Summary

Live Reporting

by Matthew Henry & Mike Peter

  1. Ice creams and brollies. Cricket in September, eh?!

    CardiffReuters

  2. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer at Sophia Gardens

    I'm so sorry.

    It's raining again.

  3. By the way, it's not traffic updates we're providing.

    While we wait for the match to start the BBC online cricket are free and available.

    Matthew Henry will wash your car, Stephan Shemilt will fix your roof and Ffion Wynne will teach you a rudimentary understanding of Plato's Republic.

  4. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    M6 between junctions 15 and 20 seem to have been closed both ways for about the last eight years?

    Nigel, Altrincham

    North of the river (Trent) in Nottingham City Centre, we had a road closure because of a bust water main - 9m tall spout of water! Probably still less water than Sophia Gardens at present…

    Che, West Bridgford, Nottingham

    The Sannat Road at Tac Cawla, Victoria, Gozo, Malta MT is closed.

    Andy, Malta International Airport

  5. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer at Sophia Gardens

    There will be an inspection at 19:30 BST if there is no more rain, which is a big 'if'.

    I haven't seen a single player or member of coaching staff from either side yet.

  6. How to win the Ashes 2005

    On Friday, it will be 20 years since the final day of the 2005 Ashes. In case you haven't seen it yet, there's a superb documentary on iPlayer looking back on that glorious summer.

    You can watch it on iPlayer here, or settle in and watch below...

  7. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Frederick Road in Salford is closed for what looks like some heavy duty construction, Mike

    Phil, Salford

  8. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer at Sophia Gardens

    Okay, it has stopped raining.

    That clean-up operation has started - let's see how long it lasts...

  9. Distinct lack of news about road closures across the country.

    I can only conclude that Britain's roads are running smoothly, except in the Cardiff area and on Matt's commute.

  10. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer at Sophia Gardens

    We've been told that if it stops raining right this second, it'll be an hour and a half to get things cleared up and ready for play.

    The cut-off time is 21:16 BST.

  11. International classics in Cardiff

    England v South Africa (18:30 BST)

    Liam Livingstone strikes a boundary for England against Australia in CardiffGetty Images

    Cardiff has hosted some memorable international clashes through the years since the first, a meeting between Australia and New Zealand at the 1999 World Cup.

    That encounter went the way of the Kiwis thanks to an unbeaten 80 by Roger Twose, although the Aussies got over that disappointment by lifting the trophy.

    Three Tests have been played in Cardiff with England beating Australia by 169 runs in 2015 and Sri Lanka by an innings and 14 runs in 2011.

    However, the first Test hosted by the ground was undoubtedly the most memorable with James Anderson and Monty Panesar helping England cling on to draw the Ashes opener in 2009.

    England have a formidable international T20 record at Sophia Gardens with nine wins from 10.

    Last year Liam Livingstone smashed a 47-ball 87 in the three-wicket win against Australia, with the victory secured with six balls remaining.

    Yet possibly the most celebrated international was a 50-over friendly in 2002 when Wales defeated England by eight wickets.

    The home side, featuring nine Glamorgan players, Somerset's Steffan Jones and South Africa superstar Jacques Kallis, cruised to victory with nine and a half overs to spare.

    Captain Steve James scored an unbeaten 83 while Robert Croft claimed 2 for 36 from his 10 overs as an England side featuring Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Graham Thorpe, Alec Stewart and Andrew Flintoff were left red-faced.

  12. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer at Sophia Gardens

    As the local resident, I'm very familiar with the sight of rain falling here.

    The full covers are on, run ups and all. It's just a steady drizzle but it has been raining since about 10pm last night so there are some hefty puddles out there.

    I hope to bring you better news soon.

  13. My colleague Matthew Henry informs me that Bradford Road in Stanningley is closed.

    More as we get it.

  14. Road closures

    England v South Africa (18:30 BST)

    Crowds of people inside Sophia GardensGetty Images

    The attendance at Sophia Gardens might not rival the crowd size for the Oasis summer gigs in Cardiff but it has still prompted a number of road closures from 4.30pm to 11pm.

    Sophia Close is shut from the Cathedral Road junction while access to Talbot Street, which is opposite, is for residents only.

    The same applies for Fields Park Road and Fairleigh Avenue to the north of Cathedral Road close to the Pontcanna Fields Car Park and the Halfway pub.

    Cardiff council warn that "the suspension of the bus lane southbound on Cathedral Road maybe required and will be implemented accordingly".

  15. If you are heading to the ground, my colleagues from BBC Wales have provided me with some news on local road closures.

    Given we'll likely be waiting around for a bit, I may start taking your traffic news from anywhere.

    Might as well provide a service while we wait...

  16. Right then, the umpires are on the outfield taking a look at the ground conditions.

    Some of the covers are being moved around, and the super soppers are out to mop some rather substantial puddles.

    I'm not especially hopeful of a swift start, let's put it that way.

  17. England last played in this format in June, when they completed a 3-0 clean sweep against the West Indies.

    South Africa represent a sterner test as Harry Brook's team begin their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February.

    After these three games they travel to Ireland and New Zealand for three-match series, but won't play 20-over again until after the Ashes, when they play, you guessed it, three more fixtures against Sri Lanka prior to the tournament.

  18. 'Risk of scattered showers'

    England v South Africa (18:30 BST)

    Sue Charles
    BBC Wales weather presenter

    Sue Charles stands in front of a weather map of Wales

    In Cardiff this afternoon there was a lot of cloud around and frequent showers, some heavy with a risk of thunder.

    That’s all moving eastwards and will ease to allow some late brightness, but with winds picking up it will feel cooler than recent days at 17/18C.

    It will be drier for a time this evening but still blustery with an ongoing risk of scattered showers.

  19. rain stops play

    Toss delayed

    Toss delayed wording on the screen with covers on the pitchPA Media

    Yes, after a summer that has largely been uninterrupted by rain, I'm afraid to report it's currently tipping it down in Cardiff and the toss has been delayed.

    A few brave souls are sheltering under umbrellas in the stands, but otherwise the ground looks pretty deserted.

    The forecast does improve as the evening goes on though - in fact, here's a more detailed view from our colleagues in weather...

  20. Harry BrookGetty Images

    Hello there.

    After losing 2-1 to South Africa in the ODIs, the two sides switch to the T20 format as England wind down their international summer.

    We've got three games in this series, starting this evening in Cardiff with matches in Manchester and Nottingham to follow on Friday and Sunday.

    England lost their first two games in the ODIs fairly convincingly, but stormed back to beat the tourists by a record 342 runs in the final dead rubber.

    Which version of Harry Brook's side shall we see today?

    Well, if the weather allows us, we'll find out shortly...