Wood takes nine as England seal emphatic series win over South Africa

Mark Wood was the star performer for England again as the touring side won the fourth Test at the Wanderes by 191 runs to seal a 3-1 series victory over South Africa.
Dean Elgar and Pieter Malan negotiated the first hour without any issues, with the pitch offering little assistance to England’s opening bowlers.
But Chris Woakes – who bowled very well in the first innings – made the breakthrough soon after coming into the attack, as Malan played a loose cover drive and edged to Ben Stokes who took the catch at second slip.
Woakes then thought he had Rassie van der Dussen as he was given out lbw, before the South African reviewed the decision and was reprieved as the ball was shown to be going over the stumps.
It looked like the hosts would get through to Lunch with just one wicket down, until Joe Root threw the ball to Ben Stokes.
And is so often the case, Stokes provided the extra impetus England needed as he hurried Dean Elgar with a vicious short ball which the opener was only able to dolly back to Stokes.
South Africa then dominated the majority of the second session.
Van der Dussen was positive, not allowing England’s part-time spinners Joe Root and Joe Denly to settle, and looked largely untroubled as neared his first Test century with the England fast bowlers toiling in the baking sun.
And Faf du Plessis provided typically staunch resistance at the other end before Stokes again made the crucial breakthrough, as the South African captain played on trying to defend a ball that kept low for 35 from 92 balls.
One brought two as Van der Dussen fell two short of what would have been a brilliant maiden ton, not quite getting to the pitch of a full ball from Mark Wood, chipping the ball to Stuart Broad, who took a fine diving catch at short cover.
💬 Maybe the game-breaking moment… 💬
No 💯 for Van der Dussen as he spoons Wood to short extra-cover 🤦♂️
Two quick wickets have really boosted England 🏴
📺 Watch 🇿🇦🏴 live: https://t.co/vjFjV8u51O
📰 Over-by-over blog: https://t.co/yZcfbaUpZy pic.twitter.com/fLi4byaLEZ— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) January 27, 2020
Broad then got into the action with ball in hand, producing an absolute jaffer to have Temba Bavuma caught behind off his gloves as the ball reared wickedly off a pitch that was now showing more consistent signs of variable bounce.
WICKET!
“What a nut,” cries Pommie Mbangwa, as Broad dismisses Bavuma with an absolute jaffa that brushes the glove 🍊
South Africa 235-5 🇿🇦🏴
📺 Watch #SAvENG live: https://t.co/vjFjV8u51O
📰 Over-by-over blog: https://t.co/yZcfbaUpZy pic.twitter.com/TnEkIZrPp2— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) January 27, 2020
And Broad picked up his second wicket of the Test match shortly after, as Dwaine Pretorious attempted to hook another short ball and was caught by Wood, running in from long leg.
That brought Vernon Philander to the crease for the last time in Test cricket after a truly wonderful career.
He timed a couple sweetly to the boundary but was dismissed for 10 as he gloved the ball behind trying to pull a short length ball from Wood.
WICKET!
Vernon Philander gloves down the legside off Mark Wood and the Wanderers stands to applaud as he leaves the field for the last time in Test cricket. SA 260-7. 👏
📺 Watch #SAvENG live: https://t.co/vjFjV8u51O
📰 Over-by-over blog: https://t.co/yZcfbaUpZy pic.twitter.com/1IcZl5jaNC— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) January 27, 2020
The Durham fast bowler then took his third wicket of the innings as a typically enterprising Quentin de Kock innings came to an end with a typically brainless Quentin de Kock shot, as he top edged a pull stroke and was caught at mid-off by Chris Woakes for 39.
Beuran Hendricks was run out soon after amid utter confusion with Anrich Nortje, to leave them nine down.
And it was Wood who finished off the South Africans as Anrich Nortje was caught down the legside – Wood’s fourth of the second innings and ninth in the Test match.
An impressive comeback from England, who have dominated South Africa in the last three Test matches, after the disappointment of that first Test loss.
Latest
-
News
Will Smeed becomes first batter to hit ton in Hundred during Birmingham win
The opener cracked an unbeaten 101 off 50 balls.
-
News
Women’s game on upward trend and schools an important target – Anya Shrubsole
The 30-year-old pace bowler was restricted to competing against boys during childhood.
-
News
Australia captain Meg Lanning taking break from cricket for personal reasons
The 30-year-old had been due to represent Trent Rockets in The Hundred.
-
News
Tributes pour in for former umpire Rudi Koertzen following death aged 73
The MCC said it was “saddened” to learn of Koertzen’s death.
-
England
Lisa Keightley to step down as England head coach at the end of the summer
The Australian took over in January 2020 and led England to the final of this year’s World Cup.
-
News
Chance to Shine graduates Lauren Bell and Issy Wong excited to keep on inspiring
The pair have enjoyed a memorable year so far with international debuts in multiple formats.
-
The Hundred
Jordan Thompson stars with the ball as London Spirit hammer Manchester Originals
Seamer Thompson, who took two wickets on his tournament debut at the Oval last week, followed that up with a remarkable four for 21 from 20 balls.
-
News
Sam Billings aiming to use England Lions game to push for Test recall
The wicketkeeper will captain the side for the tour match against South Africa.
-
News
Moeen Ali fears 50-over cricket could be lost due to ‘unsustainable’ schedule
The World Cup winner is worried people are starting to view the 50-over format as ‘the long, boring one’.