England vs South Africa, 1st Test at Lord's: Vernon Philander's 3-for rocks hosts before lunch
Joe Root, however, did not bog down despite South African pacers breathing down his neck.
South Africa kept England on a tight leash in the first session of the Lord's Test. A tally of seam movement, ball nipping back sharply, and England's misjudgement of DRS put them in murky waters. Joe Root, however, did not bog down despite South African pacers breathing down his neck. Compiled with 5 delightful boundaries and a dropped catch, England's winsome captain remained unbeaten on 32. Despite that, on Day 1, England stuttered before lunch at 82 for 4, courtesy Vernon Philander's 3 for 26.
Morne Morkel welcomed Test cricket back by beating Alastair Cook's outside edge. It was the first ball of the day, and Cook's early unease came to the fore already. In the following over, Vernon Philander floated the ball, swinging it both ways. There were three slips and a gully in place. It seemed Cook would fall into the trap any time. He tried to get to the pitch of the ball, got behind the line of the ball, and whatnot.
At the other end was Keaton Jennings, but all eyes were on Cook. England last played a Test in December 2016, and Cook has been away from the news ever since barring that one-handed blinder he took to save a journalist.
Philander nipped one away from Cook. On another day, Cook would have left it. He was in no position to either punch or cut, but played it anyway to give an easy catch to the wicketkeeper.
WICKET Cook caught behind for 3.
14/1 #ENGvSA
England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2017
Jennings picked up two boundaries on the leg-side, but Philander soon trapped him in front. S Ravi raised his finger right away. Did it pitch it in the line of stumps? Would it have hit the stumps? Jennings had a long chat with Gary Ballance. They ran out of time for a review, and England squandered the opportunity under pressure, as the ball neither pitched in line nor would it have hit the stumps.
WICKET Jennings out lbw to Philander.
17/2 #ENGvSA
Match centre https://t.co/aoH97zJNWp pic.twitter.com/aevoLv7hpC
England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2017
In came Root. He stylishly scythed a short delivery to vacant third-man area. Showing no signs of nerves in his maiden Test as England captain, he remained unaffected by the early blows.
South Africa, meanwhile, offered a few freebies to Ballance. Although he looked perturbed when hurled in the corridor of uncertainties, but latched onto the deliveries pitched up outside off.
Lovely drive through cover from Ballance.
We are now 38/2 #ENGvSA
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England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2017
He hit a similar boundary before Morkel had him lbw. Root asked him to take a review, but replays suggested that Ravi was spot on this time.
WICKET Balance out lbw to Morkel for 20.
49/3 #ENGvSA
England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2017
Jonny Bairstow had a good time, hitting a couple fours, but it was the same old story: South Africa sniped another wicket. Bairstow became Philander's third wicket as well as third lbw of the session.
Root and his deputy Ben Stokes are at the crease, in the pursuit of taking England out of the woods.
Brief scores
England 82 for 4 (Gary Ballance 20, Joe Root 32*, Vernon Philander 3 for 26) vs South Africa.
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