Stumps
90th over: England 260-6 (Bairstow 33, Roland-Jones 0) Bairstow takes two boundaries off Olivier’s final over of the day - a thumping extra-cover drive followed by an attempted leave that scuttles through the slip cordon. That’s the end of a belting day’s cricket, in which both sides played Pass The Initiative (or, to be more accurate, Grab The Initiative Back Through Very Good Cricket, but that doesn’t have the same ring). The late wicket of Ben Stokes makes it South Africa’s day, just about, though there is little in it. Thanks for your company, night.
89th over: England 252-6 (Bairstow 25, Roland-Jones 0) That was devastating bowling from Rabada. It’s the mark of a champion to take a key wicket at the end of a hard day, and he has done exactly that.
WICKET! England 252-6 (Stokes b Rabada 58)
Oh yes yes yes. This is magnificent from Kagiso Rabada! Stokes hit him for two fours earlier in the over, and Rabada responded by slamming a yorker into the base of off stump. It would have been brilliant at any time of day - but in context, his last delivery of a long day to dismiss Ben Stokes, it’s an absolute gem.
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88th over: England 244-5 (Stokes 50, Bairstow 25) A surprising late change from Faf du Plessis, who has decided to replace Morkel with Dame Judi Dench Duanne Olivier. That said, it’s a good over from Olivier: he curves one sharply back into Bairstow, who defends, and then induces s a loosish drive that goes for a couple.
“If anyone is genuinely experiencing bad shampoo moments I can pass on my doctor’s advice,” says John Starbuck. “Use a children’s shampoo like No More Tears. This has an advantage of being usable often, so it can cope with at least every other day, a boon for us bearded people.”
87th over: England 242-5 (Stokes 50, Bairstow 23) Rabada beats Bairstow with a monstrous delivery that swings in a fraction and then bursts the other way off the pitch. He does it again two balls later. How many times?! Morkel and Rabada have been desperately unlucky.
86th over: England 241-5 (Stokes 50, Bairstow 22) Bairstow chases a wide outswinger from Morkel that beats the outside edge and is pushed for four byes by the diving de Kock. That brings up a respectful fifty partnership.
“Beard oil?” sniffs Andrew Benton. “I was the proud owner of a completely uncontrollable beard in my mid and late 20s - shampoo’d it every day - lovely and soft. Should have been called Head’n’Shoulders’n’Chin’n’Cheeks.”
Singular?
85th over: England 234-5 (Stokes 50, Bairstow 19) There’s a quiet intensity to these last few overs. Both teams know the difference between 260 for five and 240 for eight, and so do the crowd. At the moment England are hanging on for the close, with Rabada zipping another excellent delivery past Stokes’s defensive stroke. Stokes then pushes two down the ground to reach another mature, determined fifty from 89 balls. This really has been an excellent day’s cricket.
“As an image-conscious teenager, I made the mistake of shampooing my eyebrows in the misguided hope it would give them some extra sparkle,” says Tom van der Gucht. “Instead, not only did I have to endure the agony of all the foam rinsing directly onto my eyeballs - giving me a bit of a conjunctivitis vibe - but the Wash and Go also managed to irritate my sensitive skin and left me with what appeared to be eyebrow dandruff for a couple of weeks.”
84th over: England 232-5 (Stokes 48, Bairstow 19) Stokes has a wild drive at Morkel and is beaten again. On Sky, Mike Atherton tells us that’s the 19th time he’s beaten the outside edge today. That’s about once every five deliveries.
83rd over: England 229-5 (Stokes 47, Bairstow 17) Kagiso Rabada beats both batsmen outside off stump, and then Stokes drags a pull onto the fleshy part of the thigh. He smashes his bat into the pitch in annoyance, but has cooled down sufficiently to flick the next ball very classily through midwicket for three. I think Stokes is being told off by Aleem Dar for that bat thump, which is a bit ridiculous if so.
“I presume Sachin Paul is a W.Indies fan (i.e. England’s next test opponents) if he describes Joe Root’s form as ‘worrying’,” says Jonathan Gresty. “Hasn’t Root scored at least a half-century in all of his last ten Tests? Isn’t he comfortably the highest scoring batsman in either team in this series so far? I personally find Donald Trump, overpopulation and galloping climate change worrying. It’s 37 degrees where I live (Slovakia), it’s too hot to even leave the house, I’m waiting for N. Korea to start turning their nukes to face the US and amidst it all, Joe Root’s reliability at the crease is proving to be one source of comfort in this ever-changing, unstable world of ours.”
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82nd over: England 225-5 (Stokes 44, Bairstow 16) Morne Morkel takes the second new ball. He immediately snaps a beauty past Stokes’s defensive stoke and then finds an edge that flies over the vacant third-slip area for four. Ach! Morkel has been so unlucky in this series. There are lies, damned lies and 14 wickets at 30.00. He could easily have more than 20 wicket. He’s been an absolute joy, as a bloke and a bowler.
Here’s Robert Wilson. “Re. Over 74. Imagine sledging Viv! Has there ever been a less promising target? That desultory but regal walk to the middle, the faux-casual stance and the infinite disdain of that gum-chewing jawline (a more difficult combo than most people realise). Has there ever been a batsman who so effectively posed that most important of questions to a bowler – ‘Remind me, who the eff are you again?’”
I’m sorry I assumed that was a rhetorical question.
81st over: England 220-5 (Stokes 40, Bairstow 15) After some unexplained faffing that lasts two or three, Maharaj continues. Stokes has to abort a couple of attacking strokes - first because he’s beaten in the flight, then because of some nasty bounces. Maharaj has been admirable today.
80th over: England 220-5 (Stokes 40, Bairstow 15) Another time-killing over from de Bruyn. The second new ball is available but South Africa aren’t going to take it, at least not yet.
79th over: England 219-5 (Stokes 39, Bairstow 15) Bairstow misses a sweep at Maharaj but accidentally hits it in his follow through, with the ball whistling past de Kock for a couple of runs.
“How come none of the OBO team were asked about this?” says Charlie Tinsley. “There’s a distinct lack of 92 World Cup cricket shirts and bucket hats...”
Exactly. When it comes to fashion, I think we’ve all had enough of experts, don’t you.
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78th over: England 217-5 (Stokes 39, Bairstow 13) de Bruyn tries to tempt Stokes into something feckless outside off stump. It must be uniquely exasperating to get out to a part-time dobber just before the second new ball. Stokes almost experiences the sensation when he drags a leg-side flick this far wide of leg stump.
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77th over: England 215-5 (Stokes 38, Bairstow 12) Maharaj continues to give South Africa control of the scoreboard. It’s a reflection of his accuracy and occasional variety that England’s glory boys have barely played an attacking stroke against him.
“More impatience from Root,” sniffs Sachin Paul. “Why can’t he knuckle down and do justice to his talent by converting these starts into huge scores? It’s been happening since the India tour and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Worrying.”
76th over: England 214-5 (Stokes 37, Bairstow 12) Dobbly or not dobbly? That’s the question for Faf du Plessis, who answers in the affirmative by bringing on the gentle medium-pacer Theunis de Bruyn. He starts with a wide full toss that Stokes dismisses from his presence for four runs. It was a no-ball too. That aside, it was a triumph.
“There’s a shampoo-related thread running through today’s OBO,” says John Starbuck. “I’m hoping that at some point Hashim Amla, Moeen Ali and Aleem Dar will combine for a decision. Imagine the beard-power there! It’d take a very large shampoo bottle to sort out the possible tangles.”
