TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: The omens are not good for England after being bowled out for just 165

England produced a brief post-tea fightback on day two at Lord’s but still trail by 124 runs in the first Test against South Africa.

The hosts reached a meagre first innings total of 165 in the morning session and the Proteas motored towards that tally, led by Sarel Erwee who was eventually got out for 73.

His wicket was one of three taken by England skipper Ben Stokes, who attempted damage limitation in the evening session.

Sportsmail’s LAWRENCE BOOTH provides the big stats from the day. 

England trail by 124 runs in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa at Lord’s

When Stuart Broad had South Africa’s wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne caught behind, it was his 100th Test wicket at Lord’s. 

That made him the fourth Test bowler to reach three figures at a single venue, after Muttiah Muralitharan (166 at Colombo’s SSC, 117 at Kandy and 111 at Galle), Jimmy Anderson (117 at Lord’s) and Rangana Herath (102 at Galle).

England have won only two of their last 25 Tests in which they have been bowled out for fewer than 200 in their first innings – and that includes the Oval Test of 2006, which Pakistan forfeited after they were accused of ball-tampering. 

When Stuart Broad got out South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne, it was his 100th Test wicket at Lord’s

The other occasion was against Ireland at Lord’s in 2019, when England won after being dismissed for 85.

Kagiso Rabada became the first South African to take five wickets in an innings at Lord’s since Vernon Philander – covering this game as a broadcaster – in 2012.

Since Rabada’s Test debut, against India at Mohali in November 2015, he has taken more Test wickets – 248 – than any fast bowler in the game. Next on the list are Stuart Broad, with 238, and Anderson, with 232.

Kagiso Rabada is the first South African to take five wickets in an innings at Lord’s since 2012