England and South Africa battled it out on an attritional opening day of the first Test in Durban as the tourists closed on 179-4 after being inserted to bat.
A 125-run partnership between Nick Compton and James Taylor helped rescue England after they were reduced to 49-3 thanks to two early Dale Steyn wickets.
Steyn then got rid of Taylor (70) late in the evening session to even things up. The Proteas’ strike bowler earlier dismissed Alastair Cook for a duck and debutant Alex Hales for 10.
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Joe Root’s counter-attacking 24 off 37 balls briefly had South Africa’s seamers on the back foot before the second rain break, but he was trapped lbw by spinner Dane Piedt’s first ball.
Compton and Taylor, neither of whom have featured regularly in the Test side over the past two years, had the job of steadying the ship and did so with stout defence.
Nottinghamshire batsman Taylor was first to 50, followed by Somerset’s Compton, who ended the day 63 not out off 179 balls, having only found the boundary four times.
He will resume at the crease alongside Ben Stokes (five*) tomorrow. England still have Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali to come and will hope to get upwards of 350 from this position.
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