Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"It was another wonderful cricket day. In the morning the big surprise for me was seeing Anderson racing in, the Anderson we know. With the hard ball in his hand it zipped through and you think, what was that powder-puff stuff?"

It is the close, the end of a day where South Africa have moved closer to a consolation win. The declaration was a long time coming, but they made up for it with three wickets in the evening session. As for England, the top order continues to resemble Beal's conjecture.

This might be the last over of the day. If I'm honest, I don't know. I realise that's not the sort of indecision you want from your text commentator, so I can only apologise.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, AP

"One more wicket for Kagiso Rabada and he's got a 10-for. Wow. You don't get too many of them in your career." 

Confusion about whether there are three overs or one left after this Kagiso Rabada set. Rabada, who must be nailed on for man of the match, eases in, with Taylor popping up an inside edge. Temba Bavuma would have been interested had he not been so deep at short leg. 

Image source, Getty Images

Richie Macca: As easy as it is to say Hales' stint is done, I can't see a genuine replacement. We have a lot who have tried and failed.

Andy Barrett: Can we please start talking about Nick Browne now???

Ben in Windsor: Hales out, Compton to open, Root 3, Taylor 4, James Vince 5. Job done. Doesn’t matter if Compton and Cook score slowly as long as they set a platform for the myriad of stroke players we’d have coming after them.

Plenty of men in the grabbers, no fewer than four slips for Root. Long shadows, Morkel pounding the middle of the track and causing Root to jack-knife backwards. The Yorkshireman gets through and Dharmasena, like a kid with a new toy, has the lightmeter out again. 

Nat Phillips: Despite win, more questions than answers. Who can actually bat? Can Bairstow catch? Who did Woakes pay to get selected?

Eng 44-3published at 16:25

16:25

Unbelievably, Kumar Dharmasena, who is wearing light-enhancers, has got the lightmeter out. The sun is out, Kumar. He might be the type who needs a weather man to tell him when it's raining. Morne Morkel is on...

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Morne Morkel is loosening up! He can't wait to get the ball!"

De Villiers has seen enough of Elgar's donkey drops and instead asks JP Duminy to bowl some off-breaks. I tell you what, it's really brightened up. The sun is out and Morne Morkel is loosening up. There are five overs left in the day. We're going to get all of those 23 in. I hope the gaffer hasn't been reading.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"It was a big miss. It wasn't even close to umpire's call."

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Joe Root gets away with it but that was a poor shot. The sweep came about because he was a bit fiddly with the other balls. He didn't look comfortable."

It's missing! It's missing! Hit in line, but spinning down the leg side. Joe Root can take his heart from his mouth and carry on batting. 

I don't think height is a problem...

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I think Root might just get away with it. The ball's got to hit full on for the decision to be overturned."

No bat...

This is close. Very close. Dane Piedt to Joe Root, on the sweep. Piedt is convinced. Leggy? That's Root's hope.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I think South Africa should go off. You want the ball hard tomorrow morning for the quicks; once it goes softer it hasn't been difficult. Three down and a full day to play?!"

If that stat below is correct (and why wouldn't it be?), then England's search for an opener is going backwards. Do we think that Hales will be at the top of the order come May? Elgar serves Taylor a full toss which is sent through the covers for four, with the little man then playing a lovely whip through mid-wicket. If he's playing for his place, he's made a decent start.