ENG vs SA: Crawley leads charge in run-chase as hosts seal series

Zak Crawley plays a shot on Day 5

The truncated Test finale between England and South Africa reached its verdict within the first 30 minutes of Day 5 at The Oval.

About five-and-a-half overs was all it took for the hosts to score the remaining 33 runs they required, as the Ben Stokes’ drawcards brought down curtains to their maiden ‘BazBall’ home season in some style.

England wins truncated Test to pocket series

English opener Alex Lees added another seven runs to his overnight score before getting trapped by Kagiso Rabada. The cricketer was the only casualty of an otherwise perfect final day for the hosts.

At the other end, Zak Crawley continued the juggernaut with his boundary-laden knock, finishing at 69* off just 57 deliveries. The Kent-based batter also brought up the winning runs with a push through the covers.

Speedster Ollie Robinson was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his seven-wicket haul while Rabada won the ‘Player of the Series’ award for his 14-wicket tally throughout the three Tests.

The match also brought an end to England’s home summer, which featured six wins out of seven Tests for the hosts.

Brief scores:

South Africa: 118 (36.2)

Marco Jansen 30 (59), Khaya Zondo 23 (57)

Ollie Robinson 5-49, Stuart Broad 4-41

England: 158 (36.2)

Ollie Pope 67 (77), Joe Root 23 (25)

Marco Jansen 5-35, Kagiso Rabada 4-81

South Africa: 169 (56.2)

Dean Elgar 36 (59), Sarel Erwee 26 (53)

Ben Stokes 3-39, Stuart Broad 3-45

England: 130-1 (22.3)

Zak Crawley 69* (57), Alex Lees 39 (73)

Kagiso Rabada 1-57

England won by 9 wickets

Also Read: ENG vs SA, 3rd Test: Stuart Broad becomes the second-highest wicket-taking pacer in Tests