Ben Stokes was exceptional with the ball as he picked up three key wickets, sending back Keshav Maharaj at the end of day one, who looked settled with a 49-ball 41.
However, there were two moments when the crowd, usually distracted by the peripheral greens of this ground, focused mainly on the main one in the middle and sounding at their best. The first match was in 41 overs – South Africa just 16 runs behind for the loss of two wickets.
At the pavilion end, Ben Stokes had the ball in hand, Kyle Verynne looking at him as he raked the ground under his feet. The captain had dismissed Sarel Ervee and Rassie van der Dussen in a spell that had shades of the old Stokes.
The interest and color of the match had changed dramatically. And it felt fitting that Stokes and Leach had transferred together. Stuart Broad revealed at the stumps that the turn from Leach had convinced Stokes to take his less favorite end.
And above all, his trust in Leach, which he backed up with compact, attacking fields while being almost comically creative with himself – at one point he had bat-pad, leg slip, wide mid on, leg to fine leg. The side was (Above), fine leg (back), players positioned at deep square. There was a compulsion to believe what England was doing. Because, at this point in time on the field and in the home dressing everyone believed in what they were doing. The mornings and afternoons of farce and toil, all largely with noble intentions, were healed by the sheer power of the spirit.
By the end of the game, however, there was no time to craze on adventure. South Africa’s lead was now 124 for seven, with Marco Jensen and Keshav Maharaj stitching up a 72-run partnership to turn the match around again. Leach and Stokes were back to see the day, clearly more experienced and audibly less supported. Like Faith the crowd was withered. Brendon McCullum instilled in him that these are the things that matter. But it was difficult to see the reverse as Stokes worked hard on his feet with the help of Broad, who, knowing he was going to be second, chased bravely from mid-on.
The new ball and second innings of this Test are three overs and three wickets away, respectively. If Broad is to fulfill his desire for a 150-run deficit in the first innings, the former needs to bring in the latter, which he believed can be seen from a solid partnership. Then England are yet to provide a target to defend. Broad still believes.
“We’ve proved this summer that anything can happen and we feel really positive.”