South Africa vs England 2017: 1st Test Day 2, 5 talking points

England raced to 458 in their first innings despite losing Joe Root and Moeen Ali early on Day 2 at Lord’s as Stuart Broad, let off by South Africa’s hesitancy to review a decision, compiled an attacking half-century. Morne Morkel dismissed Root for 190 and followed it up with the wicket of Liam Dawson in the same over. Rabada ended Ali’s innings and brought the Proteas closer to the tail.

However, the pace bowling duo took on the short deliveries and sent them into the stands, helping England to a pretty good first innings total. Although South Africa lost Heino Kuhn early, they looked like getting back on track through Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla.

However, Ali made use of the rough outside the off-stump to send back both the batsmen. In the process, Ali became the fifth quickest to the Test double of 2000 runs and 100 wickets. Despite Temba Bavuma and Theunis de Bruyn displaying some resistance in the third session, the loss of the latter late in the day puts the Proteas in a precarious position heading into Day 3.

Brief Scores: England 458 (Root 190, Ali 87, Morkel 4/115). South Africa 214/5 (Elgar 54, Bavuma 48*, Ali 2/35, Broad 2/27)

Here are the talking points from Day 2 at Lord’s.

#5 Morkel gets South Africa off to a good start

With Root unbeaten on 184 and Moeen Ali looking in fantastic touch, South Africa needed a bit of inspiration from their senior bowlers on day 2. Morne Morkel ran in and showed just why he is an indispensable force in Test cricket by getting rid of Root and Dawson in the same over.

The England captain looked set to smash his second double-hundred at Lord's and become the first batsman to accomplish the feat, but edged the tall South African pacer to de Kock on 190. Buoyed by the wicket of the big fish, Morkel trapped Liam Dawson in front two balls later. The batsman reviewed but the on-field umpire's decision was upheld. At 367/7, Morkel seemed to have gotten the Proteas back in the scheme of things.

#4 Elgar's misjudgement

Philander found little support from his skipper

England weren't the only ones to mess up their reviews as South Africa made a meal of a straightforward review early on Day 2. Morkel had gotten rid of Root and Dawson, forcing Broad and Moeen to front up to Philander. The England seamer was trapped in front by the seamer but the umpire failed to raise his finger.

Philander tried his best to convince his new skipper, Dean Elgar, to go for a review but the Proteas opener was unmoved and did not send the decision upstairs. Replays showed that Broad would have been out, much to the annoyance of Philander, who raised his finger to signal to Elgar that Broad was out at the end of the over.

#3 Anderson and Broad make merry...with the bat

Broad played his part with a fine, attacking half-century

The South Africans were already run ragged by Root and the reprieve Broad got killed the fight in them despite Rabada knocking over Moeen Ali and Mark Wood in the same over. Broad made them rue their error with some scintillating pull shots while Anderson stepped out to smack Rabada over mid-wicket, a six that had the crowd at Lord's gaping in awe.

Edges flew into gaps and bouncers were dispatched within disdain as Broad compiled his first Test half-century since 2013. The tall seamer was in no mood to duck under the threatening bouncers and took them on with reckless abandon. The Proteas bowlers failed to pitch the ball up and the partnership soared. The 45 run stand came off just 27 balls before Morkel finally got rid of Anderson.

#2 All-round Ali has South Africa in a tangle

Moeen Ali exposed South Africa’s woes against spin bowling

If his quickfire knock wasn't enough, Moeen Ali made use of the rough created by Kagiso Rabada's footmarks to trouble the Proteas batsmen. He generated vicious turn on a rapidly degenerating wicket and reminded the South African batsmen of their woes in India.

Amla was undone by a sharp off-spinner off the first ball he faced from Ali. In the absence of Faf du Plessis, Amla was South Africa's fulcrum and Ali broke the back of their innings with that wicket. Elgar, who had weathered the storm, found himself inside edging the wily off-spinner to short-leg to end his vigil at the crease.

#1 Theunis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma show the way

Theunis de Bruyn did a fine job at no.6 in his second Test match

Just when it looked like England would have Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel batting at dusk, the young guns in the middle-order, Theunis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma, performed a rescue act with some dogged defensive shots and sound leaves outside the off-stump. de Bruyn, playing in just his second Test match, looked uncomfortable against Moeen Ali early on before settling into his groove.

Bavuma is known for his temperament and resilience and these qualities once again came to the fore as he guided the Proteas innings on his small shoulders. It was a lesson in batting on such wickets by these young players, one which the likes of JP Duminy could learn from. However, just when it looked like the pair would take South Africa to stumps, Anderson had de Bruyn dismissed, poking outside his off-stump.