END OF OVER:152 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | ENG: 499/9
- Ollie Pope135 (226b)
- Keshav Maharaj58-15-180-5
- Kagiso Rabada28-6-97-2
4.26pm: "Light roller only," says George Dobell at the ground, perhaps assuming that I've been on a diet to bring in the new decade...
"Looking at those laws, the question is whether or not Root's wave to the batsman constituted notifying the umpire" chimes Kieran. "I don't think he did, but I'd still be furious if I were Rabada." Isn't furious Rabada's default state?
4.23pm: And breathe! England added 73 runs for the 9th wicket in just 52 balls, and have left themselves in a pretty strong position in this Test. South Africa had spells were they had a grasp on the game and others when they looked bereft of ideas, but the pitch has looked sluggish, and fairly easy to bat on... will that analysis still hold true this time tomorrow, though?
James Martin: "Re. the overturning of the declaration, presumably the other key rule is 21.14 "The ball does not become dead on the call of No Ball" i.e. Root couldn't legally declare because the ball wasn't dead... I suppose?" Hmm, not sure that's what that one means... but it's a grey area for sure!
"I for one welcome England's new policy of declaring before Broad comes out to bat," muses Jez. "It's just too frustrating after his past success."
Ollie Pope walks off 135 not out, and England fall one run short of the 500 mark... it would have been their first such score since the day/night Test against West Indies at Edgbaston in 2017...
Maharaj also picks up his five-wicket haul, but at the cost of some 180 runs. That's the most expensive five-for by a South African bowler in Tests
MA Wood c Nortje b Maharaj 42 (36m 23b 2x4 5x6) SR: 182.60
Tiggsy: "A rejuvenated Wood charging in with the ball against a deflated South African batting lineup after he's just made merry with the bat? I would like to watch that..."
The relevant laws re the overturned declaration:
15.1 Time of declaration
The captain of the side batting may declare an innings closed, when the ball is dead, at any time during the innings. A declared innings shall be considered to be a completed innings.
15.3
A captain shall notify the opposing captain and the umpires of any decision to declare or to forfeit an innings. Once notified, the decision cannot be changed.
END OF OVER:151 | 9 Runs | ENG: 490/8
- Ollie Pope133 (224b)
- Mark Wood35 (19b)
- Kagiso Rabada28-6-97-2
- Keshav Maharaj57-15-171-4
Josh Macmillan: "Absolutely imperative that Broad goes out to bat at the fall of the next wicket now. Just for comedy's sake!"
Pope's average ticks above fifty
END OF OVER:150 | 9 Runs | ENG: 481/8
- Mark Wood35 (19b)
- Ollie Pope124 (218b)
- Keshav Maharaj57-15-171-4
- Kagiso Rabada27-6-88-2
The partnership's up to 46 already, off 35 balls.
END OF OVER:149 | 14 Runs | ENG: 472/8
- Mark Wood29 (16b)
- Ollie Pope121 (215b)
- Kagiso Rabada27-6-88-2
- Keshav Maharaj56-15-162-4