England vs South Africa: Proteas take control after hosts suffer batting collapse

South Africa took a firm grip on the second test at Trent Bridge after a see-saw second day in which 15 wickets tumbled and the fragility of England’s fragile top-order batting was brutally exposed on Saturday.

The touring side reached 75-1 in their second innings at the close, a lead of 205, with Dean Elgar (38 not out) and Hashim Amla (23 not out) bringing some order to the final hour and ensuring their team are well-placed to force the victory that would level the four-match series at 1-1. South Africa began the day on 309-6 in their first innings and from the first over, in which James Anderson claimed the wicket of Vernon Philander, the bowlers had the edge underneath grey skies on a pitch that responded to seam and spin.

Anderson mopped up the tail with a devastating spell of 4-4 in little more than half-an-hour to dismiss South Africa for 335. But South Africa’s attack proved equally potent, with seamer Chris Morris and spinner Keshav Maharaj picking up three wickets apiece. Only Joe Root provided real resistance, rallying his side after Philander and Morne Morkel removed both openers to reduce England to 3-2. England’s captain is never inclined …read more