Shampoo? Beard oil, John, please. This is the Guardian.
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75th over: England 206-5 (Stokes 32, Bairstow 10) After a few unsatisfying defensive stroke, Bairstow whacks an impatient sweep for four off Maharaj.
74th over: England 202-5 (Stokes 32, Bairstow 6) A few technical problems. You have’t missed much, just an indecisive dab at fresh air by Bairstow off Olivier. We are amid the calm before the second new ball.
“I have been waiting for years for a thread on piles to emerge so I can ask others if they recall Viv Richards being abused from the stands at a county game over his own suffering from said affliction,” says Ian Copestake. “I guess in English humour any pain in the arse region is cause both for ridicule and aspersions against one’s manhood. On this occasion Sir Viv invited the person to step forward and debate the issue with him one to one.”
It would take a brave person to repeat Greg Thomas’s sledge in the circumstances. It’s red, it’s round...
73rd over: England 201-5 (Stokes 32, Bairstow 5) It’s a good thing there’s no yellow jersey in cricket, because half the time you wouldn’t know who should receive it. I have no idea who’s winning here.
Here’s Andrew Benton. “Is your online persona of a nice guy a reflection of your in vivo persona?”
Course not. That’s the whole point of the internet, right?
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72nd over: England 200-5 (Stokes 32, Bairstow 4) What happened, I think, was this: Kumar Dharmasena gave the LBW appeal not out and then, while South Africa were reviewing, was told by the square-leg umpire Aleem Dar that he thought the ball had carried to slip. Dharmasena thus gave Bairstow out before he was persuaded to go upstairs to make sure it had carried.
Back to the live cricket. Stokes, who is again batting with considerable authority, carves Olivier through backward point for four more.
71st over: England 196-5 (Stokes 28, Bairstow 4) After all that, it’s a maiden from Maharaj to Bairstow. He has bowled brilliantly, especially for a spinner on day one: 24-8-46-1.
REFERRAL! England 196-5 (Bairstow not out 4)
This is all very strange. Bairstow pushes at Maharaj, with South Africa appealing for LBW and maybe a catch at slip. It’s given not out, so South Africa review. Then, before it goes upstairs, Bairstow is given out! I’m not sure what happened there.
Eventually it does to go to the third umpire, a referral rather than a review. Replays show a huge inside edge but cast enough doubt as to whether Elgar got his hands under the ball for it to be given not out. Elgar thought it was a clean catch and it may well have been; once that goes upstairs, the batsman usually survives.
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70th over: England 196-5 (Stokes 28, Bairstow 4) A wide ball from Olivier is driven beautifully through extra cover for four by Stokes. It’s rare to see a batsman who can be quite so elegant and quite so brutal. At the moment he looks better on the pitch than on paper, but there has been such clear progression in his batting in the last two years that he could be unstoppable by the age of 28.
“Hi Rob,” says Edmund King. “None of them appears to involve shampoo (nasty substance), but there’s a good list of off-beat (but no doubt still excruciating) cricket injuries here. It includes NZ opener Trevor Franklin being mown down and injured rather badly by a luggage truck at Gatwick in 1986 and poor Jimmy Adams cutting his hand open on an inflight meal in the late ‘90s.”
Trevor Franklin got the luggage truck, and every cricket fan in England, back when he batted something like 19 hours for a century at Lord’s in 1990.
69th over: England 192-5 (Stokes 24, Bairstow 4) The five England batsmen dismissed all scored between 17 and 52, which is often a bigger sin than getting a duck. The Friday Feeling has been FFS, because all five will feel they should have got more. That said, South Africa have bowled some extremely good stuff in spells.
68th over: England 191-5 (Stokes 23, Bairstow 4) England had two reviews left, so it was worth a try just in case Root was outside the line or Hawkeye malfunctioned and confirmed it was missing wibble stump. It looked plumb, however, and so it was. This has been an excellent comeback from Olivier after a desperate one-over spell straight after tea.
In other news, Bairstow gets off the mark with a confident clip to the square-leg boundary.
“Hey there Rob,” says Tumi. “Hust got reports that South Africa is in talks with Ottis Gibson so i was wondering if you could kindly confirm this. PS a shout out on the commentary timeline would be amazing. I am a South African reader.”
I don’t know anything about that, though I haven’t broken a story in my life so I’m not the best person to ask. We don’t usually do shout-outs – this is the Guardian, darling – but it’s the weekend and I’m trying to cultivate the online persona of a nice guy, so: shout-out to Tumi!
WICKET! England 187-5 (Root LBW b Olivier 52)
Yes, Root has gone. He walked down and across to Olivier before missing a flick around his front pad. He was hit in line and the ball would have gone on to hit the meat of leg stump. Out of nothing, a huge wicket for South Africa.
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REVIEW! England 187-5 (Root LBW b Olivier 52)
Root is given out LBW! He has reviewed it, but I think he knows he’s out.
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67th over: England 187-4 (Root 52, Stokes 23) Stokes drives Maharaj safely down the ground for a single, one of two from the over. He’s playing low-risk cricket at the moment, certainly against Maharaj.
“Afternoon Rob,” says Ben Heywood. “Last year, having driven 220km to take part in a cricket tournament in Split, Croata (I live in Montenegro), I somehow managed to injure myself over breakfast before the first game. Watching our skipper stretching an arm behind his back, I subconsciously followed suit while eating my Coco Pops and the unexpected manoeuvre pinged a nerve in my neck, basically ruling me out of the whole shebang and landing me with the kind of nickname - Coco - that ought really to belong to a dog. Or a clown, I suppose.”
66th over: England 185-4 (Root 51, Stokes 22) A maiden from Olivier to Root. He has been much more accurate since switching ends. He has a vigorous, bustling action which reminds me a bit of the brilliant Fanie de Villiers.
65th over: England 185-4 (Root 51, Stokes 22) Another desperate LBW appeal from South Africa when Stokes misses a sweep at Maharaj. He was well outside the line. Maharaj is bowling nicely though, particularly to Stokes.
“People (sometimes understandably) complain when England go too hard and fall in a heap,” says Phil Harrison. “But they should also acknowledge the flip-side of that tendency - England are now a superb counter-attacking team on their day. Since tea, they’ve totally reversed the momentum of this game, not just with stroke-play but with aggressive running and general positive intent. This could be the series-winning stand. It’s great to watch too and that’s what it’s ultimately all about.”
Yes, agreed. This partnership reminds me a little of Johannesburg 2016. Root is our best top-order counter-attack since Graham Thorpe, I think.
64th over: England 183-4 (Root 50, Stokes 21) Olivier has switched ends to replace Morkel. I’d be very surprised if England don’t try to belt him round Manchester, as that would give du Plessis a problem. Root flicks him for a single to reach the usual fifty; it’s the 10th Test in a row that he has scored at least one half-century.
“I think I’ve figured out to whom Kim Thonger (61st over) is referring,” says Andy Plowman, “and I’m sorry to point out why the officials would have a problem with that, but I just can’t see how “The Sledgehammer of Eternal Justice Pavilion” would fit on the hoardings.”
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63rd over: England 181-4 (Root 49, Stokes 20) Stokes misses a fierce sweep at Maharaj, prompting a big appeal for LBW. He was well outside the line.
“Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “First time I’ve been able to email the OBO from the ground in a good few years. An anniversary present from Mrs McMahon, tickets to the first two days. And only one with her, she’s letting me take a pal tomorrow. Not that she’s not, if you know what I mean. The weather has held too. A great day of Test cricket, with Root and Stokes together in the middle. Is there anything better?”
Root and Stokes counter-attacking in the middle? They are going at almost a run a ball in this partnership.
62nd over: England 180-4 (Root 48, Stokes 20) Root drives Morkel nicely for three to move past 5,000 Test runs. This is his 105th innings, which makes him the fastest Englishman to reach the milestone since the great Kenny Barrington in the 1960s.
“Is there any worse feeling in cricket than being dismissed by a bowler early in his spell, who then turns out to be the worst on the park by a very, very large margin,” says Robin Hobbs. “In fairness I think we knew this after his performance in the second Test. Anyway, Jennings must be disconsolate.”
I’ll give you disconsolate: Grahame Clinton after this match.
61st over: England 172-4 (Root 45, Stokes 15) Olivier is hooked after a single over, with Maharaj replacing him. Stokes, pushing at an outdrifter, edges wide of slip for three.
“Afternoon Rob,” says Kim Thonger. “Just idly wondering during tea if the powers that be at Warwickshire CCC might follow Lancashire CCC’s example and rename an end at Edgbaston after one of their well-known players?”
You can probably work out which Edgbaston stalwart Kim suggested.
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60th over: England 165-4 (Root 44, Stokes 9) England have come out after tea in counter-attacking mode, presumably under instruction from the captain and vice-captain. Root chases a couple of wide tempters from Morkel - one fullish, one short - and is beaten on both occasions. And now he has edged straight between keeper and first slip! They both left it to each other. Oh my, what a let-off. It was definitely de Kock’s catch. He dived twice as far to catch Tom Westley earlier in the day. It was a great delivery from Morkel, swinging away to take the edge, and de Kock just ushered it to the boundary.
“Both Phil Sawyer and Vernon Philander have my sympathy,” says David Hopkins. “I recently put my neck out through the athletic activity of applying shampoo in the shower. Not exactly the same as Test fast bowling I’ll admit, although very much in the same ballpark.”
You’re no Sanath Jayasuriya: he once dislocated his shoulder reaching for the shampoo and missed the remainder of a tour to New Zealand. He was ridiculed, as he was nearly bald at the time, though us members of the bald community know those sideburns won’t cleanse themselves.
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59th over: England 161-4 (Root 40, Stokes 9) Maharaj is replaced by Olivier, who dismissed Keaton Jennings earlier in the day. Who did you think will replace Jennings for the West Indies series, assuming he fails in the second innings? It must be tempting to go back to Hameed, and the hell with his form, but I’d hold fire. Play the long game rather than risk significant damage in Australia this winter.
Anyway, Olivier’s first over is a pile of malodorous pucky that disappears for 13. His first ball is a Grade A loosener, a wide, swinging half-volley that Root slams through the covers for four; Stokes then hits him for consecutive boundaries, helping some rubbish to fine leg before clipping an attempted yorker through midwicket. There is a suggestion that South Africa are hiding Maharaj from Stokes, which is bizarre if true, certainly at this stage of the match and Stokes’s innings.
“It seems there is no official designation for the fielding position between deep point and third man currently being used to collect Root’s shots in that area,” says Ian Copestake. “Perhaps this can be put out to tender: this fielding position brought to you into association with Thatchers, we destroyed the industrial base in the north and now have gone into cider.”
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58th over: England 148-4 (Root 35, Stokes 1) Morne Morkel, the genial giant who makes Test cricket and the world a better place, bowls the first over after tea. Root back cuts the first ball for a single, and Mature Ben plays carefully for the remainder of the over. His Test batting average is 34 is higher than those of Sir Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff and should continue to rise. In many ways he is a classical batsman.
“The late Simon Gray once wrote on the significance of piles in the course of history,” says Pete Wood. “Bear with me here. He relates how Gary Cooper was suffering from agonising haemorrhoids during the filming of High Noon; hence that stoical, manly look of repressed suffering wasn’t all acting.”
Given Tony Soprano’s obsession with Gary Cooper, that puts a whole new spin on this famous scene. (NB: contains language that may offend, etc.)
Whatever happened to Gary Cooper department
“I gave myself a back spasm the other day just by trying to scratch between my shoulders blades,” says Phil Sawyer. “Obviously, Vernon Philander is not as monumentally out of shape as me, but a warning to us all nonetheless. Whether that’s a warning about the dangers of scratching between your shoulder blades or about being monumentally out of shape, I’ll leave to your reader to decide.”
Tea
57th over: England 147-4 (Root 34, Stokes 1) The paradox of England v South Africa is that we invariably get a close series yet we rarely get a close match. This is shaping up promisingly to be the exception, after a splendid session for South Africa: they took three wickets for 80 in 28 overs, and it could have been more. See you in 20 minutes for what should be a compelling final session.
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56th over: England 144-4 (Root 32, Stokes 0) That was the last ball of the over. England are one or two wickets away from a world of pain.
WICKET! England 142-4 (Malan c du Plessis b Morkel 18)
Morkel moves over the wicket to Malan, who is less comfortable with that angle - and the move works immediately. Malan launches into a big drive at a wide delivery angled across him and edges straight to du Plessis at second slip. That’s a loose stroke - the ball didn’t deviate - and a bonus wicket for South Africa just before tea.
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55th over: England 142-3 (Root 31, Malan 18) Malan drives Maharaj for a single to bring up a solid fifty partnership. Root, not for the first time in the innings, tries an aggressive stroke against Maharaj and doesn’t time it. He’s a very slippery bowler, hard to go after.
“Do you have the skinny on what caused Philander to ail so severely?” says Ian Copestake. “He really has been in the wars both back, front and presumably down under. Glenn McGrath stepping on a ball was clearly self-inflicted but I wonder if Philander was invited to sample some bland English food and could not stomach it.”
Not gonna happen, mate.
(I have no idea, though it’s a back spasm that has kept him out of this match. You can probably get those from English food as well.)
54th over: England 141-3 (Root 31, Malan 17) Malan flicks Morkel fine for four, not far wide of the diving de Kock. England have done well because they could have unravelled had Root gone early to Rabada. This partnership is 49 from 14 overs.
53rd over: England 134-3 (Root 30, Malan 11)
52nd over: England 133-3 (Root 30, Malan 10) Root guides Morkel past gully for four, a lovely stroke. He is starting to race along now. A big score from Root is usually good news for England - only four players who have played at least 20 Test innings have a higher average in Test victories.
“Kudos for Adam’s pick of Arcade Fire for the lunchtime break, but it is indeed sad that a member of the public was taken ill and for all I admire your choice of Larkin on ambulances, I am drawn to the bleak commentary from Leeds’ The Wind-Up Birds and their track Two Ambulance Day,” says James Walsh. “’I pretend I’ve not noticed, It’s easier to look away’. Maybe it is in keeping of my mood, the sun is shining, the cricket is on auto-refresh and someone has Sun FM on the office stereo.”
This will always be the best song with Ambulance in the title, surely.
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51st over: England 127-3 (Root 24, Malan 10) Maharaj has given South Africa control all day. Root is itching to get after him, both through boundaries and stolen singles, but there is very little to work with. One from the over.
