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Stokes drags England back but South Africa hold advantage after strong batting display

Reuters
Updated
Kagiso Rabada finished with figures of 5-52 after England's first innings
Kagiso Rabada finished with figures of 5-52 after England's first inningsReuters
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (27) took five wickets as England were bowled out for 165 in their first innings on the second morning of the first test at Lord’s on Wednesday, before South Africa finished the day on 289-7.

A fiery spell from captain Ben Stokes (31) dragged England back into the match but South Africa remained the happier side.

Stokes removed Sarel Erwee (32) for 73 and the dangerous Rassie van der Dussen (33) for 19 just as the game was drifting away from the home side, but South Africa lead by 124 runs after taking the attack to the wilting home bowlers late in the day.

Tall all-rounder Marco Jansen (22) was promoted to number six in the batting order and did not disappoint, scoring 41 not out and putting on 72 for the seventh wicket with Keshav Maharaj (32), who scored 41 before being bounced out by Stokes, to re-establish the visitors’ dominant position.

Jansen will resume on the third day with Rabada (3 not out) and England three overs away from the new ball.

South Africa began well in their reply to the home team's modest score of 165 as they put on 85 for the first wicket before skipper Dean Elgar (35) was bowled by James Anderson (40) for 47 when the ball ricocheted off his arm and on to the stumps.

Keegan Petersen (29) scored 24 and Aiden Markram (27) made 16 both lost their wickets before the tourists passed England’s total, but Stokes (3-48) soon struck a double blow.

He removed Erwee with a brute of a bouncer the left-hander could only fend off, the ball looping to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, before trapping Van der Dussen lbw.

Stuart Broad (36) became the second bowler after Anderson (117) to take 100 wickets at Lord’s when he had Kyle Verreynne (25) caught by Foakes for 11.

England were bowled out in the morning session, having resumed on 116 for six.

Fast bowler Rabada took 5-52 and was the pick of a four-pronged seam attack who all troubled the home batsmen with their pace and aggression.

Rabada removed top-scorer Ollie Pope (23) early on as the latter dragged the ball onto his leg stump having added 12 to his overnight score of 61, before Broad (15) was caught by Elgar at point.

Rabada picked up his fifth wicket when he trapped Anderson (0) lbw.

England have won only two of their last 25 tests in which they have scored under 200 when batting first.