Mickey Wallis: I simply don't understand Cook's captaincy. You have to dangle a carrot Alastair. Otherwise we'll just get a boring draw..

Bairstow sweeps Piedt for a single. Still no sign of any movement on the England balcony - not even a crossword being filled in.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"England have not had a king pair in a Test match since 1906. Ernie Hayes against South Africa in Cape Town."

Woakes made a golden duck in the first innings but avoided a king pair in the second innings.

I think what I like most about the picture below is the way Stokes has retained his England cap. And Joe Root's filled out a bit, hasn't he?

I digress. Back to the cricket, and Abbott drifts one on to Woakes' pads and is punished with a crisp drive for four. Oh, and that's even better, full face of the bat and creamed back down the ground. Woakes holds the high elbow pose for the snappers. Loving his work.

Bairstow and Woakes keep the scoreboard ticking over with some scampered singles.

Meanwhile, an extraordinary photo has landed in our inbox...

Kyle Abbott gets us going at the other end. Nice shot from Chris Woakes, a late caress behind point that brings him four.

Vlad Родился царь: ‏4 and a half sessions are enough to get 400 runs...Broad and Ali's 1st innings luck is gone....Elgar + Amla centuries.

Peter Coles: ‏England shouldn't even think of declaring until their lead is at least 400.

50 for Jonny Bairstowpublished at 92 overs

92 overs

Eng 277-7

Image source, Getty Images

Well batted Jonny Bairstow. First ball after lunch, he eases Piedt into the leg-side and brings up a run-a-ball half-century. Just what the doctor ordered in these circumstances, rapid accumulation. JB, by the way, is now averaging 80 against South Africa, compared to his overall Test average of 28.

At the other end, Piedt is causing Woakes a few problems, and the number nine is very nearly snaffled at slip.

Image source, Reuters

Right then. Bairstow and Woakes ready and waiting. Dane Piedt with the ball, Let's play ball...

I think I understand. But what if England want the tiramisu instead?

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

"What Cook has got to think about is how long he needs to take 10 wickets. It looks like one of those surfaces where you could bat time a little bit. What if South Africa get a partnership going, get through the new ball and when Moeen comes on to bowl it's not three down and men around the bat?"

So when do England declare? We're just marking time now, waiting for Alastair Cook to call the batters and for the real game to begin in earnest. However, we know Cook is a naturally cautious skipper, so he'll probably want a lead in excess of 400. But how long is he prepared to wait, knowing that each over England use up is one fewer in which to bowl out South Africa?

However, it's not all bad for South Africa. In fact, I owe Dane Piedt an apology. Yesterday, in listing South Africa's litany of problems, I may have erm, kind of said that they didn't have a spinner.

Well didn't Piedt shut me up? The young off has bowled excellently in this innings to claim 5-133.

In fact, in just three Tests, he's now taken four hauls of at least four wickets; which is more than Moeen Ali has managed in 21 Tests.

Neil Manthorp
BBC Test Match Special

"There are six areas of serious concern for South Africa: Amla's form, Du Plessis' form, Duminy's form, the need for an opener to partner Dean Elgar, the problem of De Villiers keeping wicket, and Steyn's injury."

Image source, PA

AbyinWindum: Why boy bands on the day we lost Lemmy? Metal cricket: Norun Maiden, Whispering Death Metal, Runs 'n' Roses, Deep Square Purple.

Tom Steer: ‏The line up of the Donnington Monsters of (cricket) Rock festival: Iron Wicket Maiden, Legside Zeppelin, Deep Midwicket Purple.

Paul Nolan: Byean Maiden 

Thank you Stephan. England very much in the driving seat, elbow resting nonchalantly on the open car window, singing along merrily to the radio. South Africa? Trussed up in the boot, resigned to their fate.

Time for me to get out of here (and possibly have a little nap). Here's James Gheerbrant.

BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Rex Features

Just a reminder that during the interval Test Match Special will be speaking to author Dean Allen. Tune in and keep your cricket boy bands coming.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"England have played very sensible, sound cricket this morning. They've done everything they needed to do. Jonny Bairstow naturally scores quickly without even trying to, and he's had a good match."