Ollie Pope shines as South Africa top order look increasingly fragile... PLAYER RATINGS

The Cricketer runs the rule over the individual peformances of both sets of players during the third Test between South Africa and England at Port Elizabeth...

Scorecard

SOUTH AFRICA

Dean Elgar (35 & 12): South Africa’s most resilient batsman found few partners in the first innings. Took two moments of excellence from England to breach his defences. 5

Pieter Malan (18 & 15): Did not offer the obstinacy at the top of the order that he showed on debut. 3.5

Zubayr Hamza (10 & 2): The No.3’s place looks increasingly fragile. Out cheaply twice. 2

Faf du Plessis (8 & 36): A frustrating run of form continues. Looked in good nick in the second innings before being snaffled at short leg. Will be desperate for a break at Johannesburg. 4

Rassie van der Dussen (24 & 10): For all his class, Van der Dussen could not add vital runs in Port Elizabeth. Struggled, like many, against spin. 3

Quinton de Kock (63 & 3): Brilliant in the first innings, showing his teammates what needed to be done, but gave his wicket away with an unnecessary shot early on day four. 5

Vernon Philander (27 & 13; 0-41): Was not as dangerous with the ball as you might expect. 4

Anrich Nortje (18 & 5; 1-97): Could not give England the hurry-up this time around. Frustrated the tourists with the bat, though, showing tremendous grit as the nightwatchman once again. 5

Keshav Maharaj (0 & 71; 5-180): On a turning pitch, Maharaj claimed wickets but seemed a much less dangerous prospect than England’s spinners. Produced an entertaining cameo with the bat, with the game all but dead. 7

Dane Paterson (0* & 39*; 1-62): Put in the hard yards manfully on debut, eventually claiming the wicket of Stokes, but not hugely threatening. Played his part in the 10th-wicket fireworks alongside Maharaj. 5

Kagiso Rabada (1 & 16; 2-97): Some will call it soft, others say Rabada should have known better. Delivered the best ball of England’s innings, only to have his celebration spoken about for the rest of the match. 5

^{Ollie Pope takes one of his six catches in the match}

ENGLAND

Zak Crawley (44): Ups his high score for England innings by innings. Started to show here that he has the gumption to make runs at the highest level. He certainly has the ability. 7

Dom Sibley (36): Still looks susceptible to being caught short on the legside, as he was here. Improving on the off innings by innings. 6

Joe Denly (25; 0-10 & DNB): That three-figure score still alludes the Kent batsman. Occupied the crease once more - facing 100 balls - but could not push on. 4

Joe Root (27; 0-25 & 4-87): Done by Rabada with the bat, responded with an excellent Test match as captain and with the ball. The amount of practice Root puts into his offspin paid off with a terrific day-four spell. 7

Ben Stokes (120; 1-26 & 0-9): This remarkable purple patch just gets deeper. Smoked a glorious century and popped up with the wicket of Nortje at the end of the nightwatchman’s long and frustrating vigil. Catching was not as hot as in Cape Town. 8.5

Ollie Pope (135*): Sensational. Batted with composure, elegance and creativity - two reverse ramps off Rabada were simply astounding - and then proved himself to be catlike at short leg. The match that proves he’s here for the long haul. 9.5

Jos Buttler (1): Sent in with England 351 for 5, Buttler had every chance to cause carnage against a tired attack but looked tentative. Keeping was hit and miss. 4

Sam Curran (44; 1-32 & 0-46): A useful return to form with the bat and tricky to deal with with ball in hand. 7

Dom Bess (1; 5-51 & 1-36): Blew South Africa’s top order away on day three. The Proteas might be as weak with the bat as they have been in quite some time, but that should not detract from a breakout performance from Bess, who bowled with control and precision. 8

Mark Wood (42; 0-31 & 3-32): England’s newest allrounder clobbered a rapid 42 with the bat, then bowled at express pace to panic the South Africans. Root obviously enjoys having Wood in his team, and appears to be more assured in how he is going to use him than he does Jofra Archer. 7

Stuart Broad (DNB; 3-30 & 1-14): Blitzed the Proteas’ tail on day four, stumps everywhere. 7

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