England vs South Africa 2017: 1st Test Day 1, 5 talking points

#2 Moeen Ali piles on the misery

Ali looked in pristine touch as he and Root out on 167 in quick time

If South Africa thought they had seen the end of England's fight with Ben Stokes' wicket, they did not account for the underrated Moeen Ali. The unassuming all-rounder has an average of 95 at no.7, the highest for anyone with more than 10 innings in the position. He looked in ominous touch and kept the Proteas fielders leather hunting in the company of the captain.

Their partnerships cruised at the rate of knots and before they knew what hit them, South Africa found themselves in deep trouble. Maharaj was thrown out of the attack, Rabada and Morkel looked listless and Philander seemed a shadow of his morning self as Ali went on to smash his 10th Test half-century.