Anrich Nortje dismissed England’s captain and vice-captain on Day 1 of the second Test at Newlands, as the visitors ended on 262/9, writes Khalid Mohidin.
It was a satisfying day of Test cricket with the perfect backdrop for the occasion – the picturesque Newlands, a stadium with a rich Test history dating back to 1889.
Vernon Philander’s retirement has added an extra thrilling appeal to the already expected classic between South Africa and England. With the visitors looking to bounce back after a hefty 107-run defeat in Centurion.
Philander stuck to the script, earning the first wicket of the day, when he sent Zak Crawley back to the pavilion, beaten by a textbook outswinger by “the Pro” from Ravensmead.
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England ended Day 1 on 262/9, a total that is a perfect representation of the competitive Test wicket, which gave an equal opportunity for both the batsmen and bowlers.
The Proteas, however, were definitely on top after the first two sessions – England were 67/2 at lunch and 149/4 by Tea. The usual suspects – Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj all adding to their wickets tally.
But it was Nortje who was the star of the day, particularly for his second wicket, when he sent Ben Stokes packing on 47 – a leading-edge that Dean Elgar took cleanly at cover on the edge of the square.
Then Dwaine Pretorius sent another star man to the pavilion, Jos Buttler’s faint edge bringing out an uncharacteristic fist-pump celebration from the all-rounder – all passion no malice.
It was about survival for the visitors until the end of the day’s play, while the hosts aimed to make their stay a little more uncomfortable.
They did exactly that, Pretorius angling one into Sam Curran’s leg stump and then Philander gave fans another reason to cheer with an away swinger that found a thick Dom Bess outside edge.
Then Rabada joined the party, with a decedent yorker, Stuart Broad left with no time to even put his bat down to keep it out.
Ollie Pope’s hard-fought second Test half-century gave England one last push, his effort took his team well passed the 260-run mark.
The Proteas will aim to take the final wicket early on Day 2.
