South Africa opt to bat in fourth test against England

Alastair Cook believes the ideal end to England’s winning series in South Africa would be a strong showing from his under-performing top-order batsmen in the fourth and final Test, starting on Friday at the Centurion Park.

Amla and Stephen Cook went on to reach lunch on 107 for 1.

Perhaps that set the tone for the first couple of sessions in which England’s bowlers served up plenty of freebies and struggled to make any inroads.

South Africa have a 15-2 win-loss ratio at Centurion and it has been a particularly happy hunting ground for De Villiers, who grew up nearby.

It seems a bold strategy to stir up England’s record wicket-taker, but with the series lost and only a dead rubber to play, de Villiers may feel he has nothing to lose, also offering feedback on England’s batting efforts throughout the series.

The opener Stiaan van Zyl was going through bad form so he was finally dropped and Cook, who was having a great domestic season was brought in.

Hashim Amla also looked fluent on his way to an unbeaten 34, while Dean Elgar was stunned to see Taylor gather an improbable chance at short-leg for the second match in a row.

Cook needs 117 more runs to become the first Englishman to score 10,000 in Tests. England are in a good place mentally going into Friday’s contest but South Africa face a major test of the strength of their character.

Rossouw, meanwhile, has been called up for each Test only to go unused.

De Villiers did not name anybody specifically, but with world number one Stuart Broad demolishing the Proteas with six for 17 in the second innings at Johannesburg and both Steven Finn and Ben Stokes topping 90mph at times, Anderson appeared the likeliest target.

In contrast to his father, Jimmy, who was dismissed first ball on his Test debut against India in 1992/93, Stephen Cook scored four off the first ball he faced, a leg side half volley from James Anderson.

Ali struck in his first over, thanks to James Taylor continuing his incredible work at short-leg, redefining what is possible in that unpopular position.

Amla drove imperiously throughout his innings and Cook looked solid in defence whilst latching quickly on to any loose deliveries – of which there were too many for England’s liking in a fruitless afternoon session.

Temba Bavuma then came to the crease, but Duminy was out LBW for 16 shortly after when he tried to pull a Moeen Ali delivery that wasn’t quite short enough.

“I think Hales has done OK”, said Cook.

Broad has been one of England’s best bowlers and has, rightly, been added to the one-day squad for the upcoming series to continue his tyrannical run on South African soil.

They have been bailed out by some stellar showings from Stokes, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, and Cook wants to spread the load as the series draws to a close.