and find the outside edge of Du Plessis’ bat.
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4.4 quake rattles Devore area near San Bernardino
The epicenter was on Victoria Island, in the Pacific Ocean west of mainland British Columbia and the US state of Washington. The quake followed another that measured 4.4 and struck several hours earlier near San Bernardino, California.
But it is De Villiers, around whom retirement rumours have been swirling all week, who South Africa appear to be exclusively relying on to save them in this Test.
Two suspected of plotting attacks in Belgium arrested
But I repeat: “If it’s ever necessary, we’ll take the decision [to recommend cancellation], even if it’s a hard one”. The prosecutor’s office said six people were brought in for questioning and all but two were released.
“We’re in a fantastic position to try and press for victory”, said the 6ft 7in seamer.
Chip Kelly out as head coach in Philadelphia
And it looked like Chip Kelly was about to tie himself to Sam Bradford . (David Maialetti /The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP). Kelly was moderately successful in his first two years as the team’s head coach, compiling a 10-6 record in each of them.
After 10 overs, shared between five different bowlers, openers Stiaan van Zyl and Elgar had already wiped 50 off the target amid a slew of boundaries. Elgar managed to score 40 runs, while Amla managed to score just 2 runs.
South Africa captain Hashim Amla wants the Proteas batsmen to support the bowlers after their heavy Test defeat to England. “If we are patient and let South Africa come to us, then we have a very good chance”, Finn said.
For England, Nick Compton’s resilience at number three, Finn’s heartening return to from a foot injury and Moeen’s controlled showing with the ball all represent major plus points.
South African coach Russell Domingo admitted: “We didn’t play half as well as we can”.
“I thought the way Nick came back after a few years out really helped – he was a rock for us in that first innings”.
It took England only 24 overs on the final day to pick the remaining six wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
England has three full sessions to wrap it up on Wednesday.
Earlier, England had lost skipper Alastair Cook, leg-before to Dane Piedt for seven.
Beginning the fourth day on 172-3, with Taylor and Root at the crease, England went on to add 154 runs before being bowled out.
Jonny Bairstow, who beat the turf in frustration on day four after missing a far tougher chance offered by De Villiers when he had 33, made no mistake to make it 136-6.
Taylor charged offspinner Piedt and was stumped. Jonny Bairstow’s run-a-ball knock took his team’s lead over 400.
They were eventually bowled out for 174 after losing their last six wickets for 38 runs. Alex Hales was joined by Compton and the pair slowly took the score to 48 before Hales holed out trying to hit Piedt for six.
“This will provide us with more selection options for the second Test match at Newlands”.
Under bright blue skies, and with no possibility of rain saving South Africa, Ali got one to straighten to De Villiers with the third ball of the day.
England were bowled out just after lunch for 326 in their second innings, Bairstow top-scoring with a quickfire 79 off 76 balls in a display of flawless timing on a slow surface before he holed out in the deep to end the innings.
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South Africa require a daunting 280 runs still to win with their hopes hinging on a talismanic performance from leading batsman AB de Villiers, who will resume on 37 not out.
