Joe Root fit to bat as England chase 376 to beat South Africa
Written by News on 29/12/2019
Joe Root was well enough to bat on Sunday as England set about chasing a record 376 to win the first Test against South Africa.
Root hopped on and off the field during the Proteas’ second innings on Saturday as he became the latest player to feel the effects of a virus.
But the captain came out to bat at No 4 on day four at Centurion after Rory Burns (84) was caught on the pull off South Africa seamer Anrich Nortje.
Jos Buttler was also ill on Saturday and did not keep wicket – Jonny Bairstow deputising – but should be fit to bat if required.
England’s pursuit of their record Test chase suffered another blow before lunch when Joe Denly (31) was out lbw to Dwaine Pretorius.
Root urged his partner to review but that came in vain, with ball-tracking showing the delivery would have clipped leg stump.
Root and Ben Stokes are currently at the crease – and the latter has previous when it comes to unlikely Test run chases, so will we have another Headingley on our hands?
Stokes came to the crease with England needing 218 to win the Ashes clash in Leeds – and he came to the crease with them needing 218 to beat South Africa at SuperSport Park…
Watch continued live coverage of the first Test between South Africa and England at Centurion on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.
(c) Sky Sports 2019: Joe Root fit to bat as England chase 376 to beat South Africa
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