Third Test: England v South Africa, The Oval, July 27-31

[Dr Cricket]

Not sure what weather people you been following.
Meant to be showers in London but brief.
Was those days where it looks like it will rain but doesn't often rain.
Wind was meant to push the rain away.

[sussexpob]

Philander off with a stomach problem. Wonder if he will bowl the rest of the day, could be a big bonus for England

[Aidan11]

3 players debuting today. There 5 new caps in the winter tours.

Bayliss obviously wants everyone who is England qualified to get a game at some point.

[dan08]

3 players debuting today. There 5 new caps in the winter tours.

Bayliss obviously wants everyone who is England qualified to get a game at some point.

Could be another debutant in the final game if Jennings keeps batting like this.

[Arthur Crabtree]

3 players debuting today. There 5 new caps in the winter tours.

Bayliss obviously wants everyone who is England qualified to get a game at some point.

Is Bayliss a selector?

[backfootpunch]

3 players debuting today. There 5 new caps in the winter tours.

Bayliss obviously wants everyone who is England qualified to get a game at some point.

Not the selectors fault all these players do well in county cricket then play awfully for England

The Dawson pick was a pretty bad one though

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just woken up. I see Malan is in and Dawson out. And Malan in next. Presume he's at risk of losing his spot to Gary Ballance in the next game, whatever he does.

[sussexpob]

Westley looks OK so far. Happy to let a lot go past, and when he commits to attack, he does so 100%. Yet a couple he's gone after weren't that bad balls.

One of those he chased ends him

[backfootpunch]

Westley looks OK so far. Happy to let a lot go past, and when he commits to attack, he does so 100%. Yet a couple he's gone after weren't that bad balls.

One of those he chased ends him

Still there is some hope for him

He looked much more assured than Jennings or ballance, though that's not saying much

[sussexpob]

We shall see. It seemed he at least has an eye for his off stump, punished off his pads, but certainly showed some impatience to attack

[sussexpob]

At least I feel like I'm watching test cricket today. Batsman looking to see out good bowling then hit it out the attack

[backfootpunch]

We shall see. It seemed he at least has an eye for his off stump, punished off his pads, but certainly showed some impatience to attack

A bit of trott about his scoring options

[alfie]

Not unhappy with Westley on debut. Obviously he'd like to have gone on from twenty five ; but the lunch break did for him...along with some good bowling from Morris. He didnt really "chase" it - just shaped to play it to his preferred leg side and the angled bat edged the ball as it held its line. As Pollock says , bowlers will be on to his leg side bias...
However there was plenty to like about the way he shaped up in his first Test innings. Some handsome strokes , good leaves...and I liked the way he immediately looked to score when Maharaj over pitched. Let us see if he can build on that start , here or at Old Trafford.

Mixed day so far : some good bowling from Philander (now back on the field , I see ) and Morris - who mixes testing deliveries with right old rubbish ! The others a bit off. England have done quite well to reach 100/2. Pity about Jennings ...he is finding this opening against Philander and Morkel pretty tough. Needs a score - and soon.

Glad Root chose to bat. Early life ; but bowling first might have been a defensive reaction to last match batting horrors - better to get in and confront it straight away.

[sussexpob]

Morkel unlucky that over. Did cook like a kipper twice

[alfie]

Morkel unlucky that over. Did cook like a kipper twice

And followed up by working Root over with his next ! So nearly drew the edge then...

Tricky spell , this.