England v South Africa: Kagiso Rabada & Anrich Nortje rip through hosts before Lord's rain

The first day of the first Test at Lord's was washed out because of rain.

The home side were reduced to 1166 by the pace attack of the South Africans.

Anrich Nortje claimed 3-43 while Kagiso Rabada claimed 1-26.

There was only one person who was able to come through the stern examination and that was Ollie Pope.

Five England batters were out for single-figure scores, including opener Zak Crawley, who has not scored a half-century in over a year.

The day began with rain and ended with 58 of the 90 overs unbowled.

The opening contest of a three-Test series is expected to be dry.

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First blood to South Africa

This was always going to be a test of the positive method that brought the hosts four successive wins at the beginning of the summer, even before captains Ben Stokes and Dean Elgar exchanged words over the merits of England's fresh approach.

As early as the toss, England were given a new challenge as Elgar unleashed his four ferocious seamers.

The score shouldn't be seen as an argument against England's aggressiveness.

Only Alex Lees and Jonny Bairstow were responsible for loose strokes, with the rest undone by excellent bowling and some bad luck in the form of a marginal LBW decision.

Rabada's first two overs yielded a loose waft from Lees and a superb delivery fromCrawley that left him down the Lord's slope. The review showed that the top of the leg stump was shaved, with the former captain angry.

Bairstow, in the form of his life this summer, reverted to old habits trying to drive the fifth ball he faced, only to be dismissed by a 93 mph delivery from Nortje.

Ben Foakes was trapped in front by one that may have kept low on the stroke of lunch, while Ben Pope was trapped in front by another that may have kept low on the same day.

Pope scored his best score in four Tests on this ground. He ran hard.

England would have been in even more trouble if there had been a diving chance at third slip from the bowler.

England's Crawley conundrum

The upturn in England's fortunes can be traced back to the support given to the players by captain Ben Stokes and the management team.

His Test average is now less than 27 and he is still producing his best.

The England squad for the second Test at Old Trafford has already been confirmed, meaning that if he fails in the second Test, he will play again.

There may come a time when England have to make a decision.

If given the chance to take a break from international cricket, he could benefit. It doesn't have to be terminal for a player to be dropped and many have gone on to have successful Test careers after being out of the side.

It is important for England to balance loyalty to those in the team with fairness to others on the outside so that good performances are rewarded and the moment to take advantage of a player's good form is not missed.