Steyn struck the first blows with the dismissals of England captain Alastair Cook for a duck and test debutant Alex Hales for 10.
Advertisement
Christmas Eve Forecast: Record-shattering warmth today
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in some parts of the country, but in others it feels more like a typical spring day. Green Christmas wins out this year with record-breaking temperatures making for a holiday that could get Heat Miser singing.
Taylor had endured a similarly lengthy exile from the Test side from August 2012 before a combination of domestic form and consistent impressive displays in the England one-day side prompted a Test recall against Pakistan in November.
Two Arrested In Latest Counter-Terror Raids In Western Sydney
A police source told the ABC that the Merrylands home of Salihy raided this morning was also raided earlier this month. Police say their investigation disrupted the terror plot.
Steyn took 3-29 to underline his status as South Africa’s most valuable bowler following a spell out with a groin injury during a series loss in India last month.
Turkish forces and PKK engage in intense clashes
The three-decade conflict between Turkish security forces and the PKK rebels have claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people. Turkey and Russia have been at odds since Ankara downed a Russian jet last month saying it violated its airspace.
Nick Compton (40 not out) and James Taylor (41 not out) shared a 71-run partnership to revive England and give the touring side a foothold in the match.
“It was satisfying to get a 50 because every time you get to the middle, regardless of the situation or who you are playing, it’s nearly trying to prove a point and show people what you can do and grab that opportunity with both hands”, said Taylor, who was caught behind off Dale Steyn just before the close.
That feeling changed in the second half of the session as Compton continued to counter South Africa’s aggression with a pacifism that would impress any Buddhist, and Taylor played a feisty innings that the optimistic among England’s fans might see as the embodiment of their courageous new era.
Compton, returning to the Test side for the first time since mid-2013 and in the city of his birth, had a nervy start when he edged Steyn short of first slip, the ball dying in front of van Zyl and it was a chance that AB de Villiers may consider he could have dived for.
The start was delayed by half an hour after overnight and early morning rain and it was no surprise when South African captain Hashim Amla made a decision to bowl in overcast conditions after he won the toss. He did exactly what we needed him to do and, hopefully, he can kick on.
The scoring rate spiked with Root at the crease, as it so often does, with a back foot punch for four and a powerful pulled six off Kyle Abbott catching the eye.
A look back at the action from the first day of the first Test between England and South Africa in Durban.
Only 27 minutes of play was possible before rain stopped play.
The pair added 125 runs for the fourth wicket and kept the South African attack at bay.
“Everything felt good. I’m not too bothered whether it’s coming out at 150, 135 or 130 [kilometres per hour]”.
Advertisement
When Steyn resumed his over after the rain break, during which lunch was taken, Hales fuelled the detractors who feel he is ill-suited to opening in Test cricket by edging a loose drive behind.
