Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Adam Collins (now) and Vithushan Ehantharajah (earlier)

South Africa end day four on 117-4 as they chase England target of 492 – as it happened

Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis, centre, went for a golden duck in South Africa’s second innings after being given out lbw from a Ben Stokes delivery. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

STUMPS DAY FOUR: South Africa 117-4 chasing 492. (Elgar 72, Bavuma 16)

So, 375 still left to get for the least likely victory. But having slumped to 52-for-4 early, with Stokes on fire with two in two balls, it looked for a moment like there wouldn’t be a fifth day. Gutsy from Elgar; competent Bavuma. A massive journey to survive three sessions, but these the only two who could realistically steer such a thing. All that said, England have shown again today they have considerable firepower. They really should go ahead in the series 2-1 tomorrow.

Righto, that’s us for today. On behalf of Vish and myself, thanks for your company as always. You’ll have Rob Smyth and Daniel Harris steering the ship from 10:30am in the morning. Until then, have a nice night.

Updated

38th over: South Africa 117-4 (Elgar 72, Bavuma 16). Okay, 7pm nearing, so it’ll be Broad for the final over of the day. He’s up at 85mph by the middle of the set, so he’s bending that one-year-older back of his. And angling into Bavuma, moving away the way he does better than anyone. But nothing doing. Stumps. A single around the corner means Bavuma will be up the business end when they return tomorrow.

37th over: South Africa 115-4 (Elgar 71, Bavuma 15). Oh, Broad does get one more. No Malan. No Moeen swung around. No TRJ. It’s a maiden, Bavuma forced to defend more than he leaves, but it is all relatively pedestrian compared to the earlier burst. Needs a quick pint and a podcast his tube ride home. Why not Vish and Will’s most recent?

36th over: South Africa 115-4 (Elgar 71, Bavuma 15). 35 today, the great Jimmy Anderson. Remember well that 2003 World Cup spell against Pakistan. Someone bowling proper outswing - a joy. Have his hat-trick as well. He’s darting away from Elgar here initially, getting him forward and then back. Solid batting. No way he’ll be giving it away now. Will be a most fine ton if he can crack on and get there tomorrow morning. Into the 70s for now.

That second one... deary me.

35th over: South Africa 113-4 (Elgar 69, Bavuma 15). It’s Broad. It’s a bit tired - lot of grunting, suggesting that might be the last we see him. He won’t join Malcolm Marshall on 376 scalps today. Probably tomorrow. They really want Jimmy, the birthday boy, to replace Moeen. He’s warming up. They’re singing. And they’ll get him.

34rd over: South Africa 111-4 (Elgar 69, Bavuma 13). Elgar happy enough to defend Moeen until the final ball, an proper long-hop. So he does what is necessary to that. But after, reaches for his hand wincing. He copped a what to it bowling, then at least two more bad ones batting. Has been a fine hand from him. 13 minutes to get himself a nice bucket of ice and a painkiller safe in the knowledge he can do it all again tomorrow at 11am.

33rd over: South Africa 107-4 (Elgar 65, Bavuma 13). Billy leading the Barmy Army in a round of Jerusalem. Bit crass to link my essay going into the history of the hymn in relation to England cricket? Nah. Teaser: it involves Professional Wrestling. It’s Broad they are serenading, through another tight maiden. This time to Bavuma. He’s happy enough on a fourth stump line, allowing the right-hander to let balls go. For now. Reckon we’ll see the off-cutter deployed next up.

32nd over: South Africa 107-4 (Elgar 65, Bavuma 13). Aside from a full bunger to finish his first over Moeen has been landing his darts right around the triple 20. A fat edge is earned early in the over, Elgar sending the ball wide of slip. False stroke. Moeen gets it even better next up, going him with a beauty. Misses the edge and the off-stump, on most days that’s a ball good enough to get an international wicket. He should be in the book by stumps. Scheduled 20 minutes from now regardless of the overs bowled (eight to come) as I understand it.

Updated

31st over: South Africa 101-4 (Elgar 59, Bavuma 13). It’s Broad from the Pavilion End. For four balls he was tempting him outside the line across the left-hander’s body, but to the fifth he wafted. Lucky not to edge. Turns one into square leg to finish the over, so he keeps the strike. Runs have really dried up.

Andy ‘not that one’ Wilson emailed us a counterview on Stokes. “Maybe it is a little harsh but I feel Stokesy is an average to good batsmen who occasionally plays great innings. As a bowler he is a lot like he is as a batsman. Of course it is always worth the wait for when he does explode. And he would still be the second name on the teamsheet.”

30th over: South Africa 100-4 (Elgar 58, Bavuma 13). Reports online that Putin has just announced he will expel 755 US diplomats. Heavy. So, never a better time to focus on what we can control: the cricket. And not getting in front of the sightscreen when we’re watching, as some chap does here. Done that? I have, when covering an Australian game. Didn’t end well. Anyway, Moeen. Bavuma. He had to play each time on this occasion. Silly point getting a work out. Back to back maidens between these two. It’s graft.

29th over: South Africa 100-4 (Elgar 58, Bavuma 13). Big Bad Stuart Broad is back for another go. He beats Elgar’s edge too, and there is a noise. But the bowler shakes his head and waves his finger. As if to say, “Skip, only review when I’m jumping into your arms.” Or as Vish suggests next to me, an effort to win back some trust. He’s a gem, but on this one measure he’s well in the hole. But never change, Stu. Earlier in the over Elgar squeezed him through the cordon, in control to the ground and out to the rope. That brought up South Africa’s 100 as well. Only 392 to go.

28th over: South Africa 96-4 (Elgar 54, Bavuma 13). Moeen races through one. Bavuma content to defend and leave as required. I reckon these two will give us the best cricket of the final hour here.

27th over: South Africa 96-4 (Elgar 54, Bavuma 13). Bit going on here. Stokes really on one. To begin though, Dean Elgar brings up his 50. Driving the England brute through cover. Copped a few on the gloves but he’s still there and doing it well. Next ball a huge shout for caught behind off Bavuma. It has carved back a long way, but the replay suggests beyong the inside edge, any sound on the way through via pad. Good job, then, that Root isn’t talked into a review. Taken a couple of Tests but he’s slowly finding his way on the DRS.

Charlie Tinsley has a couple of noms for the best seamer debut. Neil Mallender and Joey Benjamin. Must admit, I’ve had to look both games up. I like the latter for it was his only Test and at The Oval. Played, Chuck.

Elgar brings up his 50.
Elgar brings up his 50. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

26th over: South Africa 90-4 (Elgar 49, Bavuma 12). Moeen on straight after drinks. Hits the footmarks with his second ball to Bavuma, men around the bat. Well played with soft hands by the South African. Then he gets one by the edge. Bavuma up for the challenge, steering a couple behind point. Good contest already and it has only been going four balls. Well, until Moeen lobs up a fully to end the over, Bavuma making no mistake along the carpet through the posh side to the rope.

