Third Test. SA v England. Jo'burg, Jan 14-18

[greyblazer]

I stand by what I have been saying since 2014 that even if Stokes fails in 10 games, I won't contemplate dropping him from the side. This cricketer can change the course of a game within an hour!

[budgetmeansbudget]

111 runs behind.

111 run partnership.

Serious bad luck?

[budgetmeansbudget]

111 runs behind.

111 run partnership.

Serious bad luck?

Shite yes.

[sussexpob]

Good innings that

[backfootpunch]

brilliant knock

made it look very very easy on a helpful pitch

the lad is genius, best player england have had in a very long time

[Alviro Patterson]

Roooooooooot

[sussexpob]

The boys a special player

[greyblazer]

Root has come a long way since the time he used to get caught in the crease and that left-armer's angle from Mitch tended to trouble him. His footwork has looked flawless on a track with steep bounce.

[Dr Cricket]

That root innings could have just won them the series now.
quite hard seeing SA winning now.
Tomorrow root and England lower order can destroy SA tomorrow, 150 run lead would pretty much kill South Africa in this series.

Even if England collapse tomorrow, their still have Anderson, Finn, Broad with the ball to cause problems.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks a great day for England. Might be a little on top now. Well done to Joe Root, who has copped bit of criticism lately.

[The Professor]

brilliant knock

made it look very very easy on a helpful pitch

the lad is genius, best player england have had in a very long time

Wouldn't say that the pitch was hugely helpful....no one else has prospered hugely.

[Durhamfootman]

I assumed BFP meant helpful for the bowlers

[Durhamfootman]

It's odd that praise gets heaped on players who counterattack their way out of trouble, because on another day the same players get vilified for counterattacking their way into a batting shambles. Praise appears to be justified today because the conservative approach to batting clearly wasn't working.

Excellent knock from Root, who seems to have mastered the pitch in a way that no-one else has been able to, and compliments to Stokesy for being.... well..... Stokesy. I imagine it was quite a thrilling couple of hours. 10 an over again at one point, seemingly.

I wouldn't put it past Jonny B to continue the fight tomorrow. He's in the right form to do it

[bigfluffylemon]

Looks fairly even to me. England should get a lead, but it may well be small and will have to bat last on a dry pitch. On the other hand, Broad and Anderson will hopefully be feeling a bit better tomorrow.

[backfootpunch]

I assumed BFP meant helpful for the bowlers

Yeah I did

Viljoen is bowling moeen in to form at the moment

The non selection of Abbot looks more and more puzzling