James Taylor led England’s fightback on the first day of the first test against South Africa on Saturday as his half-century took the tourists out of trouble and to 179-4 at stumps.
The 5-foot-6 (1.7-meter) Taylor — affectionately nicknamed ‘Titch’ — stood tall for England to make 70 after Dale Steyn’s fiery early burst had the tourists struggling at 12-2 in overcast, fast-bowler friendly conditions in Durban.
Steyn struck the first blows with the dismissals of England captain Alastair Cook for a duck and test debutant Alex Hales for 10. Joe Root’s aggressive innings of 24 ended swiftly, leaving Taylor and Nick Compton to steady the innings.
Compton was 63 not out and helped Taylor rescue England with a 125-run partnership on the opening day of the four-test series against the top-ranked Proteas.
Steyn ended their resistance when he tempted Taylor to hang his bat out and feather an edge to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers right at the end of the day.
Earlier, Hashim Amla put England in to bat in the morning. Steyn immediately applied the pressure as England’s top order as Cook edged Steyn to Dean Elgar at second slip in the third over of the test. Hales fell to a catch behind by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers as Steyn capitalised on the conditions.
Root explosive innings of two fours and a six ended swiftly when offspinner Dane Pied trapped Root lbw back near his stumps for South Africa’s third wicket, with England then 49-3.
Brief scores
England: 179/4 (Compton 63, Taylor 70; Steyn 3/29) vs South Africa