South Africa’s batsmen failed miserably on Day One of the second Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Bowled out for just 151 after they won the toss and decided to bat, captain Dean Elgar should be the first to admit that he made the wrong decision after the coin flip went his way.
In fact, the Proteas started the match with strange decisions, leaving out beanpole left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen in favour of an extra spin bowler in Simon Harmer.
With 40-year-old James Anderson (3/32) and Ollie Robinson (1/48) firing from both ends with the new ball, SA openers Elgar (12) and Sarel Erwee (3) struggled from the first ball, before the latter became Anderson’s first wicket - caught behind - in the fifth over.
❌ DAY 1 | STUMPS
Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada grabbed a wicket each as England end the day on 111/3 and trail the #Proteas by 40 runs after dismissing the visitors for 151 just after Tea
#ENGvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/DuzSn8Zfo4
SA never recovered, as Anderson’s fellow veteran Stuart Broad, 36, also took 3/37, with Kagiso Rabada (36) top-scoring as Keagan Petersen (21) Aiden Markram (14), Rassie van der Dussen (16) and Kyle Verreynne (21) all failed.
In reply to SA’s first innings, England finished the day on 111/3, still 40 runs behind Zack Crawley (17*) and Jonny Bairstow (38*) at the crease.
Lungi Ngidi (1/20), Rabada (1/35), Anrich Nortje (1/28) took a wicket aplece.
Play resumes at 12pm on Friday.
dudley.carstens@inl.co.za