South African fielders (from left) Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar play on Day 2 of the first Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka held at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

South Africa captain Dean Elgar won the toss and elected to bat against England in the second Test at Old Trafford on Thursday as the Proteas recalled off-spinner Simon Harmer.

Harmer, a stalwart wicket-taker with English county side Essex, returned in place of towering left-arm quick Marco Jansen in the only change to the XI that overwhelmed England by an innings and 12-runs in the first Test at Lord's last week.

The pitch at Old Trafford should offer more assistance to spinners as the game goes on, with Harmer joining an attack that already features slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj.

Although Thursday's overcast conditions promised to aid fast bowlers, history was on Elgar's side - no team has ever won the toss in a Test at Old Trafford, chosen to bowl and gone on to win the match.

"There's a little bit overhead but we've got to play what's in front of us and it looks quite dry, hence why we've gone with the extra spin option with Simon Harmer," said Elgar.

"When you go with two spinners, you have to back yourself, go positive and bat first...Marco Jansen misses out, he did nothing wrong in the first game but it is just horses for courses."

Defeat in the first Test was England's first loss under their new red-ball leadership team of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum following a run of four successive wins.

"We were going to have a bowl so it worked out okay!" said Stokes. "I think it looks fantastic bowling conditions with the attack we have."

AFP