It was not without a wobble or three but at the end of a hectic opening day in Manchester, one that saw ball dominate bat in the main to produce the regular clanking of spikes on the dressing room steps, England finally had a firm grip on proceedings.
South Africa, fresh from their ransacking of Lord’s, had earlier been bowled out for 151 inside 54 overs as Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad revelled in the conditions for three wickets apiece.
Ben Stokes marshalled his attack smartly, Ollie Robinson’s return underlined his skill and fitness and their delight, overall, was palpable.
But given a crepe-paper batting performance during that innings defeat in the first Test, there were no givens this mood would remain the case come stumps.
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