Elgar digs in as England seek advantage

Broad takes three wickets on attritional day in Durban

After two days of a possible 20, it is all too apparent that this series could be too close to call.

With a host nation showing signs of fragility after a chastening tour of India and England in conditions far more agreeable than those found in the United Arab Emirates, the evidence of the opening skirmishes at Kingsmead points towards a contest not made for particularly attractive odds either way.

At stumps, South Africa had reached 137 for 4 in reply to England’s 303. From a starting position of 179 for 4 with Nick Compton still there on 63, that may be considered slightly under par but a 10^th wicket stand of 46 between Stuart Broad and Steven Finn rectified to a degree the damage caused by a lower middle-order collapse.

When Compton departed in the 86^th over, the sixth out as he under-edged Morne Morkel behind for a highly-disciplined 85, it led to three more wickets falling in quick succession.

Moeen Ali prodded outside off stump to Morkel and Chris Woakes, to the next ball, was hit in front. When Jonny Bairstow edged Kyle Abbott to second slip, four wickets had fallen for 20 in under five overs.

Broad played a few shots as the score scraped past the 300 mark and then personally validated the adage of not judging a total until both teams have had a bat.

To the second ball of the innings, Stiaan van Zyl left alone Broad’s offering from round the wicket, the result of which was the ball locating his off stump as opposed to finding Jonny Bairstow’s gloves.

Half a dozen overs later, Hashim Amla’s dismal run of form continued as he provided Bairstow with a first victim, shortly after the same man had spilt him off Chris Woakes, and when AB de Villiers fell one run short of his half-century, also caught at the wicket, the scoreboard read 100 for 3 with the guts of the order having an early shower.

It could’ve been even more encouraging had de Villiers, who looked in prime touch, been sent on his way when Ben Stokes in the gully took a low chance off the bowling of Finn. But, as is generally the case, once the third umpire got involved, the decision went in favour of the batsman. Third umpires, eh?

If Amla hasn’t been in the best of form, he’s been playing like Don Bradman compared to Faf du Plessis. In the recent Indian series, du Plessis constituted a walking wicket and he only made two before missing a waft at Moeen from down the pitch.

While all of this was going on, Elgar was ploughing on and he made his way to a deserved half-century from 93 balls. He had a moment of good fortune shortly after when England decided not to review when Stokes would’ve won an appeal had they done so.

But that shouldn’t detract from a good effort and, should he build on his 67, South Africa will fancy their chances of ensuring first innings parity.

On the other side of the coin, Broad et al will reckon that can be prevented. It’s game on.