Alastair Cook falls to slip catch after solid start

South Africa captain Hashim Amla says the input of Graeme Smith is welcomed ahead of the second Test against England.

Nick Compton made 45 before he pulled the 20-year-old seamer to midwicket to prompt the interval and, from the first ball after the break, James Taylor edged to recalled wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

Root had just reached 50 when he played away from his body and feathered through to De Kock for Morris’ maiden Test wicket.

Stokes top-scored for the touring side with Alex Hales and Joe Root also contributing half centuries and Jonny Bairstow ending on 39 not out in an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 94.

With Hales the skipper registered England’s first half-century stand for eight Tests and it took a superb diving catch from Morris, diving low to his left at third slip, off Rabada to dismiss Cook for 27.

England are in buoyant mood after their efforts in Durban and will be hoping the brief two-day turnaround plays into their hands.

Cook spoke of wanting to crank up the pressure on South Africa after England thrashed the world’s No1 team by 241 runs in the first Test in Durban.

Having already accounted for Cook and caused Root problems, he struck twice in as many balls to drag South Africa back into the contest.

Stokes and Jonny Bairstow plundered 46 runs from South Africa’s first five overs with the second new ball and Hales added: ‘It was a great finish for us.

South Africa looked short on form and confidence last time out, but if they had to choose a venue to provide home comfort, it would be Newlands.

When England eased to 55 without loss and then 129 for 1 against a South African side with three changes, the visitors had an excellent chance to maintain their dominance in the four-match series. Morris has been the least effective of all bowlers more so after the second new ball. He waited for the second new ball – played pretty well before then too – but that’s when he really went after them. The inexperienced Rabada and debutant Chris Morris came in.

During his 140-ball knock, Hales showed tremendous character to curb his natural aggression and played as per the merit of the delivery – something he is not used to do in the limited overs game. Because he hits so many boundaries, Amla thinks “I need to get rid of one of my slips and put some protection on the boundary”.

There simply wasn’t just one performer for England, as we have seen in the past, but there were 5 or 6 contenders for man of the match, which Moeen Ali picked up for his 7-144 throughout the test. He will be looking forward to Cape Town, as he found some bounce, grip and turn on an interesting Durban wicket.

Rabada has bagged three out of four wickets while Morne Morkel picked the only wicket of well-set Hales.