Twitter Reactions: England take unassailable series lead after Keshav Maharaj blitz

By the end of the fourth day’s play in Port Elizabeth, England were already on the brink of victory. Trailing by 188 runs with four wickets in hand, South Africa had the odds against them at the St George’s Park. The Proteas batters showed fight, but in the end, the Three Lions won by an innings and 53 runs. Most importantly, they took an unassailable lead going into the Johannesburg Test.

Broad removes Philander early

Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj are no mugs with the bat, but they were up for a mammoth task. To the hosts’ dismay, the duo was separated in the very first over of the day. Stuart Broad bowled a full-length ball and all Philander could do was lob one to Ollie Pope at short mid-wicket. Philander’s wicket was a crucial one since he has shown a fair amount of resistance in the series.

Kagiso Rabada came in and didn’t die wondering. He started with a streaky boundary off Broad. He further rode his luck after Dominic Sibley at the gully region. Rabada then deposited Joe Root over long-on to give the home team something to cheer for. But soon after, Mark Wood cut short his knock. Rabada have a simple catch to Broad at mid-on and perished after scoring 16 off 24 balls.

Keshav Maharaj entertains

Anrich Nortje tried hard for 19 balls before Dominic Bess castled him. The batter played down the wrong line and the leather cannoned into his off-and-middle stump. At the other end, Maharaj didn’t give up the ghost. Despite seeing wickets go down at the other end, he held his ground. He smacked Root down the ground for a four to start his day and then collected a four off Wood.

Dane Paterson was the last man in at a situation when the game was all over, barring some supernatural occurring. In the 82nd over, Maharaj smacked three fours and a six off Joe Root, who gave away 28 runs in the over. He got to his fifty off 90 balls and went on to score 71 with 10 fours and three sixes. Dane Paterson scored 39 in 99-run stand with Maharaj, but the Brits got home.

Here is how Twitterati lauded England for the win: –