Couple of responses to my shout out. Luke on the tweet says James Kirtley. “Got 6/34 in second innings against SA in 2003.” Nice. Yep. He’s in. I’ll nominate Tony Dodemaide - 6/58 and a clutch 50. More next over. Hit me on the email.

25th over: South Africa 84-4 (Elgar 49, Bavuma 6). Fat inside edge from Elgar trying to pull Stokes again, but it races away to the rope. He won’t mind that. Up near 90mph Sky tell us. Dave Tickner put it best on the tweet earlier. There are actual people who watch the game of cricket who reckon Ben Stokes is no good. It’s a thing. Oh, he STINGS Elgar again with the final ball of this probing over, thumping into his thigh pad by the looks. We don’t get a replay as they are off to a break with drinks on the field. He’s one short of a gutsy half-ton.

24th over: South Africa 78-4 (Elgar 44, Bavuma 5). Tobias has one racing back at Bavuma, he just gets an inside edge. May have been in strife otherwise. Athers wants to see Malan get a little trundle with his leggies. Won’t get one with Roland-Jones bowling unplayables, as he does later in the set to Bavuma again, straigtening delightfully after pitching. Some debut, this. Where does it rank for fast bowlers? I was there for Lee’s 5-for at the ‘G in 1999. The gold standard of late. But this has to in that conversation, no? Anyone care to dig a bit deeper than what is immediately coming to mind before I hit send and start a new over? The floor is yours: best quicks on debut.

23rd over: South Africa 72-4 (Elgar 41, Bavuma 2). Athers generous in his praise of Stokes bowling over the last couple of Tests. Short of a length, making life as tough as possible for Elgar. Warne explaining how much it stings when you get hit on the hand. Knows a bit or two about that, SK. Then a lovely pull shot! That’s a fine way to end the over, the transfer of weight spot on.

Swipe right.

22nd over: South Africa 68-4 (Elgar 37, Bavuma 2). Bit of a delay as Elgar has the physio come out after copping out. Gets another sort one straight away from TRJ. Again on the top hand he cops it. Back an across though, can’t fault the South African opener here. Pushes a short one beyond bad pad for a couple later in the over. Then keeps the strike with a single through cover. He’s doing the yards.

“On the leave with bat raised,” writes in Jon Salisbury. “Wasn’t it one of Gatt’s teammates who suggested the bat sponsor should have their logo imprinted upside down for the action photos.”

21st over: South Africa 65-4 (Elgar 34, Bavuma 2). Thanks Vish. We just did this thing where he pointed to me like he was the director calling ‘Action’ as we did the transition. And action it is with Stokes bending them around corners. Excellent leave Bavuma as one jags back, perhaps two inches separating the ball and the bails.

“Not really worth opening the ticket office tomorrow I think!” suggests David Manby on the email. Not so sure about that. Bavuma is a proper Test player. You might get your money’s worth. Now watch, as he nicks off or something.

Notts have chased down Yorkshire’s 223 to win a T20 at Trent Bridge. The hosts’ overseas Dan Christian sums it up best, the highest successful T20 chase.

Updated

20th over: South Africa 63-4 (Elgar 33, Bavuma 1) Elgar still defending like he’s clearing tall reeds with a machete. Can’t really poke too much fun: he’s still there, having faced 56 balls and pushing singles as and when. The over finishes with one in the kidneys from Roland-Jones.

Right, chaps and chapettes. Thanks for your company. Here comes Adam Collins to block out the remaining 20-overs or rattle through the final six.

19th over: South Africa 63-4 (Elgar 33, Bavuma 1) Crowd up for the hat-trick ball. Like a Roman Colosseum, probably. They were loud, weren’t they? Plus it hooped around there, what with the high sides and the through-wind. Anyway, Bavuma works it off his hip to get off the mark.

18th over: South Africa 60-4 (Elgar 32, Bavuma 0) “This Faf du Plessis is clearly a student of the Mike Gatting school of shoulder-arms and pad up,” writes Jonathan Wilton. “Didn’t work for Gatts; still doesn’t.”

Hat-trick ball imminent... Bavuma to face...

17th over: South Africa 52-4 (Elgar 24) This over started with a four over the top of the slips, by the way.

WICKET! Faf du Plessis LBW Stokes 0 (South Africa 52-4)

BEN STOKES IS ON A HAT-TRICK! Oh Faf, what have you done?! No shot offered, front pad displayed proudly as Stokes gets this delivery to duck into the right-hander at pace. Aleem Dar’s finger shoots up. Faf, eventually, reviews. It’s projected to be hitting off, though. The man of the long, drawn out occasion is gone, first ball.

Stokes celebrates after taking Du Plessis for a golden duck.
Stokes celebrates after taking Du Plessis for a golden duck. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Updated

WICKET! De Kock b Stokes 5 (South Africa 52-3)

What a yorker! Bit of shape, too: seam angled as it comes out of the hand, pointing towards second slip. Quinton thinks he can work through midwicket, but spies that it’s a yorker far too late. Stumps akimbo. Seven more to get for England...

De Kock, bowled by Stokes for five.
De Kock, bowled by Stokes for five. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated

16th over: South Africa 48-2 (Elgar 24, de Kock 1) Quinton de Kock, lover of bat on ball, gets off the mark with a push through the covers. This could be fun...

WICKET! Amla c Root b Roland-Jones 5 (South Africa 47-2)

Quality from Roland-Jones. Draws Amla into a misjudgement – in this case, a slightly flawed leave. The ball darts up and off the right-handers bat and low into the hands of Joe Root. We stick around to see if it carried (Amla was walking off to be fair to him) and it definitely did. Goneski.

Roland-Jones celebrates taking Amla for five.
Roland-Jones celebrates taking Amla for five. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Updated

15th over: South Africa 47-1 (Elgar 24, Amla 5) Sharp bouncer from Ben Stokes kicks us off. Amla, zen, sways perfectly out of the way. Another pearler, this time around the wicket to Elgar nearly takes his face off. Luckily, Elgar gets his hands in the way and has enough about him to keep the ball down. Cracking delivery.

Drinks being taken. If you fancy a day at the cricket tomorrow, tickets are still available:

14th over: South Africa 45-1 (Elgar 23, Amla 4) Same set-up behind the stumps for Toby Roland-Jones. Elgar, on strike, found a single in the off side that TRJ wasn’t totally enamoured with. Seems to have got a bit easier out there... maybe England declared too early??

13th over: South Africa 44-1 (Elgar 22, Amla 4) Double change it is. Benjamin Andrew replaces Stokes, over-stepping twice to give him a longer start that normal. Three slips close together and then a gully that’s looking quite lonely for Hashim Amla.

