Alastair Cook begins the day on 9,950 Test runs, 50 short of becoming the first England batsman to scale 10,000. He faces up to Kagiso Rabada, who is running towards the city and a busy road buzzing with cars. Rabada follows up Abbott's good work by being on the money himself. Quiet start, matched by a muted atmosphere inside the ground. 

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"He was teasing us with the first ball, Joe Root. He played at it but it didn't do a thing - he was just getting back into being at the crease.

"He does have a tendency to want to stay back though, and on the fifth ball he should have been looking to get forward to that in-between length."

People are filing in to the ground, carrying enough equipment for a family of four to camp there for a week. Coolboxes, folding chairs, tent, mattress. As Abbott just gets into his delivery stride, Root pulls away, citing some movement behind the arm. That won't please the bowler. It's a good start from Abbott, though, on and around off stump.

Mark Boucher
Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"I don't expect too much to happen early on - when South Africa take the new ball will be key. With the pitch deteriorating, they could make headway into the middle order.

"The wicket is still good to bat on now, but it won't get any better as the game goes on."

Kyle Abbott has the ball, Joe Root is scratching his guard at the striker's end. Two slips and a gully. Play.

The England team will wear black armbands today in memory of former Warwickshire seamer and BBC commentator Jack Bannister, who died yesterday at the age of 85.

All of the players are now out in the middle in a Centurion Park that is overcast. It might be a bowling morning.

England batting coach Mark Ramprakash, on the form of Alex Hales, on Sky Sports: "I think he has looked the part. Although he hasn't scored a volume of runs, he's looked comfortable at the crease, and is still learning Test cricket. 

"He's into his fourth game now. He's come here and been around the environment, where you have a lot of time to think between innings. 

"He has got great shots in his locker, we know that, and on yesterday's dismissal you could ask the question: If you thought it was there to hit, then great. It's not that the shot was wrong, but rather the execution."

Image source, Getty Images

England batting coach Mark Ramprakash on Sky Sports: "We've got two very good players at the crease. History shows the new ball is difficult to deal with here but if you get past that then batsmen can enjoy themselves. We will work hard and hopefully bear fruit after that.

"We could do with this cloud rolling through and the sun coming out, although if damp gets into the ball it can go soft."

Mark Boucher
Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"The history of this wicket is that it is a bit up and down. The warning signs are there that is going to misbehave, but the ball isn't doing too much at the moment.

"There are still a lot of runs out there. If England can put a bit of pressure on South Africa, they can get close."

BBC Test Match Special

And, if you're snuggling under the duvet, chances are you won't need to go anywhere to listen to TMS.

If you've got your phone, hit the live coverage tab at the top of the page. If you can reach a radio, tune it to 5 live sports extra or Radio 4 LW.

So that's where we begin, with the England captain and vice the first line of defence against a much-improved South Africa team looking for a consolation win.

Will England have the mettle to guts this one out, or will the Proteas prevail? And what are you up to on this Sunday morning. Tell me. The lazier the better. I might even come up with a prize (imaginary) for the laziest.

Text 81111, tweet using the hashtag #bbccricket,, external or email tms@bbc.co.uk.

England 138-2 (46 overs) - trail by 337

Cook 67* (142), Root 31* (68)

Fall of wickets: 22-1 (Hales 15), 78-2 (Compton 19)

Bowling figures: Abbott 11-5-17-0, Rabada 12-2-55-2, Piedt 10-1-23-0, Morkel 11-2-29-0, Elgar 2-0-9-0

South Africa 475: De Kock 129*, S Cook 115, Amla 109; Stokes 4-86

Full scorecard

That's because Alastair Cook, Joe Root and co have to fend off a refreshed South Africa pace attack that is beginning to look as temperamental as Kim Kardashian.

Uneven bounce, with a particular tendency to keep low. 337 runs behind. Need to bat all day to avoid strife.

That is unless you're an England batsman. (Granted, you're probably not an England batsman, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. If you are, morning Alex. What was that shot?)

If you're an England batsman on this particular Sunday, expect it to be anything other than relaxing.

Maybe, just maybe, you'll find the energy to get up. Maybe.

A long breakfast, read the paper. Perhaps later a stroll in the park, try to avoid that trip to the garden centre or a visit to the in-laws.

Yep, Sunday really is the day of rest.

I can tell you that there's no reason to get up. It's grey outside, a bit mizzly. Nothing to see here.

Roll over. Wrap yourself under the duvet. Doze.