Nick Compton has gone for 58 to leave England 155-4 in their warm-up match against a South African Invitation XI in Potchefstroom.

James Taylor has reached his half-century and has been joined at the crease by Gary Ballance, who is fighting for a place in the starting XI to face South Africa on Boxing Day. 

British astronaut Tim Peake, who is currently on his way to space, has reportedly taken a Stoke City flag with him on his six-month trip.

He was persuaded to take the flag by a lifelong Potters fan.

To mark Tim's historic journey we want your Space XI, tweets us with your suggestions to #spaceXI

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A trust fund has been set up for Jonah Lomu's children after it was revealed the New Zealand rugby union great had almost no savings when he died.

Lomu died at the age of 40 in November having been diagnosed with a rare and serious kidney condition in 1995.

The chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association said Lomu's generosity had left him with virtually no money at the time of his death.

"Jonah's family have not asked for this assistance," said Rob Nichol.

Compton has now made his 50 - good stuff on his first England appearance in three years - with James Taylor on 39. England are 128-3 in the first warm-up game of their South Africa tour, against a South African invitational XI.

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West Brom are considering a move for Besiktas strikerKerim Frei, 22, if a move for QPR forward Matt Phillips falls through, reportsThe Mirror., external

Frei has previously played for Fulham in the Premier League.

In honour of British astronaut Tim Peake - who, as we're sure you're aware, has just successfully blasted towards space (and looks remarkably calm about it all) - we are asking for your Space XI.

Randomly anyone remember when two astronauts turned up to Villa Park two seasons ago?

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England, remember, are three down - Alastair Cook, Alex Hales and Joe Root losing their wickets in the morning session.

Nick Compton is with James Taylor at the crease.

We want to hear your Space XI 🚀🌟

El double E ess: Henrik STARsson.

Dominic: Rocket Santa Cruz & Jupiter Hoilett

Alex: Obafemi Martians

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Notts County boss Ricardo Moniz says his 'street-wise' personality helps him cope with hand-to-handle players.

"We have a few characters which a lot of clubs and coaches would run away from. I think you should guide them in a good direction and be a leader," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"If people are not different, we only create robots. It starts with the youth, sometimes difficult characters are sent away but they are the best."

Gianfranco Solar anyone?

Blackburn Rovers extended their unbeaten Championship run to eight games as they were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest.

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It means Rovers boss Paul Lambert continues his unblemished record since taking over and, not surprisingly, he was pretty chuffed afterwards.

"We dominated the game against a good side so from that point of view I'm delighted with the effort," said Lambert.

"Taking 11 points from 15 is a massive return and I can't fault the lads for the way they are playing and the effort they have given."

With British Astronaut Tim Peake about to take off into space, we're asking for your Space XI. 

Will_Enever: Wayne Moon-ey 

Jon Barbuti: NASA Chadli.

And well done to our colleague Saj Chowdhury who is light years ahead of the rest of the office. His favourite one so far - Sputnik Barmby.... 

Get involved by using #SpaceXI on Twitter. 

Aw,how nice.

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Chelsea will resume their £40m bid to sign Everton's England centre-half John Stones, 21, as soon as the transfer window opens in January, according to the Daily Express., external

It can't have escaped your attention that a Briton is about to launch into space. 

In light of that, we want your Space XI. 

Gianfranco Solar? Orion Shawcross? Send us your suggestions using #SpaceXI on Twitter, and we'll put a team together later today. 

We're ignoring one of our colleagues who wants 'John Extra-Terry-estrial' in there.

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LJ Messam: Leicester top five. Foxes would snap your hand off for that high a finish preseason. Still cant see them as serious challengers.

Kharisu Mahmud: Leicester chances of winning the league is slim...but Chelsea will definitely survive the relegation battle .

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Sam Burgess will return to rugby league in an All-Stars game on 13 February.

Burgess, 27, rejoined South Sydney Rabbitohs after cutting short his time in rugby union following England's ill-fated World Cup campaign.

Burgess, whose move has not yet been sanctioned by the National Rugby League, has been named in a World XIII to play an Indigenous Australian side.

England trio James Graham, Gareth Widdop and Burgess' younger brother Tom, have also been picked.

Bath head coach Mike Ford has revealed he recommended prop duo Henry Thomas and Nick Auterac to new England boss Eddie Jones at a recent meeting.

Jones met Ford at Bath's training base on Friday to talk about the Premiership club's England contingent.

"I gave him a couple of names such as Henry Thomas and Nick Auterac in particular," Ford told BBC Points West. "We exchanged numbers and he's keen to build up a good relationship."

Alstallio: Two-horse race after Monday between Arsenal and Leicester. Man City will be out of it soon and Chelsea are slipping on all that oil.

Iain Wilson: Mourinho saying Chelsea aren't in a relegation battle. Is that only because they're not battling at all?

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Chris: What's happening now at Chelsea could have happened at Man Utd if LvG hadnt stopped us conceding goals.  

Henry Moeran
BBC Test Match Special in Potchefstroom

England have reached lunch at 90-3 with James Taylor 12 and the impressive Nick Compton on 36.

Having had openers Alastair Cook (2) and Alex Hales (8) out cheaply in the first few overs, it fell to Compton and Joe Root to try and gain some momentum. Root led the response with a quick-fire 28 (all of his runs came in fours), but was then caught behind to leave Compton the task of building an innings and catching the eye of the England coaching staff.

He's looked rarely troubled, timing the ball nicely and – crucially – leaving the ball with confidence and assurance. Alongside him, Taylor – looking every inch the Test batsman – has played solidly for his 12 and offered a good steadying hand at a time when England needed it.

Just a reminder – England can bat for a maximum of 100 overs. At lunch on day one they’re 90-3.