12th over: South Africa 42-1 (Elgar 22, Amla 4) Tobias Skelton into the attack now, as Broad has a blow. Good carry but not too much off the straight just yet.

11th over: South Africa 41-1 (Elgar 33, Amla 3) Lovely, lovely drive from Elgar, beating mid off on the inside as he hits through that grey area between “straight” and “extra cover”. Quick dip back into the domestic scene for this:

Not bad for a clubby.

10th over: South Africa 37-1 (Elgar 18, Amla 3) Amusing that the newest member of a side always gets thrown in at short leg. Usually it’s a kid, but today it’s a toss up between the 29-year-old Dawid Malan and Tom Westley who is a year younger. Malan gets it on experience. That delivery Broad is bowling for, plink up towards Malan, nearly comes off. No bat means four leg byes instead.

9th over: South Africa 33-1 (Elgar 18, Amla 3) Seems to be real variable bounce from the Pavilion End, where Anderson’s coming in from. Amla’s had to play a few warily an watchfully with the cue end of his bat, like a follically unchallenged Peter Ebdon.

8th over: South Africa 32-1 (Elgar 18, Amla 2) Good insight from Nasser and Atherton on Elgar’s technique: his bat comes across from out wide, meaning he basically cuts across himself when he is playing forward. That means, when he’s not middling the ball, his bottom hand is coming off because he’s unable to control the final part of its swing (this is all their work, by the way, not mine). I’d have claimed it as my own but I just started reading Jon Ronson’s So You’ve Been Publicly Shame and am on edge. Elgar pushes past Broad for a couple to finish the over.

7th over: South Africa 26-1 (Elgar 12, Amla 2) Elgar’s keeping the slips interested with his angled bat to whatever Anderson decks across him. Keaton Jennings there, watching on, thinking what might have been. If anything, he’s returned the favour after Elgar shelled him on six.

6th over: South Africa 24-1 (Elgar 11, Amla 1) So, the big one. Hashim Amla comes to the crease, with more than 34 overs to go in this session. Gets off the mark comfortably with a single to midwicket.

This was Broad’s 375th wicket, by the way.

Updated

WICKET! Broad b Kuhn 11 (South Africa 21-1)

There it is - the first one. And it’s Broad. Gets one to nip back into the right-hander at the perfect length. Kuhn tries to keep it out but can only play on. Whisper it but the movement and length Broad is getting... are we on the cusp of one of *those* spells?

Kuhn, bowled by Broad for 11.
Kuhn, bowled by Broad for 11. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated

5th over: South Africa 21-0 (Kuhn 11, Elgar 9) Anderson saving his beauties for Elgar. Another one draws him forward before leaving him for dead. AND A DROP TO FINISH! Another feel, this time the edge is taken and Keaton Jennings shells a routine chance at third slip, diving to his left.

4th over: South Africa 17-0 (Kuhn 11, Elgar 9) HUGE CELEBRAPPEAL! But it’s not out, Stuart. Kuhn’s big stride ensures he’s hit well outside the line. Umpire Wilson turns down the appeal and Broad tries to coerce Root into calling on DRS. Luckily, Bairstow acts as the muscle to ensure England don’t burn one of their two reviews/

Elsewhere, in the T20 Blast, Outlaw Hales is doing what Outlaw Hales does:

3rd over: South Africa 11-0 (Kuhn 7, Elgar 4) As per Tristan’s tweet in the previous over – very good journo, well worth a follow – Kuhn’s presenting the full face of his bat, front pad and laces. With Elgar, Anderson’s able to send one across him to get the left-hander forward and missing.

“South Africa at 90-6 by Stumps today is something I’ll willingly and gladly bet on,” says Saad Sheikh. “Anderson chief tormentor.”

2nd over: South Africa 9-0 (Kuhn 6, Elgar 3) Stuart Broad around the wicket to the leftie and over to the rightie. So far, hasn’t really upset his line. In fact, Kuhn almost plays on, driving at a ball that angles in at him. A few balls later, the right-hander is back on strike and driving nicely through the covers for four. The next ball, driven back to Broad, is hurtled back to the keeper on the bounce. Reverse soon, anyone?

Broad shows some frustration.
Broad shows some frustration. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated

1st over: South Africa 3-0 (Kuhn 1, Elgar 2) James Anderson starts from the Pavilion End (Atherton reckons the breeze from the Vauxhall End would be of more use to him). His first ball to Dean Elgar draws a big appeal! Umpire Aleem Dar has a long look and shakes his head. Replay looks high and maybe even pitched outside leg... no – in line, as it happens. And Hawkeye says “Umpire’s Call”. Dar >>>> Me.

Get your predictions in! I reckon England and Toby Roland-Jones’ barmy army are picking four off this evening. Stocksy’s put his hand up for five:

Bumper session, this: 40 overs to get through (light should be good enough, me thinks). South Africa have done the blocking out for the draw a few times. Faf du Plessis – captain, leader, totem:

South Africa need 492 to win; England need 10 wickets

One number is bigger than the other. Much bigger. Warne’s annoyed, so I think we’ve all done our jobs. Anyway, in better news – look who has rattled off Durham’s first T20 hundred:

WICKET, DECLARATION AND TEA! Bairstow c Rabada b Maharaj 63 (England 313-8 dec)

JB swats Maharaj flat to long-off, Rabada is there and makes the take with a juggle. And that’ll do, says Joe Root. South Africa will require 492 to win. More to the point, they have see our four sessions to save the match - that’s the early tea. Six wickets and 160 of runs in rapid session. There was an inevitability about the declaration, Bairstow’s excellent hitting the best of England’s lower order. Maharaj earned his three wickets for South Africa. A cup of tea for me as well, as I hand back to Vish. Catch you for the final hour.

Updated

79th over: England 310-7 (Bairstow 62, Roland-Jones 21). TRJ, Sky tells us, becomes the first England bat since KP to hit a six in both innings on debut. That’s off Elgar, a second slog sweep in as many overs clearing the rope. He liked the experience so much that he did it again three balls later, a hockey slap back over the bowlers’ head. Very good. Ben Stokes having a laugh, pointing to his watch when the TV cameras pan to him at the end of the over. Presumably a response to the commentary consensus (that I share, to be fair) that they probably had enough a little while back. Even so, not for nothing that 15 came from that over. That hurts any fielding side with a long mission ahead to have any chance of salvaging this rubber.

78th over: England 295-7 (Bairstow 61, Roland-Jones 7). Another double-digit over for England, the lead 473 and well beyond the point where there could be any more than two viable results in this match from here. They won’t want to have South Africa six down at 7pm tomorrow. Bairstow doesn’t mind, plonking Maharaj loooong over square leg with a sweep. Have that. White-ball singles to the sweepers for the rest. Junk time runs, sure. But they all count in the stats columns.