50th over: England 126-3 (Root 23, Malan 10) Morkel replaces Rabada, who bowled heroically in an attempt to eliminate Root and put South Africa in charge. Malan clips a single to move into double figures. He looks calm and settled, despite that double failure at the Oval. If he gets in, this afternoon will be a lot of fun. He has 10 from 29 balls; Root, after a slow start, has 23 from 43.
“Just to let you know it was nine years ago yesterday that Graeme Smith was shovelling to leg to get to the 154* that broke Michael Vaughan at Edgbaston,” says Andy Bradshaw. “Oh and my son Dylan was nine. Time flies, eh?”
Ah, a belated happy birthday Dylan! Also, I love that you instantly associate the birth of your son with an England defeat.
49th over: England 124-3 (Root 22, Malan 9) Maharaj really hurries through his overs, which isn’t doing your ageing OBOer any favours. Nothing of note happened, and it was a maiden to Root.
48th over: England 124-3 (Root 22, Malan 9) Rabada tries to flatten Malan with the demon yorker for the second Test in a row. It isn’t quite as full, and doesn’t swing, so Malan is able to dig it out. The Sky chaps have pointed out that he has opened up his stance slightly in this match, having struggled at the Oval with the ball coming back into him.
“If Root gets the 46 runs he needs to reach 5000 Test runs in this match he’ll have got to that mark in fewer games than, among others, Tendulkar, Lara, Viv Richards, Wally Hammond and Kumar Sangakkara,” says Phil Harrison. “He’s right up there with the greats, isn’t he?”
I’d say he’s just below that quartet at the moment, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished his career alongside them.
REVIEW! England 121-3 (Root not out 19)
It was close, but not close enough. The ball was hitting the top of the bails, which means it stays with Aleem Dar’s on-field decision: Root is not out.
SOUTH AFRICA REVIEW FOR LBW AGAINST ROOT
Rabada continues to trouble Root, this time with a sharp breakback that hits him on the kneeroll. This will be close.
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47th over: England 121-3 (Root 19, Malan 9) I missed that Maharaj over, and I don’t know why. I think I was looking at emails.
46th over: England 120-3 (Root 18, Malan 9) Malan throws his hands at a wide half-volley from Rabada, belting it through extra cover for four. Whatever happens in his Test career - and the smart money is on a short one at this stage - I doubt he’ll die wondering. He launches into another drive later in the over, but the ball isn’t so full and he’s beaten.
“In honour of the person crocked and the medical services (God bless the NHS),” says Ian Copestake, “here’s Larkin on ambulances:
Closed like confessionals, they thread
Loud noons of cities, giving back
None of the glances they absorb.
Light glossy grey, arms on a plaque,
They come to rest at any kerb:
All streets in time are visited.
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45th over: England 116-3 (Root 18, Malan 5) This is only Maharaj’s 11th Test but he already looks like South Africa’s best Test spinner since readmission, maybe even since Hugh Tayfield. Drift is his main weapon here, it being the first day, and that dig for Cook earlier in the session. Root premeditates a lap for four to make it seven from the over.
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44th over: England 109-3 (Root 14, Malan 2) Rabada bowls the last two balls of the over that he started before drinks. Batsmen are often vulnerable after a delay, and Root is lucky to edge a loose drive wide of second slip for four. This has been a very scratchy start to his innings, primarily because of some terrific bowling from Rabada.
An ambulance has arrived, and play is about to resume.
Thanks Adam, hello all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this at a cricket match. On Sky, David Gower tells us that the spectator being treated has regained consciousness.
43.4 overs: England 105-3 (Root 10, Malan 2). We have an early drinks in the middle of this over of Rabada with something happening in the crowd behind the bowler. A health issue, so they are being cautious. It might be a bit longer as paramedics are involved.
Before that, outstanding again to Root to begin, a very good shout for lbw but saved by a slight inside edge. Then it happens again the inside edge likely the only thing saving Root. That’s not got up either. At this point there is the lengthy delay, with two balls to go in the over.
At this point, might be a good time to pass the baton to the great Rob Smyth. Thanks for the good times through the course of the first three hours of this Test. A great little battle. I’ll see you again on Sunday morning. Until then, be well.
43rd over: England 103-3 (Root 8, Malan 2). Now they’re moving. Malan gets off the mark with a push to cover. Not fluent, but it’ll do. Root gets his first runs in far more elegant fashion to the next ball, crunching a rare overpitched Maharaj delivery to the cover rope. Oh, but he gets the edge next ball! A lot going on. Doesn’t go to slip. Lucky. Malan keeps the strike with three behind point to end the set, carving from deep in the crease. 100 is up as well.
Will Wiles has been thinking about the Beefy interview and has some deeper analysis than ‘bloody hell, this is funny’. I’ll give to you in full. Fair points raised. “We all crave an equal contest between bat and ball. What the loyal Botham-ites and the haters alike neglect to mention is that this interview is the epitome of this. Unfair questions and ridiculous answers are as prevalent as a commendably open stance from a great maverick in addressing every googly and bouncer the Scottish youth throw at him in their attempt to topple the hero of an English toffs game. He makes a tit of himself, but at no stage does he appear to resent their attacks seeking to explain his views, sometimes with little grace but at no stage with any less than total honesty. He defends their right to every opinion however ridiculous. The man’s got a code and he sticks by it.”
42nd over: England 93-3 (Root 0, Malan 0). A superb over from Rabada to Root. The captain lucky to get to the end of it. There’s a confident lbw shout, Root caught deep in the crease from a ball cutting back a long way. Good decision to turn it down (and not review) as it is going over. There’s an inside edge, a couple of short balls, then another ripper to end it with Root’s edge beaten. 15 balls he’s faced without getting off the mark, Malan nine balls for the same. Feels like South Africa have a big chance to set up this Test Match right now.
Root and Malan both scoreless, 24 dot balls between them, Rabada and Maharaj on point. Tricky times at OT.
— Rory Dollard (@thervd) August 4, 2017
41st over: England 93-3 (Root 0, Malan 0). Maharaj the man to keep the pressure up here, to Malan he has his range, changing the pace ball to ball. He tries to get down the track but unsuccessfully. 10-6-9-1. Beautiful set of numbers for the spinner so far.
Final word on Botham and Brent from Ben Parker, who believes he has the convlusive evidence.
40th over: England 93-3 (Root 0, Malan 0). Rabada has found the heeeat. Through Malan immediately between inside edge and off-stump. The same man he did with a supreme yorker at The Oval last week, so no surprise that he fancies that from the get go again. A big of pad to another yorker ends the over, turning the strike over but it is still a wicket maiden. Rabada battled a bit earlier but he back in business now with two England batsmen yet to score.
WICKET Westley caught behind for 29, fantastic catch from de Kock off Rabada
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 4, 2017
92/3 #ENGvSA
Follow: https://t.co/OXL4eze4Ex pic.twitter.com/rCWvYBQqeS
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WICKET! Westley c de Kock b Rabada 29 (England 92-3)
What a catch! Rabada wins the edge of Westley who is stuck on the crease pushing when he should have been leaving in a perfect world. But it is the take by de Kock, diving full-length to his right with the one mitt, in front of Amla at first slip. Total commitment from the ‘keeper and he’s rewarded with one for his highlights reel. Big quarter-hour for South Africa, removing both the established batsmen.
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39th over: England 92-2 (Westley 29, Root 0). Warne and Botham on the commentary. Don’t say you weren’t warned. Maharaj another quality maiden, this time to Root. The captain doesn’t leave his defensive posture throughout. Nine overs for nine runs when the spinner has been in operation, and that’s his fifth maiden.
38th over: England 92-2 (Westley 29, Root 0). Rabada getting his first go at Westley. Negotiated well, acknowledging that with the captain yet to score up the other end his job changes again.
Robert Coates’ not captures the consensus of those that have flooded in since Cook fell: “And who’s fault was that Mr “all of a sudden, doing it easy, hm??”
It’s Mitch Marsh who cops it from me. I’ve burned him on the OBO. On the radio (mulitple times). On twitter. It’s only because I’m so fond of him. Unpopular as it is to say that these days.
37th over: England 92-2 (Westley 29, Root 0). Well, I’ve mozzed Cook then. Sorry about that. Let the email flow. Should have known better. The captain to the crease, who plundered 254 here last time around. The most complete innings I’ve covered. Revisited it in a thing recently.
@collinsadam I'm telling Cook that was your fault...
— Andy (@DecodingStatic) August 4, 2017
WICKET! Cook c de Kock b Maharaj 46 (England 92-2)
Where’s that from? Cook was in superb shape after lunch, but he’s made an error, chasing after a fuller Maharaj delivery outside the off-stump but instead of crashing it to the boundary has got a little edge. The chance taken by de Kock. It’s lovely flight again by the spinner, and a really good catch too. And that’s his day done.
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36th over: England 91-1 (Cook 46, Westley 28). Rabada’s back. Cook cuts with great timing, three for that behind point. Westley clips again through midwicket. All of a sudden, doing it easy.
35th over: England 85-1 (Cook 43, Westley 25). Maharaj doing a lot right to Westley. The man most likely to the number three, I would say. Gives it a chance to spin, forces him to play at everything. High-quality maiden.
Nicolas Clarke agrees that Botham = Brent. “There is now more deer in this country since Henry VIII. Fact.” The head nod on fact is perfectly timed.”
And Bob Miller’s all over Matt Doherty’s OBO red meat from last over. “I don’t know if there are any Macbeth’s eligible for England but when we had Gavin Hamilton in the side he was the Scottish Play and Miss.”
34th over: England 85-1 (Cook 43, Westley 25). A couple for Cook through his beloved midwicket area brings up 50 between these two. Not a lot of glitz, but plenty of grit. Cook launches into a drive but it is stopped at cover point. Made a fantastic ton on the opening day at Old Trafford last year. Don’t want to mozz him, but well on the way to another here today. Batted out of his skin that afternoon, as I recall.
“With Olivier bowling for South Africa should our batting line-up include Hamlet and Richard the Third,” writes Matt Doherty.
33rd over: England 83-1 (Cook 41, Westley 25). Westley’s first runs of the session to the right of slip, an edge along the ground but well bowled Maharaj to draw him forward. The bowler on top throughout, but utter class from Westley to finish with a flick through midwicket. You’re going to hear/read plenty of that while he features in this England team.
32nd over: England 77-1 (Cook 41, Westley 19). Cook breaks it open just as the sun bursts through at Old Trafford. Ten from the over, the biggest of the day. Olivier offers a long half-volley to begin, the former captain licks his lips. Two more in a similar direction half way through the set. Then to finish he backs himself to pull a ball that isn’t all that short, but middles it behind square with his front leg in the air and everything. Chef Gone Wild.
Stuart MacKenzie giving us something to look at later on: “I loved that reminder of Scottish schoolkids giving Ian Botham a hard time. Think lots of people who went on that programme had a shock at the stern questioning, I recall Ben Elton looking close to tears. Exception was Billy Connolly who took over the show and turned it into a stand-up routine.”
I urge you all to look at the Botham vid if you haven’t, from my rambling lunchtime post. As others have noted, surely that’s where Gervais found his inspiration for David Brent.
31st over: England 67-1 (Cook 31, Westley 19). Maharaj through his paces to Westley. It’s back to back maidens to start the session - four on the spin either side of the break. Haseeb Hameed is up in the viewing room sitting with Joe Root. Someone better create a ‘you vs the guy she said not to worry about’ meme about that image and Jennings. Vish clearly the man for that job. I’ll sort.
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30th over: England 67-1 (Cook 31, Westley 19). Olivier from the Jimmy End. Speaking of nicknames, really hope he’s Laurence to his teammates. A few World at War references from the cordon. No? Patrick Brennan on the email is says looks like Luis Suarez. Maybe so. I think we can all agree on one thing: he’s a very good looking rooster. And he can bowl a bit, pushing away from Cook who patiently watches and defends from the crease.
Athers and Bumble chatting about what Old Trafford once looked like in their day on the telly. Speaking of how Manchester appeared way back when, the Morrissey biopic is out today. Soon as I’m done here I’m off to the cinema, needless to say.
Or does the mind rule the body? I don’t know.”
Correspondence I didn’t get around to.
Let’s whip through it...
Ben Parker with a follow-up: “Don’t you think Olivier looks like a character on Band Of Brothers? Tall, public-schooly, stubbly and fairly handsome. I think he would have been regularly admonished for his untucked shirt but he’d have been admired throughout the platoon for his grenade bowling skills.”
Rugged, the word you’re looking for. And yes.
Alisdair Gould on the rain - or lack thereof: “Since when did Manchester have a unique type of rain? I live abroad because of the depressing band of cities from Liverpool to Hull. Should I refer to ‘the Rain you get from the roundabout to your flat upto the field with the donkey in’ when enquiring of the weather to a friend? ’ When asked why I moved, I just pull a face and say the weather was fu++in+ awful.”
You’ve touched a (tangential) nerve of mine. What is it with local knowledge and weather? Since when did living somewhere for a long time turn you into a meteorologist? Garbage.
Richard Williams has just found the greatest youtube link on all the world wide web:
I’m late to the party as I only just discovered this Ian Botham interview this week from 1986. Incase I wasn’t the last person in the world to see it, it really is a cracking watch.”
I’m most of the 73,000 hits on this clip. Enjoy quoting it all back at me.
Edward Thompson off the long-run: “I’ve just seen Paddy “Woe is me” Ford’s (aka Smuggy McSmugface) email about the hardship of going to the Waca and snoozing by the pool.I mean, I really feel his pain as I sit at work, watching the rain pour down over Bath. Please send him my deepest sympathies that he’s having such a hard time.” He then did a swear. I took that out. That’s editing.
Andy Brown likes that I still ask for ice cream cake: “Ooh, that’s good. I still get Battenberg house cakes for mine (wrong side of 50). Slice one cake diagonally and place one half on another for the roof. Decorate with Chocolate buttons for tiles, use Liquorice Allsorts for windows and chimneys. The children have added a new dimension by sticking smarties on the walls for just a smidgeon more of a sugar rush.”
For my 30th birthday I had an ice cream cake make up with the number of my favourite childhood footballer (Jason Dunstall). Probably speaks volumes.
Phil Sawyer on the same topic: “I fear ice cream cake may be alone in still enjoying the retro charm of a Mint Viennetta.” You’re saying my cake is a bit hipster? All the better.
Lisa Hooper, who has been sending me some incredibly funny GIFs that I cannot put in here, has been sending me words as well. “I cannot believe I cannot find the time of day Alistair Cook has been dismissed! Trust me I’ve looked, sigh!
I can almost tell you everything else, like what time he goes to the bathroom, no seriously. Devo, I would be interested in that state too.”
Lisa also asks what I do in the lunch break. It’s this. I do this one, long post. Wild.
