Fourth test: England v South Africa, Old Trafford, 4-8 Aug

[mikesiva]

First Morris and now de bruyne. Duminy replacement players are finding runs hard to come by.

[meninblue]

7 down now. They [South Africa] have to bat really well in second innings to fight back in this test match.

[alfie]

This has been excellent from England...particularly Anderson and Moeen. Bounce has been a bit erratic at times but otherwise conditions seemed ok for batting ; but they've pressured a somewhat surprisingly timid South Africa and worked their way through the batting this afternoon in impressive style.

De Kock really needs to get what he can now ...not much left to support him and the deficit is still considerable : batting last here is unlikely to be easy.

[alfie]

First Morris and now de bruyne. Duminy replacement players are finding runs hard to come by.

I couldn't understand why Duminy was so comprehensively discarded : sure he wasn't in a great run of form and is arguably a player from whom they need to move on in the not too distant future ; but he has experience and the ability to add a bowling option ... If the replacements were any better than a tin of custard sending him home might have made some sense ; but as it is it seems an odd closing of options...

[alfie]

Broad joins the party...de Kock gone and SA looking at a huge deficit...

Nicely taken by Bairstow who despite missing one off Moeen a little earlier continues to improve as a keeper. As long as they keep him at seven where he averages nearly 50 he really does look one of the major strengths of this England team.

[meninblue]

First Morris and now de bruyne. Duminy replacement players are finding runs hard to come by.

I couldn't understand why Duminy was so comprehensively discarded : sure he wasn't in a great run of form and is arguably a player from whom they need to move on in the not too distant future ; but he has experience and the ability to add a bowling option ... If the replacements were any better than a tin of custard sending him home might have made some sense ; but as it is it seems an odd closing of options...

J P D had a great series versus Aussies. That was the benchmark of his potential, and he clearly has not lived upto what fans started to expect from him. More so, he has had the cover of Smith, Amla , ABD and Faf who had the skills to negate the strike bowlers. In my opinion he should have done better than averaging 32.

[alfie]

Stokes with a superb catch to leave SA nine down at the close

Wonder if Broad will leave the last one for Jimmy in the morning ? Five in the innings - from his own end - would be a nice touch.Think he has shown once again that he isn't quite ready for the pipe and slippers.

142 behind. You might say SA have a bit to do

[Arthur Crabtree]

Anderson playing reverse sweep with Bairstow on 95!

[greyblazer]

Anderson's overall average has improved to 28.03 and despite that poor series in India, his away average sits [around] 33. People will only look at raw stats but not the fact that he once average 38 [overall] and around 48-50 - away from home. It is akin to Kumble who got his away average down to about 35 from high 40s.

[bigfluffylemon]

I'm about to head to the airport for the 30-odd hour journey to visit home, so I'm going to miss most of the first two days. I hope not to be too disappointed when I land tomorrow and turn on TMS in the car

Not disappointed . Well done England again. Bat well today (and 200 should be enough) and the series should be in the bag.

Agreed England have one of the best 6-7-8 going. But the lack of a great 1-2-3 has been holding them back. I agree that Robson should have another crack if Jennings is discarded. He has been making runs in the CC, and has shown that he can make runs at the top level. He didn't do anything hugely wrong, but I think he was not preferred for similar reasons to Compton - England were afraid of having 3 very defensive players in their top 3 (like it really matters in test cricket. Humph).

My concern is that they'll give Jennings the rest of the summer, he'll make a hatful against a very green WI attack, then get selected for Australia and murdered by Starc, Hazlewood & co. But I fear that even if yet another new opener comes in, runs against the WI may not count for much.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Jennings looking like he will edge every delivery.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Jennings looking like he will edge every delivery.

Cook was watching Jennings!

[budgetmeansbudget]

Jennings has clearly proved in this series that the search for Cook's opening partner continues. He's had 11 guys try since Strauss retired, and all have failed, unreal.

Hameed done ok. I thought he should have had a run in this series.

I was going to have him as the exception, but didn't he get injured, and can't now buy a run for Lancs.

Lancs have a CC game v Hants starting Sunday. If Hameed gets runs he'll be in for the W.Indies series.

6 off 39 balls in his first innings knock won't get many selectors taking notice.

[Aidan11]

Morkel gets the other Essex boy.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Looks like another not a lot for three is on the cards again.