77th over: England 284-7 (Bairstow 52, Roland-Jones 5). Final over before the interval, Bairstow gets his way with a reverse sweep, misses the first but fantastic contact with the second. The boundary secures a run-a-ball half-century. Done a lot right over the last hour. It isn’t tea, which suggests they already made a change to the playing hours and I missed it. Carry on then, lads!

Bairstow picks up his 50.
Bairstow picks up his 50. Photograph: Telephoto Ima/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

76th over: England 274-7 (Bairstow 43, Roland-Jones 4). The stream taken from Bairstow’s full-blooded attack since losing more recognised batting partners. He takes singles only in this good Maharaj set, favouring the legside. Roland-Jones lucky to survive after taking a stroll, the edge evading de Kock and spilling away for a couple. One more for tea.

75th over: England 269-7 (Bairstow 41, Roland-Jones 1). Elgar one for a few little neither-here-nor-there orthos. They’re effective though, conceding three singles then keeping TRJ pinned to the crease for the remainder.

Ian Copestake has found the youtube link that I couldn’t the other week. Where Warne explains why he doesn’t like Waugh. In short: because he dropped him for the decider of the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1999. The best bit, the final exchange:

Fevola: So you won the Test?

Warne: Yep

Fevola: So he would have been justified?

Warne: That’s right.

Indeed.

All you need to know in 77 seconds.

74th over: England 266-7 (Bairstow 39, Roland-Jones 0). Maharaj, the new bowler into the attack when the run out came, does very nicely to Bairstow for the remainder of the over. Nasser is forthright: “Yep, he should have stayed on. He tossed it up, good bowling.” Two from the over. 11 minutes until Tea. Lead: 444.



WICKET! Moeen run out Bavuma 8 (England 265-7)

Rule of modern cricket: don’t take on Bavuma, ever. We saw what he was capable of in Australia last year. Collects and throws after charging in from cow corner here, hitting the one stump available to him. Moeen’s modest dive suggests he didn’t anticipate it. Fifth wicket of an eventful session.

Moeen walks after being run out for eight.
Moeen walks after being run out for eight. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated

Is Moeen run out? Direct hit. Looks to be in strike. We’ll see in a tic.

73rd over: England 264-6 (Bairstow 37, Moeen 8). England lead by 442. With the clock bound to strike 3:25pm local time in the next over, that means there will be no declaration before the next interval. England successful pump nine out of that Rabada set, the highlight a deft nurdle off Moeen’s hip. Bairstow keps the strike with a mow to long-on.

72nd over: England 255-6 (Bairstow 35, Moeen 1). Morris rolling out his own white-ball variations now, Moeen immediately going at him but not getting much of one the bowler rolled the fingers down. Bairstow keeps the strike behind point. Good result for England with the punchy fella seeing them well. Neglected to mention a couple of overs ago he ran up to a ball that Rabada lost control of and lined up to whack it from cover to the boundary, instead shouldering arms in full panto mode. Good areas. With the confidence he has nowadays he’s going to like Australia a lot more this November than he did four years earlier.

“I will wager that Root wants 450 lead,” writes Andy Wilson (not that one) on the email. Oh, the punchline though: “And by Root I mean Bayliss.” Boom.

Updated

WICKET! Stokes b Morris 31 (England 251-6)

Stokes has done a job there, clearing midwicket with a bomb to begin the Morris over. He tries it on again and loses his middle stump. Everyone wins. That makes the lead 429 with England needing to declare inside the next ten minutes if they are to get a jam roll before the tea break. Otherwise, the third ump tells Sky, it will be an early break. But they’ll not giving it away quite yet.

Stokes, bowled by Morris for 31.
Stokes, bowled by Morris for 31. Photograph: Telephoto Ima/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

71st over: England 245-5 (Stokes 25, Bairstow 32). Rabada doesn’t give up a four ball, nor can Bairstow manufacture one. Couple to third man, one behind square. Couple more to third man to end the set. Good bowling in tough circumstances.

Hypocast writes in on twitter about Warne. I wasn’t the only one to notice the flourish, it would seem. “Give him credit. He’s somehow managed to avoid his regular slating of John Buchanan for the duration of this innings.”

70th over: England 239-5 (Stokes 23, Bairstow 27). Properly at it these two now, with Root pacing back and forth on the balcony suggesting he might just pull that rip cord and have a 20 minute go before tea. Bairstow gets one away with a tickle, fine enough for four. Then getting resourceful next ball to open up third man - no one down there. He’s overtaken Stokes in the process, going at better than a run a ball.

Predicably, with Bairstow taking a few chances, Warne sees it as an opportunity to accuse Steve Waugh of being a selfish batsman who played for not outs. Yawn.

69th over: England 229-5 (Stokes 23, Bairstow 18). Bairstow’s not mucking around. Aggressive running between the two throughout the over, but the hero of the dish is when he leeeeeeans back and lifts Rabada over the keeper. Everyone loves it. Less good: it’s raining again. It blew over last time, but looks pretty dark on the telly. Lead beyond 400 along the way.

Declaration chat from Patrick Phillips. “Does anyone in the England camp ever think of the spectators ? I reckon they’d hugely enjoy 20 or 30 mins of Stokes/Bairstow and others biff banging. After all it is Sunday afternoon.” Quite fair. There’s a kid tucking into a giant tub of popcorn on the telly. Could be popcorn for all if these two do it right. On the available evidence from Bairstow in that last little flourish, that might be likely.

68th over: England 220-5 (Stokes 20, Bairstow 13). England lead by 398. Bairstow is away now. To double figures with back to back boundaries, crunching Morris behind point then whipping him through midwicket when he overcorrects. That’s the best of YJB right there.

Warne is back and talking about cricket. Keep him there. Talking about his peak as a spinner coming in his late-20s. Encouraging for Adil Rashid if he’s watching on somewhere. We’ve seen before how much weight Warne’s words carry. Michael Beer got a baggy green out of it.

Leo Harvey on the email about my Boyfriend’s Back choice: “I think Alice Donut’s version is more appropriate.” Well, let’s have that too. I don’t have time between overs to check that link in full, so I’m trusting there aren’t any/many swears.

67th over: England 211-5 (Stokes 20, Bairstow 5). Another good’un from Rabada, hitting Bairstow’s bat hard after Stokes had a pop at a bouncer, safely guided behind square. The only run in the over. Let’s talk turkey - how many do England really need here? Are we at the point where it is time not runs that matter most? Am I only saying that because I am Australian and genetically disposed to an early declaration?

Unrelated, but because it’s nice to support local art, saw a Edinburgh preview last night from a chap doing a one-man show as Richard Carpenter 35 years on from Karen’s death. Laughed far harder than I expected, given that brief. Worth a look if you’re heading that way.

66th over: England 210-5 (Stokes 19, Bairstow 5). Quite like Chris Morris. Hoops it away from right handers, has a dip, bowls 90mph. Wins Bairstow’s edge to begin this over, but it doesn’t carry to Faf at second. Then gets Stokes’ inside edge when the England all-rounder is beaten by a bit of pace. To finish, beats Bairstow trying to square drive. Really good bowling.

That’s drinks, England 388 ahead, the visitors claiming Westley and Root to Maharaj in a hurry, then Malan fell to Morris. I’m going to stick around for another hour. Let’s chat a bit more after they’ve had their cordial. Adam.Collins.Freelance@theguardian.com for your best, @collinsadam your worst.

65th over: England 206-5 (Stokes 17, Bairstow 3). Rabada’s back and you’re gonna be in trouble, Hey, la-di-da, Rabada’s back! YJB away with a couple to cover. Straight back and already at decent pace, the young superstar. Sitting to my left, Vish makes a good point about Malan having a debut much like Maddinson’s. In that they both copped a screaming yorker from Rabada in the process.

Sorry/not sorry for putting this into your head for the next four days.


WICKET! Malan lbw Morris 10 (England 202-5)

Excellent review. That’s hitting middle and leg 4/5ths of the way up. Malan done by late swing there. The captain rewarded for replacing Maharaj just as Stokes looked to take him down. Disappointment for Malan, a double-failure on debut. Just as he looked a bit more comfortable too, guiding an earlier delivery down to the backward point boundary.

64th over: England 202-5 (Stokes 16, Bairstow 0). England lead by 380.


Updated

Has Morris trapped Malan? Given not out, but du Plessis goes straight upstairs. Stand by.

63rd over: England 195-4 (Malan 6, Stokes 13). England lead by 373. Nearing the half-way mark of the middle session. Malan having a slash to the first, doesn’t get beyond backward point. Looked uppish, but all good. Off strike. Stokes gets the only other run of the over via an edge, but it brings a throw from Rabada to one end, then de Kock the other. Scrappy. Feels like they are keen for the declaration, too. To be fair, Philander right back on it and making it hard for the hosts to add heavy runs as they would have hoped for in this period.

62nd over: England 193-4 (Malan 5, Stokes 12). Atherton insight on the TV explaining how hard it is for captains to shut down a game behind square with a spinner into the rough after Stokes plays a powerful reverse sweep, struck hard as any of the conventional variety. You get four for that every time. In a sight he’s ready to roll, he tries to swipe Maharaj across the line next ball but doesn’t get enough of it, lucky not to find a fielder at deep midwicket. A couple added. And now again, rocking onto the back foot and crunching a shorter delivery past the insight and out to the boundary again. Ten runs in three balls. Lovely shot. Maharaj keeps his cool and gets back into the over with balls Stokes has to defend.

While I keep saying Stokes I keep thinking Strokes. Excellent extract of a book I’m stinging to read ASAP in the paper on Friday detailing The Strokes early days visiting London. Have a look at tea. All the usual suspects getting a run.

61st over: England 183-4 (Malan 5, Stokes 2). Philander keeping Stokes honest, generating a bit off the seam towards Stokes, then away. The all-rounder is up to it, angling a single behind point. He beats Malan with a beauty to finish, again spitting away off the seam. Not convincing from the new man, following it with his hands. Lucky not to edge.

60th over: England 182-4 (Malan 5, Stokes 1). A push from Malan to midwicket gives Stokes another chance, against the potent spin of Majarah. He gets onto a sweep, but hits the sweeper. Malan uses his feet but isn’t able to tick the board over.

Andrew Benton is optimistic: “I’m going for South Africa 128/ 6 at the close today. And they’ll throw the towel in.” The conditions certainly look perfect for Anderson/Broader/TRJ. A lot of ~overhead~, as they say.

59th over: England 180-4 (Malan 4, Stokes 0). Pacey maiden from Philander. That’s better. New man Stokes leaving then defending throughout. Maybe we’ve misjudged this and the declaration is a while away yet? Certainly no white-ball batting as yet.

“Pat Pocock was interviewed on TMS at lunchtime reminiscing about facing two generations of West Indies pace attacks - 76 and 84!,” writes Drew Goldie. “He hardly played a Test in between.
Reminded me of his 1984 achievement: he came in at No 11, Allan Lamb in the nineties and hoping upon hope for a century. Could Pocock survive? No-one was betting on it. However, not only did Lamb get to three figures, but as Jim Laker memorable said on telly ‘And Allan Lamb has managed to stay in long enough for Percy Pocock to get a run.’”

58th over: England 180-4 (Malan 4, Stokes 0). Wicket maiden for Maharaj. The batsmen crossed when Root fell, so Malan faced out the remainder. Attempts a little lap sweep thing to end the over, but no contact made.

WICKET! Root c Morkel b Maharaj 50 (England 180-4)

He does it with such regularity that I neglected to mention Root raising his 50 in the previous over, but that was his fill, a top edge to deep backward square, easily taken by Morkel, giving Maharaj the second set man in a hurry. Nice from him. The bad news: Stokes’ turn for a frolic.

Root walks for 50.
Root walks for 50. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Updated

57th over: England 180-3 (Root 50, Malan 4). Big Vern, as Warne insists on calling him, back into the attack after Morkel’s penetrative spell. Brollies up in the outer though, which isn’t encouraging. Sorry to report that. Far from the best over from Philander, rolling one down at a gentle pace to Hasham Amla at first slip at one stage, running through for a couple of wides. Ten from it after Malan plays a beautiful clip down to wide long-on to open his account. Well, we’ve had a few of those from one debutant in this match already, no better time for the Middlesex first-timer to do the same with a declaration imminent.

56th over: England 173-3 (Root 49, Malan 0). Earned that, Maharaj. And well done to fight back into the set after conceding a boundary first up. Wasn’t his fault, mind, going through Philander’s legs at deep point. A lot to like about the South African spinner’s tour so far.

WICKET! Westley st de Kock b Maharaj 59 (England 170-3)

A fine hand, but not surprising to see him fall now after doing it a fair bit harder since lunch. Nicely done from Maharaj, inspiring a day down the track, but Westley tried to adjust into a defensive stroke too late after not getting to the pitch. Did enough to beat the edge, and de Kock was tidy behind the stumps, doing the rest.

Westley, stumped by De Kock.
Westley, stumped by De Kock. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated

55th over: England 165-2 (Westley 59, Root 41). Morkel again from the Pavilion End. An edge from Westley! Soft enough hands to trickle down to the rope. Ends another quality opener from the South African ace. His figures don’t reflect it, but he’s been outstanding at various periods through this Test Match. They’ve had the better of the first 20 minutes.

54th over: England 160-2 (Westley 55, Root 39). Maharaj inspires Westley’s first swing of the bat this session when dropping short. It’s uppish but between the fielders to the rope. A sweeper out there but hit well enough.

53rd over: England 154-2 (Westley 50, Root 39). If they are racing to a declaration then it hasn’t shown in these opening three overs after the interval. To be fair to Morkel though, it’s another penetrative over, drawing the captain forward then pushing him back, earning a false stroke. Inside edge. Back to back maidens from him.

