England's 'others' show what they can do against South Africa

Nick Compton and James Taylor impressed after poor start

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To have a hope of winning this series, England need the others to score some big runs at crucial times. “The others” are everybody but Alastair Cook and Joe Root, who have monopolised England’s run scoring. Two of that lengthy cast list did the necessary.

Nick Compton, playing his first Test since 2013, and James Taylor, appearing in only his second since 2012 and fourth in all, each scored half-centuries that were dogged and essential.

In both cases, they were trying not only to re-establish themselves but to show the men who pick the team how they might have got it wrong. To some that has been clear for a year at least – in the case of Compton perhaps from the moment he was omitted.

“It is satisfying to show what you can do,” said Taylor.

“Every time you go to the middle, regardless of the situation in the game you’re playing in, you’re trying to prove a point and show what you can do.

“You want to grab that opportunity with both hands. It was important from the team point of view that I did that and for myself, too.

“In the first game of the series to lay down a marker was important and that is what we did as a side and individuals.”

Taylor and Compton had not batted together before the first warm-up match of this tour. But Taylor said that despite the tough conditions, made for bowling, they enjoyed the partnership.

“It has been a few years out for Nick and myself so we enjoyed batting out there and getting runs for our team,” Taylor said.

“Taking everything into account, losing the toss, the conditions, I thought it was a pretty solid and successful day for the England camp.”