England lead by 61 runs as South Africa lose plot  

Rex Clementine in Manchester

South Africa have done some strange things in cricket’s biggest stage and they were ruing a couple of strange decisions in the second Test against England here at Old Trafford as the hosts looked set to take a considerable first innings lead and square the two match series. When lunch was taken on day two, England had reached 215 for five, a lead of 61 runs.

Playing two spinners was a strange call especially as it had to be done at the expense of Marco Jansen, the all-rounder, who was quite handy at Lord’s scoring 48 runs and claiming four wickets. Off-spinner Simon Harmer replaced Jansen and didn’t look threatening. What was supposed to be the last ball before lunch that he bowled summed up the story, a full toss that Ben Foakes was quick to deposit to the boundary. It was a waist high full toss as well and had to bowled again.

England resumed on 113 for three and Anrich Nortje removed both overnight batsman Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow with his pace proving to be too much.There was not enough pressure put by the spinners and captain Ben Stokes together with Foakes rebuilt the innings. The sixth wicket unbroken partnership was worth 65 runs at lunch.Foakes had been given out leg before wicket to Keshav Maharaj but the decision was overturned after the batsman reviewed it.

South Africa had won the first Test inside three days at Lord’s and  looked too good a side although there were questions about their middle order. Then at Old Trafford to go onto bat first after winning the toss in overcast conditions questioned their thinking process.The final Test will be played at The Oval next week.