James Anderson and Stuart Broad hit South Africa with the oldest of one-twos as England's bowlers had a field day in Manchester.
For the seemingly 760th time in their storied careers, one just had to sit back and admire the skills on show as the pair took a combined 6-69 to rout the Proteas for 151 in just over two sessions on day one.
And having played their part with the ball, the day came to a close with Broad itching to get involved with the bat as the designated ‘nighthawk’ but neither Zak Crawley nor Jonny Bairstow gave him the chance.
Crawley battled gamely and under plenty of pressure for his place to reach 17 not out from 77 balls, while Bairstow appeared to locate his pugnacious streak from earlier in the summer as England climbed to 111-3 and close to taking control.
With grey skies above and a deep cherry red Dukes ball in hand, the veteran pair were in their element and once again showed their value. Even with Ollie Robinson taking the new ball over Broad, it didn’t alter the effectiveness of the two men with 1219 Test wickets between them.
It was a fair call for skipper Ben Stokes to back Robinson with the new ball. Not only would it give him a confidence boost after a recall, but it probably also put the bit between Broad’s teeth when he got the chance to shine.
Robinson was outstandingly good in his first spell, but if anything the ball did a little too much off the seam and he couldn’t quite find the edges. Anderson struck first with one that nipped back at Sarel Erwee to take the inside edge through to the keeper, but just when Robinson thought he had joined the party, he was made to think again.
Elgar was brilliantly caught at short leg by Ollie Pope, but after wheeling away in celebration the umpire’s arm was extended and a no-ball was confirmed, just like it had been for Marnus Labuschagne in Adelaide during the Ashes.
Maybe the new slimmer line Robinson was now running in a bit faster than he used to and that took him over the popping crease, either way he cost himself and his team a wicket. There was to be no such a reprieve for Elgar when Broad found his outside edge and Jonny Bairstow scooped up an excellent low catch at third slip much to the bowler’s delight.
It was on this ground that Broad had taken his 500th Test wicket in 2020 in front of an empty stadium with just his dad’s applause from the match referee’s box to acknowledge, not this time. But as loud as they were for Broad, it paled in comparison to the cheers that greeted Anderson’s two in two to reduce South Africa to 92-7.
The idea that their very own Lancashire hero might take a hat-trick on a ground where he is yet to take a five wicket haul was irresistible, but Kagiso Rabada was not only equal to the challenge but he then flourished.
Without his top score of 36, full of attacking verve, South Africa would have barely made it to three figures. They are still in a world of trouble though.
