The Lord’s Day
I made it on time this morning to Lord’s to see the third day’s play of the First Test between England and South Africa from the brand new Warner Stand.
South Africa resumed on 214 for 5 chasing England’s first-innings total of 458. England’s bowlers bowled pretty well, but the batsmen, especially nightwatchman Philander, joined by wicketkeeper De Kock, battled gamely and South Africa progressed to 361 all out, giving England a lead of 97.
England then resumed and batted slowly but safely to close on 119 for 1 off 51 overs, losing only Jennings for 33, ahead by 216. Cook was unbeaten on 59. They will be looking to push on tomorrow and try to build a lead of around 450 to try to force a result. There were definitely signs of turn and variable bounce for the spinners so batting last may not be easy.
Anyway, as always, it was a very enjoyable day, complete with Scottish entertainment in the luncheon interval:
Update: Checking the score at lunchtime on Sunday I discovered that England collapsed to 182 for 8, having been 139 for 1 at one stage. South Africa are now favourites to win this game, although England’s spinners will take heart from the fact that the ball is turning sharply.
Another update: the plot thickens. England managed to add another 50 runs courtesy of Bairstow and Wood, setting South Africa 331 to win. At tea they were 25 for 3. England definitely favourites again, but with South Africa’s two best batsmen Amla and De Kock at the crease..
Final update: 5.33pm. South Africa all out for 119. England win by 211 runs.
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In the Dark 
July 10, 2017 at 1:36 am
What did you do to the pitch or the players as you left? Today seems to have been a totally different game!
I was in the UK for the week attending the NAM conference….I’d forgotten to put an application in for the Lords ticket ballot but today I went down to Arundel to see an excellent T20 win for Glamorgan. Flight back in a few hours…
July 10, 2017 at 8:43 am
I was thinking of going to that game, actually, but had arranged some stuff to be delivered to my house in Cardiff on Sunday so had to scrap the idea.
Although England were on top on Saturday batting didn’t look particularly easy. Clearly the pitch deteriorated further.
July 11, 2017 at 12:45 pm
19 wickets on the Sunday!
July 11, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Yes, extraordinary. Batting didn’t look particularly easy on the Saturday afternoon, but I didn’t foresee two extraordinary collapses on Sunday. I was right about the importance of the spinners, though. It was Moeen who did most of the damage.
July 13, 2017 at 9:44 am
It was my first visit to Arundel (for cricket or any other reason) and I was pleased to add another county cricket ground to my list. And Ingram has become the first Glamorgan batsman to score two T20 hundreds and I’ve somehow seen both of them. So despite Souhern Trains contriving to make me arrive at the ground 20 minutes late, when Glamorgan were 24-2 after 5 overs, it was still an excellent, sunny, afternoon out.
July 13, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Simon, glad to encounter someone else who is determined to watch county cricket on as many grounds as possible!
July 10, 2017 at 2:33 pm
I’m struggling to keep up at the moment! There’s the Test cricket against South Africa, the Women’s World Cup, plus Wimbledon.
I feel slightly sorry for the SA team; I work on the SKA, so I’ve visited a few times and got to know a few South Af
July 10, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Yes, England’s Women are doing very well. I haven’t seen any of the games though. There don’t seem to have been any at Cardiff.
October 20, 2017 at 1:49 pm
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