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After a minor problem with something behind the bowler's arm, Root ends the with a pinched single. Given the circumstances, England's running between the wickets has been impressive.

Eng 48-2 (17.1 overs)published at 11:35 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2015

11:35 GMT 26 December 2015

Take that! Abbott is a smidge short, Root rocks back and fairly wallops it over midwicket for six. That went flat. And hard. The counter-attack is on... Maybe.

Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special

"With Durban being cloudy you expect bad light to play a part later. So this session before tea is vital. It has been a slow bounce today and Root has looked class, including guiding that one down through gully. Batting is all about confidence and Root is a man who understands his own game and is in control."

Root could have done worse than bring a copy of the Yellow Pages to stand on today - both his feet are off the ground as he defends another lifter from Morkel. He follows it up with a controlled cut/force between point and gully. Lovely, Joe. The first boundary for six overs and only the third of the innings. Partnership worth 30 now.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It is intriguing cricket at the moment. Bowler-friendly conditions and they are putting them in the right spot. Root and Compton don't look entirely comfortable but they are weathering the storm."

Abbott continues to barrel in, his hair drenched with sweat. Or maybe he's gone for the wet-look gel today. Bang on the money - targeting the top of off stump. Slim pickings for the batsmen at the moment, the run-rate a mere 2.31 an over.

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New Zealandcruised to victory in their opening one-day international against Sri Lanka overnight.

The visitors never recovered from being reduced to 27-5 and eventually folded for 188.

The Black Cats rattled along to their target, completing the chase in just 21 overs as skipper Brendon McCullum smeared 55 off 25 balls.

The full scorecard ishere.

Compton just about evades another rip-snorter of a short ball, but is alert enough to push three wide of mid-off when Morkel goes fuller. Root then gets away with an edged drive wide of the three hungry slips. A blow to Compton's hip to finish the over. This is absorbing stuff in conditions that are firmly favouring the seamers. South Africa sense wickets.

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David: Why is Hales getting so much stick? Lost toss in bowling conditions played himself in a bit. Off for rain, very tough on debut .

Rob Meech: Writing off a man's Test career after one innings - is it 1995? Pathetic. 

Compton, deep in his crease, is much as I remember him when he last played for England: compact, watchful, minimal yet precise foot movement, negligible backlift. He's drawn forward by Abbott.... and watches the ball zip past the outside edge. A puff of the cheeks all round.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Disappointing for Alex Hales. It was a leaden-footed drive. It is fuel for his detractors. I wouldn't read too much into it, though. I'm sure he will have a good score this series."

Morkel, back into the attack after that change of ends, finds lift and has Compton taken at short leg. Or does he? That looked - and sounded - in real time like a regulation catch, but the appeal is muted and replays showed the ball missed the bat. Good job I'm not umpiring. Compton surviving. Just.

Oooof! Abbott, replacing Morkel, finds extra bounce and Root - on his toes - is fending one off towards the slips. It lands short. The South Africa quicks have got steam coming out of their nostrils today. Maiden over.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I thought he earned that boundary by playing straight and well. He's played and missed at a couple but if you stay in long enough you will get balls to hit. You have to limit your own mistakes."

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Compton's first boundary, a searing cut as Steyn lets slip a rare wide one. Playing his first Test since he appeared against New Zealand in May 2013, Compton is looking as solid as can be expected.

The stump mic is certainly turned up in Durban - probably for the best that Australia aren't playing. "Wait there! Yes!" screams  Joe Root as he steals a single off Steyn.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"A wonderful ball from Morkel, just in that corridor, using his height. If he did nick it, it will have been so fine only the men behind the stumps would have been able to hear it."

So the responsibility for the rescue act falls on Joe Root again. How often have we said that over the past year or so...? Morkel goes short, Root goes back to defend. An inside edge on to his thigh shows it's far from comfortable out there. Should leave a nice bruise.

There's a muted appeal for caught behind off the last ball of the over. Compton survives and South Africa's faffing costs them the chance of a review.

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Jack Mendel: Analyse Hales' all you want, he isn't a technician. He's in a Sehwag role. If and when he comes off, it will be stunning.

Nick Cutts: Nice of Hales & Cook to allow Root to get as much time at the crease as possible.

Rt. Rev. Liam Reilly: I look forward to seeing Alastair Cook's 9th opening partner in the next series. Either that or Compton at 2 & bring in Hildreth.