Elgar digs in for South Africa after Broad shines

Although South Africa could be pleased with its morning’s work in bowling England out for 303 on a pitch that was offering little, Broad had the two big guns, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, caught behind.

Resuming on 179-4, England fell to 267-9 following an inspired spell from Morne Morkel (4-76), but Broad – ably assisted by Steven Finn – contributed to an important last-wicket stand of 36.

Morkel also dismissed Stokes, Moeen and Chris Woakes, out first ball, in a hostile spell as the sun came out after a rain-affected first day.

It was Broad who helped calm things with the bat, however, as he and Steve Finn dragged England over the 300-mark.

Stiaan vaan Zyl, under pressure to cement his place as an opener in the side, left an in-swinger from Broad – just the second ball of the innings – that clipped the top of off stump.

Another day of intriguing cut and thrust closed with England in the ascendancy thanks to Stuart Broad’s three wickets.

After De Villiers had survived claims for a low catch to Stokes off Finn following television replays, he and Elgar continued the revival, putting on 86 before the former fell one shy of a half century, edging Broad through to Bairstow.

Elgar would finish the afternoon with an unbeaten 67 but was perhaps lucky when England captain Alastair Campbell opted not to review an lbw decision with the score at 117-4.

After Nick Compton had taken advantage of the new ball’s hardness to move from 70 to 85 in just 19 deliveries with a succession of boundaries off Steyn, Morkel induced a pull shot that brought a feather through to the wicketkeeper.

Nick Compton and Jonny Bairstow put on 51 for the sixth wicket before Morkel produced a burst of three wickets for no runs in six balls.

A rush of blood to the head accounted for Francois du Plessis as he was bowled on two attempting to charge Moeen.

Morkel’s luck was out on this occasion and instead it was Abbott who struck next, Bairstow well held by Dean Elgar after a bright 41.

Morkel had allrounder Moeen caught behind and trapped Woakes lbw next ball to set up a hat-trick chance.

South Africa still do not have a single century partnership in Test cricket this year and this is their eighth match. We’d have liked a few more but we don’t know how this wicket is going to play. He had faced 155 balls by the close, hitting five fours and a six.

It was the eighth time Broad had dismissed De Villiers in 11 Tests.