CRICKET: Joe Root remains upbeat despite day dominated by South Africa

With the series already secured in the tourists’ favour, the Proteas posted 329 for five at Centurion courtesy of a debut hundred from 33-year-old Stephen Cook and a 25th ton from Hashim Amla.

But it might have been even worse for England after they went in for tea at 224 for one, and with most of their bowling attack struggling for rhythm.

The evening session brought four more wickets as England scrapped for a foothold but an unbroken stand of 56 between Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock ensured the batting side closed on top.

Root was in defiant mood after play, plotting a way for his side to reclaim the initiative: “I thought it was a great comeback from our lads if I’m honest,” he said.

“We missed our lengths at times, especially early on, but the way we fought back and came into the game was a really good effort.

“The start of that last session is our benchmark for tomorrow morning

“The effort from everyone in the field, and with ball in hand, was great. If we can get a couple of early wickets we can get in a really good position.

“We’ve got all the players to still pull a win from this game. It’s about how we react in the morning to combat what they’ve done today.”

England’s bowlers, who performed so ruthlessly to secure the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy in Johannesburg, were slow to move through the gears after being sent in to the field.

James Anderson, the target of a gentle verbal nudge from AB de Villiers on the eve of the Test, finished with nought for 70 and the recalled Chris Woakes was unusually erratic.

He at least had the wicket of Cook to celebrate, but an economy rate of 4.62 told a more accurate story.

“More than anything you have to look at it being a good wicket and the fact we weren’t at our best in that first session,” said Root.

“That sort of sets the tone, which can happen sometimes. Even though they’ve got fantastic records our bowlers are human.

“They do make mistakes and for me the most important thing was how we came back and reacted.”

England’s troubled morning was brightened by an unusual catch by James Taylor at short leg, retrieving the ball from between his legs.

“From where I was standing at mid-on it did look a bit bizarre where he plucked it from,” said a smiling Root.

“But the reaction from him was brilliant.”

“The first reaction is to drop your head or try and get out of the way, so credit to him for the work he puts in in practice.”