Alex Hales is loving this. He bowls a moon ball which almost deceives Hashim Amla before he jabs his bat down. The next few deliveries are a little flatter. It's clear Hales has been told to give the ball as many revolutions as he can. Plenty of effort, but no cigar.

At least Hales is treated to a rendition of Happy Birthday from the Barmy Army. He was 27 yesterday. Many happy returns.

Oliver Gray: My first ever ball in cricket, very wet conditions, overstepped the crease and slipped over, ended up on my knees in the mud.

David Simpson: I got hit in the ribs by a beamer. Seeking revenge, I hooked at the next delivery and was bowled. Ribs and pride fractured.

David Knowles: In a particularly intense game of House Cricket I lost my otherwise Amla-esque poise and thick edged to second sofa. The shame.

Normality is resumed, Anderson plugging away with a ball that is now 35 overs old. Du Plessis blocks a couple, leaves a couple then drives a full toss back past the bowler for four. He had his back foot in the air then. Shades of Kevin Pietersen.

Jonny Wren: Surprising choice of Alex Hales introduces new tactic of trying to laugh Amla out.

This might have been a good move from Alastair Cook. You can see the smiles on the faces of the England fielders as Alex Hales rocks up for a bowl. The bowler gives it a bit of air and tries to give it a rip, but Hashim Amla has seen his type before. Just one from the over. Drinks.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Hales has got three first-class wickets at an average of 57. I don't know what Jonny Bairstow is laughing at - he was Hales' maiden first-class wicket."

James Anderson mutters to himself between deliveries. Maiden over.

And what's this? Alex Hales is going to have a bowl...

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"South Africa have batted nicely but they know one lapse of concentration and a real poor hour will turn this match on its head. But England do have to take every opportunity."

England are getting desperate now. Moeen Ali gets the ball to hit Hashim Amla's pads but the appeal falls down when I add that it struck the pads about two foot outside off stump. 

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Du Plessis has shown more body language and intent with his batting and I think that was a big thing for him. He has got a start and will want to make it count." 

Image source, Getty Images

To to shake the flat pop and hope you can find some fizz. James Anderson is given a chuck and Alastair Cook positions men on either side for the mis-timed drive. Anderson and Broad chat between deliveries: "Did you research that nice seafood restaurant for tonight?"

Anderson must have spent time with Du Plessis during their time together at Lancashire, but there's little said between the pair after the batsman clips two off his pads.

Simon Richardson: I was batting in a high school match, and the bowler got one to turn back in, plum on to my, well, plums. I was instantly sick.

Tom Hicks: After a bad decision threw my bat onto a grass bank. Spent 20mins looking for it in long grass in front of opposition spectators.  

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Moeen is bowling nicely, he is getting a bit of dip. He just needs to do something different, maybe change the angle and come round the wicket."

"Yes, Mo." "Good, Mo." "Good lad, Mo."

England's premier spinner is getting plenty of encouragement from a talkative Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps but it's all very staid. Maiden.

Image source, Network Ten

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has been called "disrespectful" for asking a journalist on a date during a Big Bash League live pitch-side interview.

Gayle was responding to a question from Ten Sport's Melanie McLaughlin about his aggressive batting style after scoring 41 runs in 15 deliveries.

He said: "To see your eyes for the first time is nice. Hopefully we can have a drink afterwards. Don't blush baby."

A BBL statement said, external the comments were "disrespectful and inappropriate".

If Les Dennis, in his Family Fortunes days, asked 100 people to name a world-class batsman, I doubt too many would offer up the name of Hashim Amla.

He's the quiet man of cricket but, when he gets in, he's as flawless as a cashmere sweater. He's brilliant.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Amla's seventh score of 150 of more, he has hit 21 boundaries and he has batted for 466 minutes. The 150 equals the amount of runs he has made in his last 10 innings put together."

150 for Hashim Amla (off 310 balls)published at 109.2 overs

109.2 overs

SA 320-3

Image source, AFP/GETTY

A quick single brings up 150 for the seventh time in Hashim Amla's Test career. He can bat in his sleep this lad. Class.

Faf du Plessis owes Hashim Amla an innings here. He's played 14 Tests under each of Amla and Graeme Smith and he's averaging only 31 under Amla compared to 52 while Smith was in charge. Moeen continues to whirl away and is milked for the odd single.

Alex Aspinwall: Smashing the umpires windscreen with a finely struck 6.

Oliver Harris: Not me, but someone on my team went out to bat without a bat once. Only noticed after trying a practice shot.

Leonard Odicean: After getting run out, tripped on entering the pavilion and knocked over the trestle table with the tea set out on it.