Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14-18

[Aidan11]

No surprise he gets the last as well.

The first half hour is the Jimmy Show.

[rich1uk]

No surprise he gets the last as well.

The first half hour is the Jimmy Show.

think if he could have picked his ideal conditions then a overcast morning at Trent Bridge, a new ball and a long tail would be close to his dream setup

[alfie]

And Jimmy completes the five wicket haul ...does he ever like Trent Bridge !

All out 335 represents as good an outcome as England might have hoped for overnight. Quite brilliant bowling from Anderson ; I felt he was a little unlucky yesterday at times and as so often happens the odds went in his favour today.

Now comes the tricky bit as England will take strike with the bowling conditions quite good for the likes of Philander this morning...

[rich1uk]

lots of starts for SA but no-one made the most of it

7 batsmen made 19+ and 5 made 34+

[alfie]

lots of starts for SA but no-one made the most of it

7 batsmen made 19+ and 5 made 34+

Yes - it was really just the two partnerships that produced that score - or two and a half if you count Amla/Kuhn ...which in fairness was probably worth more than the runs in seeing off the England opening bowlers , who really do still look a lass above the back-ups.

Batting will be challenging for England against this new ball - but if they can get through the first burst they may have a chance to get on top in the game as I don't think the conditions will aid the bowlers as much later in the day.

[Aidan11]

Unlucky Cook.

[Aidan11]

Oh FFS.

[rich1uk]

just what i was worried about, in a way a good time for SA to get bowled out so they get to bowl when the ball is doing a bit

[alfie]

England in a spot of trouble here ...

SA have bowled well : bit surprised to see the Cook thin edge revealed by drs as , like Warne ,I thought they were going up for lbw. And then Jennings got a beauty from Morkel

With Ballance likely to be severely tested in these conditions the pressure is right on young cap'n Joe...

[alfie]

just what i was worried about, in a way a good time for SA to get bowled out so they get to bowl when the ball is doing a bit

Well true...but I guess the alternative of letting them get 420 or so wasn't altogether attractive either

While this weather pattern continues mornings are going to be a bit fraught for batsmen.

Root with a couple of fine cover drives either side of a lucky slash ... Lively session !

[rich1uk]

yesterday things got a bit easier when the opening spell from Broad and Anderson was over and the change bowlers came on, can the SA bowlers avoid that today when Morkel and Philander get a break

[Arthur Crabtree]

Duanne's fca of 21 is quite impressive looking.

Might get MM and Big Vern back after lunch I suppose if the support doesn't maintain pressure.

[alfie]

Root certainly ready to get after anything loose from Morris ! These two dealing almost exclusively in boundaries...

Can't complain about a lack of action.

Here comes Olivier. Not seen him .

[Aidan11]

We've scored more runs in the morning session than SA did yesterday, and we didn't begin to bat until 45 minutes in.

[rich1uk]

Root's not hanging around

moves on to 48 from just 38 deliveries

edit : partnership is 78 from 71