Proteas in command after Amla, Philander’s late show
South Africa came through two difficult periods to reach 309-6 against England at stumps on Day 1 of the second test , suggesting the Proteas’ gamble to bat first in difficult conditions may have paid off.
South Africa was 66-2 before a 113-run partnership between Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. Then, Stuart Broad (3-47) and Ben Stokes (2-77) combined to take four wickets early in the final session for England but South Africa, at 235-6, came back again with an unbroken 74-run stand between bowlers Vernon Philander and Chris Morris.
Earlier Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock shared an unbroken century stand as South Africa advanced to 179 for two at tea on the first day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge on Friday.
Amla was 65 not out, having become just the fourth South African after Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers to score 8,000 Test runs, and free-scoring left-hander de Kock, promoted to number four, 68 not out.
Their partnership was so far worth 113.
South Africa’s sound position was a vindication of returning captain Faf du Plessis’s bold call to bat first after winning the toss, with the Proteas 1-0 down in the four-match series after a 211-run defeat inside four days at Lord’s last week.
Trent Bridge has a reputation for aiding swing bowling and Du Plessis, who did not play at Lord’s following the birth of his first child, admitted it had been a “tricky decision” to bat under cloudy skies.
South Africa did lose an early wicket, however, when Dean Elgar pushed out on six to James Anderson to leave the Proteas 18 for one. Amla, meanwhile pulled fast bowler Mark Wood for a four that saw him to 8,000 Test runs.
Brief scores: South Africa 309/6 (H Amla 78, Q de Kock 68, V Philander batting 54, C Morris batting 23; S Broad 3/47, B Stokes 2/77)