Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley staged a fightback to avert an England collapse and ensure that the hosts finished Day I of the second Test against South Africa in an advantageous position. It briefly looked that the good work done by the England bowlers earlier would go to waste when the home team were reduced to 43/3 by the Proteas.

But Bairstow, batting on 38, and Crawley, compiling a patient 17 not out off 77 balls, helped England reach stumps on Thursday at 111/3. That, after the Proteas were skittled out for just 151 in their first innings. South Africa, however, will still fancy their chances with three quality pacers — Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi — in their side.

Rabada resistance

Earlier in the day, tail-ender Rabada provided some much-needed resistance, without which the South African total would have looked poorer. Rabada, who made 36 off 72 balls, shared a 35-run partnership with Anrich Nortje for the ninth wicket after the visitors were reduced to 108/8 at one stage.

The morning session saw England remove the visitors’ top order cheaply after South Africa skipper Dean Elgar, whose team lead the three Test series 1-0, won the toss and opted to bat despite what appeared difficult conditions after overnight rain.

James Anderson, bowling on his home ground, found some early movement off the seam and grabbed the breakthrough when he found Sarel Erwee’s inside edge and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes dived to make a superb catch. Thereafter, the England bowlers never allowed South Africa to settle down at the crease. Anderson and Stuart Broad finished with three wickets each, while England captain Ben Stokes chipped in with two scalps.