South Africa won the toss and elected to bat on the opening day of the third test against England in Johannesburg, and ended proceedings on 267-7.
Opener Dean Elgar top-scored for the hosts with 46, while the likes of Hashim Amla and AB De Villiers threatened to make a decisive contribution after batting themselves in.
However, neither were able to kick on and went for disappointing totals, with Ben Stokes emerging as the pick of the bowlers for England after taking two wickets, including the key one of De Villiers for 36.
Watch more brilliant snippets like this with fanatix’s FREE sports video news app.
Steven Finn was equally as instrumental in ensuring that the South Africans were unable to build a daunting total on Day 1, taking the important wicket of Amla who looked dangerous.
Although Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada provided some late resistance with 26 and 20 not out respectively to ensure that there is still some life left in the first innings, it was a disappointing day for the hosts overall as they were missing a stand-out performance.
Following an intriguing day of cricket, it remains to be seen whether or not the South Africans can bat through the morning period on Friday to put up a decent total as they look to end the series on a high to force a draw.
England lead 1-0 after an emphatic win in the first test in Durban, while the two sides played out a draw in Cape Town prior to heading to Johannesburg.
While 250-280 is considered the average total at the Wanderers Stadium in the first innings, conditions are expected to set up a fascinating encounter between the South African bowling attack and the England top order.
COMMENTS