South Africa v England, 4th Test, Johannesburg, 24-28 January, 2020

And a day from the 25th anniversary of Cantona’s infamous altercation with a member of the crowd, Stokes comes close to following suit...

Ben always stoking the flames.

England in front after SA's poor start with the ball. Their losing of tosses defies the laws of probability.

Red wrote:Ben always stoking the flames.

England in front after SA's poor start with the ball. Their losing of tosses defies the laws of probability.

Not really. Numbers, coins, dice, cards, roulette wheeĺs, they have no memory. The chances of him losing the next toss is still fiftyfifty.

Faf drops his opposite number, could be costly, just after The Phone (and the drinks break) did for Pope.

Well, the let-off didn’t cost them much. Another innings of starts but nobody going on to make a big one, if the tail can get us close to 350 we might still be just ahead of the game but it’s in the balance.

This is Taylor made for Buttler to pull the trigger. A rapid 70 or so, would just about shut SA out of the game.

Might be time to give Foakes a run.

Basil wrote:This is Taylor made for Buttler to pull the trigger. A rapid 70 or so, would just about shut SA out of the game.

Pulled the trigger all right. Straight at his own foot.

Gosh SA has been woeful at the tail here.

This is England stuff from the Yarps, losing their heads against the last pair...

A below par total becomes a potentially match-winning one in an hour or so of madness...

Crawley’s 66 is the lowest ever top score in a total of 400+.

"Well done him".

For a while I thought Sturat was going to top score...

Glassy gets rid of Inter, and England get some reward for their bowling efforts at last. Though it’s only a yes-ball by a matter of millimetres...

Elgar of all people slaps a short wide one to gully. The wheels coming off...

South African team on the rack.

I feel sorry for Du Plessis. Everything has taken its worst possible turn of late. That's not an excuse for him e.g. essentially giving up when Wood & Broad were first biffing it, then stroking it around. But he deserves better than for this to be his swansong. (And yes, I know his team may still save this.)

Most appropriate thing I suppose would be a quiet conversation to the effect that he's being relived of the captaincy - but to go and work on his speciality, batting - and I wager there may be a fair few Tests in him yet, if he accepts the verdict and can apply himself with the willow alone.

He’s already indicated he’s likely to retire by the end of the year. Needs a fresh face to take this side forward.

Unless Dr Kock pulls something quite remarkable out of his arse tomorrow, SA are looking at chasing 450 plus in the last innings.

Good team effort so far by England, most chipped in with the bat and the wickets have been shared around.

Dr Kock? Does he have another profession on the side? (And you wonder what his medical specialism is, in that case...)

Basil wrote:Unless Dr Kock pulls something quite remarkable out of his arse tomorrow, SA are looking at chasing 450 plus in the last innings.

Good team effort so far by England, most chipped in with the bat and the wickets have been shared around.

SA may well be asked to follow on with a bit of weather around, although there is a lot of time left in the match. You wouldn't back them to make 200 atm with their cobbled together team.

This has been a big fall since sandpapergate.

Largely incommunicado in the bush for the weekend.

Managed to snag a dodgy signal.

Good effort again by Eng. Big score with no ton.

SAf in the poo again.

Can't believe I'm looking towards an Indian summer for some competitive cricket

Time for a spinner. Oh wait........

First real bit of frustration for England. Why exactly did Pistorius come in at 9?

Because it was his turn to bat?

Just as the follow-on seemed off - good batting from the Mayor and Cook - the former edges.