The second test between South Africa and England at Kingsmead sits evenly poised after the first day with South Africa 175/5.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Graeme Smith would have been hoping to see off the new ball and cash in after the morning session. However 2 wickets in the first half hour, and a run rate  of only 1 an over put the Proteas under tremendous pressure.  With all the pre-test talk about which side would have the momentum after the first test, it showed you simply have to focus on the next delivery.

South Africa’s 2 premium batsmen Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis played really well to see off the new ball, accumulate runs and place England under pressure. A 150 run partnership left South Africa firmly in the drivers seat and looking very comfortable.

However an innocuous arm ball from Graeme Swann that went straight on found the edge of Kallis’ bat and that triggered a mini-collapse that saw the Proteas lose 3 wickets for 10 runs and makes the game evenly balanced at 175/5. South Africa will be hoping for 300-350, whilst England will want to wrap up the inings quickly on the second morning for under 250.

I thought Kallis and Smith played patiently but it is still a concern how defensive the mindset is. Sure it was difficult to bat in the morning session with the ball moving around, and steep bounce. However having a slow run rate allows the bowlers to bowl with little pressure, and work on plans for each batsmen. By playing more aggressively, hiting through the line of the ball (I’d like to see more driving through the covers and down the ground) you spread the field, get quick runs and place the pressure back on the bowler who is likely to try more (giving you more loose deliveries to put away)

A good example of this was Graeme Swann and Jonathon Trott. At Centurion Kallis took the attack to Swan, at Durban he was more circumspect. The English placed their field more strategically, but Kallis’ defensive mindset I believe got him out as he prodded at a ball.

I thought Andrew Strauss was quite negative bowling his spinner so much on the opening day of a test match, but we allowed him to play the holding role by not going after him.

The second morning and new ball just before lunch will be crucial. Much rests on Ab de Villiers to get South Africa over 300 and at least place some pressure on the English batsmen. I just hope we attack rather than hang around and eventually get out.