One man went to Mo. And then another. And then another. What a fantastic way to end a test match: the first hat-trick at The Oval in 100 tests. And, more importantly, a resounding England win. In fact, ‘resounding’ probably doesn’t cut it. I’m going to go with ‘absolute whopping’ instead.
If the truth be told, we knew what the result of this game would be on Friday evening. Once TRJ had decimated South Africa’s first innings, a Proteas comeback was always extremely unlikely.
These days, once a side gets on top in a test match, the other team generally capitulates. Even the best sides (and South Africa ain’t a bad side at all) seem to do it. In fact, the only remotely closely fought test in England’s recent history was Pakistan’s win by 75 runs at Lord’s last year. Other than that the games have all been lopsided: England either hand out a dubbing or get drubbed themselves.
We can all speculate as to why this is – some will bemoan the amount of white ball cricket played – but not many of South Africa’s wickets came from poorly executed attacking shots yesterday: Kuhn wasn’t sure whether to go forward or back, Amla wasn’t sure whether to play or leave, de Kock was beaten neck and crop by a fantastic yorker, and du Plessis also paid for indecision rather than attacking intent. This wasn’t a repeat of England’s demise at Trent Bridge, where they tried to hit their way out of trouble like a punch-drunk pugilist.
A fantastic win like this inevitably means that England are now the most watchable / exciting / entertaining / daring (edit your own hyperbole here) team in the world … until the next game anyway. I fully expect us to get hammered at Old Trafford because, well, isn’t that what usually happens after we win big? The fortunes of the England test team oscillate like a rubber duck in phenomenal seas.
What’s more, I can’t help feeling that these two teams are very evenly matched. England won on this occasion because Ben Stokes played an absolute blinder, South Africa couldn’t get past Cook’s defences on the first day, and Roland Jones had one of those dream debuts that happens from time to time. James Kirtley did a similar thing on debut back in 2003: he took 6-34 in South Africa’s second innings and won England the game.
South Africa’s big guns, on other hand, had games to forget. Hashim Amla was excellent in both innings at Trent Bridge but fell cheaply twice at The Oval. Vernon Philander was obviously unwell, which in part enabled Cook to lay a solid foundation in the first innings, and Dean Elgar’s ton was basically made when the game was up.
Who knows what will happen at Old Trafford? Whoever plays the best cricket – or alternatively whichever team gets on top first – will probably win. Both teams have some excellent players but also some flaws. Neither seems to have the fortitude to mount a recovery in adversity.
Now we’ve looked at the bigger picture, let’s consider the minutiae. This might seem a tad irrelevant in the context of the game but the thing that pleased me most in this test was Tom Westley. England have found it notoriously hard to find good No.3 batsmen over the last two decades (Trott is the only decent one we’ve had) and I think the Essex lad showed promise.
Although Roland Jones will obviously take most of the plaudits, and Westley only made 25 and 59, it was the manner of his runs that impressed me. If I had to think of a comparison I’d argue he’s a cross between John Crawley and Ian Bell: he’s a relatively orthodox player who’s strong through the leg-side but also drives with the full face of the bat. He’s also quite elegant (although aesthetics can be subjective).
While I’m not entirely convinced that Roland Jones will have longevity as a test cricketer – it’s interesting that the last four England bowlers to take a 5-fer on debut were Richard Johnson, the aforementioned James Kirtley, Graham Onions and Adil Rashid – I think Westley might be around for a while if he continues to show a sound technique and a good temperament. I guess we’ll see. I imagine a few observers said similar things after Keaton Jennings made a hundred on debut!
As for Jennings, do you think he’s done enough to play at Old Trafford? While one score of 49 hardly makes a summer (and it wasn’t the most fluent inns at that) it might appear harsh to drop him after he finally survived for longer than five minutes. It’s also notable that he dropped Dean Elgar early on – and that’s exactly the kind of thing coaches hate.
I have to admit that I’m torn on Jennings’s future – mainly because I also think that Mark Stoneman deserves a chance at some point. Would you stick or twist? How many games does one give a struggling player?
It was also a disappointing game for Dawid Malan. Although he should obviously get a few more opportunities to prove himself, it’s worth mentioning that one of my favourite players, Joe Clarke, made 124 off just 53 balls for Worcestershire against Durham yesterday. Clarke also averages 45 in red ball cricket with 9 tons and 10 fifties. Not bad for a player who’s only just turned 21.
I’m not suggesting that Clarke should play for England right now, but there are a couple of very talented youngsters coming through the ranks. With Haseeb Hameed likely to rediscover his form at some point, the likes of Jennings, Malan (and even Westley) need to take their opportunities when they can. After all, there might not be many vacancies for long.
James Morgan
Well done England for playing some good cricket after the debacle of Trent Bridge. Philander’s illness obviously helped their cause, but full marks to Cook and Stokes in the first innings. A key hundred for Stokes I hope, where he had to work hard for his runs for a good while before then accelerating and unleashing his attacking shots.
