Curran revels in England fightback as tourists rock South Africa
England had the better of day two in the second Test against South Africa, with Ben Stokes, James Anderson and Stuart Broad stepping up.
Published : Jan 04, 2020 23:50 IST
Sam Curran said England must dismiss South Africa early on day three and "bat big" after Ben Stokes' catches and a fired-up pace attack gave it the edge in the second Test at Newlands.
Curran and Stuart Broad took two wickets apiece on Saturday, while James Anderson claimed 3-34 to leave the Proteas 215-8 at stumps in reply to the tourist's 269 all out, having been 157-3 shortly after tea.
Stokes took four slip catches and put down two other chances, leaving him one away from becoming the first England fielder, excluding wicketkeepers, to grab five in a Test innings.
South Africa trails by 54 runs and Curran says England must take command on Sunday as it strives to level the four-match series at 1-1.
"What a way to finish the day. Hopefully we can get a lead," Curran told Sky Sports .
"We're in a good position. Hopefully we can get those two wickets in the morning and bat big."
Dean Elgar (88) and Rassie van der Dussen (68) were looking like giving the host a platform to build a big lead, the latter capitalising on being given a reprieve when he edged behind on 16, but Broad overstepped.
Spinner Dom Bess bowled 27 overs, foraging for an opening before he claimed the crucial fourth-wicket breakthrough, drawing Elgar into a hoik that found the safe hands of Joe Root.
"Bessy did an amazing job. There's not much for the seamers and not much for Bessy," Curran said.
"That is a flat wicket but at the same time there is a channel that we're trying to hit. It's about being as patient as possible and every now and again there's something there."