It was not without a wobble or three but at the end of a hectic opening day in Manchester, one on which ball dominated bat in the main to produce the regular clanking of spikes on the dressing room steps, England finally had a decent grip on proceedings.
South Africa, fresh from their ransacking of Lord’s, had earlier been bowled out for 151 inside 54 overs as Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad revelled in the conditions to take three wickets apiece. Ben Stokes marshalled his attack smartly, Ollie Robinson’s return underlined his skill and fitness, and his side’s delight, overall, was palpable.
