South Africa holds its own on seesaw day

Stuart Broad triggered a middle-order collapse but an unbeaten half-century from Vernon Philander (54) ensured South Africa would build on good knocks by Hashim Amla (78) and Quinton de Kock (68) on a see-saw first day of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Friday.

South Africa had been 179 for 2 at tea but soon slipped to 235 for 6, before Philander and Morris (23 not out) lifted it to 309 for 6 at stumps.

Their unbroken seventh-wicket partnership was worth 74 runs with Philander making his second fifty of the series and Morris, who made a comeback to the XI, playing a crucial knock as well.

Before that partnership, Amla and de Kock had shared a 113-run stand for the third wicket to set a solid platform. Joining hands at 66 for 2, the pair scored at a good pace and left the visitor in a good position at tea.

However, both fell to Broad soon after the interval to spark a collapse. It started the very first ball after tea when de Kock chased a wide delivery and edged to Alastair Cook at first slip.

Soon Amla, who had crossed 8,000 Test runs during his innings, mistimed a hook off Broad and found Mark Wood at long-leg.

Broad had then taken two wickets for three runs in 22 balls and Ben Stokes added to South Africa's woes by taking 2 for 4 in 11 balls.

Faf du Plessis (19), who returned to lead South Africa, was strangled down the leg-side despite a review, while Temba Bavuma (20) was caught behind trying to leave the ball.

Earlier, du Plessis had opted to bat first despite overcast conditions and began well by reaching lunch on 56 for 1 after a rain-interrupted first session for the loss only of Dean Elgar.

Amla seemed in fine form and got to a 93-ball fifty by driving Liam Dawson, the left-arm spinner, for six. De Kock too batted briskly as the pair batted through a wicketless second session, before the intriguing final phase of play.

While England retained the same side that won the first Test at Lord’s by 211 runs, South Africa made three changes with Du Plessis, Morris and Duanne Olivier replacing JP Duminy, Theunis de Bruyn and the suspended Kagiso Rabada respectively.