ENG v SA Day 1 Lunch Report: England makes shaky start to Root era

Photo: AFP

London: England's era under Joe Root got off to a shaky start at Lord's as Vernon Philander took three wickets for South Africa and the home team was 82-4 at lunch on Day 1 of the first test on Thursday.

Batting at No. 4, Root, the new captain, was in the action as early as the sixth over after Philander got seam movement both ways to remove openers Alastair Cook (3) and Keaton Jennings (8). He also snared Jonny Bairstow (10) lbw just before lunch for figures of 3-26 off eight overs, giving South Africa the clear upper hand after the first session of a four-test series.

Gary Ballance was out for 20 after being given another chance by selectors, trapped lbw deep in his crease by Morne Morkel.

Root, on 33 not out, was left trying to hold England together but also survived two chances, first on 5 when a top edge just cleared the fine leg fielder, and then on 16 when an edge went past gully.

The series opener featured two new captains, but South Africa stand-in Dean Elgar was bound to be the happier of the two with the first morning despite Root winning his first toss and choosing to bat.

Philander got one to jag away from Cook and the former England skipper edged behind to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

Jennings was given out lbw when replays showed the ball pitched outside leg stump and was also missing the stumps. But Jennings, in his first test at home, and Ballance decided against a review.

Ballance, in riveting form in county cricket, played one flowing cover drive for four off Philander but his dismissal for lbw right back up against his stumps raised more concerns over his technique and dislike of playing off the front foot, a big talking point on his recall to the test team.

Bairstow was also out lbw, struck on the back foot by Philander as South Africa's three-man seam attack looked to bowl full and force England's new-look top order to play as much as possible.

Root hit five fours and Ben Stokes was 4 not out alongside his new captain, with England facing an uphill task to rebuild on a pitch described as a solid batting strip by both skippers before play.