The contest is delicately poised with England needing 205 runs to win and the Proteas hunting down seven wickets to claim a victory in the first Test in Centurion writes Khalid Mohidin.
What a beautiful example of exciting Test cricket.
The match was eloquently poised heading into Day 4 – England 121/1 in pursuit 376 – the Proteas needed to find early breakthroughs to put the pressure on England.
The first hour of the first session belonged to England, despite Anrich Nortje striking in his first over to remove the danger man Rory Burns on 84.
The Proteas’ bowlers bowled tight lines and did not offer too many free runs to England. But with two days left to bat and the talent that England possess in their batting lineup, the target is nowhere near out of reach, despite the visitors having to produce a record chase.
The second hour saw Joe Denly take over from Burns, by being patient in his approach and punishing anything short and wide.
But the Proteas struck at the perfect time, Dwaine Pretorius the man to trap Denly (31) lbw as he was creeping towards a comfortable rhythm.
It was up to England’s captain and vice-captain to take the attack to the Proteas. Root and Ben Stokes approached their innings’ with caution as the Proteas continued to maintain a tight bowling gameplan.
England were 171/3 at lunch.
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