Hard work to be done, says England bowler Graham Onions
Onions celebrates one of his three wickets with Alastair Cook
England bowler Graham Onions felt there was still "a lot of hard work to be done" after two days of a batsmen-dominated first Test in South Africa.
Onions took 3-86 in South Africa's 418, before England made an encouraging reply, reaching 88-1 in Centurion.
Durham seamer Onions told BBC Sport: "One of the big things for me was bowling straight and making them play.
"With a little bit more luck we maybe could've had them out for 350. I'm pleased with the way I started."
Playing in his first overseas Test, Onions outshone James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who between them toiled away for 69 overs for one wicket apiece.
The leading light among England's bowlers was spinner Graeme Swann, with 5-110.
"As a unit we've done some really good things. Maybe we didn't expect it to turn as much so early but Graeme Swann was brilliant," said Onions.
"There's a lot of people talking about the draw already and we're only two days down. That's definitely not in our thoughts. We've still got three hard days to go.
"We know that being out there for two days it's tough to bowl on but nice to bat on. There's still a lot of hard work to be done."
Onions, who dismissed Hashim Amla on Wednesday before recovering from a calf twinge to remove Morne Morkel and Friedel de Wet on day two, said England had worked hard to deny South Africa scoring opportunities.
He went on: "Once that new ball goes bowling can be hard work. But we worked on it and got it reversing a little bit. In these dry conditions with a dry wicket you obviously have a chance of doing that.
"We fielded really well and put the ball in the right areas. We're in a decent position but we've got to have a good day tomorrow."
To England's great relief, South Africa's Jacques Kallis was dismissed by Anderson after adding just eight runs to his overnight 112.
Kallis confirmed he would not be bowling until the Boxing Day Test in Durban at the earliest, which leaves South Africa with a four-man bowling attack.
He insisted his 225-ball innings had not been as effortless as it appeared.
"It was quite tough. It was one of those wickets where you really had to graft," Kallis said.
"England did bowl well. We only scored 2.8 runs an over. It shows just how tough things were and how well England bowled."
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