England’s Anderson set to return but Steyn doubtful for Proteas

It has been a mixed year for Cook’s side, including the sacking of Peter Moores, Ashes success under his replacement Trevor Bayliss and disappointing away series against the West Indies and Pakistan. This time, it was at their home with England at opposite side. “There’ll be a lot said and written and lots of comments on Twitter and Facebook and to try keep the noise out and keep believing in what the team is capable of is going to be the most important thing for us because we know this team is capable of doing special things”, he said, confident that the team can bounce back. “It’s a good side to captain, there’s a good balance, the guys are happy and they seem really hungry”.

He has yet to be officially withdrawn from the squad but the addition of paceman Chris Morris suggests confidence is low.

“The danger is the word complacency, but that won’t happen in our squad – that’s not where we’re at as a side”, he said.

“There is a big opportunity that presents itself when you play like that”. Once we got 300 always thought we were in the game and we feel comfortable bowling in any conditions. “We have to be quite patient with the younger guys and hopefully senior guys like myself will start getting runs for the team”.

“Playing for England means so much to the guys and it’s such a fantastic thing to be able to do and say. We know we have the quality and all it takes is just one or two players finding form and they’ll be back in the groove again”, he told reporters.

For England, Nick Compton’s resilience at number three, Finn’s heartening return to from a foot injury and Moeen’s controlled showing with the ball all represent major plus points.

Two-and-a-half years since he was cast aside amid suggestions his face did not fit, the 32-year-old batted with rare discipline in the city of his birth.

It’s the first time England have won the opening Test of an away series since their victory over Bangladesh in Chittagong in March 2010.

Compton said: “It’s a great dressing room”.

Amla himself has hit the longest batting slump of his global career, scoring 150 runs in 10 Test innings at an average of 15.00 with a highest score of 43.

While de Villiers has spoken about needing to reduce his workload – raising speculation about his Test future – questions are also being asked about whether Hashim Amla should stay as skipper.

The conditions to bat on the first morning were tough.

Bairstow, who contributed 120 runs to England’s cause, continued: “I’m pretty pleased with the way I’m striking the ball”.

“The issues or the gripes that [Smith] is perceiving – I’m not too sure where they are coming from”.

“To get another one and get into the game was really pleasing and something I can take forward”.

The day started in the best possible fashion as de Villiers – South Africa’s best hope – fell lbw to Moeen Ali’s third ball of the day. Bavuma’s stumping was first such wicket in Tests for England ever since Pujara’s stumping at Wankhede in 2012.

Steven Finn finished with four for 42 and Moeen Ali three for 47.

Not so easy. England’s Barmy Army of rowdy traveling fans, scarce in Durban, is expected to arrive in full force for the marquee New Year test in Cape Town. England took six wickets for only 38 runs in 24 overs on the fifth day to be completely dominant at the end at Kingsmead.