South Africa v England, 1st Test, Day 1 - Well played Nick Compton and James Taylor

If you are making a comeback in the test side after almost two years, surely, today’s muggy and damp conditions at Durban would not have been the ideal one to announce your comeback in style. But Nick Compton conquered the adverse circumstances while James Taylor proved displayed the perfect composure under pressure.

Durban’s condition was perfect for Dale Steyn’s comeback and he was right on the money from the word go – dismissed Alastair Cook by pitching the ball on the length and slanting it away. Then Steyn dismissed Alex Hales and at 49 for 3, England were struggling. They needed someone to stabilize the innings and two inexperienced Englishmen occupied the crease well and helped England to travel through the troubled waters.

Nick Compton justified his selection with a watchful half century and James Taylor is proving himself to be a productive cricketer for England. Taylor is a very good timer of the ball, pivots on the back foot very well and loves to score on the onside – anything short and onto the pads will be sent to midwicket and squareleg while if you pitch it full on middle-and-leg, he will come forward a bit – transform it into a half volley and fetch runs through mid on and mid off. He is a compact player. Of course, Taylor can drive the ball through the offside with an absolute surgical precision as well.

Meanwhile, Nick Compton’s Grahan-Gooch-and-Graeme-Hick-like high back lift was a cool one. It made me a bit nostalgic and I loved those timings through the cover region. The guy has a blessed foot work and very good eyesight. Even in such conditions, he could lean onto the front foot, maintain his balance and play some wonderfully timed drives through the offside. I am glad to see Compton back in the team as in my opinion, he is a very good Test player.    

An English fight back was necessary to keep the interest regarding the first day of this Test match alive. Let day 2 be cracking days of Test cricket.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar