Elgar calls on Proteas to reclaim pride in Centurion Test

Yet another freakish catch by James Taylor at short leg dismissed Dean Elgar for 20 for the first wicket of the day as the short leg fielder continued a run of spectacular dismissals in the series.

Broad has been added to England’s squad for the five-match, 50-over series against South Africa after Liam Plunkett pulled out with a thigh strain. And, the way Hashim Amla and debutant Stephen Cook batted today gave a clear impression of what message AB de Villiers wanted to convey to the England team.

England have made just one change to their team with seamer Chris Woakes, who played in the first test, coming in for the injured Steven Finn. Amla brought up his 25th Test ton, while Cook became the 100th batsman to score a 100 on Test debut.

Cook, handed his debut at the age of 33 in one of five South Africa changes after defeat in Johannesburg last week, offered a straightforward chance after lunch when he got a healthy edge to a Stuart Broad delivery but was dropped by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow on 47.

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.

South Africa have often been criticized for the lack of hard experience in their coaching set-up and, in particular, for the lack of a batting coach. England will now take on the hosts in the final Test, a dead rubber, in Centurion from Friday.

Amla survived a massive scare when he was on 5 as he was put down by Cook at first slip off the bowling of Ben Stokes.

The way Cook and Amla applied themselves during the first two sessions suggests the pitch is ideal for batting.

After the departure of Elgar, Cook and Hashim Amla took total control of the game and made most of the lifeline which they got due to the shoddy fielding by Englishmen.

Moeen Ali then tied things up as far as England were concerned, trapping JP Duminy lbw, the spinner’s second victim after he had induced Taylor’s spectacular catch – held between his legs – with his fourth ball of the day.

Alastair Cook, the England skipper, said he hoped his side would continue to be as “ruthless” as they were in Johannesburg.

Cook began his test career hitting four off the first ball of the game as James Anderson’s opening delivery strayed down leg side.

Steyn had been receiving criticism on his fitness since he was ruled out of the ongoing England series due to shoulder injury that he sustained during the opening Test in Durban.

He has been leapfrogged by uncapped opener Stephen Cook, who will replace Stiaan van Zyl at the top of the innings, while Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy do battle over one middle-order slot.