Cook senior was out first ball in his maiden Test knock against India, but his son experienced very different emotions as he made 115 at Supersport Park – becoming the 100th player to record a Test ton on debut.
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Proteas captain AB de Villiers praised England for their dominant performance throughout the series but believed his side could still capitlise on some of the tourists’ frailties.
For long stretches of this opening day they appeared off the pace too, South Africa recovering from the freakish catch by James Taylor at short leg that dismissed Dean Elgar early on to move into what appeared an impregnable position.
“From where I was standing at mid-on it did look a bit weird where he plucked it from”, said England vice-captain Joe Root after the day ended with South Africa 329-5.
As per the latest report, South Africa is on 259/3 with Cook and Jean-Paul Duminy are at the crease.
When Ben Stokes found the edge of Amla’s bat in his first over, with the batsman on five, there was a chance to get on top.
“We all know who would have had the honours if it hadn’t been for that final session, South Africa were 237-1 and bossing the game so England needed that session, got the four wickets and they have fought back into the game”. However, there was no further success for England as Temba Bavuma (32 runs from 52 balls) and Quinton de Kock (25 runs from 31 balls) stood firm and batted out the remaining overs of the day.
9 – The second-wicket partnership was the ninth instance of a partnership of 200 or more was added by a South African pair for any wicket in Centurion.
Broad then struck in the next over to silence De Villiers, who was dismissed by the hero of England’s series-sealing Wanderers win for the 10th time in Tests. I always thought to myself – even from a young age – it isn’t just about making your debut, it is about performing, scoring hundreds.
Alastair Cook, the England captain, meanwhile said he hoped his side would continue to be as “ruthless” as they were in Johannesburg.
“Last night my dad called me and said: ‘My boy, if you don’t get out to the first one then you’re already better than me.’ I was really glad for that first one off the pads”.
De Villiers confirmed that Stephen Cook, the specialist opening batsman, would be in the team and also hinted that Kyle Abbott, the steady seamer, and Dane Piedt, the offspinner, would come back into the side.
Cook junior really should have gone on 47 when he was dropped by Bairstow, the wicketkeeper’s second failure to seize a chance in this match after he had earlier spared Amla on just five.
England, on the other hand, made the only change of replacing the injured Steven Finn with Woakes.
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By the end of the second session, South Africa scored 224 for one from 58 overs.
