Saturday 8 July 2017 20:17, UK
Nasser Hussain spoke to Sky Sports following day three of the first Test between England and South Africa, talking on Kagiso Rabada's suspension, a turning Lord's pitch and Moeen Ali's progress...
South Africa will have to show a lot of character and fight to get out of this Test without defeat.
They're a very proud cricketing nation, but things haven't gone well for them so far on this tour.
In the one-dayers they should have won at the Ageas Bowl - messing it up when needing seven off the last over - and they didn't even get out of the group stages of the Champions Trophy despite being the No 1 side in the world. AB de Villiers was always going to go home, but that's an issue. The coach had to return briefly for personal reasons and Faf du Plessis has had to miss the game here.
Added to that, Vernon Philander picked up an injury today and you've got Kagiso Rabada suspended for the second Test.
I'm certainly not saying 'yes, Rabada must be banned'. We want to see our best players playing, but cricket is not a physical game, and the incident he had with Niroshan Dickwella against Sri Lanka back in February is the real issue.
People have got it wrong when they see the Ben Stokes send-off in this Test and think 'how is he banned for that?' He is banned because that is added to the three demerit points for the contact against Dickwella, albeit minimal.
You only have to look at the proud history of South African cricket, though, to see the real character they've shown over the years. On their travels to England they've played arguably, if not statistically, the best cricket of any nation.
They've got to believe that they can fight and get themselves out of this situation. It's going to be extremely difficult for them because this is a pitch that has been spinning big on day three and they are set to be batting on it on day five.
England are in a fantastic position. Pat Joe Root on the back for playing two spinners: he has got the balance of the side spot on, though personally I think it was a bit of a missed opportunity not to play Adil Rashid or go down a different road with someone like Mason Crane on this surface.
Nothing against Liam Dawson. He has done a decent job already and will do second time around. But I do believe, looking forward, it's an area England must try and improve on, so that when they go to India again, Sri Lanka, they're not still searching for a frontline spinner.
Moeen Ali is getting better all the time. I haven't ever seen him bowl as well as I have here in this game. But when you need someone alongside him away from home on a real spinning pitch, that box is still yet to be ticked.
There are also boxes to be ticked in the batting. I thought Keaton Jennings looked in control until he got out, Gary Ballance also played nicely.
I'd have still preferred him coming in lower down the order though. England having such a lead, I would've loved to have seen Root come out at No 3 and dictate terms; boss it.
That said, England are bossing the game. They're doing very well and will probably go on to win this Test match.
Live coverage of the first Test between England and South Africa continues on Sky Sports 2 from 10.30am on Saturday and in Ultra HD on Sky Q.
