South Africa vs England: Nick Compton and James Taylor hit half-centuries as tourists fight back

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Rory Dollard26 December 2015

Local boy Nick Compton and James Taylor hit gritty half-centuries as England and South Africa traded blows on day one of the Boxing Day Test at Kingsmead.

Having been put in under cloudy skies England lost both openers to the fit and fiery Dale Steyn before key man Joe Root was undone by the gentle spin of Dane Piedt.

Only 65.1 overs were possible due to rain and bad light and a stumps score of 179 for four, built around a 125-run stand between Compton and Taylor, offers reasons for optimism on both sides.

England have sold their top-order wickets far too cheaply and far too frequently in recent times and at 49 for three a traumatic start to the series seemed to be on the way.

But Compton, born and raised here in Durban before leaving as a teenager, dug deep on his first appearance in two-and-a-half years, making a diligent, methodical and highly valuable 63 not out from 179 balls.

Taylor, laying claim to a long-term job at number five, played with a freer spirit on his way to 70 before succumbing to Steyn late in the day.

For the tourists it was a day of triumph for two players who have struggled at times to persuade the selectors of their value.

They both made Test debuts in 2012 but neither seemed to fit with Andy Flower's regime and Compton, in particular, appeared unlikely to dine at the top table again.

But his discipline was a prized asset after the Proteas' early breakthroughs and a third Test century on day would be a grand reward.

The early exchanges had suggested a different story unfolding, with Steyn commanding top billing on his return.

The 32-year-old missed South Africa's last three Tests with a groin problem but banished any doubts about his fitness with a potent first spell.

He has a proud record in Boxing Day Tests, taking 42 wicket in his previous eight appearances, and wasted little time adding Alastair Cook to his tally.

The England skipper had been had been content to leave his first 10 balls but paid the price as soon as he felt for one outside off stump, nicking to Dean Elgar at second slip.

Steyn celebrated theatrically, roaring himself into a frenzy as Cook traipsed from the field.

Compton came perilously close to going the same way, nicking Steyn only to see the ball fall just short of slip.

A risky single to get off the mark also hinted at nerves but Compton steadied himself on the back of a few solid defensive strokes.

A brief rain delay stalled Steyn's progress but once play resumed the hunt continued.

Debutant Alex Hales represented willing prey, going hard at a ball he need not have played and offering AB De Villiers a simple catch.

It was a mistake and a misjudgement but one that many openers have made and Hales, who managed 10, can expect a run in the team as England look to end the top-order merry-go-round.

Steyn had still not conceded a run when Hales exited, but that changed as soon as Joe Root arrived and ushered a boundary through third man.

The scoring rate spiked with Root at the crease, as it so often does, with a back foot punch for four and a powerful pulled six off Kyle Abbott catching the eye.

The bounce of Abbott and Morne Morkel did not unsettle Root at all and so, in the 19th over, Hashim Amla indulged a hunch by tossing the ball to Dane Piedt.

The off-spinner comes with moderate credentials and had never played a home Test before, but his first delivery gripped, turned and struck Root's pad deep in the crease.

DRS failed to save the Yorkshireman and England were up against it.

Another rain delay allowed Compton and Taylor to take stock and when they re-emerged the pair started to drag their side back into the game.

Compton happily soaked up overs with his well-drilled defence, only emerging from his shell when Abbott or Steyn offered extra width.

Taylor was livelier, taking Steyn on with a glorious cover drive and scoring regularly off Piedt.

He overtook Compton just before tea, with Piedt taken for back-to-back boundaries, and England left the field in good heart for the first time in the day.

The final session exposed a weariness in the South African attack, who toiled away without tangible success until Steyn summoned a much-needed third wicket.

Taylor was the man to go, to a regulation edge, but Compton continued his rearguard until the light faded.

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