Dale Steyn Ruled Out Of Cape Town Test

Root had just reached 50 when he played away from his body and feathered through to De Kock for Morris’ maiden Test wicket. Smith has joined the team as an adviser and will continue till the end of the series.

Smith was recruited as a short-term consultant to offer batting advice at Newlands to a South Africa squad swollen to 16 – unprecedented for a home Test – but he will be back in the commentary box today.

Stokes was one of three batsmen to make a half-century on Saturday, but South Africa also had opportunities to take control after Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in two balls in his 3-74.

Alex Hales, left, makes a run during their second cricket test against South Africa in Cape Town.

England would have been buoyed by the return their leading all-time wicket-taker James Anderson, while their opponents were taking the field without their premier pacemen Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

Hales said Stokes was the sort of player who got his teammates excited.

Amla announced that Kagiso Rabada will replace the injured Dale Steyn.

Hales and Rabada proved an entertaining match-up, the latter’s first two deliveries disappearing to the ropes before a couple of moral victories for the bowler. “It’s an interesting call because the number of overs he has bowled on this tour isn’t great and with the heat here it’s going to be a tough Test match”, said captain Alastair Cook.

Stokes took to the tiring South African bowling in the last hour of a hot day, seeing off the threat of the new ball with a cavalier approach that gave the advantage to England who lead the four-test series 1-0. We come in to play and play hard. “We don’t want to hinder ourselves and have an injury that we could have prevented”.

“When people criticise the team there is going to be some value in it, so you take it on the chin and move on”, said Amla.

“Obviously my heart will always be with the Proteas and I want to see them as successful as possible, if I can add value”.

Compton hooked a short ball straight to mid-wicket, then Taylor played an expansive drive to be caught behind by Quinton de Kock, who was recalled to the South Africa side for the omitted JP Duminy.

“But when I got here yesterday [Friday] they sort of offered me an extended role and the fact that it’s been announced in that way is probably not right because I was just asked yesterday”.

“I was trying to find a feel good factor as they are low on confidence”, said Smith of his work on Friday.

“Can we have an Edgbaston, Trent Bridge fortnight and can we do that in Durban and Cape Town?”. In Durban, we set a benchmark. You’ve got to nearly refresh what the processes are that made you successful.