Looking at how this pitch is deteriorating - all I can say is that I am glad that it will not be England batting last on a track which is already taking some spin, showing some uneven bounce and is, from time to time, two-paced.
Batting first will have been a huge advantage, I suspect. S. Africa start the day, with five key batsmen back in the hutch and will be looking down the barrel of a new ball in a dozen overs time. Their last decent pairing are at the crease.
Bowl well today and England should enjoy a big lead going into the second innings.
(Just one thought. What was the point of including left armer Liam Dawson in this eleven?)
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