South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series as they defeated England by 107 runs in the first match at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Set a target of 376 runs to win, England managed only 272. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada scalped four wickets to help hosts win the series opener. For England, opener Rory Burns was the top-scorer with 84 runs. South Africa vs England 1st Test 2019 Full Scorecard.
England began day four an overnight score of 121 for one with Burns and Joe Denly at the crease. However, the hosts found one success in the morning when pacer Anrich Nortje removed Burns. Before lunch, England lost Denly (31) as well went into the break with the score reading 171 for three.
After the luncheon, South Africa managed to pick one more wicket with the old ball as Ben Stokes fell to spinner Keshav Maharaj. The pace bowling duo of Rabada and Nortje struck with the new ball as they dismissed Jonny Bairstow (09) and Joe Root (48) respectively to leave England at 232 for six. South Africa Pacer Vernon Philander Set to Join Somerset As Kolpak player.
England then lost last four wickets in quick succession with Rabada striking thrice. Rabada scalped Sam Curran (09), Jos Buttler (22) and Start Broad (06) while Nortje accounted for Jofra Archer (04). Wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock was named Player of the Match for his brilliant 95 in the first innings. The second Test will now take place at the Newlands in Cape Town from January 03 onwards.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2019 06:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).