Former England captain Alec Stewart has said that there is "no need to panic" after the heavy innings defeat to South Africa, commenting that the Proteas got the best of the conditions at the right time.
Andrew Strauss's side suffered their first innings defeat in three years, but Stewart said that South Africa's seam attack took advantage of ideal bowling conditions.
"England were on the wrong end of an annihilation in the first Test against South Africa, but there is no need to panic yet," Stewart said in his BBC Sport column.
"The fact is that the second morning was overcast and humid and about the only time in the whole Test that the ball moved off the straight.
"We have to remember that England are a very good side, the best in the world according to the rankings, and that has not changed with one poor performance."
England will have the chance to make amends when the second Test begins at Headingley on August 2.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