Joe Neate calling for players for the Occasionals: “Final call for the OBOccasionals playing in Brighton next weekend (on Sunday 13th August). We’ve playing in a four-team charity tournament, and nearly have full numbers, but could always take one or two more. The day itself should be awesome, with food, beer, coffee, raffles etc. You can read about our previous exploits here - http://oboccasionals.weebly.com/ - and if you’re interested in turning out for us, any and all abilities are absolutely welcome. If you’re interested, drop me a mail at joe.neate@gmail.com”
Last one. Christopher Phillips on nicknames: “From Rugby .. Wasps coach and former British Lion …. ‘Live fast’ – Dai Young.” Tremendous. I played against with the Noseda Brothers in Warrnambool way back when. Peter and Andrew. It is cryptic, but work out why that wasn’t so ideal in the scorebook.
LUNCH: England 67-1 (Cook 31, Westley 19)
Excellent session. South Africa bowled more than enough wicket-taking deliveries to have many more entries to their column, but England kept their heads. Especially Cook. Hard to overstate how well Morkel bowled to him early on, but he didn’t respond with anything rash. 81 balls later, he’s enjoying his lunch with work to do.
Westley likewise, 56 balls into his stay - more important than the 19 runs he’s accumulated - showing plenty of welcome composure early in his international career.
By contrast, Jennings nicked off just as he looked settled. His slow trudge from the field suggests he knows all too well what’s ahead of him unless he does something profound second time up.
Morkel, again, has been brilliant. Rabada less so, but don’t doubt that he’ll find his way sooner rather than later. Olivier hot and cold, but bowled more than his share of hooping deliveries to beat the edge. Maharaj on the money early, too. Should make for another quality session after the interval. Don’t go anywhere.
29th over: England 67-1 (Cook 31, Westley 19). Maharaj gets to the bowling crease just in time for a final set before lunch. He starts with a delightful delivery to Westley, beating his edge after encouraging a long stride. No speed on that at all, ample turn. Aggressive spin bowling. Deserved a wicket. Stats don’t necessarily show it, but he’s had a real breakout series. Westley does make contact to the rest, pushing with soft hands to get him through to the break. That’s lunch. Back in a tic with some organised thoughts.
Plenty to work on obvs, but not for nothing that Westley's faced at least 50 balls in each of his first three Test innings. Take that
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) August 4, 2017
28th over: England 67-1 (Cook 31, Westley 19). Cook again very settled in defence to Olivier. England’s opener outstanding in this situation. Would love to see a stat on times of his dismissals. Shuts up shop as well as anyone before intervals, my gut feeling. Maiden.
27th over: England 67-1 (Cook 31, Westley 19). Maharaj gets a second crack before the break. Cook plays it cool. He knows the old ‘spinner on before lunch’ game. A single behind square to keep the blood pumping and ensure that he’ll be in the hot seat for what might be the final over before lunch.
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26th over: England 66-1 (Cook 30, Westley 19). Olivier is back. And nearly into the book again! Westley has a good old slash at the first ball he sees this over and it goes over the cordon. If you’re going to go, go hard, I guess. More conservative thereafter. Needs to get to his sandwich now. That’s what good no. 3s do on morning one of a Test.
“Up till 3am this morning to bag tickets for the WACA in December,” says Paddy Ford from Cambes in France. “Now snoozing by the pool in 33 degree sunshine with the TMS Overseas link and the lyrical offerings of OBO as we listen to / read of England’s progress. The perfect day?” And he’s sent me photographic evidence. Concur.
25th over: England 61-1 (Cook 29, Westley 15). de Bryun again with his mediums. Not wrong with Cook looking far less comfortable in this match-up, highlighted by him missing a full toss, then one on leg stump - the sort of ball he’s accumulated about 8,000 Test runs from. When he does get off strike Westley cops a long-hop and converts with ease, picking the gap through the covers off the back foot. His third boundary, slowly going up the gears. Probably three overs until lunch.
On nicknames, we have a counterview from Tom v d Gucht: “In recent years, I’d say the Aussies are winning the nickname battle with humdingers like: Mr Cricket, Punter, Michael “Frothy” Beer, The Finisher, Dizzy Gillespe, Pup and Binga. What have we come up with in the same period? Belly, Cooky, Broady, Jimmy and Colly... Root isn’t even known as the Milky Bar Kid! We’re really letting ourselves down.” I just keep thinking of ‘One Size’ Fitz Hall.
24th over: England 56-1 (Cook 28, Westley 11). Oh, Tom Westley gets onto his signature stroke, a Mark Waugh clip through midwicket that races away. From middle-stump, no less. He tries it on again but straight to the fielder. Joyous to watch when he gets onto those. Into double figures.
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23rd over: England 52-1 (Cook 28, Westley 7). Theunis de Bruyn gets a go with his little medium pacers. They’re a bit better than that, but it’s how they are being explained on the telly, noting that Cook has a bit of an issue at county level against those who nibble rather than blast. And maybe they’re spot on, a leading edge coming within two balls, before he gets off strike and leaves it to Westley. Who nearly falls! Miscued drive that’s in the air between gully and point. Interesting over.
John Starbuck with the most John Starbuck email of all time. Thank you, John Starbuck (ref: 16th over, Jennings books): “Possible titles for these days: Jennings Drops A Clanger; Jennings Falls Apart; Jennings Clings On; Jennings F**ks It Up (rejected title); Jennings At The Riverside; Jennings And The ECB etc.” Actually, let’s be kind and not go down this wormhole. In case he’s reading along, you know.
22nd over: England 50-1 (Cook 27, Westley 6). Well, it hasn’t been the most fluent 90 minutes of cricket, but England are 50 having lost just the one wicket. In turn, given the way South Africa have gone about their work, the hosts are on top. Thr former captain gets a couple through the gap at cover then uses Morkel’s pace tickle fine to collect those three runs. Westley’s turn. And he’s once again beaten outside the off-stump. Not that he’s on his own here: Morkel has done it routinely this morning. Westley should have left this one, mind.
21st over: England 47-1 (Cook 24, Westley 6). Maharaj happy to give it some air to Cook, who is straight onto the front foot. Positive cricket from both. Gets one around the corner, using the spin when the left-armer gets a bit too straight. Means he’ll be back against his old mate Morkel next over.
“Sterling job so far this morning,” starts James Crowder. You better believe your email is going in if that’s what you think. “Are you the new Heston Blumenthal by any chance? The idea of an Ice Cream Cake infused with the delicious taste of aluminium and the smell of chain oil does sound incredibly appealing of course!”
I still ask for an ice cream cake come birthday time. Form an orderly queue, prospective life partners.
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20th over: England 46-1 (Cook 23, Westley 6). Morkel has Westley playing and missing to begin. But over the top of the ball rather than the outside edge. He doesn’t make the same mistake later in over, launching into a picture-perfect on-drive. That’s his spot. A first boundary after about ten overs at the crease. That’ll feel good.
19th over: England 42-1 (Cook 23, Westley 2). Spin for the first time in the match via Maharaj’s left-arm orthodox. Cook not too bothered. He’ll be happy with that given the interrogation from the quicks. Maiden it is.
Ben Parker drops us a line. Hi Ben. “Imagine you are a selector and tomorrow you have to announce your Ashes squad. Which openers would you name?”
