Alastair Cook made a patient century to give England the edge on the first day of the first Test match against South Africa at the Oval on Thursday.

Cook made 114 not out as England overcame the loss of captain Andrew Strauss in the first over to reach three for 267 at the close.

Cook shared a 170-run second wicket partnership with Jonathan Trott (71) and an 81-run third wicket stand with Kevin Pietersen, who made 42.

Trott and Cook came together without a run on the board after Strauss was leg before wicket to Morne Morkel off the fourth ball of the match.

But the pair were largely untroubled on a dry, easy-paced pitch as they rebuilt the England innings with sensible batting, only playing the ball when it was necessary or when they could pick off loose deliveries.

South Africa’s highly-rated pace attack was neutralised by solid batting and a dry, easy-paced pitch.

With the No.1 ranking in Test cricket at stake, it had been expected that the series would be a battle between two outstanding pace attacks but the South Africans were forced to settle for containment for much of the day.

The tourists used spin bowlers for 21 of the 90 overs.

The left-handed Cook showed impeccable shot selection as he reached his 20th Test century off 222 balls, with 11 fours and a top-edged hook for six off Dale Steyn.

Trott faced 162 balls and hit nine fours, scoring a high percentage of his runs on the leg side, before he was caught behind when he edged a drive against Morkel, not getting fully forward one ball after getting a bouncer from Morkel.

Pietersen threatened to play a dominating innings until he gloved a hook against Jacques Kallis three balls before the second new ball was due.

It provided a second catch for AB de Villiers, who took over as wicketkeeper after the injury-enforced retirement of Mark Boucher.

Morkel finished the day as South Africa’s most successful bowler, taking two for 44 in 18 overs.