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South Africa v England: second Test, day two – live!






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ENGLAND ALL-OUT 269! WICKET! Anderson c van der Dussen b Rabada 4.





















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Preamble

Welcome to day two at Newlands. Just typing that venue name still gives me a mild cast of PTSD: the last time I was there I was commentating when Cam Bancroft shoved a square of sandpaper down his pants. But I digress.

In Cape Town, you get one of the hardest and best tracks in the world to bat on. It’s why Vic Marks said last night that the opening day was the type to make England’s bowlers very cross. With the exception of Zak Crawley, all of England’s specialist batsmen got into the game and reached at least 29, yet none made it beyond 47 with the exception of Ollie Pope, who resumes today on 56 with the visitors 262-9.

It was a familiar tale, those wasted starts. The look on Ben Stokes’ face said it all when he gave catching practice to cover after batting like a dream until three runs short of a half-century. They’re now well behind the game and relying on the old firm of Anderson and Broad – along with a supporting cast of Curran, Stokes and Dom Bess (much more on him later) to get them out of jail on this second day.

Before that, the hosts, excellent with the ball again yesterday – aren’t they always? – have to end this frustrating tenth wicket stand, currently worth 28 between Pope and Jimmy Anderson. The former took to ramping by the close last night, such was his confidence. What they would give for even half an hour of additional, productive resistance this morning. We’ll find out soon. Good morning to you all.

Someday… England’s top order will go on with it.

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