Rory Burns’ half-century led England’s chase as they ended Day 3 on 121/1 in pursuit of a 376-run target with two days to spare in the 1st Test against the Proteas at Centurion, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The Proteas set England a target of 376 to win.
After ending Day 2 on 74/2, they climbed to 272 all out thanks to some crucial cameos.
Rassie van der Dussen and Anrich Nortje string together a 91-run partnership which was headlined by Van Der Dussen’s half-century.
He made it a trio of half-centuries on debut across all formats for the Proteas by scoring 51 off 67 deliveries.
Nightwatchman Nortje also played gutsy knock scoring 40, while Vernon Philander was dismissed on 46 after playing some beautiful drives during his innings.
All-in-all the Proteas middle order and tail embodied the fighting spirit that their coach Mark Boucher showed all his years as a player in his days.
Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers for England ending with figures of 5/102.
It was now time for the bowlers to finish off the job, and England to survive.
They made it till Tea having scored 24/0.
After the break, they continued to chip away at their target. Burns and Dom Sibley took England to 92/0 before Maharaj got his man when Sibley chipped the ball back to the bowler.
Burns was dropped by Van Der Dussen on 20 after Quinton de Kock dived across him, and he survived the day on 77.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
