Only 32 overs were possible on Day 1 of the opening Test between England and South Africa at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
After rain interrupted proceedings in the first session, no further play could take place and play was called off at 8 PM IST.
But prior to that, the South African bowlers made sure that they put their team in the driver’s seat. England finished the day at 116 for six in 32 overs.
After putting the Three Lions in to bat first in favourable bowling conditions, the trio of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen ran through the hosts’ batting.
Rabada, who was earlier unsure of playing the match due to injury, made the initial breakthroughs after removing both openers, Alex Lees and Zak Crawley. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, the two leading Test run-scorers in 2022, failed to get into double digits.
Nortje bowled a delivery at over 150kph and castled Bairstow for a duck. Ben Stokes seemed to have got his eyes in before Nortje sent him packing. Stokes made 20 runs in a 45-run partnership with Ollie Pope.
As far as Pope is concerned, he was the only bright spot for England on the day. He came to bat after Rabada got rid of Alex Lees and didn’t look flustered. He went on to score a half-century off 69 balls and stayed unbeaten on 61 off 87 with four fours.
With four wickets in hand, Pope being the only specialist batter left, England have a tough task on their hands on the second day.
Nortje was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas after he picked up three crucial wickets. Rabada and Jansen picked up two and one wickets apiece. Lungi Ngidi bowled his heart out, but couldn’t add to his wickets’ column.