Bavuma fights but Advantage with England

London: At the stumps on Day 2 at Lord’s, the home team must consider themselves in the driver’s seat after they had South Africa at 214 for 5. The Proteas still trail England by 244 runs with five wickets in hand.

A lot will depend on how the pitch behaves from here on with spinners getting into play.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali looked threatening on Friday and picked up two wickets as well. His all-round effort (he scored 87 with the bat), proved decisive as England took advantage at the end of the second day’s play.

Temba Bavuma was playing with a lot of grit and was unbeaten on 48 when umpire’s called it a day but that was after England had picked up some crucial wickets.

Stand-in skipper Dean Elgar made an important 54 at the top of the order but did not get any support from the other end.

Senior batsman JP Duminy was dismissed for 15 just after Tea which gave England the upper hand.

South Africa resisted with a 99-run between between Bavuma and Theunis De Bruyn.

South Africa rebuilt from 104 for 4 with them but De Bruyn, in his second Test, was dismissed just before close of play when he edged Anderson to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow for 48.

South Africa lost Test debutant Heino Kuhn just after Lunch when Stuart Broad had him caught at slips.

Hashim Amla and Elgar tried to stablise the innings and were successful before Moeen Ali removed Amla. Broad and Ali picked up two wickets while Anderson picked up a wicket for himself.

Earlier, England captain Joe Root missed out on a double century and made 190 before Moeen Ali made 87 and some late hitting from Stuart Broad, who made 57 not out, took England to 458 in the first innings.

England lost some quick wickets after the fall to Root as Morne Morkel trapped Liam Dawson leg-before wicket for duck.

Ali and Broad shared a 46-runs stand before the former was bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 87. Mark Wood lasted two balls. But, a 45-run stand for last wicket in quick time helped England cross 450.

Brief scores
England - 458 (Root 190, Moeen 87, Broad 57*, Morkel 4-115, Philander 3-67, Rabada 3-123)
South Africa - 214 for 5 (Elgar 54, Bavuma 48*)
Status - South Africa trail by 244 runs