England needed a response after their first-Test drubbing and that’s exactly what they produced as they thumped South Africa inside three days. The ‘BazBall’ revolution needed this victory after losing inside three days at Lord’s last week.
England were exceptional with the ball on the final day as evergreen James Anderson (3/30) and persistent Ollie Robinson (4/43) led Brendon McCullum’s side to a huge victory. It was a big week for captain Ben Stokes with his Amazon Documentary released on the second day at Old Trafford. And he delivered the goods in style as he produced a man-of-the-match performance in the hosts’ thumping innings-and-85-runs victory to level the four-match series 1-1.
After skittling Dean Elgar’s visitors for 151 on the first day, England racked up 415/9 declared as they pummelled the Proteas into the Manchester dirt. The impressive 173-run sixth-wicket stand between skipper Stokes and keeper Ben Foakes, who notched up a fine second Test ton, was the cornerstone of an innings which showed the two sides to the ‘BazBall’ coin. It took the game away from the Proteas on the second afternoon and they never looked back.
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“It feels amazing,” beamed Stokes. “It was set up wonderfully by the way we played in the first innings, and we just flew in and gave it our all today. One of the most impressive things was the fact we never let up.
"Ben Foakes should have been man of the match really - seven catches, a match-defining innings. He is a delight to have there."
It’s incredible to think Jimmy Anderson is producing at the highest level after turning 40. The Lancashire legend, bowling from the end named after him, got the party started as he sent captain Elgar’s off stump cartwheeling and old mucker Stuart Broad nicked off Aiden Markram after bowling him off a no ball.
There was stubborn resistance from Keegan Pietersen and Rassie van der Dussen, who is out of the rest of the series with a finger injury. But Stokes once again stood up when his side needed him most as he got the ball to climb with venom to remove the two set batters. It was a procession after that as the visitors lost their last five wickets for just seven wickets as Anderson and Robison ran riot.
Veteran Anderson said: “Every time I play cricket it could be the last so I just enjoy the experience. I could retire tomorrow and be delighted - but I'm not!
"Ollie Robinson bowled brilliantly. He could have had more wickets in the first innings and he got better and better."
Stunned South Africa Elgar admitted: “It was a reality check for us and we lost it in the first innings. You need runs in Test cricket. We were way short.
"It's all set up for the third Test - two proud nations and a great stadium."
