Twitter Reactions: England win three on the bounce to hand South Africa series thrashing

South Africa won the Centurion Test by 107 runs and looked set to turn their fortunes around. However, defeats in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth got the Proteas reeling yet again. In the quest to make a comeback against England, Faf du Plessis’ men crumbled even in the fourth Test. At the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, the visitors won by 191 runs and took the series 3-1.

Van de Dussen fights

To start with, the Proteas needed 466 runs or rather, surviving two days to save the Test. The opening duo of Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar got their eye in. But, both perished after getting into the 20s. Skipper Faf (35) tried to put his head down before Ben Stokes rattled his woodwork. At the other end, Rassie van der Dussen looked determined, churning out some jaw-dropping strokes.

To his dismay, when he was on 98, Mark Wood got him caught at short extra cover. Van der Dussen was arguably South Africa’s standout batter, hitting 15 fours and a couple of sixes. Quinton de Kock (39) and Temba Bavuma (27) showed intent and played a strike-rate in excess of 90. It needed a peach from Broad to get Bavuma. The leather kicked off the surface and found Bavuma’s gloves.

England make merry

Dwaine Pretoria succumbed, trying to take on a short delivery from Broad. Vernon Philander spanked two fours in his last Test innings. Wood dismissed him to pick up the seventh Proteas wicket. De Kock was in no mood to die wondering. The left-hander smacked six fours and a six to entertain the crowd. Wood pinned the southpaw to send the last recognized batter back to the hut.

A disastrous mix-up led to Beuran Hendricks’ run-out. Anrich Nortje was the last man to get out. The umpire didn’t give him out in the beginning. But the visiting team took the DRS and the on-field decision had to be overturned. The Proteas were shot out for 274 in 77.1 overs. Wood was the most successful bowler with four wickets. Broad and Stokes picked up a couple of wickets each.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to England’s series win: –