TMS have been debating the perfect breakfast egg...

Tom Scarborough: Two eggs, always two eggs. The answer should never be "just the one egg for me, please".

Stuart Langridge: Trust me, Marmite soldiers for dippy eggs. You won't look back.

As Mohammad Amir starts his third over, a fan in the crowd dressed as a British judge (complete with long white wig) stands up and waves. I trust those two events are unconnected. He has three slips in for Cook who helps himself to another four wide of the cordon, thankfully the weather has stayed dry despite a brief shower earlier in the day.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Image source, Getty Images

This is Alastair Cook's 133rd Test, which equals Alec Stewart's record for England. He has also now captained England in 52 Tests, which puts him into second on the all-time list ahead of Michael Vaughan on 51. Michael Atherton is the only man ahead of him, with 54.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Mike Gatting is looking more like Henry VIII with every day.

Just after the TV coverage shows a graphic of how and where Hales has been dismissed by seam bowlers in Test cricket (mainly outside off stump), Hales - as if to prove their point - has a big waft at one outside off stump, doesn't connect, and there's a big intake of breath from the Pakistan fielders. Hales, a little unconvincing in these early stages (and he's probably one of three England batsmen not fully secure of their place), inside-edges one to fine leg and looks happy to get off strike. Cook, looking more secure, dabs-and-runs a quick single. Four overs gone.

Image source, Getty Images

We hope Louis enjoys his day!

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Amir has not bowled a great line all summer. He had the pressure and everything, but I was maybe looking for something more from him. 

Not the best of starts from Amir, as Cook helps himself to an easy two and then helping a wild and woolly one down the leg side for four. The left-armer finds a little movement as he gets one to swing away from Cook and keeper Sarfraz Ahmed takes it nearly in front of first slip - but Cook has no truck with anything he doesn't have to play.

BBC Test Match Special

If you're off on your holidays, you can listen to TMS abroad by clicking on this link, external - unfortunately it's not available in certain countries. But FWC (below) will be able to listen in Dubai...

From left-armer Amir at the Pavilion End, it's going to be right-armer Sohail Khan at the Vauxhall End, and there's warm applause as Captain Cook flicks Sohail's first ball for three through mid-wicket. Hales tries a similar shot (albeit he's right-handed) but he plays all around it and it thuds into his pads. But the Notts opener latches onto a looser delivery which he guides through extra cover for four.

Never mind the early morning "bat or bowl" conundrum, Daggers and Tuffers on TMS are debating "one egg or two" for breakfast...

We may have an explanation why so many people are still taking their seats...

Mohammad Amir, sporting a new haircut that's very short at the sides combined with a bit of a flat-top, takes the first over, and after a single from Cook there's a big appeal for a catch behind from Alex Hales' first ball as it cuts him in half... not out.

A few patrons are still taking their seats. They nearly missed a wicket.

And we're ready to begin, with Alastair Cook and Alex Hales striding to the middle, while Charles Dagnall and Phil Tufnell are opening the batting for TMS. (It's 25 years this week since Tuffers took 6-25 against the Windies on this ground). Let's play.

Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Cook's ability to withstand pressure is remarkable. He's taken the best of his mentor Graham Gooch and mixed that with a sunniness. He's an honest, good man, straightforward, a fine batsman and has the backing of his team.

Players emerge, with both sides wearing black armbands in memory of those who lost their lives in the recent bombing of a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan. There will also be a minute's silence.

Joe Gibney: If England win or draw this match, they will hold all nine trophies for their last meeting against Test sides. A very rare feat.

Joe makes a very good point. If there were an "Ashes"-style trophy for every series England play, they're a win or a draw away from holding them all. Even Zimbabwe, who they've not played for more than a decade, and aren't scheduled to any time soon.

Some expectant faces around The Oval. Plenty of Pakistan fans there, and plenty of young men in blazers and rather loud ties supping on what looks like their first cold one of the day. We're around six minutes from the start.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

(There have been accusations on Pakistan television that England were illegally altering the condition of the ball)

I thought they were perfect conditions for reverse swing at Edgbaston. I was surprised Pakistan didn't reverse it. Every time the ball reverse swings, everyone goes "oh it's been tampered with". But if you look back to 2005 when Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff had their techniques. The Duke ball does have a tendency to swing either way when it gets old.

Amazing as it may sound, Pakistan could be the team in possession of the ICC mace by the end of August.

Nothing less than a win at The Oval will do for them - while they also need Australia to fail to win in Colombo, and their great rivals India to not win both remaining Tests in the Windies.

So, all to play for.