ENG v SA, 2nd Test, Day 1 Review: Honours even after Philander-Morris rearguard action

An unbeaten 74-run 7th wicket partnership between Chris Morris and Vernon Philander pushed South Africa towards solidity after they lost wickets in a heap within an hour after tea. Both fast bowlers added valuable runs and batted with a lot of poise in the first ten overs of the second new ball.

Faf du Plessis called right at the toss on his return to national duty and elected to bat first on a blustery morning. Due to a rain intervention, only 23 overs of play were possible before players took lunch with the Proteas at 56 for 1. Dean Elgar played a loose shot to become James Anderson’s 300 Test victim in England, a record which is second to none. He played a drive away from his body which was latched brilliantly by Dawson at backward point. Hashim Amla and Heino Kuhn played stodgily in order to avoid giving further wickets to the hosts before lunch.

South Africa dominate in the post-lunch session

Kuhn, playing only his second Test match, was defeated by an inducker from Stuart Broad in the second session for a valiant 34. To the visitor’s delight, the right-hander was the only wicket to fall in the session after lunch. Quinton de Kock was given a promotion ahead of du Plessis to bat at No. 4. Before today, de Kock had batted in the top order just twice but never looked in trouble facing the trio fast bowlers – Broad, Anderson and Wood. While Amla batted staunchly, de Kock started off hitting four boundaries in quick succession to settle in into his innings. Both batsmen complemented each other and went to tea with their team in a strong position of 179 for 2. By the end of the session, de Kock had overtaken Amla as both remained unbeaten on 68 and 65.

During his patient innings, Amla had recorded 8,000 Test runs becoming the fourth South African cricketer to achieve the landmark and 30th overall. The 34-year old hasn’t been as prolific as he is known for this year, averaging a shade under 40 after 12 innings so far this year.

England strike back in final session

South Africa’s rapid progress in the Test match was severely jolted at the very first ball after tea when de Kock tried slashing Stuart Broad square of the wicket only to find the safe hands of Alistair Cook at first slip. It was left to the senior statesmen: Amla and du Plessis to shepherd the ship forward but the former was dismissed after hitting three crisp boundaries after the interval for a fine 78. Broad was the wrecker in chief yet again as he set a short ball plan which Amla fell to, top edging an attempted hook to deep square leg.

Du Plessis and Bavuma, undeterred by the twin strikes after the interval, batted positively hitting a flurry of boundaries. The skipper was unlucky to be dismissed down the leg side, a decision du Plessis referred immediately. The hotspot revealed that the ball had brushed du Plessis’ gloves before sharply caught by a diving Bairstow to his left. South Africa had lost half their side with 220 runs on the board.

Bavuma was the next casualty and Stokes’ second scalp. He was uncertain on leaving or playing the ball which was put on the corridor of uncertainty by Stokes. All the 27-year old could manage to do was to get a thin edge which was taken neatly by Bairstow to record his second catch of the day. The visitors, after been in a strong position, had lost 4 wickets for just 56 runs, 92 balls into the extended final session. With almost 23 overs left to negotiate before the stumps were drawn, South Africa were in danger of getting bowled out before the end of day’s play.

Philander-Morris to the rescue

Du Plessis’ decision of playing just 6 pure batsmen could have backfired when South Africa careened to 235 for 6. This is when Philander, who batted at No. 7 just for the fifth time in Tests, was joined by Chris Morris. Joe Root didn’t get Broad or Anderson in the attack perhaps, saving them for the new ball which was due in 76 balls. This allowed both all-rounders to get their eye in before they were pitted against the stern challenge. Dawson and Moeen invited them to go over the top but the duo was stoic in their resistance.

Root immediately took the new cherry but the slowness of the wicket coupled with Anderson’s and Broad’s unwillingness to pitch the ball up allowed South Africa to go to stumps without any further damage. Morris’ selection was vindicated as he played a dogged knock of 23*. Philander was the aggressor, scything the bowlers to boundaries whenever they erred in their lengths remaining unbeaten at 54.

England will be disappointed with the turn of events in the latter part of the final session. South Africa needs to start afresh on the second morning and must look to get more than 350 runs on the board. With the ball just ten overs old, Broad and Anderson after a full night’s rest will be raring to go in the first session tomorrow.

Brief Score

South Africa – 309 for 6 in 90 overs (Hashim Amla 78, Quinton de Kock 68, Vernon Philander 54*, Stuart Broad 3/47, Ben Stokes 2/77).