Alex Hales struggles again as England dominate South Africa warm-up match

England hold a commanding lead of 381 following the penultimate day of their first warm-up match against a South Africa Invitational XI at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. Having declared on 470-5 in their first innings following impressive tons from James Taylor and Ben Stokes, the tourists collected their first wicket with just the fourth ball of the day as Stuart Broad enticed an edge from opener Aiden Markram and captain Alastair Cook held a low catch at slip.

Broad struck again soon after as Luthando Mnyanda was bowled following an inside edge and Surrey paceman Mark Footitt claimed his first scalp thanks to a strong catch from Jonny Bairstow to remove Zubayr Hamza. At 47-3, the home side were further depleted when Simon Khomari lofted a delivery from Chris Woakes to Taylor at mid-wicket for 20. Somila Seyibokwe contributed just one before being caught down the leg side by Bairstow off the bowling of Stokes.

That initial flow of wickets then subsided as Qaasim Adams and Heinrich Klaasen made 34 and 48 respectively to improve the hosts' total to 118-5. Such a comeback proved to be short-lived, however, when Adams was dismissed shortly after lunch having been trapped lbw by Footitt. Not far behind, Klaasen walked back to the pavilion when Jimmy Anderson took a nice slip catch off Moeen Ali.

Andile Phehlukwayo was bowled by Stokes for six before Ruben Claassen claimed a 17-ball duck when he was run-out by Moeen, being caught out of his ground at the non-striker's end from a drive onto Moeen's hand. The South African XI were all out for 188 when Broad claimed his third victim, Thandolwethu Mnyaka, who had dug in with 30, edging through to wicket-keeper Bairstow.

Looking to secure more valuable batting practice ahead of the first Test in Durban on Boxing Day, Alex Hales disappointed by scoring just eight for the second consecutive innings as he was again bowled by Junior Dala, as he was in the first innings. Cook, who made two in the first innings before being removed lbw, notched 37 before falling in a similar manner to Phehlukwayo. Recalled Middlesex batsman Nick Compton failed to build on his earlier promising performance as he hit Johannes Diseko's ball to Claassen stationed at mid-off for 15. England closed a dominant day two at 99-3, Joe Root and Gary Ballance reaching 26 and six respectively.

Following the end of this match, Cook and co travel to face South Africa A at City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on 20 December. Their upcoming series against the Proteas features four Tests and five one-day internationals as well as two T20 clashes.