England produce dominant performance to level Cricket series after 85 runs win against South Africa
England produced a dominant performance on the third day to seal victory by an innings and 85 runs in the second Test against the Proteas at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.
The only real resistance offered by the tourists was an 87-run fourth wicket partnership between an injured Rassie van der Dussen and Keegan Petersen, which held up the hosts through the third afternoon.
But once they were dismissed, South Africa folded for 179 in 85.1 overs handing the home side a convincing win – one that levelled the three-match series at 1-1 with the final match to come at the Kia Oval in London next month.
It was a disappointing end to the match for the Proteas with head coach Mark Boucher and captain Dean Elgar left with plenty to ponder ahead of that decider starting on September 8.
After resuming the third morning with all 10 wickets in hand on 23 for none, the skipper fell early to James Anderson (3/30) for 11, before his partner Sarel Erwee (25) was taken out by Ollie Robinson (4/43).
Aiden Markram (6) hardly troubled the scoreboard before he too was sent on his way, this time by Stuart Broad (1/24), leaving the total on 54 for three.
That brought Van der Dussen together with Petersen, with the pair digging in to bat for more than 42 overs together as they frustrated England.
The former, who after the match was ruled out of the rest of the tour with a fracture to his left index finger, was eventually removed by Ben Stokes (2/30) for 41 off 132 balls.
Ten runs later and the home captain also got rid of the latter for 42 off 159 deliveries as the Proteas slumped to 151 for five.
That was the beginning of the end for the visitors, whose last five wickets then fell for just seven runs, handing them a heavy loss on the back of their own big win in the first Test in London.
South Africa now have 11 days to regroup before the third Test. Imperial Lions all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been added to the squad.
