Dom Sibley rates first England Test ton as among best days of his life

The Warwickshire batsman reached the landmark in just his fourth Test, giving England's selectors justification in bringing him into the team following a stellar 2019 domestic campaign

• Scorecard
• Day 4 talking points

Dom Sibley described Monday as "one of the best days of my life" after making his first Test century at Newlands.

Sibley turned his overnight unbeaten 85 into 133 not out by the time England captain Joe Root called a close to his side's second innings, a lead of 437.

The Warwickshire batsman reached the landmark in just his fourth Test, giving England's selectors justification for bringing him into the team following a stellar 2019 domestic campaign.

And Sibley is not going to forget the moment he reached his ton - with a sweep off Keshav Maharaj - any time soon.

"I think it's probably one of the best days of my life. I didn't sleep well last night - 15 runs never felt like so many," he said afterwards.

"I was a bit nervy on 95 when I nicked one off (Kagiso) Rabada and luckily I turned around and saw it racing away to the ropes. So it was a massive bonus to get over the line.

"As soon as I saw it, I was thinking 'even if I top edge it, surely it's going to go over (fielder) Vernon Philander! Luckily it came out of the middle and went over the rope.

^{Dom Sibley celebrates in Cape Town}

"Cape Town's a good place for me. I've been here on a couple of Surrey academy tours and Under-19 trips, so there are good memories and now another one to add to the collection."

Sibley's top score for England prior to the second innings in Cape Town was just 34 - made earlier in the same game - but he dug in his heels against a wily and aggressive South African attack.

"The first (century), here against a really good attack, obviously makes you think you can do it, and I just want to keep doing it to be honest," he said.

"That feeling was pretty addictive. It doesn't mean I'm going to rest on my laurels - I'm going to train hard and hopefully peel off another couple this series."

England struck twice towards the end of day four to leave them requiring eight wickets for victory on Tuesday, with the Proteas needing another 312 runs.

"Hopefully we can create eight chances and obviously we'll have the second new ball at some stage," said Sibley.

"It was a massive bonus to get the wicket at the end, with Jimmy producing the goods again. Hopefully we can get rid of Maharaj in the morning and then make some inroads."

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