It's the light, luminous green of Pakistan against the dark, moody green of South Africa today. Kyle Abbott shares the new ball duties with Steyn and Pakistan pick up their first boundary when Sarfraz Ahmed whips four behind square. Sarfraz is batting outside his crease and also walking at the bowling - let's see if he does that against Steyn.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Why would you want to be a bowler? The game is really silly at the moment. No kid will want to be a bowler."

Dale Steyn is ferocious, isn't he? He bowls at the speed of light and always looks like he would take candy from a child. No inch given, no quarter expected. He whistles a couple past the outside edge in his first over - just a leg-bye taken.

Image source, ALLSPORT

Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed will open the batting, while Dale Steyn has the ball in hand.

A little huddle for the South Africans. Why do teams do that? They've spent the last month together. Pakistan's openers are just getting padded up and ready for battle.

Chris Marshman: Definitely think Jos Buttler will be one to pass on to the grandkids by the end of his career. Watched him hit six fours in the first over of an under-19s England game a few years ago and look where he is now. One to watch!

Salim Lohiya: You don't feel Tendulkar would be worth including in your list?

Never mind the size of the playing area, Stephan. What are the pies like? And do they sell oat cakes?

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Auckland

"I can't dress this up. In a country of picturesque, characterful cricket grounds, Eden Park just doesn't cut it. A soulless concrete bowl, every single seat is grey to rob the venue of any colour.

"The playing area itself - a rugby ground - isn't fit for international cricket, far too small. Any redeeming qualities? Yes, you can complete a whole lap around the concourse with hitting any obstacles. A big tick."

Ilyas Najib: Everyone always seems to write off the Pakistani chances, let's not forget a tiger is most dangerous when cornered.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Not many people in South Africa that I have spoken to expect South Africa to win the World Cup. There isn't as much pressure on these players because they expect the team to do something daft again, but I'm not so sure.

"This side is capable of winning it because they have match-winners. Dale Steyn is a serious bowler in any era you want to pick, and and I've seen or played 50 years of cricket."

We're almost ready to get under way in Auckland, where the weather is pretty windy. We might get some showers later too.

For now though, it's Pakistan to bat first.

Image source, Reuters

Last time we were at Eden Park, we were treated to an absolute cracker of a match. New Zealand skittled Australia for 151, but made a meal of their run-chase and edged to their target with just one wicket to spare.

The two stars of the show that evening were left-arm quicks Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc. Will Pakistan's batsmen put enough on the board to give Wahab Riaz and Mo Irfan chance to replicate that success tonight?

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Pakistan, for a lot of times in history, have confounded themselves and everybody else over the years because you could never be sure which team would turn up. This team doesn't have the set of great players, the iconic players, that can change games as they did in the past."

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, here are your teams:

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

We're asking which of today's cricketers you will be telling the grandkids about...

Arbaz: Shahid Afridi, how can the next generation not be aware of BOOM BOOM?!

South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis, speaking on Sky Sports: "It's a small ground so hopefully there won't be lots of twos. I think swing will play a role up front so we need wickets. I like the time we are getting between games because we can practice on specific things. We're happy going into the quarter-finals. There's no pressure on anyone, we're all chipping in."

BBC Radio Test Match Special

How good is it when you can go to bed every night listening to Test Match Special? What are we going to do when this is all over? Let's worry about that at the end of the month. The TMS team are on the air - listen on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra or online through a variety of connected devices.

Image source, AP

There was just the one game yesterday, as India beat West Indies by four wickets to make it four wins out of four and seal their place in the last eight.

It was a far closer contest than many predicted, especially after West Indies were reduced to 85-7. Captain Jason Holder's 57 steered the Windies to what was ultimately close to a competitive total.

India stuttered in their chase until their own captain MS Dhoni steadied the ship and guided them home with an unbeaten 45.

And I'd like to use AB as our subject to get tonight's social media juices flowing. I reckon AB is one of a handful of cricketers I have seen who I will tell the grandkids about in 40 years' time: AB, Brian Lara, Shane Warne and Ian Austin.

Which of today's current crop will you be telling the grandkids about and why?

Let me know, using #bbccricket,, external or send a text to 81111 - remember to include your name. You can also email tms@bbc.co.uk

Image source, Getty Images

It's worth staying up tonight just to watch a giant of our times: Mr Abraham Benjamin de Villiers. Or AB to his mates.

So far in this tournament, the South Africa captain has already battered West Indies for 162 off just 62 balls. See it, hit it. Far.

It could be carnage at Eden Park, where there are short, straight boundaries.

Is there a more dynamic batsman in world cricket? Has there ever been a more dynamic batsman?