Alastair Cook rescued England with a masterclass in Test match batting on a day when South Africa’s fast bowlers dominated. After the home side were criticised for their overly aggressive batting in the second Test, the former captain demonstrated the art of battling it out in difficult conditions with an unbeaten 82 on a rain-interrupted day at the Kia Oval. England gave caps to three debutants — Tom Westley, Dawid Malan and Toby Roland-Jones — but it was Cook who was again their anchor as they finished on 171 for four at the end of the first day of the third Test. His opening partner’s struggles continued, however, and Keaton Jennings made a nine-ball duck by edging low to third slip off Vernon Philander, the pick of…

Source: The Times July 27, 2017 23:58 UTC