Simpson and Lawry. Ohhh, your openers. Cook and Hameed. I don’t know, really. I don’t mind Lawrence Booth’s argument that Hameed will probably go on three or four Ashes tours, so the earlier you start taking him the better. But he’ll have to come back for the Windies Tests if that is going to be the case. And he’s barely made a run - why he isn’t there to begin with. Stoneman deserves a go. Glad this isn’t my problem.
Actually. I’d take Sam Robson. Played international cricket. Alongside most of the Australian attack in junior cricket and Under 19 Tests. Still plays in Australia in the winter. Making runs for Middlesex. Yeah, take Robbo.
18th over: England 42-1 (Cook 23, Westley 2). Morne to test out Westley for the first time now. Defending and leaving. Morkel not giving an inch. Finds an inside edge, but no danger for the No. 3. Forced to then duck a bouncer. Ends with another unplayable, Westley’s edge beaten from a ball that spits away after pitching on middle. Can’t do much about that. On another day South Africa would be well into the middle order by now. If England can get to lunch one down it’ll be a big win for the hosts.
Tim Maitland on twitter about the scandal that is Duanne Olivier’s shirt. “Olivier has a long way to go to catch Derek Randall, known in the Notts dressing room as Shambles”. One thing Brits do a lot better than us Australians: nicknames. And singing at sporting events.
17th over: England 42-1 (Cook 23, Westley 2). Cautious Westley against Olivier. Sound, as the bowler is pushing through one legitimate wicket-taking delivery an over thus far. Oh, and here it is: the penultimate ball hoooops past Westley’s edge. Lucky not to nick that, very close to the bat. He retains the strike with one around the corner.
“Hi Adam.” Hi Tom Leversley. “Don’t suppose you do birthday shout outs do you?”
Young Freddie, I hear you’re ten years old today and are already part of the OBO family. Many happy returns to you from all of us at Guardian HQ. I hope your dad gets you a bike and ice cream cake. Not necessarily in that order.
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16th over: England 41-1 (Cook 23, Westley 1). Back from the breather, it’s Morne Morkel for a second go. He was tip top earlier, albeit only for four overs. Cook is forced to play througout, with the middle of the bat more often than not. Cops one in the thigh pad that jags back, but a lot more comfortable a half-hour on from their earlier contest. Big fan of Morne bowling in a proper cricket jumper as well, of the sleeveless variety. Should be compulsory in Manchester/Leeds Tests.
Some End Chat on the telly. David Gower saying if Anderson bowls from the Jimmy End it’ll be the first time that has happened in Test cricket. Let’s hope it does.
“Sudden thought strikes me - who else remembers Anthony Buckeridge’s the Jennings books?” asks Nick Parish. “I loved them. Jennings was a schoolboy who according to Wikipedia “is good-natured and well-meaning, but his tendency to act on impulse results in him getting into trouble frequently”. Remind you of anyone?”
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15th over: England 41-1 (Cook 23, Westley 1). Olivier again good enough to beat the edge to start the over. Cook doing well not to edge any of these. Much as it was on the opening morning last Thursday. Sure enough, Olivier can’t maintain the pressure, giving Cook a half-volley and he doesn’t miss out, past the umpire for a boundary, taking him into the 20s inside the first hour. They take a drink.
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14th over: England 36-1 (Cook 18, Westley 1). Westley does well to leave the first half of this set. But Rabada brings one back and pins him on the crease, slapping into the thigh pad and ballooning into the cordon. Amla doesn’t complete the catch, so they don’t burn a review. I suspect they may have - they were pretty excited when the ball was in the air, but the replay showed no inside edge. Maiden.
I have a layered email from Anthony White that I’m just going to publish in full. “I was finding your remarks about young Keaton a little snidey and rather intolerant. However, perhaps I owe you an apology, you can show kindness when you wish, and I have realised that by not erring on the complimentary, for instance that K.J. Is looking comfortable, you are attempting to unjinx him. And cover your own arse. Delightedly, Anthony”
For the record, I’m a Durham sympathiser and want him to make it. But I fear for what’ll happen in Brisbane when the Fab Four are let loose.
13th over: England 36-1 (Cook 18, Westley 1). Westley leaving initially. Then gets another screamer. South Africa’s trio of seamers have bowled plenty of those in this first hour. England’s number three off the mark clipping to midwicket. Would have been four if not for a good stop. Yes, Tom. As he and his Essex teammate Dan Lawrence say: play across, be the boss.
“Olivier really, really reminds me of Mike Watkinson. 20% the hair, 80% the bowling action,” suggests Matt Biss. “See.” Mostly enjoying the batting stance. Don’t make them - or teach them, more to the point - like that anymore.
WICKET! Jennings c de Kock b Olivier 17 (England 35-1)
Jennings will be gutted with that, pushing tentatively at a Olivier delivery that didn’t require playing at. Conventional edge, easily taken. Nothing wrong with the delivery, and on reflection it did a bit after pitching, but no world-beater either. Despite doing plenty of hard work, Jennings off to spend the rest of his day in purgatory.
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12th over: England 35-0 (Cook 18, Jennings 17). Rabada tags Cook on the glove with a nasty bouncer, but despite doing everything right the bowler concedes four with the ball ending up over de Kock’s head, down to the rope. Jennings digs out a yorker to end the over and retains the strike. He’ll regret that though, because...
11th over: England 29-0 (Cook 13, Jennings 16). Olivier bowling with his shirt untucked from the get go. This isn’t right. Any counterview? Come on. Tuck it in. All over the place with the ball two, ranging from being too quick for Jennings to a half-volley next up, driven away neatly. Working into this, the battling opener. Defends and leaves competently. Couple more down the ground to end the over when he’s too full again. Confidence growing.
David Lloyd runs through every band who have ever played at Old Trafford. It’s an impressive list. Predictably Warne jumps in: COLDPLAY!
Olivier is the scruffiest cricketer I have ever seen! Disgrace. Sir Laurence would be appalled. Tuck your shirt in lad.
— Mark Meadows (@mark_meadows) August 4, 2017
10th over: England 23-0 (Cook 13, Jennings 10). It is Rabada again and its is his turn to sort Cook out with a beauty. In a competitive field that’s the ball of the morning, pitching leg before going past the edge and missing off. Magnificent. The superstar gets one to move back the other way later in the over, Cook doing well not only to keep it out but then to profit by a couple behind square leg.
“Finally a good start from our openers!” says Ian Copestake. Presumably with a tongue in the cheek? “Hope this will keep the wolves from Jennings’ door as he deserves our support not the sneering and sniping that seems to come his way.” Yes, a tongue in the cheek.
9th over: England 21-0 (Cook 11, Jennings 10). Morkel given a rest. Not sure about that? Surely a matter of time for him to sort out Jennings. Unless he’s being turned around to follow Rabada. In any case, it’s Olivier here. Before his first ball Bumble suggests that he should be on a hat-trick here, despite the previous two wickets coming at Trent Bridge. Shane Warne agrees. Ummm? Anyway, it is a moot point, spraying the first one down the legside. Next up he’s right on it, beating Jennings with one that really hoops away. Jennings profits from a short one, punching it past point for four. Nice pressure release. But the bowler is back on it by the end of the set, again beating him outside the off-stump. More batsman error there - definitely one to leave alone this early rather than driving.
Good news for strikers that Bumble thinks if you get two goals in one game and then one in the next, you've got a hat-trick.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) August 4, 2017
8th over: England 17-0 (Cook 11, Jennings 6). Cook gets a go at Rabada. Comfortable. Then carving, not missing out when the quick gives him a short one outside the off-stump. Very much in the Chef’s ~area~. Looking good.
