Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"The way Compton played in Durban was the perfect style of batting for that pitch and you hope that would improve his confidence.  On a wicket like this which is so true and against an off-spinner he's got to be a bit busier."

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special

"The ball's not done a great deal or spun for the spinner. South Africa have bowled better line and length after that first hour. England have been happy to just sit and wait"

So, after winning the toss, England will be very pleased with their lunch-time score. Alastair Cook and Alex Hales put on 55 for the first wicket and now the latter is 38 not out against a determined-looking Nick Compton (3 off 32).

Lunch comes at a good time for England, who have ground to a halt a little. Another maiden, but at 76-1 England can get fed and watered and come out with renewed vigor in 40 minutes' time.

Television cameras pick up on a rather portly, shirtless man of a certain vintage who is in and out of sleep. Football tattoo on his arm, he doesn't see much of another maiden, I just hope he put the Slip-Slop-Slap on, otherwise he's going to get very sunburnt during his 40 winks.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

"I was sitting at home watching the first Test and I thought straight away Hales looks the part, he looked like he belonged and he didn't look like he was being intimidated."

Spectators are beginning to crack open the cool boxes and apply their second coating of UV protection as the sun beats down and the clock ticks towards lunch. Dane Piedt to Nick Compton. Six dots. Nothing else to add.

Image source, Richard McGlasham

Richard McGlasham: The Playground, Durham School. A beautiful tree-lined sun trap, a hefty slog sweep to the River Wear & overlooked by Durham Cathedral.

Alex Hales will kick himself if he gives this away now. He's done all the hard work and is getting the benefits as he slashes four wide of gully when Morne Morkel delivers a filthy short and wide delivery.

Image source, Brian Atkins

Brian Atkins, Whitchurch, Shropshire: I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the ground that even Bradman said was the most beautiful he had played on - Brockton Oval, Stanley Park, Vancouver. I was fortunate to play there once.

Image source, Getty Images

England are watchful against the off-spin of Dane Piedt, Alex Hales knocking a single down the ground. 

Image source, Tom Ferry

Tom Ferry: The most beautiful ground I've seen is Wormsley. Stunning!

Image source, Reuters

Chris Morris is being trusted with plenty of work this morning. He's into his eighth over and he's getting a hint of reverse swing to Nick Compton who is happy to let the ball go through to the keeper.

Compton, by the way, has a domestic T20 strike-rate of 115, which suggests he is capable of scoring quickly. So we really should be celebrating the fact he was one of the men responsible for putting England 1-0 up in the series with his obdurate display in Durban. Just what is nedded at number three.

Time for some spin. What can Dane Piedt do on this track, which is reminiscent of those served up at the Waca down the years. He starts with a maiden. There's not loads of turn, but he still looks capable of troubling the batsmen with his flight.

Image source, Joe Langridge

Joe Langridge: Let's give the MCG a mention - 10th largest ground in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest ground in the southern hemisphere, largest cricket ground by capacity (100,000) and the tallest light towers of any sporting venue. The ground with the most superlatives.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"If South Africa are the number one team in the world there's a problem with Test cricket. I've never really understood those rankings."

Image source, Rex Features

Nick Compton is one of the few batsmen in the world who doesn't seem fazed to be stuck on nought. It's almost a badge of honour. He's zero off 10 balls before he tickles a single off his hips to get up and running. 

Andrew Hook: Among the hype over T20, they've added seats at Newlands to accommodate fans. High quality test cricket will bring the fans