England v South Africa LIVE: Cricket result and scorecard as England win second Test at Old Trafford
England are looking to build on a strong start to this Test match and level the three-match series with the Proteas
Ben Stokes produced the crucial double strike to set England on course for a three-day thrashing of South Africa at Old Trafford.
England romped home in the second Test by an innings and 85 runs - an even bigger margin than the one they lost by in similarly crushing fashion last week at Lord’s - as they flattened the tourists for 179. And it was captain Stokes who once again proved his inspirational all-round qualities, following up his fine century on day two with a long spell of bloody-minded brilliance with ball in hand.
Fourth-wicket pair Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen had successfully sucked the heat out of England after a strong start from the hosts, blocking their way in a determined stand of 87 in 261 balls.
With inspiration in short supply it fell to Stokes to break their will as he removed the pair in successive overs at the start of the evening session. His decisive moment came in the middle of a draining 14-over stint either side of the tea break, as flogged himself for the cause and came up trumps. With his work done he tossed the new ball to James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, who finished things off in a blaze of glory by taking the last five wickets for just seven runs in the space of just 30 deliveries.
Follow all the latest score updates and live commentary from Old Trafford below.
South Africa 150-4 (67); K Verreynne 8, K Petersen 42 - SA trail by 114
Stokes opts to stay with Leach rather than reverting to one of his seamers at the new batter. Leach against Petersen follows a similar pattern to what it did pre-tea - Petersen playing off the back foot and not attacking at all. Maiden over
South Africa 150-4 (66); K Verreynne 8, K Petersen 42 - SA trail by 114
Huge celebration from Stokes as that breakthrough was a long time coming. He’s steaming in now, gets swing on the first two balls to the new batter Kyle Verreynne.
Verreynne manages to steer one of them down to the third man boundary for FOUR though. Fished outside his eyeline but soft hands, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Then a no-ball from Stokes, so the over is extended and Verreynne clatters a pull through square leg for another FOUR! Verreynne not hanging about...
OUT! Rassie van der Dussen ct Foakes b Stokes 41 (132); South Africa 141-4 (65.3)
First over after tea and it’s Ben Stokes to bowl. And it’s a WICKET! What a start to the session.
Van der Dussen pushes miles outside off stump, it finds the edge and a diving Ben Foakes takes it behind the stumps. Van der Dussen’s vigil is finally ended!
England vs South Africa
A frustrating session for England. Only 53 runs for South Africa but no wickets. Will it be different after tea?
TEA! South Africa 141-3 (65); R van der Dussen 41, K Petersen 42 - SA trail by 123
Cries of “catch, catch” from the first ball as the ball drifts in but it’s off Petersen’s pad and falls into a gap anyway.
Incidentally, they’ve just shown ultra-edge on that Stokes ball from the previous over that Van der Dussen missed and it turned out he didn’t... There was the faintest of snicks, it was cleanly taken by Foakes, so if England had reviewed he would have been out! There was no sound though, so it was tough to tell in real time.
Petersen defends out the over and that’s TEA! South Africa’s session as they frustrated England repeatedly. The final three overs were maidens.
South Africa 141-3 (64); R van der Dussen 41, K Petersen 42 - SA trail by 123
Stokes gets a nice bit of shape on a ball that tempts Van der Dussen outside off but it beats the bat. He can’t pick the swing at the moment and Stokes is just showing flickers of making something happen.
South Africa 141-3 (63); R van der Dussen 41, K Petersen 42 - SA trail by 123
Good over from Leach as he ties Petersen up, although the South African does well not to give any chances to the various fielders around the bat.
South Africa 141-3 (62); R van der Dussen 41, K Petersen 42 - SA trail by 123
A little bit of swing wide of the crease for Stokes but a pair of twos for Van der Dussen into the off side. He plays them nicely.
Both batters approaching 50 now and England are desperate for a breakthrough. Not long until tea now.
South Africa 137-3 (61); R van der Dussen 37, K Petersen 42 - SA trail by 127
Jack Leach back into the attack. As the ball gets older, maybe it will do something for him? A couple of runs from it.
South Africa 135-3 (60); R van der Dussen 36, K Petersen 41 - SA trail by 129
60 overs now gone in this innings. Ben Stokes can’t cause any issues for either South African batter but does bowl a maiden.
Stokes goes down after bowling the final ball as he seemed to just strain to put too much in it. He’s up a little gingerly but seems broadly fine.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies