Stephen Cook hits maiden ton as South Africa dominate against England

After conceding the Test series to England, at home, AB de Villiers, South Africa’s Test captain, has stated that he would like an overhaul of the coaching staff in order to arrest an alarming dip in his team’s form.

England have already won the series 2-0 but the side will be looking to do even more damage as we head into the Centurion Test match. They started in a descent way as Moeen Ali sent back Dean Elgar in the 11th over of the day.

However, the last session of the day was a contrast to the way South Africa played the whole day as England fought back with four wickets after Tea.

Stephen Cook celebrating his maiden Test century in the fourth Test against England in Centurion.

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

Joe Root, England’s vice-captain, said: “It’s Test cricket; you don’t go into a Test match thinking it is another game”.

Cook, who spent an hour in the “nervous 90s” that saw him almost run-out and also survive a tight LBW shout off Ben Stokes, was also the 100th player ever to get to three figures on Test debut.

“South Africa will feel the same when they go out to bowl, as AB de Villiers said in the press conference prior to the Test, he feels there are little chinks in the England line-up”.

The whole ground was on their feet soon after though, as Stephen Cook became the oldest South African to score a century on debut, and the fourth oldest overall.

When JP Duminy followed for 16, South Africa were in real danger of throwing away all their good work.

South Africa are without a batting coach and that is one of the issues De Villiers is eager to address.

That appeared a fair assessment on the basis of this opening day’s play, Anderson the only England bowler to finish the day wicketless as he returned 0-70 from his 21 overs.

Cook was one of those added, and enjoyed an impressive beginning after the hosts opted to bat first.

However, there was a final twist as Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock scored freely against the second new ball to add an unbroken 56-run stand for the sixth wicket, with South Africa 329 for five at stumps. “I was really glad for that first one off the pads”.

“I think we have been a bit naive in believing we can just go on in the way we have been”.

England made just one change for the final game, with Chris Woakes replacing injured quick bowler Steven Finn.

His nick was heading to Cook at first slip, but wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow dived across, distracting his captain, and Cook dropped the low chance.

Cook was finally given the nod ahead of Stiaan van Zyl, De Kock regained the gloves from Dane Vilas, JP Duminy took Faf du Plessis’ number five spot and Dane Piedt and Kyle Abbot came back into the side at the expense of Hardus Viljoen and Chris Morris.