England survived a final-day scare to draw the second Test with South Africa at Newlands and maintain their 1-0 lead in the series.
A draw was always the most likely result after each side made over 600 in their first innings, but this scenario was less expected.
The Proteas had reduced England to 116-6 in their second innings and may have fancied a rapid chase before the rain came down.
Openers Alastair Cook (eight) and Alex Hales (five) went early to give South Africa hope that they might engineer an improbale win.
Chris Morris took a great catch to get rid of Hales, and then produced this beauty with his first ball to get the crucial wicket of Joe Root (29).
Watch more brilliant snippets like this with fanatix’s FREE sports video news app.
Nick Compton uncharacteristically chipped off for 15 to leave England in a hole before lunch as first-innings hero Ben Stokes came to the crease.
He and James Taylor steadied the ship but were caught for 26 and 27 respectively off spinner Dane Piedt to really get the England nerves jangling.
There were still over 40 overs left in the day, and South Africa would likely have had an entertaining crack at any total below 200 in the final session.
But Jonny Bairstow (30*) and Moeen Ali (10*) put on an unbeaten 43 and soaked up crucial balls to kill the game off before the players left the field.
Hands were shaken an hour prior to the scheduled close, signalling a draw which both teams would be content with considering the positions they were in at different stages of the Test.
SEE ALSO:
Premier League Manager of 2015: Spurs boss, Leicester duo & Arsene Wenger nominated
Premier League Team of 2015: Ozil & Mahrez popular picks, just three Chelsea champions named
Premier League Young Player of 2015: Kane, Bellerin & England’s no.2 no.1 recognised
COMMENTS