Published 17:54 IST, January 17th 2020
Ben Stokes notches up a brilliant century on his way to add another feather to his cap
Ben Stokes added yet another feather to his cap as he surpassed 4,000 ODI runs as he notched up a brilliant century against South Africa in the third Test
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ICC Cricketer of the Year, Ben Stokes, added yet another feather to his cap as he surpassed 4,000 ODI runs as he notched up a brilliant century against South Africa in the third Test at Port Elizabeth. The English all-rounder is now the second player to breach the 4000-run mark and scalp 100 wickets in Test. Stokes' century helped England put up a gritty fightback after losing out on early four wickets.
Stokes inscribed his name in the list along with England's Ian Botham and India's greatest Kapil Dev of the other to achieve the feat. However, the all-rounder was dismissed to debutant Dane Paterson when he was at 120. Ollie Pope stitched a significant partnership with Stokes to steady the England innings as he neared his century. At the end of 126 overs, England had scored 353 runs for the loss of 5 wickets with Pope playing on 81.
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Openers fall into leg-side trap
Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley gave England a solid start, putting on 70 for the first wicket but both fell to catches at backward square leg. Joe Denly was leg before to Maharaj when South Africa successfully sought a review which showed a ball headed for the stumps had hit pad before bat, while Root was beaten and bowled by a fast delivery from Rabada which hit the top of his off stump. With the four-match series tied at 1-1, batting first appeared to be a considerable advantage on a pitch which had a fair covering of grass but which offered no help to the bowlers.
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Kagiso Rabada fined, to miss next match
Proteas pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada will miss the fourth and final test against England after receiving one demerit point in the third Test at Port Elizabeth. Rabada was charged for his celebration after dismissing England skipper Joe Root on the first day of the third Test. The South African was found guilty of a level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel for which he received the demerit point and was also charged with 15% of his match fee.
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17:54 IST, January 17th 2020