Hashim Amla and debutant opener Stephen Cook, who both scored hundreds, batted sublimely to guide South Africa to 224-1 at tea.
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England had Ben Stokes (258) and Jonny Bairstow (150*) knock up huge totals to get things started, ultimately declaring their first innings on 6/629. Quinton de Kock, Kyle Abbott and Dane Piedt were also selected for the game.
It was at that point, though, that the PA announcer chose to chip in, telling the crowd: “And Jimmy Anderson has the second new ball in his grubby paws”.
South Africa were 107 for one at lunch after winning the toss.
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.
“There are people like Hales, Compton, Taylor and Finn’s replacement, whoever that might be, and for them this match is crucial for their futures”.
17 – The number of players used by South Africa in this series – their most since the 2004/05 Basil D’Oliveira Trophy, when they used 18 players.
‘We missed our lengths at times, especially early on, but the way we fought back and came into the game was a really good effort.
England have already won the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead, but they are now on the backfoot as the Proteas reached stumps on 329-5.
Cook and Hashim Amla (109) put on 202 for the second wicket before Amla’s dismissal sparked a collapse in which four wickets, including that of Cook, fell for 36 runs.
ENGLAND are in such a confident mood that their captain Alastair Cook’s goal ahead of the final Test against the Proteas is to improve his run tally.
The 20-year-old has an opportunity for a successful follow-up, in just his sixth Test.
At least Broad, called up for England’s one-day series here yesterday in place of the injured Liam Plunkett, had managed to silence De Villiers on his behalf in the evening session.
When Jimmy Cook made his long-awaited Test debut at the age of 39 he was out to the first ball of the match.
South Africa’s bowlers have done a reasonable job given their inexperience, and de Villiers felt that they would learn even quicker once Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander are around again to impart their wisdom. Batting without the pressure of captaincy on his shoulders, Amla brought up his 25th Test hundred in 131 balls.
There were many magical moments on Day 1 with Stephen Cook’s century on debut being the highlight.
Steven Cook said he “never gave up hope” of earning a South Africa call-up after scoring a century on day one of his debut against England.
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Temba Bavuma then came to the crease, but Duminy was out LBW for 16 shortly after when he tried to pull a Moeen Ali delivery that wasn’t quite short enough.
