Love at First Slip: There's a good chance Chris Woakes will take as many wickets in this Test match as he did in the first.

Image source, Rex Features

What's he appealing for that for? He hit it...

Those were my initial thoughts but replays show Morne Morkel had every right to implore Aleem Dar when he got one to slide into Alex Hales' pads.

The bowler thinks about a review. So does the skipper. But wisely they decide against it, with the ball proving to be going down leg and missing.

Image source, Sam Barker

Sam Barker: Has to be Cockfosters CC's renowned Chalk Lane ground, where it never rains and the scorers are paid in pots of gold...

All of the beauty of Test cricket in one delivery: a packed house, a picturesque ground, the sun beating down, a full length delivery offering a hint of swing and an elegant drive to the cover boundary for four by the England captain. A scene which would make a lovely water colour.

Next ball up, Chris Morris induces an edge from Cook which drops short of the slip cordon but plants the seed that he is in the game too.

Image source, Pete Philpott

Pete Philpott: Forget the international grounds the best backdrop has to be Bamburgh Castle cricket ground.

Hashim Amla might be under enormous pressure, but he doesn't look like it. Wearing a floppy hat and standing with his collars upturned, he's offering quiet instruction to his men who are keeping England in check so far. A maiden over, meaning Alex Hales is 11 balls without a run. He'll be keen to get off the mark.

Image source, Getty Images

Bob Hilbourne: It must be the old Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. Packed in to the stand sharing one’s seat with a local fan but with great views of the Blue Mountains at the other end of the ground.

Chris Morris shares the new ball with Morne Morkel. The 28-year-old is making his Test debut, but he's no stranger to international cricket and has shown in limited-overs cricket that he's got decent pace and can exploit any movement which is available.

He'll be happy with his first set of six as a Test bowler as Alastair Cook plays out a maiden.

Image source, Getty Images

Carl Carritt: Headingley. The way the sun shines off all them trophies is magical.

Alex Hales takes a deep breath, looks round the field and squints with determination before taking guard. He leaves his first delivery, trusting the bounce which is true and produces good carry through to the keeper. Perhaps a sign of the pace in this pitch is the fact the short leg fielder is about 10 yards further back than usual.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I don't see any reason why England should not make a big total. It's a good toss for the England openers."

Here we go then. Morne Morkel, arms and legs all over the shop (I bet he's good at Twister), bounds in and Alastair Cook tickles a single off his hips.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"England can afford to risk Jimmy Anderson because they've got cover with an all-rounder. It's not like when South Africa lost Dale Steyn."

So England will bat first. Time for Alex Hales to go big. He strikes me as a player for the big occasion. This strikes me as the big occasion.

Image source, Getty Images

James Cowe: Has to be the WACA for me. Fantastic history behind it. Also cause it's around the corner from me!

The two teams are out on the field of play, lining up side by side for the national anthems. The sun is beating down on a simply resplendent Newlands.

God Save the Queen is belted out by some patriotic England fans, before the South Africa national anthem which starts off with some Elton John-like piano keys before the beautiful lines of The Call of South Africa.

Now it's time to play.

Trevor Bayliss must be pretty giddy at the possibilities of an England Test team which bats down to number eight (at the very least!) and a bowling attack which seems to cover all bases. Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali bring so much balance to the team.

"There is still a lot of improvement in this team," said Bayliss ahead of this Test. "It's only just the beginning of a journey for this young team."

South Africa: Stiaan van Zyl, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, Dane Piedt, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel.

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Alex Hales, Nick Compton, Joe Root, James Taylor, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steven Finn.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan), Bruce Oxenford (Australia)TV umpire: Rod Tucker (Australia)Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Image source, BBC Sport

Sam and Tom: We've just summited Lions Head mountain in Cape Town (at 6am no less!) amid a barrage of abuse from angry Proteas fans. Just doing our bit for international relations.