England v South Africa 2017

The series played the overcast conditions in which Philander thrives might have been a very different story if he had remained fully fit throughout

Several ex-England captains criticised Root's men for a lack of application after South Africa levelled the series with a huge win in the second Test

South Africa were bowled out for 202 in pursuit of 380 on the fourth day of the final Test at the Old Trafford

The 177-run victory, achieved with more than a day to spare, also saw Joe Root triumphant in his first Test series as England captain

When rain ended the third's play at the Old Trafford, England were 224 for eight in their second innings – a lead of 360 runs – with Ali 67 not out

South Africa were 220 for nine in reply to England's first innings 362, featuring Jonny Bairstow's 99, at stumps on the second day

All-rounder Stokes, fresh from a hundred in England's 239-run victory in the third Test at The Oval, was leading a revival with the bat

For Anderson, born in the Lancashire town of Burnley and someone who has spent his entire career with the county, it was a shock late 35th birthday present

He's a very level-headed guy, he's got a very strong character and throughout he's been very much the same in the way he's approached his training and in each game as well

We let ourselves down with the bat in the first innings ... so we're looking forward to correcting those mistakes in this one and hoping to go level in the series