England cricket ratings: How the tourists fared in third Test victory over South Africa
England wrapped victory by an innings and 53 runs on the fifth morning of the third Test against South Africa, guaranteeing an unassailable 2-1 lead after finally ending a remarkable last-wicket stand.
The tourists needed four wickets at the start of play and threatened to race over the line in style as Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Dom Bess left the Proteas on the brink at 138 for nine.
They were one ball away from a triumphant finish to their stay in Port Elizabeth but found themselves subject to an astonishing display of tailend hitting as Keshav Maharaj (71) and Dane Paterson (39no) swung their way to a 99-run partnership.
With the ball disappearing to all parts of the ground it required a run out to finish the job, Curran throwing down the stumps as Maharaj sprinted to bring up the century stand.
The result marks a notable achievement for Joe Root and his side, the first time England have enforced a follow-on overseas since 2013 and the first time they have done so in a winning cause since 1992 in Christchurch, but the captain took the brunt of the late fireworks himself.
Bowling on longer than he should have as he looked to convert his career-best overnight figures into a maiden five-wicket haul, the skipper sent down 11 wicketless overs for 56, South Africa scored 28 off the last of them - 24 from Maharaj's bat and four byes - to equal the Test record for most runs in an over.
Standard Sport assesses the individual performances at St. George's Park...
Zak Crawley: 7
Played his best innings yet on the opening day as England put on their highest first innings opening stand since 2009. There is a lot for England to work with and a score in Joburg would get him on the plane to Sri Lanka.
Dom Sibley: 6
Looked steady again, and seems likely to get a long run at the top of the order. Dropped a couple of tough chances late in the match.
Joe Denly: 5
Became bogged down against Keshav Maharaj and failed to build on another start. But played a part in the laying of the platform that Stokes and Pope capitalised on.
Joe Root: 7
Got a good ball on the first day, but captained well – perhaps until the final morning. He bowled better than he ever has (again until the final morning): could he be a sole spinner in Joburg and a third spinner in Sri Lanka?
Ben Stokes: 8
Just strikes fear into the South Africans. Ninth Test century was among his best, and he took the (surprisingly) key wicket of Nortje on Saturday. Loses a point for a couple of very surprising dropped catches.
Ollie Pope: 9
A terrific Test for the 22-year-old batsman. The rare double of a maiden hundred and six catches, with many of them crackers at short leg.
Jos Buttler: 4
Is not settling as keeper-bat as fast as England would hope, and has competition for his spot. Soft dismissal when the situation seemed perfect for him, and a tad untidy with the gloves.
Sam Curran: 6
Batted well, but struggled a little bit to get to grips with bowling conditions. Did dismiss danger man Quinton de Kock for the third time in the series, though.
Dom Bess: 8
A breakout performance for the Somerset youngster. Took the first five wickets in the first innings and provided terrific control throughout. Could be dropped for Joburg, but only because of conditions, not performance. Sterner challenges await, mind.
Mark Wood: 8
Fit and firing, Wood is a wonderful sight. Provided assists for his team-mates, and then got among the wickets himself in the second innings. Superb hitting and a fine catch too.
Stuart Broad: 7
A slow start in the first innings, but roared back on the fourth and fifth mornings. The wise old man of this team now looks as happy as ever.
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