Cook leads from the front to frustrate Proteas

Alastair Cook’s first half-century of the series steadied England’s reply to South Africa’s 475 all out as the tourists closed on 138 for two at Centurion.

Captain Cook requires another 50 runs tomorrow to become the first Englishman to 10,000 in Test cricket – a feat only 11 players have achieved in the history of the game.

Of more immediate concern to the left-hander will be ensuring the tourists get as close as possible to a Proteas total which was boosted by Quinton de Kock’s maiden Test ton.

Victory at the Wanderers means England have already won the series, but as was the case on day one there will have been too many errors in the field for Head Coach Trevor Bayliss’ liking in the first two sessions today.

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