England v South Africa: Ben Stokes keeps hosts clinging on in first Test

England are clinging on within the first Check towards South Africa after a Ben Stokes-inspired fightback on day two at Lord’s.

However Stokes bounced out Erwee, then had Rassie van der Dussen lbw as a part of a South Africa slide from 160-2 to 210-6.

The rot was stopped by Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj, who shared an important partnership of 72 from solely 75 balls.

With England wanting drained and the sport slipping away, Stokes had Maharaj hook to Matthew Potts for 41, leaving Jansen unbeaten on 41 and South Africa 289-7, a bonus of 124.

England had earlier been bowled out for 165, with Ollie Pope out for 73.

Pope was the primary of three wickets to fall to Kagiso Rabada, the tempo bowler chic in claiming 5-52.

Proteas on prime as Lord’s turns crimson

The day that Lord’s was splashed with crimson for the Ruth Strauss Basis was maybe essentially the most attritional of England’s new period.

South Africa had the higher of the vast majority of it, and would already be out of sight had it not been for Stokes.

The Proteas had been helped by the inconsistency of an England assault that seemed rusty – neither James Anderson nor Stuart Broad have performed for the reason that win over India at the beginning of July, regardless of having alternatives within the County Championship and for the England Lions.

With the motion on provide, there have been occasions when the bowling on Thursday was extra disappointing than the batting struggles on Wednesday.

Stokes tried all the pieces he may as captain – he saved 5 slips in place for lengthy durations – nevertheless it was with the ball the place he made the essential affect.

Nonetheless, the Jansen-Maharaj partnership was extremely damaging to England and has left them with little room for error.

The house aspect should not out of this Check, however should make full use of a second new ball that will probably be accessible after three overs on the third morning.

Stokes strikes give England hope

South Africa openers Erwee and Dean Elgar are the antithesis of England’s dashers, and doggedly blunted the house assault in a partnership of 85.

Captain Elgar overturned being given caught behind and was dropped by Crawley at second slip, each on seven, and even after he unluckily deflected Anderson on to his stumps to depart for 47, Broad wasted the chance to expire Keegan Petersen.

Petersen was finally drawn right into a unfastened drive by Potts and Aiden Markram edged a superbly flighted supply from Jack Leach, however Erwee remained.

The left-hander has spent the start of the summer time enjoying membership cricket in Surrey for Weybridge and seemed set for a Lord’s hundred till Stokes’ intervention.

Regardless of an apparent short-ball plan, Erwee acquired right into a tangle towards a vicious bouncer and was caught by Ben Foakes, earlier than Stokes trapped Van der Dussen with a hooping inswinger.

When Kyle Verreynne edged behind to provide Broad his one hundredth Check wicket at Lord’s, South Africa had misplaced 4 wickets for 50 runs.

England had the momentum and backing of the group, just for Jansen and Maharaj to soak up the strain, then dish out some punishment to all of Broad, Anderson and Stokes, the latter hooked for six by Jansen.

Stokes, hobbling by means of a persistent knee downside, was capable of muster the vitality for an additional bouncer, with Maharaj’s miscue held by Potts at mid-wicket.

Rabada runs by means of England tail

Any hope that England had of pushing their in a single day 116-6 in direction of 200 rested on Pope, who started the day on 61.

Pope was dropped by first slip Erwee off Rabada within the opening over and, when he dragged a unfastened drive on the identical bowler on to his stumps, South Africa surged.

Rabada was magnificent, swinging the ball, but in addition cleverly deceiving Broad with a slower ball. After Jansen bowled a swiping Leach, Rabada trapped Anderson lbw to earn a spot on the Lord’s honours board for the primary time.

Regardless of mustering such a meagre complete, England would have felt within the sport due to the useful bowling circumstances.

That hope was examined by Erwee, Jansen and Maharaj, however Stokes saved his aspect in competition.