I was distracted by Warne part way through on the telly. Started with some gibberish about women “still” enjoying coming to the cricket. And then this patronisning gem that David Tickner picked up.

52nd over: England 154-2 (Westley 50, Root 39). Maharaj it’ll be to begin from the other end. Has Root on the front foot from the get go, throwing it up enough. A push to cover keeps the captain the strike. Still thrilled with his decision to wear his playing shirt to the ground on the tube yesterday morning. That’s leadership.

Root pushes the ball to point
Root pushes the ball to point Photograph: Telephoto Ima/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

51st over: England 153-2 (Westley 50, Root 38). Westley happy to watch Morne give it his all in the first after the break. He was removed the in the set following lunch on the first day, so that’s sound logic. Finishes with an on-target bumper. Out of the way he gets like it isn’t even a thing.

Updated

Thanks, Vish. So you’re telling me that I’m taking over with Tom Westley on 50 with an hour or so to raise a debut ton? Party Hard.

“Let’s get a party going!”

LUNCH - England lead by 331

50th over: England 153-2 (Westley 50, Root 38) Root keeps Maharaj out to take England to lunch with a succession of dead-bat-blocks (a fine Grime album title, if ever I heard one). A commanding position for the hosts and a nice feed in store for Tom Westley, with a maiden half-century under his belt and Licence to Thrill after the break. Adam Collins will be with you shortly...

49th over: England 153-2 (Westley 50, Root 38) Calm after the milestone sees Westley play out a maiden to Morne Morkel. Good afternoon, Simon McMahon. “Afternoon Vish. Is Gary Naylor real? A friend once told me ‘I don’t believe in God, but I’m afraid of him’. Well I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Gary Naylor.” The greatest trick Gary Naylor ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn’t exist. And that T20 cricket would lead to a team of eleven David Husseys.

48th over: England 153-2 (Westley 50, Root 38) Couple from the over as Root has the temerity to cut too close and beat Dean Elgar at first slip. The lead is 331.

Don’t think they will, to be honest. I reckon they pull out in the first hour after lunch. Nasser reckons they’ll go for a 20-over smash for a lead of 450.

Watch him whip

47th over: England 151-2 (Westley 50, Root 36) A drive into the covers and a couple of big plays and misses sees Joe Root walk down to Tom Westley and tell him to chill his beans. Westley’s desperate for that boundary to move to his maiden half-century.... and there it is! Glorious pick-up through midwicket by Westley. It’s been a bit of graft but its his signature whip. It’s come off 119 balls, with nine fours.

Telegram for Fred in Montenegro, from Mark Dexter: “Can you please tell Fred in Montenegro that he’s probably the only reader old enough to remember the days when the oval nearly went bust. And also not to forget his old cricket banter buddies on WhatsApp, we’re not that ignorant really.”

Westley celebrates his half century.
Westley celebrates his half century. Photograph: James Marsh/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

46th over: England 147-2 (Westley 46. Root 36) Maharaj to Root this time. Just three balls, though, as Root skips down and gets a single between the men in at midwicket and square leg (there is a deeper sweeper for that slog sweep). Westley drives nicely again through wide mid on for his single.

45th over: England 145-2 (Westley 45, Root 35) Excellent stattage on Vernon Philander, just then on the TV coverage. When he seams the ball, he’s averaging 14. But when it’s swinging, that rises to nearly 44. Just as Rabada gets a bit of shape away, Westley times nicely through the covers for a couple.

44th over: England 143-2 (Westley 43, Root 35) Maharaj v Westley will be a decent bout. TW is one of those that likes to use his feet and upset the spinner’s length so he can then hang back and pick off square. Also drives through midwicket very well, which is how he pinches the strike at the end of the over.

43rd over: England 142-2 (Westley 42, Root 35) For a moment, I thought we were getting our first sight of spin. But just as Keshav Maharaj was getting ready to turn his arm over, he’s yanked form the attack and Rabada is given a go. And for good reason as a number of deliveries dip in and leave the England captain. Ah, here we go – Maharaj is going to come on from the Pavilion End instead.

42nd over: England 140-2 (Westley 41, Root 34) Root looking to push things along, trying to find spaces in the off side for ones and twos. “It’s not cowardly to pray for rain if one’s an SA supporter, is it?” asks Richard Mansell. Of course not. How do you think England fans spent the 90s?

41st over: England 139-2 (Westley 41, Root 33) Finally, Westley gets his chance. Philander isn’t quite on the money and allows the right-hander to take him backward of point for four. Philander gets a bit back through when Westley plays and misses at the final delivery. One-all.

40th over: England 132-2 (Westley 37, Root 32) Just as it was in the first England innings, any control that South Africa are getting from one end is being released by Chris Morris at the other. Starts with an over-pitched delivery on Root’s toes and, well, you know the rest. Even an inside edge brings two as Root runs both hard to ensure he’s well in at the danger end. Two balls later, a belting late cut takes Root into the thirties. 11 from the over!

39th over: England 123-2 (Westley 37. Root 21) Another maiden. I get that there’s no rush and all, but no harm in rotating the strike once in a while, lads. I’ve not looked at the forecast – oh look, it’s started to rain – but an extra 100 is the game, shirley? “There’s plenty of evidence for a ‘Gary Naylor’-style character,” writes John Starbuck. “Woody Allen’s ‘Zelig’ was a case in point, also made by various ‘Red Dwarf’ episodes. Then there’s the Flying Dutchman and Melmoth the Wanderer, not to mention Michael Moorcock’s Eternal Champion and Rincewind, Terry Pratchett’s Eternal Coward. All guaranteed roles for a Naylor.”

38th over: England 123-2 (Westley 37, Root 21) We were on the cusp of two maidens in a row before Morris drops his last one short and Root thrashes him through point to the man out in the deep for nicks two. The lead is now 301. Phil Sawyer on email: “Gary Naylor told the primordial soup, ‘You know, you might want to think about forming complex organic polymers. Also, I need someone to talk to about batting averages, so look lively’.”

Updated

37th over: England 121-2 (Westley 37, Root 19) You can tell Westley really wants to throw his hands at Philander. Not literally, of course. He’s not at Chelmsford anymore. So far, good restraint as he watches those 75mph outswingers pass him by. Maiden.

An email from Willian Hargreas: “ ‘Gary Naylor told my parents that I wanted to become a sports journalist.’ A bit like the way Trump gets Rex Tillerson (with a name like that, shouldn’t he have starred in “Shaft”?) to break news to Xi Jinping?” Not too dissimilar at all. And with just as much fallout.

I’ll leave it to the man himself to set #NaylorsFault off:

36th over: England 121-2 (Westley 37, Root 19) Rabada has some time to cool off as Chris Morris picks up his work from the Vauxhall End. His fuller length allows Joe Root to drive nicely through the covers and beat the man at deep point. Four and drinks.

