First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Probably fair to say that SA's batters have been more resilient than many expected. Though no big scores.

[alfie]

Probably fair to say that SA's batters have been more resilient than many expected. Though no big scores.

Plenty of starts but yes that has been the difference between the teams so far ...only Root has made a big one. And Moeen I guess ...he is having a splendid match.

If England can get the last two quickly after luncheon they will fancy batting while the pitch stays good - and the sun is out.

[meninblue]

Big wicket of Quinton.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maharaj has a couple of first class tons.

[Arthur Crabtree]

But not another today!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nice little 2-fer for Dawson.

Spinners 5, seamers 4 ;)

[alfie]

Well earned fifty for Philander

Frustrating for England since lunch ; I do question why we've seen so much of Wood - who seems a bit off colour - and Dawson ; surely you need your best bowlers on ...

And Moeen comes on at last and that's it ! Four for Mo and a lead of 97

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fifty for Big Vern and lead under 100.

But Mo's 102nd Test wicket wraps things up. Handy lead then, but not matchwinning on a ground where the strips tend to last a lot longer than 5 days.

[meninblue]

97 runs lead. England bowling has done well here.

[alfie]

It's a good lead...not the rock-crusher it might have been perhaps after Bavuma got out : credit to de Kock and the courageous Philander - who has apparently suffered a break which has scuppered his bowling for this game...

SA running out of fast bowlers , one way or another . Pity that Abbot chap isn't around

[alfie]

Wonder how this pitch will develop ? As Arthur says , it tends to last here ; but this strip was unusually dry and helping the spinners more than the pace men even yesterday...might be a bit different this time. Not sure I'd fancy batting last : we will see.
At the moment SA have a problem with only two fit pace men : Elgar will need to be canny in his juggling of the attack. At least he has a couple of useful part timers.

[meninblue]

England cruising at 145 with all wickets intact. South Africa will have to bat exceptionally well to draw this test.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cook and Jennings will be sick to miss out on a ton here.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presume Big Vern and Rabada are both out the next game now.

[alfie]

Philander only bruised , I gather. So may be OK next match ?

Duminy and Maharaj probably giving the batsmen more trouble than the seamers on this low-bouncing pitch. Runs only trickling at the moment ...

Jennings likes his reverse sweeps and pulls doesn't he ? Must be after a gig with the whiteball mob