Root revives England

JOE ROOT and Ben Stokes marked their first Test innings as England captain and vicecaptain respectively with fifties as the hosts fought back on the first day of the series opener against South Africa at Lord’s yesterday.

England were 182 for four at tea, having not lost a wicket in a session that saw them score exactly 100 runs after they had been in deep in trouble at 82 for four come lunch.

Root, who won the toss, was 79 not out and left-hander Stokes 52 not out, with the pair’s unbroken stand worth 106 runs.

Stokes took the attack to the Proteas in the first of this four-Test series, driving spinner Keshav Maharaj for six.

But he had a moment of good fortune when ‘bowled’ off a Morne Morkel no-ball on 44, although the fast bowler had over-stepped considera- bly.

Root, 33 not out at lunch, completed an 89-ball fifty including seven fours and showed plenty of deft touches, including a late cut boundary off Morkel.

Earlier, perhaps encouraged by the blue skies overhead and Lord’s reputation as a good batting pitch, Root opted to bat first. But a green-tinged surface also gave the bowlers hope of early movement.

Alastair Cook, in his first Test since resigning as England captain in February, had made just three when he flat-footedly chased a Vernon Philander delivery outside off stump and was caught behind.

South Africa-born Keaton Jennings, who played in the same Johannesburg school side as Proteas wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock before opting for England, fell next on his home debut.