England tour of South Africa

[Durhamfootman]

Archer taking a bit of tap

[mikesiva]

Not one half century in the top five. Hamza the best with 39.

South Africa batting problems continue after the retirement of Amla.

[backfootpunch]

Last 30 minutes south Africa been getting very very lucky

[mikesiva]

De Kock gets his half century!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Is Archer struggling or is there too much expectation?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Statswise, in terms of SR, Curran has had a better start in Tests than Archer.

[yuppie]

Any reason why they are 7 overs short? Was their rain or did the heat take a toll?

[Arthur Crabtree]

They were certainly complaining about the heat. Stokes was off the field because of the heat.

[The Professor]

Pleased for Curran, his away form was something of an inhibitor from him pushing on so getting career best figures away from home will be good for him.

[sussexpob]

They were certainly complaining about the heat. Stokes was off the field because of the heat.

This was the Aggers line, but come on! 30 degrees is hardly abnormal away from home. He kept on the England are never wrong narrative by blaming everything.

Stokes may have gone off the field because his father is intensive care. Feel for the lad, he should be sent home rather than dragged out to play while his dad fights for his life. Apparently hasn't been training for this test because of it.

If I were root I'd ask a gentleman's agreement that he be subbed and allowed to be with his family. Best wishes to him

[sussexpob]

Pleased for Curran, his away form was something of an inhibitor from him pushing on so getting career best figures away from home will be good for him.

It's a grassy wicket though, so hardly one he'd feel alien on. The test is going to be the pancakes elsewhere...

[mikesiva]

De Kock fell just short of a century. Out for 95.

IMHO, it's always going to be hard to bowl 90 overs when you don't pick a specialist spinner. I have always believed that this rule discriminates against a four prong pace attack.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Root and Denly bowled a few. Maybe as many as you'd expect on a first day when you put the opposition in.

No excuses, as I may have said before. You even get an extra half hour.

[bigfluffylemon]

Not bad, not great after sticking the opposition in. Somehow you think batting last will be a challenge though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good start with the ball for SA. Still, a familiar situation for England.