Cook indeed had looked at home from his first ball when he clipped to the boundary a half-volley that Anderson had landed outside leg stump – some compensation for having to be made to wait for his Test debut for so long.
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South Africa’s batsman Kagiso Rabada, left, reacts after dismissing England’s batsman Nick Compton, …
The only wicket for England in the first two sessions came courtesy of another remarkable catch at short-leg from James Taylor, who was responsible for two stunning grabs during South Africa’s second innings in Johannesburg.
But from a position of dominance at 237 for one, the Proteas lost four wickets for 36 runs as England rallied late in the day.
De Kock blasted 129 not out off 128 balls and ensured that the last three wickets added 139 runs, a memorable way to notch your maiden Test century and exactly what South Africa want from their wicketkeeper and number seven batsman.
Stephen Cook was also handed a reprieve on 47, with Jonny Bairstow shelling a fingertip chance off Stuart Broad, and England paid a heavy price as the pair added 202 for the second wicket.
Debutant Stephen Cook and former captain Hashim Amla hit hundreds as South Africa enjoyed a commanding start to the fourth Test against England.
England’s Ben Stokes dives as he misses a catch on the second day of the fourth test cricket match b …
For now, the identity of Cook’s long-term partner must remain an open question. He’s fit, he runs half-marathons in the winter and goes to the gym.
“Last night before I went to bed he gave me a call and he said, “my boy, if you just don’t get out to the first one you will have done better than me”.
“From where I was standing it did look a bit weird where he plucked it from, but the reaction from him was brilliant. I was really glad for that first one off the pads”.
England hold an unassailable 2-0 lead going into the final test in the series but both teams have talked of the importance of the game in laying down a marker for the future.
De Kock smashed 17 fours and two sixes in a showcase of his rich potential that was a mixture of finesse and a brutal attack on the bowling.
Cook had hit 35 first-class centuries including a South African record score of 390 before making his Test debut.
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He was picked ahead of Stiaan van Zyl and Duminy replaced Faf du Plessis, while off-spinner Dale Piedt and seamer Kyle Abbott came in for Chris Morris and Hardus Viljoen.
