De Villiers calls for ‘smarter heads’ in Proteas set-up

England, with a series win already secured, can complete South Africa’s ignominious fall from the top of the rankings when the final Test of the four-match series starts at Centurion Park in Pretoria on Friday.

Cook’s father, Jimmy, had become the first debutant batsman to fall to the opening ball of a Test back in 1992.

Cook needs 117 more runs to become the first Englishman to score 10,000 in Tests.

After winning the toss, the hosts opted to bat first.

Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar shared 35 for the first wicket and were largely untroubled until Moeen Ali was brought on as first change.

The pair put on 202 for the second wicket before Amla s dismissal sparked a collapse in which four wickets, including that of Cook, fell for 36 runs.

Cook had been on 98 and he reached his maiden Test century when pushing Stokes for two the very next ball.

England also dropped Amla on 5 when an edge off a Ben Stokes delivery was put down by captain Alastair Cook at first slip.

Joe Root insists England’s late revival means they are still in contention despite South Africa controlling day one of the fourth Test.

Other than Taylor’s piece of brilliance, England slogged through a fruitless morning with Cook’s unbeaten 91 and a century from Amla frustrating the tourists as they reached tea.

It was a day of ups and downs for both sides, though, with England’s new ball bowlers not really delivering the goods, while South Africa’s middle order stuttered once more. The left-handed all-rounder, who was picked at the expense of the out-of-form Faf du Plessis, got trapped lbw off Ali while attempting a slog over midwicket.

“Plunkett remains in the England T20 squad for the two match series against South Africa provided he recovers from his current injury”.

Elgar went for a pull shot and Taylor took avoiding action but the ball lodged between his legs and he was able to grab hold of it before it touched the ground. Although a mini collapse following the fall of Amla, which included a duck from AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma ensured the Proteas ended the day in a strong position.

Cook, one of five changes to the South Africa team hammered in the previous Test, was the fourth home wicket to fall when he was bowled by Chris Woakes on 115. “I was really glad to clip that first one off my pads”. “The good times will come and we will look back at the tough times and think “look where we were and look where we are now”.

At least Broad, called up for England’s one-day series here yesterday in place of the injured Liam Plunkett, had managed to silence De Villiers on his behalf in the evening session.

On the eve of the fourth Test, de Villiers confirmed that specialist opening batsman Stephen Cook would be a part of the playing XI and also hinted that steady seamer Kyle Abbott and off-spinner Dane Piedt would come back into the side.