Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Nick Compton won't have faced bowling like this in county cricket - the height, the pace, the angle, the field..."

Van Zyl attempts to gee Morkel up from the slip cordon, which is now down to two members. Taylor, who rarely misses an opportunity to score off the back foot, swivel-pulls for a single to a deepish mid-wicket. Does that field suggest South Africa are on the defensive? Not quite, but England's position is improving by the over. Compton ducking as Morkel goes round the wicket.

Hugh: Given England will inevitably be 50-3 in every innings, why not put the bowlers at the top of the order so there are more batsmen left to help the rebuild?

From the tall, gangly Morkel at one end to the tiny Piedt at the other. From pace and steepling bounce to gentle twirlers. Don't you just love cricket...? Taylor nurdling, England building.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Morne Morkel is a very good bowler. His angle was awful for me, there was never any width. He was on my list of bowlers I hated facing. I almost couldn't wait to face Dale Steyn at the other end."

A finger stinger. Morkel extracts lift from this pitch and Taylor is struck on the bat handle or bottom hand as he blocks. But he's still there.

Morne Morkel returns to the attack, Compton pulls a single to take England to three figures and wicketkeeper AB de Villiers takes one on the body as he tries to collect the throw from the outfield. It's notable only because South Africa have been so tidy in the field today.

Paul Hawkins: This partnership is Taylor-made, straight outta Compton.

Scott Fowler: Compton has many Trott-like qualities. If he turns out a run machine like Trott then it's a big bonus for England.

Shamim Miah: Players dropped by England often return with big performance & determined. Both Compton and Taylor looking good.

Taylor unfurls a deft paddle-sweep before Compton brings up the fifty stand with another single. Well batted, chaps. Tea is 20 minutes away. Can they make it?

The fair-haired Van Zyl, a solid-looking character who you suspect would be a handy rugby player, continues with his probing line on or outside off stump. Compton treats him much like he would a bowling machine: front foot forward, firm drive, admire the shot, no run.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Compton is not looking comfortable at all at the minute. He looks jittery and his timing has gone."

Oooh. A scuttler from Piedt keeps low and Taylor jams his bat down on it - French cricket-style. Compton survives an appeal at short leg - not bat there - before he makes the most of a rare misfield at square leg to gather a single and move to 30.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Some players come back stronger and better after being left out. It doesn't follow that it is the end of your career after being dropped. Compton spoke to me in the summer, asking what he had to do to get back in the side. I said I didn't know - the only person who does is Andrew Strauss. The lad had desire to play so he needed to talk to the man who had the say."

Image source, Getty Images

Is this a sign that South Africa are struggling for answers to the Compton-Taylor conundrum? Stiaan van Zyl, opening batsman and part-time medium-pace trundler, is thrown the ball. Actually, he's lucky to be called medium-pace. Graham Gooch-esque. But good enough to beat Taylor's outside edge with the final ball.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"England's position is still precarious. After being put in it is the worst scenario you would accept. I don't think Compton has quite got the balance yet of occupying the crease and also taking the game to the bowlers. When you have 20-odd off 80 balls it is when the pressure starts to build, as you feel you should be scoring more. South Africa will know the reason Compton got dropped and will want to keep the pressure up."

James Taylor almost looks sub-continental at times, such is his penchant for the leg side with those rubbery wrists. I bet he has a mean table tennis forehand. One off that over from Dane Piedt.

Image source, Getty Images

Compton and Taylor deserve immense credit. Coming together at 49-3, they have helped avert a collapse with a watchful partnership that is approaching 50. Against the best pace bowler in the world. And his not-too-shabby mates. On a seamer-friendly track.

Ben Thapa: England need one of these two to make a ton if they're going to post a competitive first-innings score.   

Adam Napthine: Can anyone explain why Compton (an opener) is at 3 and Hales (bats at 4 for Notts) is opening?