England bat first as Philander, Morris sit out fourth Test

England won the toss and chose to bat first against South Africa
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Root impressed by Jennings’ maturity

Joe Root won the toss and chose to bat first in the fourth Investec Test at Old Trafford, as England sought to back up their convincing victory at The Oval last week and seal what would be, barring a relapse of Trent Bridge proportions, their first home series win against South Africa since 1998.

“Looking at the surface, it looks a good wicket, and we’ve had success batting here first in the past,” Root said at the toss, as he confirmed an unchanged side from the XI that restored England’s series advantage with a 239-run win in the third Test.

After several days of the most stereotypically grim Mancunian weather imaginable, play was set to get underway on time, albeit under heavy cloud and on a surface that, though ostensibly dry, could hardly have avoided absorbing a considerable amount of moisture in its preparation.

All the more reason, therefore, for South Africa to rue the absence of Vernon Philander, perhaps their likeliest candidate to capitalise on any swing and seam on offer. After playing through illness at The Oval last week, he succumbed to a back spasm in the build-up to this match, and makes way for the rawer pace of Duanne Olivier.

Also missing, much to the chagrin of Faf du Plessis, South Africa’s captain, is the extra oomph of Chris Morris, whose impact bowling had been such a key factor in their stirring fightback in the second Test. He is replaced by his fellow allrounder, Theunis de Bruyn.

Prior to the start of play, a presentation was made to James Anderson in front of the Pavilion to mark the official naming of the James Anderson End, to complement the Brian Statham End opposite and commemorate the most successful Mancunian Test bowler in history. It remains to be seen whether Anderson feels obliged to open the bowling from said End when England’s turn comes to bowl.

England 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Keaton Jennings, 3 Tom Westley, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Dawid Malan, 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8 Moeen Ali, 9 Toby Roland-Jones, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson

South Africa 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Heino Kuhn, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Quinton de Kock (wk), 5 Faf du Plessis, 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Theunis de Bruyn, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Duanne Olivier, 11 Morne Morkel

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Source: ESPN Crickinfo