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7th over: England 13-0 (Cook 7, Jennings 6). Cook’s first boundary, Morkel overpitching and punching it down the ground with a mininum of fuss. Our first single of the day coming to the next ball as well, in front of square with a tuck. So, Morkel gets a chance at Jennings. This should be interesting. He’s okay to begin, but then does one of those play-leaves (pleaves) that nearly is his undoing. Smashed on the pad to end the over. Good luck, Keaton. Let us know how you get on.
Copped not one but three emails asking for the TMS YouTube link. Must admit, I didn’t realise this was a thing we did on the OBO, but as an occasional commentator on there myself, very happy to oblige. While talking TMS, make sure you catch the BBC special. Beautifully produced by Tim Peach with archives dug into deeply.
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6th over: England 8-0 (Cook 2, Jennings 6). Another over with no strike rotation. Jennings doing well here actually, defending on the stumps, getting away from the shorter stuff without too much concern. In other words, looking like an opener. Rabada the lesser of the two quicks so far this morning. Maiden all the same.
My man Phil Withall is livin’ la vida loca: “In preparation for the football season starting in the morning (Australian time) I will be watching the cricket until I fall asleep on the sofa, hurt my neck and get a lecture from my wife about the stupidity of my sporting addictions. It’s going to be a wonderful nine months.”
5th over: England 8-0 (Cook 2, Jennings 6). Cook away with a confident push into the covers for a couple. But it is advantage bowler soon enough, Cook smashed on the thigh pad and then getting a thick inside edge onto the back of his pad to end the over. He’s been here so many times, the England champion. He knows survival is everything. So the fact that this is ugly won’t bother him in the slightest. Cook seeing every ball so far from Morkel, at the Jimmy end it’s exclusively Jennings v Rabada.
They should call Keaton Jennings "Duke", because every ball's got his name on it.
— Jonathan Liew (@jonathanliew) August 4, 2017
4th over: England 6-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 6). So there is a short-leg now. Okay, I won’t go on about it. Nice clip to get him away through midwicket this over, Jennings adding to his glanced boundary from the second over. But next up, he’s beaten. It’s not as threatening as Morkel’s earlier barrage to Cook, but enough to leave Jennings looking tentative. Better footwork to defend, and then when hit on the pad he’s well forward so the shout is denied. Testing times for the opener on what must be his last chance. Proper Test cricket.
3rd over: England 4-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 4). Morkel goes straighter to Cook second time around, twice up for ambitious leg-before appeals. Neither realistically considered for referral. But a good signs for the quick. Still no short leg, FYI.
2nd over: England 4-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 4). It’s Kagiso Rabada from the James Anderson End. And he’s created a chance too - a fat inside edge from Jennings onto his thigh-pad. The athletic quick races towards short leg (WHY IS THERE NO SHORT LEG?) and puts in a full-stretch dive, falling about six inches short. More frustratingly for the bowler, ther is a fielder with the shin pads on 20m from the bat ready to come in.
Neglected to mention that in the build up - nice moment with the end naming yesterday. Botham speculates that Anderson should be worried, though: “They normally do that when a player has finished, maybe they know something he doesn’t!” Zing.
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1st over: England 0-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 0). Oooh! Morkel does Cook with an absolute beauty second up. Around the wicket, forcing the left-hander to play, steepling off the seam. He bowled magnificently at times at The Oval. Increased responsibility today in Philander’s absence. Oh, and he does it again two balls later. Then a third time to end the over. Goodness me - that’s one of the best opening overs you’ll see. Simple as that.
Miscellanea. Thick and fast with your correspondence so far. Great. Don’t be shy.
Jon Short on twitter asks of Olivier will be on a hat-trick having taken wickets with his last two balls at Trent Bridge? Best I get on this one early: the answer is no. You can only take a hat-trick inside a single match. So, had Moeen not got another chance the other day he wouldn’t be on one here, either.
...
Take Shane Warne’s hat-trick. The ball was his final delivery in the 1994 Boxing Day Test but Craig McDermott selfishly picked up Tuffers the next over. So he never got a chance for four-in-four.
“I’m oddly excited about this last Test. I saw the Sat and Sun of the Trent Bridge test which was not great from an England fan point of view, but overall I think we deserve to be 2-1 up,” writes Jim Procter-Blain. “Just hope the murky manc weather doesn’t become a factor.”
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It is the first time that South Africa have played at Old Trafford since England held on for a gallant draw in 1998. Just thought that was worth mentioning. Smyth’s piece, again, on the Headingley Test of that summer. He’s taking over from me later, I should add.
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Big fan of David Gower and David Lloyd spending some time chatting about the Kia Super League before the toss. “Amazing timing,” says Bumble. That it is. Eight games on telly. Did you enjoy the World Cup? Of course you did. Back in the KSL. It’s a big deal. Go on.
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I can hear Jerusalem, so we must be pretty close. Here is my account of how that became England’s cricket anthem. Largely due to professional wrestling, would you believe.
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That’ll do us. Morne Morkel has the ball in his hand. Let’s play.
Some reaction from the press box.
Philander's absence with a back spasm swings pendulum towards England. Olivier returns, after finishing T Bridge Test with 2 wkts in 2 balls
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) August 4, 2017
Eng win toss and bat, unchanged from the Oval. SA have no Philander so no Morris either. De Bruyn and Olivier come in. Advantage England
— Dean Wilson (@CricketMirror) August 4, 2017
England unchanged at OT and win toss and bat. SA missing Philander (back injury) and Morris (dropped). No VP huge blow to SA chances
— Chris Stocks (@StocksC_cricket) August 4, 2017
Joe Root wins the toss here at Old Trafford and an unchanged England will bat. Not an easy call after all the rain that has fallen here
— Paul Newman (@Paul_NewmanDM) August 4, 2017
England win the toss and elect to bat. Philander out for South Africa.
Tails is the call, and it is heads. “Yes, we’re going to bat first,” says Joe Root. Says it looks a good wicket, cites success batting first at Old Trafford. No change to the XI who romped it in at The Oval.
There are changes for South Africa, Vernon Philander and Chris Morris both missing through injury. We knew the former was a chance, not the latter. de Bruyn is back into the XI, as is Olivier. Both have played during the series. Significant.
Faf du Plessis says he would have batted as well, but is encouraged by a bit of overcast conditions.
Welcome to the Fourth Test from Old Trafford!
Can England knock over South Africa in a home series for the first time since 1998? Will the Proteas be able to take something from this epic tour by squaring the ledger at Manchester? That’s the bird’s-eye take on this fourth and final rubber.
England put on a clinic last week at The Oval. But current form is seldom a reliable indicator on future performance for this volatile side. At least they keep it interesting.
As for South Africa, it is bound to click again at some stage before they fly home. The margins in London did not at all reflect how well they bowled in either rubber. That Philander is not yet a 100% confirmed starter with a sore back doesn’t help, mind.
As ever, the subplots are just as interesting. Will Keaton Jennings save his career? How will Tom Westley go when it’s grim and yuk and a week of northern rain? Will Hashim Amla’s final performance on these shores reflect what a special player he has been in these contests?
Righto. Adam Collins with you here to take a look at all that over the first few hours this morning. Let’s chat in the usual way: adam.collins.freelance@theguardian.com - or the nonsense way, if that’s your bag. As long as we’re together. Back with that in a tic.
Updated
Adam will be here shortly.
