Stuart Broad feels England have fought their way back into the first Test

Stuart Broad insists England remain positive but conceded they need “a couple of great days” in the first Test against South Africa to continue their winning streak in red-ball cricket.

Ben Stokes inspired a much-needed fightback in the evening session on day two at Lord’s after Sarel Erwee’s 73 had threatened to take the match away from the hosts.

South Africa had reached 187 for three – replying to England’s 165 – only for Stokes to drag his team back into the mix with two wickets in seven balls and a third late on.

The Proteas ended the day 289 for seven and hold a 124-run lead, but Broad feels it is still all to play for.

“Anything above 150 on day four and five, you’ve got a chance if you bowl great and create pressure,” Broad said.

“We feel like tomorrow is a must-win day and we can come back and attack it.

“We’ve got a genuine feeling like we’re still in this game. I know South Africa are 120-odd ahead, but there’s no doubt it was pretty good batting conditions, particularly when the ball got softer, so that’s something we’ll want to take forward.

“When you get bowled out relatively cheaply in the first innings, you have got to make it a first versus fourth innings game. We’ve got to try and get enough ahead that we can try and defend on day four and five on a relatively dry pitch.

“The game is set up really nicely. Obviously we’re going to have to have a couple of great days, but we’ve proved this summer that anything can happen, so we feel really positive in the changing room that we’ve got ourselves back in the game.”

Stokes, despite seemingly carrying a problem with his left knee, made himself the enforcer during the evening session and it paid off.

The England captain bounced out Erwee during a devilish spell