South Africa upset England’s excellent summer 

Rex Clementine at Lord’s

England have  played some outstanding cricket this summer chasing down big targets. Their fearless approach and positive intent  against New Zealand  and India under the new management of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes has received applauses but against a quality South African side they are playing catch up in the first Test here at Lord’s.

Despite just one half-century in the innings, South Africa had taken a significant 161 run first  innings lead. Thanks to their longer tail they were able to post 325 all out. Stuart Broad at mid-on pulled off a stunning diving catch to dismiss Kagiso Rabada without any addition to the overnight score in the morning.

England appeared to have missed a trick when James Anderson wasn’t called up to share the second new ball. They did well to polish off the tail in the morning as Broad and Ben Stokes finished with three wickets apiece.

South Africa were firmly in the game as Keshav Maharaj picked up two wickets to reduce England to 38 for two. Zak Crawley  was leg before wicket while  Ollie Pope was given out after the tourists reviewed a leg-before appeal.

It could have been lot worse for England but Alex Lees was dropped on four by Keegann Petersen, who dived in front of Aiden Markram and put down the chance. It looked a regulation catch to second slip.