South Africa vs. England, 4th Test, Day 2: Root Leads England's Charge

The third Test between South Africa and England continues to ebb and flow through intriguing subplots. England finished Day 2 on 238 for five thanks to a Joe Root century and a Ben Stokes half-century. Both were the first to pass the 50-run mark in this Test for either team.

South Africa’s inexperienced bowling attack struggled at times, but the confidence of Stokes and Root played a big part in keeping England in the game. After having Alastair Cook’s men 91 for four, the Proteas will definitely be the unhappier of the two teams.

Here are some of the key points from Day 2 at the Wanderers, Johannesburg.

South Africa Breaks the Wrong Kind of Records

For the first time ever in a Test innings, every batsman managed to get into double figures but did not score a half century. These are the kinds of numbers that South Africa will rue later on in the Test.

As Root and Stokes have showed, it is possible to dig in on this wicket. South Africa’s dismissals on Day 1 were largely unnecessary, and the fact that they had to rely on their tail order to take them beyond 300 is concerning.

The Curious Treatment of Morne Morkel

Schalk van Zuydam/Associated Press

Morne Morkel is the only bowler in the team who has played more than 10 Tests for South Africa. Yet, over the last two Tests, both captain Hashim Amla and captain AB de Villiers felt that he was not fit to open the bowling for South Africa.

In Cape Town, perhaps it was understandable; he had come off a long spell when the second new ball was due and the wicket was flat. At the Wanderers, though, on a track that his made for him, De Villiers opted to hand the new ball to the inexperienced pair of Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris.

Hardus Viljoen Makes History

Hardus Viljoen earned his first Test cap for South Africa and marked his arrival with a four off the first ball he faced. He then took a wicket with the first ball he bowled. Viljoen is the first South African to achieve this feat and only the second in history to do so.

More Pitches Like This One, Please

The Wanderers is an incredible place to watch cricket. It’s not been as full as Cape Town, but when it comes to providing a contest between bat and ball, it’s one of the best in South Africa. This Test is perfectly set up to turn into a cracker.

Catches Win You Matches

"

Another angle of Taylor's dismissal. https://t.co/i5XA6dxH5s #SAvENG #cricingif pic.twitter.com/XDtkhOZbTX

— Cricingif (@cricingif) January 15, 2016"

De Villiers will be thanking his lucky stars that Nick Compton managed to score just 26 after he dropped him early on.

At the other end of the stick, it's worth noting the spectacular catch Temba Bavuma took to dismiss James Taylor. Taylor got a big inside edge off Morne Morkel and Bavuma did a bit of juggling to ensure he hung on.

South Africa Need Somebody to Hold up an End

South Africa came into this Test with an all-out pace attack. This is not unheard of, but the problem is they don’t really have any part-time bowlers who can hold up an end. Dean Elgar can help a bit, but when two players are going at it like Root and Stokes was, the last thing you need is a part-time bowler lobbing pies at the opposition.

South Africa had just one bowler with an economy rate of 3.00 or below, whereas England had three.

England also did not have a single bowler with an economy rate above 4.00, whereas South Africa had three.

All information obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.