As if to confirm his status as one of the world's premier fielders, now it's De Villiers' turn to shine as Root looks to get after Tahir. Three singles added, time for drinks.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special

"It is a wonderful aspect of the one-day game, to see the fielding."

Wiese is steady but unspectacular, though he's helped by a couple of fabulous stops by Faf du Plessis at backward point, twice plucking the ball out of the air on the bounce to deny Hales and then Root likely boundaries. FDP would definitely be a contender (as would his captain De Villiers) if you were putting together a World Fielding XI. I think Ben Stokes might get into that team too.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Simon Mann asks should England's talisman Jos Buttler come in at the fall of the next wicket?

"Why not? There is no earthly reason why not. If I said, ‘who is the best playing in one day cricket? Buttler? Morgan? Or Stokes?’ I think I would get a high percentage Buttler, you have to put your best in."

Steve K: Did Geoffrey get out of bed the wrong side this morning? He seems particularly grumpy today.

Aaron Bohlman: Geoffrey is not taking any prisoners today! Poor Neil Manthorp!

In fact, it's a double change int he bowling as leg-spinner Imran Tahir bounces in for his first over of the day. He's always likely to drag one down short each over - and Hales waits for his opportunity to crash a four through the covers, hitting off the back foot from a ball on middle and leg. He has 29 from 41 balls.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"An ugly-looking, great shot because it has gone for four!"

David Wiese, brought into the side today to boost South Africa's bowling options, comes on to bowl at his home ground. A tall, medium-fast right-arm seamer, Wiese is plundered for a couple of singles before Root smears him for four between mid-wicket and mid-on. Not pretty, but effective. He's nearly catching Hales up.

Andy: Before the Pakistan series people were questioning Hales in ODIs... He needs more of a chance to settle in and go big.  

Just the three bowlers used so far, it's been nothing but right-arm seam as Morkel begins his fourth over. Root threads a two to the cover sweeper, but I think it's fair to say this is unlikely to be another 400 v 400 game going by the first hour of play.

Image source, Getty Images

Abbott is charged with a wide by umpire Gaffaney for a bouncer which is well out of Hales' reach. Two singles added, but we've not had a boundary for a couple of overs.

Meanwhile, it doesn't sound as though Geoffrey will be going into bat for Hales to resume his Test career in May. "He's had his chance," Boycs says. But what do you think - should one-day form play any part in Test selection? Text, tweet or email us.

Here's some of your efforts in the caption competition

Len Morrison: Can you really believe Amla quit mid-series?!

Dan Adams: If you don't want KP can we have him back?

Scotty B: Hi AB do you flip or toss your pancakes in South Africa?!

The initial 10-over fielding restrictions are dispensed with as Hales and Root help themselves to three singles against Morkel. Meanwhile, Neil Manthorp and Geoffrey Boycott are discussing the recent IPL auction on TMS. SA seamer Chris Morris, who went for a million dollars, is on the bench again today, while Jos Buttler went for a bargain £385,000.

Neil Manthorp
BBC Test Match Special

"It was a heave from Root. He looked like he was trying to carry a heavy bag of potatoes over his shoulder with that one."

England: 56-1 from 10 overs

Batsmen: Hales 20, Root 9

Fall of wickets: 36-1 (Roy 20)

Bowling figures: Abbott 4-0-22-0, Rabada 4-0-18-0, Morkel 2-0-11-0

Full scorecard

Root thinks he's got his eye in by now - as he comes down the wicket and clomps the recalled Abbott over the top for four.

Hales takes a quick single to AB de Villiers - there's bravery for you - and the fizzing throw to the bowler's end just misses the stumps. Hales would have been a couple of feet short if it had hit. What is it with England and their running between the wickets today? Fifty up.

Image source, AP

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"The South African bowling hasn’t got enough discipline about it. You have to make it really hard for the batsmen by bowling a consistent line. I do not think it is up to scratch."

Root makes some running repairs to his bat between overs, but there's nothing wrong with his blade as he dabs the ball to mid-on and scampers a single. Morkel tries another short delivery, Hales pulls and it flies off a top edge and over the keeper for four. A single means he has 19 off 22 balls.