Just before lunch, there was time for one more. Stokes pinned Rassie van der Dussen on the front pad, the full-blooded appeal was enough to win the on-field decision and that proved crucial.

Umpire's call for impact, umpire's call for hitting the stumps but that was all England needed. Van der Dussen can count himself extremely unlucky but South Africa are five down...

Then it was over to the skipper. Ben Stokes needed only three balls to remove Aiden Markram, including two real stinkers.

The second of them did the trick, though, as the South African top-edged his pull shot and Foakes calmly moved into the position to take the catch.

Famously, hell hath no fury like a Stuart Broad scorned and so it was little surprise to see the England fast bowler coming steaming in after losing his new ball privileges.

Firstly, he had Dean Elgar caught in the slips before producing a snorter to find Keegan Petersen's edge and leave the Proteas in trouble...

It was Ollie Robinson, rather than Stuart Broad, who shared the new ball. The seamer bowled an excellent opening spell and thought he had removed South Africa skipper Dean Elgar, only for the third umpire to spot that he had overstepped.

Spare a thought for Ollie Pope, who had dived forward to take a brilliant catch at short leg. All that effort in vain...

Let's look back at some of the highlights from a lively morning session, shall we?

Jimmy Anderson got things started for England - it has ever been thus - with the wicket of Sarel Erwee. A thin inside edge and a good catch from Ben Foakes...

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Emirates Old Trafford

The daft thing about that morning is I'm not sure England have had to do a great deal to be in such a strong position. South Africa gifted away the toss and the two Stokes wickets were incredibly fortunate. Still, you make your own luck, and England will feel like this evens out having to bat on the first day at Lord's.

James Anderson: 1-19 from eight overs

Ollie Robinson: 0-26 from seven overs

Stuart Broad: 2-17 from six overs

Ben Stokes: 2-6 from two overs

Jack Leach: 0-5 from two overs

Thanks, Tim. That was some session for England, just what they needed after being blown away at Lord's.

For all their bowling prowess, South Africa's batting was viewed as fragile coming into this series and England have made the most of the overhead conditions in Manchester to expose that.

They'll want to finish the job quickly after lunch with the sun starting to break through the cloud.

I'm off to grab some scran myself, but rest assured I shall leave you in capable hands of Sam Drury. He will take you through the lunch break and the afternoon session.

What did you make of that, Sam?

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

England have had some luck but you make your own sometimes. A lengthy tail to come for South Africa. What a start that is.

Double pat releases all round as England's players walk off.

Unequivocally England's morning.

England bowled well and, as is sometimes the case when you do, got the rub of the green too.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

That was a pretty ghastly shot. Oh and was there a bottom edge? I think there was. Verreynne is dropped by Foakes.

What a handy wicket that would have been. Again, not a great ball.

Simon Harmer is the new batter along with Kyle Verreynne. Just enough time to squeeze one more over from Jack Leach in.

Leach's second ball takes the bottom edge of Verreynne but Ben Foakes is unable to get one of his black mitts to it.

Harmer sees off the rest of the over without too much alarm.

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

You feel like all the momentum is with England. We had a great view of that one and, I've got to be honest, it didn't look right.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

Two umpire's calls, it's England's morning. A little bit of the rub of the green again. It's not often you see a wicket with two umpire's calls.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

The finger's raised. I'm assuming for lbw but there is going to be a review here. I'm interested to see where it struck Rassie van der Dussen.

Ben Stokes has lubricated the joints and is a little more consistent with his line and length. A full ball strikes Rassie van der Dussen on the front pad.

He's given out on the field by the umpire, but goes the review. This will be close.

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Going back to that Aiden Markram wicket, he is going to be so disappointed with that. He'd done the hard work and got through a fiery spell from Stuart Broad.

Another long hop, this time from Jack Leach. But no mistake from Rassie van der Dussen who mercilessly flogs it for four through mid-wicket.

Five dots follow.