Mark Boucher
Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"Maybe it was just the bat brushing the pad on the way through? Looking on the cameras there is nothing at all."

My word, that's a bad review. I haven't seen a review as bad as that since the critics panned The Cable Guy. That was a bad Jim Carrey film. Cook is nowhere near it. Not even close. Clear daylight between bat and ball.

This is interesting and a little familiar. Morne Morkel, the new bowler, thinks Alastair Cook has been caught down the leg side. Only Morkel appealed, but has somehow persuaded AB de Villiers to have another look.

Rob, Cambridge: I'm presently hiding under the duvet, although I've been let down by my boys who didn't bring me my usual Sunday morning cuppa, so I've had to make it myself. If there's any justice in the world Cook will get the records and my children will read this and bring me another tea please. 

I mentioned before that the pitch is two-paced. If you're wondering what nonsense I'm talking, it means that some deliveries behave exactly as you would expect, while others hold in the surface and slow up. Also, some of the cracks are starting to resemble the mid-Atlantic ridge. When the ball hits those, it can go up, down, or side to side. For that reason, England's increasing fluency is all the more impressive.

Mark Boucher
Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

"England have got off to a great start here - they are playing very positively. But there is plenty in the wicket if South Africa can hit the right areas more often to dry up the runs and create pressure. 

"South Africa are getting about three balls out of six into the right area but are relieving the pressure with the other three."

50 for Joe Rootpublished at 09:04

09:04

Eng 165-2

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Root goes to a half-century after having his own spot of fortune. He slashes Abbott past gully for four, then races to 50 with some sweet back-foot crunches through the off side. It's a 19th Test fifty for Root who, despite that loose shot, is starting to look the part this morning.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Alastair Cook was trying to work something off his hip that wasn't quite there to to be played. It's pressure, because he's not scoring. That's why this is a good field."

Close!published at 09:01

09:01

Eng 149-2

Ooohhh, a little slice of luck for the skipper, and further evidence that this pitch is two-paced. Cook looks to turn one on the leg side, but the ball holds up and, by the time it gets to him, he is offering a leading edge. A loopy chance teases bowler Kyle Abbott, but just falls short. A reminder that batting is very, very tricky.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I think South Africa are bowling the right way. They've got two slips and a gully, and are just trying to control the game. If you try like hell to get wickets and the ball starts whistling round it's a long old day trying to stop it. 90 overs.

"And you have to remember that this is their second-string attack. No offence to these lads, but they are not Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander."

Image source, Reuters

Really, Andrew? What sort of church service? I often wonder if there are any priests or vicars who keep their phone on the lectern on a Sunday morning to keep an eye on the cricket score. Kagiso Rabada, whose name scans perfectly into the rhythm of the White Stripes' Seven Nation Army, is bustling in with some good pace. He's conceded only three runs from his three overs today.

Andrew Menniss: Sadly I can't stay in bed and listen to TMS. Got to get up to take a church service. Will be praying for the lads.  

There are a lot of bowls of chips around that table, aren't there? The Australia dietician isn't exactly doing his job, is he? Oh, lovely from Root, easing an Abbott half-volley through the covers. We might not see a better shot all day. Then another loose one, this time short, that Root takes up and over the slips. England up and running.

Play is under way in the Big Bash final, with Melbourne Stars facing Sydney Thunder at the MCG.

Englishman Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen are at the crease for the Stars, who are 43-1 after six overs, having lost the toss. Pietersen has 16 off eight balls.

The Australia team are enjoying it too...

Image source, Getty Images

The game has stopped. South Africa have asked the umpires to look at the ball, claiming it's out of shape. There's an inspection. I don't know for certain if it's been changed, but the fourth umpire came out and the Proteas are now shining furiously. I think it probably has been changed. There's drinks and some attention to Joe Root's bat.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I often talk about keeping control of the game - in situations like these the bowling side have to attack but you don't want the ball to be whistling around - that way you lose all pressure on the batsmen.

"For the batting side, you need to get those feet dancing. Even if you've scored a hundred the day before, it's easier, but you need to get moving again."

Michael, does that mean you're in the US? Is there any snow? Send us a picture. England finally take their first run of the morning, almost 15 minutes into the day, when Cook works Rabada on to the leg side and takes a single. Cook, by the way, would only be the second opener to reach 10,000 runs after India's Sunil Gavaskar. Not all of his runs have come as an opener, though. He began his England career batting at number three.

Michael Blighe: I've stayed up idiotically late (currently 1:42am) to see Cook break the 10,000 run mark. Saved a beer for the occasion!

Really good from the Proteas so far, really keeping this English pair honest. No opportunities to score, uncertainty over whether to play or leave alone. Lots of time in the corridor of uncertainty. Three maidens in a row. The old adage is that three maidens brings a wicket...

Pete Bancroft: Big concern for England today is that they take a while to get going. This usually means wickets lost in morning sessions. 

Dave, Preston: Chilling in bed this morning while my two-year-old makes me a cup of tea. Sadly for me it's made of play dough!

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