England's team of 1950s cricketers overcame a talented South African team from the 2010s by 7 wickets at The Oval.
For much of the 5 days' play this Test match hung in the balance. Having been put into bat and reduced to 65-3, South Africa recovered to 332 thanks to a brilliant 125 from captain du Plessis. England's skipper Peter May hit a fluent 83 but his team lost their way when Abbott bowled Dexter (53), the last 6 wickets falling for 80.
There was only a 3 run difference between the teams after 1st innings, and on the 4th day South Africa unaccountably collapsed from 131 without loss to 178 all out. Amla had played beautifully for 89 and Markram again impressed for 51, but England's powerful pace trio carved through the rest. Needing 182 to win, England experimented with Barrington as opener.
He made 31 but the jury remains out on this team change. Parnell swung the ball with menace, dismissing Graveneyon the 5th morning, and Morkel looked dangerous until tiring. May took 35 balls to get off the mark, but he and Dexter got England over the line with ease in the end.
Brian Statham stood out of the bowlers in the match, taking 6 wickets including the talismanic du Plessis twice. The Lancashire quick was a worthy man of the match.
England 1950s: TW Graveney; MC Cowdrey; PBH May [c]; KF Barrington; ER Dexter; JM Parks [w]; JC Laker; FS Trueman; JB Statham; FH Tyson; R Appleyard
South Africa 2010s: HM Amla; AK Markram; D Elgar; JP Duminy; F du Plessis [c]; Q de Kock [w]; VD Philander; WD Parnell; KA Maharaj; KJ Abbott; M Morkel
South Africa 2010s 1st Innings 332-10 (113.5 Ov)
F du Plessis 125, JP Duminy 75, AK Markram 42, FS Trueman 3-37, JB Statham 3-57, JC Laker 2-70
England 1950s 1st Innings 329-10 (110 Ov)
PBH May 83, ER Dexter 53, JC Laker 48*, M Morkel 4-51, WD Parnell 2-44, KJ Abbott 2-67
South Africa 2010s 2nd Innings 178-10 (65.3 Ov)
HM Amla 89, AK Markram 51, JB Statham 3-27, FS Trueman 3-37, R Appleyard 2-26
England 1950s 2nd Innings 184-3 (58.2 Ov)
ER Dexter 47*, PBH May 45*, MC Cowdrey 34
England 1950s won by 7 wickets
Man of the Match: JB Statham
Finally, we are down to 2 teams. England 1950s will meet South Africa 1960s in the final. The final consists of a 3 test series with the opening match being played at the home of cricket, Lords.
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