“Is Westley playing himself a ticket to Australia?” asks Paddy Sturdee. “Few better places to do it than at the other end from the captain, just as there are few worse places to look hideously out of depth than at the other end from the ex-captain.” Yeah, I’d say so. Looks very assured. I think a lot of time people who get thrown into number three, without having batted their before, often try and do an impression of a number three. And often they skew too far towards the openers side of the job rather than the middle-order aspects of the job. Westley is very much a “No.4” number three. “If he’s out before you read this, I’m blaming you - ok?” Deal.

35th over: England 115-2 (Westley 36, Root 14) It’s really hooping for Philander from the Pavilion End. The only issue is that it’s moving straight from the hand, so both right-handers see it coming. I wonder what other news Gary Naylor has delivered over the years. I’m imagining him – “imagining” – as a Ra’s al Ghul type character: an immortal figure waltzing through history and beyond, generally being a pest. Gary Naylor told the Trojans a giant, wooden horse “would really spruce the place up”.

Vernon Philander prepares to bowl.
Vernon Philander prepares to bowl. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

34th over: England 114-2 (Westley 36, Root 13) Very good from Westley. He gets a drive away through midwicket for four, which he meant to place a lot straighter, but is quick on the Rabada yorker, digging it out well to close out a solid over. Engaging cricket between these two.

Back comes Robert Wilson: “I am perfectly well aware that Gary Naylor does not actually exist. His is the name that you OBO scribes use when you want to take a swipe at cheeky punters and is also a blameless conduit for your feebler jokes that don’t quite make the first cut. I have my doubts about Kim Thonger as well. I mean; come on.” It’s true – we use him for delivering bad news, too. Gary Naylor told my parents that I wanted to become a sports journalist.

Updated

33rd over: England 109-2 (Westley 32, Root 12) Vernon Philander into the attack for the first time today. He spent the night on a drip which isn’t ideal preparation for a day’s Test cricket (unless it’s filled with fortified milk, of course). Root, soft hands, edges his first delivery through the gap at gully for four.

32nd over: England 104-2 (Westley 32, Root 7) Rabada ticking and Westley is exactly the type to play ball. Maybe you’d call it “taking the bait”. But he backs himself in these kinds of encounters. He’s a cool customer but is one of those batsmen that loves to irritate bowlers with a bit of ambivalence. “Oh, sorry – didn’t meant to drive you through the off side. Good ball though, champ.” Root just sticks to his strengths and picks off one on his toes through midwicket for four.

Updated

31st over: England 99-2 (Westley 32, Root 2) Some obsession over Morne Morkel’s grip/claw which allows him to get such effective action on the ball.

John Starbuck chimes in to the great booze debate: “If you mix rum into milk, the latter curdles instantly. Does the chocolate prevent this? A more scientific OBO reader than me should be able to explain it. I do know that England fast bowlers tend to drink fortified milk at the tea break.” Thank you thank you thank you for sending my brain to this forgotten part of YouTube. Benaud and Milo. What a man, what an ad.

30th over: England 98-2 (Westley 32, Root 1) Rabada’s getting a bit eggy and tries to entice Root into a bit of a battle. The England captain acknowledges his advances and, instead, opens the face into a drive to find the man out at deep point for a single. Fred Freeman-Edmonson emails from a pool in Porto Montenegro: “As a child of about 12 in the 80s (I think) I remember there being a threat of closure hanging over The Oval and I sent a £5 cheque to help. I received a thank you letter and then Fosters stepped in. Can anyone else remember Oval troubles?” I’m going to throw that out to the OBO public as, *sniffs, looks into the distance, dons a smirk* that’s a bit before my time.

Updated

29th over: England 97-2 (Westley 32, Root 0) Rabada decides he wants to test Westley’s ducking ability with a succession of bouncers. The last one is the worst, clearing Westley and nearly Quinton de Kock behind the stumps. Wide. Big fan of the subject of Brian Withington’s email: “Soothsayer Nasser”...

“I can’t help but notice how often Nasser says something in commentary that is then borne out by a passage of play (Jennings wicket). Either he has made a pact with the devil (of the non-Murdoch variety) or he knows a thing or two about this game. Pick of the bunch in my opinion.” Agreed. Doesn’t waste words (he’ll never make an OBOer) and always informs (yep, no chance).

28th over: England 96-2 (Westley 32, Root 0) Quite good watching these two right-handers together. Root’s by the (coaching) book, Westley’s the wristy maverick. There’s some fan fiction in there, somewhere. An open-faced drive pinches three into the off side as South Africa’s fielders struggle to cope on this slick outfield.

“My dear chap,” replies Kim Thonger, from Over 24. Think I’m in trouble. “Chocolate milk should only EVER be drunk if it contains a tot of rum. Surely you’ve READ the laws of cricket?” I assume Kim means “unless it contains a tot of rum”. Not too sure. I can smell the sherry from here.

27th over: England 93-2 (Westley 29, Root 0) Westley picks up his first run of the morning with a single off his inside edge. South Africa have given him a lot to leave but little to whip.

26th over: England 92-2 (Westley 28) And there goes Jennings. It probably won’t be enough to save his Test career, but it was a gutsy 48 nonetheless. England lead by 270.

“DON’T let people correct your French,” writes Rob Wilson. “Tell them it’s a neologism or mere comedy dash. I write for the Froggy papers of record. I slip in a new minting at least once a month (little of it repeatable in the maidenly Guardian). I’ve invented my own ‘ism’. The French lap it up. So stand up for yourself; mon pote.”

“It’s lackey, by the way not lacky.”

WICKET! Jennings c Morris b Rabada 48 (England 92-2)

Soz, Keaton. A tough, 78-ball innings comes to an end. Nasser had just done a bit about how Jennings stands quite tall and doesn’t quite get fully forward. Maybe Rabada caught wind: a shorter ball catches Jennings in his stance. He tries to drop his hands but can only skew into the cordon.

Kagiso Rabada celebrates the wicket of Keaton Jennings.
Kagiso Rabada celebrates the wicket of Keaton Jennings. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated

25th over: England 92-1 (Jennings 48, Westley 28) Jennings motoring! Sort of. A couple of edges – the second off a misjudged drive – bring him boundaries behind point. He probably won’t want this innings framed, Jennings, but he’ll take the fifty when it comes. It’ll be his third score of fifty or more in Test cricket.

24th over: England 81-1 (Jennings 37, Westley 28) Jennings again nabs a single to the leg side. This one a bit straighter and a well judged tip-and-run. Kwik Cricket lives.

