Smith, a former South Africa captain, was working as a television commentator for the first Test and was very critical of the performances shown by the batsmen.
Advertisement
Smith worked with South Africa’s batsmen in their pre-match preparation on New Year’s Day and this new role looks set to continue through the remainder of the series on an ad hoc basis, while he commentates for both the BBC and the host broadcasters SuperSport.
Ali then got the wicket of Temba Bavuma (0) soon afterwards as England closed in on victory.
Including the wicket of Faf du Plessis, who fell to Steven Finn with what proved to be the last wicket of the fourth day, three wickets had fallen for no runs.
All-rounder Morris is still to make a Test debut, but has 12 limited-over caps to his name and bowling resources could be needed given Dale Steyn’s shoulder injury.
The last man out was Morne Morkel, leg before to Stuart Broad for eight, leaving J.P. Duminy 26 not out as he held up one end for South Africa.
England has not missed the services of a senior player like Ian Bell who was left out of the touring party. I think it’s part of the game, we were in a good position and getting England out for 300 was probably 30 runs more than we wanted.
On Wednesday morning the 32-year-old bowled the equivalent of six overs out in the middle, watched by bowling coach Ottis Gibson, and got through the session without any concerns.
Hales, playing in his second Test match, hit 60 – his maiden Test half-century – and shared stands of 55 with opening partner Alastair Cook and 74 for the second wicket with Compton. He took 20 wickets in the first two matches of the current season s first-class campaign for the Lions franchise.
Amla said Smith’s experience will help the South African youngsters.
“Potentially this team can do some really good things”. It has been a mixed year for Cook’s side, including the sacking of Peter Moores, Ashes success under his replacement Trevor Bayliss and disappointing away series against the West Indies and Pakistan.
“We’ll find out over the next three Test matches of they’ve gone up a level from the summer”, said Bayliss.
“The reality is when you win or lose a cricket game it’s either going to be praise or criticism, that’s just the nature of worldwide sport”, said Amla.
“That’s why it is so good to start well, it can only give you confidence”, he added. The defeat saw their winless run in Test cricket extend to seven, equalling their worst run since readmission.
Advertisement
He will be replaced by Kagison Rabada while Quinton de Kock is likely to return as wicketkeeper, having been dropped for the last five Tests, Amla added but said a final decision had still to be to be taken. They’ve lost some world-class players and that changes the balance of the side.
