• England players beating South Africa by 191 runs to win the series 3-1. AP
    England players beating South Africa by 191 runs to win the series 3-1. AP
  • England bowler Mark Wood after being name man of the match for the fourth Test. AFP
    England bowler Mark Wood after being name man of the match for the fourth Test. AFP
  • England all-rounder Ben Stokes after being named player of the series. AFP
    England all-rounder Ben Stokes after being named player of the series. AFP
  • Vernon Philander is is presented with a memento after playing his final Test for South Africa. AFP
    Vernon Philander is is presented with a memento after playing his final Test for South Africa. AFP
  • England celebrate the key wicket of Rassie van der Dussen during the fourth Test in Johannesburg on Monday. Getty
    England celebrate the key wicket of Rassie van der Dussen during the fourth Test in Johannesburg on Monday. Getty
  • England's Stuart Broad celebrates winning the Test and series. Reuters
    England's Stuart Broad celebrates winning the Test and series. Reuters
  • England fielder Sam Curran takes the catch to dismiss South Africa batsman Dwaine Pretorius. Getty
    England fielder Sam Curran takes the catch to dismiss South Africa batsman Dwaine Pretorius. Getty
  • England's Mark Wood celebrates taking the final South Africa wicket of Anrich Nortje. Reuters
    England's Mark Wood celebrates taking the final South Africa wicket of Anrich Nortje. Reuters
  • South Africa's Vernon Philander after losing his wicket in what was his final appearance for South Africa. Reuters
    South Africa's Vernon Philander after losing his wicket in what was his final appearance for South Africa. Reuters
  • England bowler Stuart Broad, left, celebrates with Ben Stokes after dismissing South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius. AP
    England bowler Stuart Broad, left, celebrates with Ben Stokes after dismissing South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius. AP
  • South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis is bowled by Ben Stokes. Getty
    South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis is bowled by Ben Stokes. Getty
  • South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis after being bowled by Ben Stokes. Getty
    South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis after being bowled by Ben Stokes. Getty
  • England's Stuart Broad after taking the wicket of Temba Bavuma. Reuters
    England's Stuart Broad after taking the wicket of Temba Bavuma. Reuters
  • South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen after losing his wicket for 98. Reuters
    South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen after losing his wicket for 98. Reuters
  • England bowler Mark Wood celebrates with teammates after dismissing Rassie van der Dussen. AP
    England bowler Mark Wood celebrates with teammates after dismissing Rassie van der Dussen. AP
  • England's Mark Wood. AFP
    England's Mark Wood. AFP
  • South Africa batsman Rassie van der Dussen hits out. Getty
    South Africa batsman Rassie van der Dussen hits out. Getty
  • South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. Getty
    South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. Getty
  • England fielder Zak Crawley misses a catch from a shot played by South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen. AFP
    England fielder Zak Crawley misses a catch from a shot played by South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen. AFP
  • South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. Getty
    South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. Getty
  • South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen. Reuters
    South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen. Reuters
  • England bowler Chris Woakes celebrates after taking the wicket of Pieter Malan. Getty
    England bowler Chris Woakes celebrates after taking the wicket of Pieter Malan. Getty
  • England bowler Ben Stokes takes the catch off his own bowling to dismiss Dean Elgar. Getty
    England bowler Ben Stokes takes the catch off his own bowling to dismiss Dean Elgar. Getty
  • England's Ben Stokes, third left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of South Africa opener Dean Elgar. AFP
    England's Ben Stokes, third left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of South Africa opener Dean Elgar. AFP

Captain Joe Root says 'the sky's the limit' for his England side after series win in South Africa


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England captain Joe Root hailed the all-round contribution of his squad after they completed a 3-1 Test series victory over South Africa in Johannesburg.

After being frustrated for more than 30 overs by a 92-run partnership between Faf Du Plessis and Rassie Van Der Dussen, Root's side quickly wrapped up victory after making the breakthrough.

The home side slipped from 181-2 to 274 all out to hand England a 91-run victory with man-of-the-match Mark Wood taking 4-54 to complete match figures of 9-100.

Root said: "We're very satisfied with the victory. I'm very proud of the boys. It's taken a big effort from everyone. It's very much been a squad effort as well and we've had some wonderful support too throughout the whole trip.

"It's very exciting. There's a number of guys that have performed that played in this game, but not just that. Guys like Jofra [Archer] at the start of the series with a five-for, Dom Bess as well making a big contribution.

"It's been a real squad effort from a number of guys that are very much at the start of their international careers and that's a very promising sign when you put that against some very experienced players."

Root was delighted to see players step up and take their chance when given the opportunity with the likes of Rory Burns and James Anderson ruled out through injury early in the series.

Zak Crawley took advantage of the opportunity afforded to him by Burns' ankle injury with a maiden Test half-century that laid the foundations for England's first-innings 400 at the Wanderers.

Wood made an eye-catching return to Test cricket with 12 wickets in two Tests to help fill the gap left by Anderson's rib problem.

Root said: "When that happens it provides guys with opportunities for them to take and that's exactly what's happened on this trip.

"That's really pleasing and I think the sky's the limit for this group. I do think we're very much at the start of something and we've got to keep looking to learn, keep looking to get better and not think we're somewhere we're not.

"It's been a fantastic tour for our development as a Test team and we hope that can continue moving forward this winter."

Player of the series Ben Stokes – who scored 318 runs, including a century in Port Elizabeth, and took 10 wickets – was also delighted for his old friend and Durham teammate Wood.

"Growing up at 13/14 together, both making the same progression and playing for England together is amazing.

"Every setback he's had with injury he comes back and performs. I hope this is the start of something consistent with Woody because this side is so much better with him in it."

It was a very different story for South Africa and their captain Faf du Plessis, who admitted his side had been outplayed after winning the first Test in Centurion by 107 runs.

"We did play well in that first game. But one Test doesn't make a summer," he said, after seeing his team lose for the eighth time in their last nine Tests.

"Right through the series, England were a bit better than us in every game. You have to give the credit to them for being the better team.

"Anrich Nortje has come through shining for us. We need guys with pace to fill the shoes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Pace is one hing, but to have control as well. Beuran came in and got five wickets, too. But from a batting point of view, we weren't at our best."

Du Plessis paid tribute to retiring Proteas seam bowler Vernon Philander who has called time on his outstanding  64-Test career.

Batting with a torn hamstring on Monday, 34-year-old Philander gloved Wood down the leg side and left to standing ovation, handshakes from England and a guard of honour from his team-mates.

"Firstly I want to thank him for his services to the Proteas over the years – not only on the field, but he's been a champion off the field," Du Plessis said.

"We're going to miss him very much. I'm sad that this game wasn't the fairy tale that he deserved."

The man himself told Sky Sports: "I've had a wonderful career at international level for South Africa. It's time to give it up for the younger guys.

"I always believe that Test cricket is the real format – it's a real test of character. We should do everything in our power to make sure it stays attractive to younger players – to keep this wonderful game alive.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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