When Stuart Broad is on a roll he is unstoppable. He became England's third highest Test wicket-taker, with South Africa's batsmen made to feel like avalanche victims by him. The paceman powered England to a dramatic seven-wicket victory in the third Test at the Wanderers, the tourists taking the series by making the scoreline 2-0 with just one Test to play.
The famous intimidating wall of noise of 'the Bullring' in Johannesburg was reduced to rubble as England clinched their second Test series triumph in the Republic since South Africa's readmission to international cricket in 1992.
The hosts had enjoyed a pretty good third morning, however. Joe Root did not add many to his majestic hundred, Steve Finn fell for a duck and although Jonny Bairstow made a decent 45, a lead of 10 for England was negligible. Kagiso Ramada secured his first Test five-wicket haul for the hosts to provide additional cheer.
Broad took five of the eight wickets in the afternoon session to deliver the type of unexpected knockout punch that dramatically curtails a previously even boxing bout. Two days of the Test not needed. The 29-year-old, now on 329 Test wickets, sped past Bob Willis (325) in the process.
He has done this sort of thing before, looking fairly benign in a few Tests, then wham! Most recently it was his lethal spell of 8 for 15 at Trent Bridge in last summer's Ashes Test.
There is usually about one incredible spell a year. There was 6 for 25 against India at Old Trafford in 2014, 7 for 73 against v West Indies at Lord's in 2012 and 6 for 46 (including a hat-trick and 5 for 0 in 16 balls) against India once more in Nottingham in 2011. The exception was 2013, when Australia and New Zealand (twice each) found themselves cut down by the Broad sword. He has taken more Test wickets (230) than anyone in the last five years.
Dean Elgar fell to a sharp lifter, while Stiaan van Zyl was pouched superbly by Ben Stokes. But the key wicket was AB de Villiers, caught behind off an inside edge.
Broad had accomplices. James Taylor brilliantly caught Hashim Amla at short-leg. Temba Bavuma ducked into a hostile delivery that nipped back and fell on the stumps. Faf du Plessis was last out, caught and bowled by Broad.
Stokes also did very well in tandem. He bowled Chris Morris with a booming inducker and had Ramada caught at the wicket. James Anderson then had Hardus Viljoen lbw, leaving England with 74 to win.
Alastair Cook found some form after a disappointing series with 43 to help England home. He had support from Alex Hales, who fell lbw for 18. Nick Compton carelessly gave his wicket away for a duck, Morne Morkel taking a fine catch, and Cook was caught behind. A target of 150, on this evidence, could really have tested the tourists.
South Africa have not looked like the No.1 Test side in the series. England do appear to have the potential to return to top spot, however, but ultimately that may depend on a final hurdle in Australia in 2017/18. Doesn't it always come down to the Ashes in the end?
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