Roland-Jones has done very well. On TMS they were impressed with his length and line and even if he is 29, I hope he gets plenty more test matches. He made a very good DRS review today too. Westley seems to have looked the part from the few clips I have seen online and has surely earned a run in the side. Malan got a great ball first innings and then had to come in when quick runs were needed, so it’s hard to judge him.
Looking at clips of Jennings online, he doesn’t inspire confidence. That was a soft dismissal in the second innings. Graham Smith felt he should be dropped and that his technique is all wrong. I’d be inclined to give Stoneman a try for the next four matches, even if he is yet another left-hander. On TMS a journalist was suggesting they give young Hameed another go against the Windies, given that they are quite weak at present and it might help him to find his form again. His efforts in India seem to have impressed everyone and I have read that he had even made 49 not out with a broken hand or finger, which shows real character .
Good to see Moeen continuing to improve as a bowler, he was important in wrapping up the victory today.
I wish we had a really fast bowler of Mitchell Johnson pace.
Now they need to play well at Old Trafford, even if they happen to lose the toss.
Elgar did very well and put some of his team-mates to shame, he is SA’s equivalent of Cook. All teams need an opener like that.
It all feels a bit “win the toss, win the game” to me at the moment.
Agree with most of that. Westley looked pretty good, Jennings didn’t, but (to be fair to him) the South African new ball attack is one of the better ones in world cricket, even without Dale Steyn. The problem that both these teams seem to have is that they rely on a few star players, and are carrying a few passengers (that’s harsh, and some of them may come good, as Roland Jones did in this test). So a lot depends on which of the stars turns up (Cook and Stokes in this game, Amla and Philander in the last). I have to admit that i don’t see Toby RJ developing into an English Philander (or Mohammed Asif, or Glenn McGrath: you pick). English conditions only, I fear (and Chris Woakes will come back into the side).
Roland Jones was excellent, however it really wouldn’t surprise me if that ends up being his solitary international 5 wicket haul.
I can’t remember seeing 4 golden ducks in one innings before like SA’s 2nd innings. Du Plessis basically gave his wicket away twice. I imagine that Philander will be fully fit and will be a real menace in the next Test. England ill get too cocky for their own good and will fall flat on their arse at Old Trafford.
Both teams, equally flawed and over-reliant on a couple of batsmen. Roland Jones won the match by dismissing Amla cheaply in both innings.
On another note, the “analyst” talked the biggest load of bollocks I have ever heard in his analysis of Elgar vs Jennings. Apparently Jennings’ problem is that he moves his feet first and then brings his bat down as the ball arrives, whereas Elgar lunges with bat and pad in one motion.
It seemed to totally escape him that Jennings’ technique is actually the orthodox text-book technique as used by almost every professional batsmen, whereas Elgar has found a way to be successful despite being technically flawed (like Cook, in many ways)
I didn’t hear what Hughes said but it makes sense to me that a purist would move their feet first before moving the bat forward. With an off-drive, for example, the front foot would plant itself firmly before the bat comes through. Elgar’s biggest problem is that the bat doesn’t always come through straight. It’s a tad unorthodox but he’s a good player.
Re: Cook, it was noticeable to me (especially against Morkel) that he often had both feet in the air at the point of impact when playing back defensively. I guess there’s a point when orthodox players might on occasion have neither foot firmly planted (on tip toes if you like) but Cook was almost jumping as he hit the ball … and yet he still made 80 odd!
Bit harsh on SA.
Faf & Amla are close to world class.
QDK can change a game and Elgar & Bavuma are fighters.
There are one batsmen short , they really need to find an opener.
As for England, which two are you referring too, Stokes who made a match winning hundred, Bairstow and Ali who regularly contribute, or were you thinking of two others?
The whole situation with new players and the amount of time they are given is an interesting subject, is the seven test policy working? How many who have been struggling after four have turned it around in the next three?
Trying to think of one, Bairstow in 2015 didn’t start that well was probably averaging in the 20s on his return when they arrived in SA but other than that? Vic Marks made the point on CWOT that playing a guy for seven tests means they won’t return for a decent lenght of time.
Also a bit annoyed with how the domestic caladener seems to be set up to stop white ball England players ever playing CC Cricket so the likes of Hales, Roy, Buttler are basically unselectable.
Its a cracker of a series! both teams have been in a see-saw battle…. My money is on the Saffers to bounce back in the next match since Philander will be fully fit and back in action by then!
It’s difficult to be confident in Englands batting, following so many collapses in recent years, but topping 300 in both innings here is encouraging.
I feel South Africa’s long tour is taking its toll, as they continue to struggle for any kind of consistency. Experienced test batsmen seem off the boil and their reliance on Philander with the new ball has become their only consistent threat. Rabada bowls some corkers, but is not the threat I am sure they were banking on and Morkel reminds me of Mike Hendrick, a class act, but with a short of a length stock ball that often beats the bat but fails to find the edge.
It’s difficult to see changes in personnel making much difference for either side and England must be favourites to complete a series victory.