“An omen from my pantry,” writes Kim Thonger. “While ‘dusting’ I just dropped a large almost full bottle of rather decent sherry on the stone floor, spent fifteen minutes clearing up millions of shards of green glass, and now smell like the town of Jerez. So the day can’t get any worse and I confidently predict a big England total. Besides, if they do collapse, I’ve no sherry left to drown my sorrows.” Two things: slightly confused that dusting is in quotation marks but will assume it’s because you are not very good at it. Which, I suppose, explains what followed. Secondly – other drinks effectively drown sorrows too, no? Chocolate milk, for one.

Updated

23rd over: England 80-1 (Jennings 36, Westley 28) Morne Morkel – after yesterday’s discussions, have we officially pinned him as a Tolkein lacky? – opens up from the other end. His ball to dismiss Alastair Cook yesterday should be put on display. It really was that good. Jennings again tips one to the leg side and sets off. Meanwhile, get your chompers around this stat:

22nd over: England 79-1 (Jennings 35, Westley 28) Four balls to finish off this over. Five runs from them, as Jennings nabs a single into the leg side before Westley works Rabada off his hip – thigh pad, actually – for four.

Huddle time for South Africa.
Huddle time for South Africa. Photograph: James Marsh/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

Polish off the last couple of emails before play begins: Ian F has corrected my French. Thanks buckets. Thomas Upchurch, live and direct from Greece, is wondering if there is an overseas link for Test Match Special. There is, Thomas:

“Carl Weathers is an actor who’s entire body of work should be re-evaluated in a post-Arrested Development light,” starts David Horn. I’m all eyes. “If you picture him in Rocky, or Predator, issuing any of his memorable lines, then drawing slightly closer in and saying ‘ ... then, you’ve got yourself a stew going’, I think we’ll all judge him more kindly.”

Yes, one of those great movie bastards that mellowed with AD.

“There’s still a lot of meat on that bone...”

Morning to Duncan Stackhouse: “I’ve been interested by the talk of TRJ over the last couple of days and saying he’s a little old for a bowler to be making his test debut, saying it’s not generally a good sign to be pushing 30 (although as a 28yo I maintain that it’s still mid-twenties). Think Martin Saggers.

“I can’t claim to have watched a lot of him – a consequence of not wanting to pay Rupert Murdoch any money – but as far as I can tell he bowls mid 80s and moves the ball a little. I think instead of focusing on the Saggers of this world, why not consider a man who made his ‘proper’ debut at 29, Ryan Sidebottom. Yeah, there was a couple of tests in 2001, but he really started in 2007 and finished his 22 tests with an average of 28.24 and an economy of 2.78. Here’s hoping here’s more Sidebottom than Saggers.”

I think even passing Murdoch a Twenty every now and again won’t have helped: aside from last year’s County Championship finale, he’s not had much TV time. I’ve seen a fair bit of Toby Roland-Jones and he definitely has what it takes to succeed at Test level. The real quality he has is an ability to find something from the most docile of surfaces. He’s played his last five seasons on some real flat ones at Lord’s and yet still averages 26 at the venue. Gets good bounce, mid-80s and can also profit in favourable conditions, as he showed on day two. He’s proper, is TRJ. Definitely more Sidebottom than Saggers.

In domestic news, Paul Allot, once on the board at Lancashire, will now be the county’s director of cricket:

A welcome sight after yesterday’s pluie:

Oooooh Sky Sports have another mini-masterclass this morning, this time will Shaun Pollock. I’ll pop you a link when it’s out. In the meantime, I urge you to check out Kevin Pietersen’s one from yesterday. Fascinating insight and, for all KP’s faults, he talks superbly about the game.

Updated

PREAMBLE

Grand morning to you all in the OBO world. Vish here, taking you through the first session of the day. I’ll be joined by Australian man of all that he surveys, Adam Collins, after lunch. Just last week, we were together at Lord’s for the culmination of the Women’s World Cup. What a special day that was. Expecting some equally good cricket today. Keaton Jennings and Tom Westley return this morning, with unbeaten starts to their names.

The theme of Jennings’ 34* was very much survival. Think the opening scene of Robocop. Westley, on the other hand, was wading through the jungle, shooting at anything that moved, like Carl Weathers in Predator. Interesting tidbit – did you know Carl Weathers had a stint in the NFL? True story:

Anyhow – play underway in just over 40-minutes. You can ping me an email on vithushan.ehantharajah.casual@theguardian.com. Alternatively, throw 140-characters at @Vitu_E and I’ll pop them in here, too.

Hello. Vish will be here soon. Here’s Vic Marks on Saturday’s rain-affected action:

The equation has a familiar ring. The side batting last in this Test will be required to bat for more than four sessions to avoid defeat. So far in the series that has been way beyond the capacity of the batsmen. At Lord’s England won by 211 runs; at Trent Bridge South Africa prevailed by 340.

Will it be just as straightforward at the Oval? If the South African top order shows the resolve displayed by their tailenders there may just be a contest on Sunday and Monday rather than the processions we witnessed in the first two Tests.

So far this match has been played under the slate-grey skies that seamers love; the ball has deviated amid the dampness; batting has been tricky. But the sun is due to make an appearance during the last two days, which should provide rare encouragement for the batsmen.

As it stands England remain firmly in charge. They dismissed South Africa for 175, which represented quite a recovery for the tourists from the depths of 61 for seven on Friday. Then with a bit of luck and one dropped catch England were 74 for one when the rain arrived just before 3pm. The lead is already 252.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Forget blue light blocking for better sleep — this is the hidden iPhone feature to use instead
This hidden gem iPhone feature turns my phone from a carnival of excitement to an absolute snoozefest. Here's how to do it.
Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Florida woman ghosts her date after a nightmare meetup. A week later, he sent her something she’ll never forget
A first date going wrong are nothing new. But this Florida woman’s experience proves that sometimes, a person’s true character comes out days after the bill is paid. 
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
Rescue group in Las Vegas tries to catch a toucan that escaped its owner before it's too late
The life of a toucan seen flying around the Las Vegas desert is at risk unless it can be captured soon
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
‘Im too scared’: Texas woman orders Sausage McGriddles at McDonald’s — only to find teeth fragments in her breakfast
It’s not unusual to have a weird food experience at a food joint in the United States. Sometimes, you may find something missing, while other times you may find something that doesn’t belong. In the case of user @kai_michelle24 on TikTok, who is from Texas, unfortunately, it’s the latter. In…
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
Even Fox News hosts struggling to make sense of RFK Jr’s and Kid Rock’s workout video
‘Listen, somebody needs to tell RFK Jr. it’s okay to wear shorts. I mean, bro, don’t be upset about your legs,’ Fox News military analyst Johnny Jones said
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
NC Parents: Miss Too Many School Days and You Could Face Fines
Waking up to a coughing child with a fever triggers an immediate focus on their health. You naturally keep them home to recover and shield their classmates from germs. However, those recovery days accumulate quickly. Soon, a letter arrives in the mail that feels more like a legal threat than…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play