BEN STOKES delivered a sensational spell late on day five, ripping through South Africa's tail as England levelled the Test series in incredible manner.

The visitors still needed five wickets at tea, with Quinton de Kock and Russie van der Dussen doggedly hogging the crease.

James Anderson appeared to be struggling with a side injury and South Africa were happily blocking and leaving spinners Dom Bess, Joe Root and Joe Denly.

Denly finally did for De Kock who attempted a big shot off the part-time leg-spinner.

Then Stuart Broad, previously unable to get anything out of the flat, slow surface had Van der Dussen – who took 140 balls to score his 17 runs – caught at leg-slip by Anderson.

From then, it was the Stokes show – as the Durham all-rounder picked up the final three wickets – including those of Dwaine Pretorius and Anrich Nortje in consecutive balls.

Zak Crawley took a screamer of a catch standing close in at slip to dismiss Nortje, grabbing it at the second attempt after parrying it in the air.

Stokes was able to extract real speed out of the pitch, giving it absolutely everything. And with the final wicket beckoning, the speedometer was only rising.

But at the crucial moment, Sky Sports' feed cut out with viewers fearful they'd miss the dramatic ending…

With the first ball back, Stokes finally got the all-important tenth wicket.

With just eight overs to go, Vernon Philander edged behind to an eager, encroaching slip cordon – and the four-match series was levelled at one apiece.

As the intensity of the match increased, tensions had threatened to boil over at one point.

Jos Buttler launched an X-rated verbal attack on Philander, calling him a "fat f***" and a "f***ing knobhead", with England still requiring three wickets and the pitch looking increasingly docile.

But Stokes late heroics ensured the visitors left the happier party with two Test still to play.

MORE TO FOLLOW…

Source: Read Full Article