Jack Allum: Yes - Cook is out. Delighted with that as we can hopefully try and score some of these things called "runs" now.

Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special

Ballance has got started and needs to press on a little bit. That will be difficult if Maharaj bowls like he did yesterday.

Root has come out with intent, intent we didn't see from Cook and Ballance.

The first spin of the day as slow left-armer Maharaj comes over to wicket to the left-handed Ballance with a slip, short leg and a short mid-wicket. Ballance advances down the track and shovels one out of the rough into the legside for two.

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

That was the ninth time Morkel has dismissed Cook in Test match cricket.

Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special

That came about because of the slowness of the wicket.

It was a very good catch.

That was a lot of balls Cook faced. It just shows how England have struggled to progress the run rate.

Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special

The South Africans have bowled well this morning.

Morkel and Philander have attacked the stumps.

Ballance's bat looks pretty worn but most of the marks are around the sweet spot which is a good sign, although there are no extravagant strokes here, just single to both batsmen.

Image source, PA

BBC Test Match Special

More from Alastair Cook's earlier interview on TMS: "I feel my job is to offer an opinion when asked and put forward an idea. If it is listened to then good, if not no bother.

"I was proud to be England captain. I’ve had my stint. It is time for this next generation to have their go."

Ballance, castigated for those four single figure scores in Bangladesh, moves into the 30s with a punched drive for three off Morkel and then edges the big paceman short of second slip where it strikes skipper Elgar a painful blow on the boot.

Here's the afore-mentioned South Africa team photo which was taken this morning...

Image source, Getty Images

Steady stuff from Philander and Cook is content to play out the first maiden of the morning.

Dave Wood: Yesterday's debate was run rates, today's will be over rates given how SA have started

Mark Irwing: Penalise bowling side 10 runs per over not bowled. Problem solved.

Despite the heat, Ballance is still in his bright white chunky knit England short sleeved sweater, Cook favouring just the sleeveless shirt. In the crowd we have blazer, cap and tie in MCC colours, I doubt whether he went to Bognor comp. Just the single in Morkel's over.

Image source, Reuters

The first delay of the day as South Africa alter the field in ponderous fashion several times and poor old fine leg has to make a long journey. Who used to get lumbered with fine leg at both ends? I think I might have been guilty of inflicting that as captain. Might have put him at number 11 too. Kids can be cruel. There is just the one slip for Philander, who is sweating up in the paddock and looks resigned to a long day.

A reminder that you can join Kal Sajad for the Women's World Cup game between England and Australia. The competition hosts are 56-2 at Bristol but, perhaps crucially, have lost Sarah Taylor. Not before she'd hit a few boundaries though...

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

It always seems to be four sessions and a bit for a declaration.

In an ideal world England would like that 50 minute session before tea but it does look hard to score.

Ballance clips Philander off his pads for his first boundary of the day. Another one shoots through low but all these have so far been well wide of the off stump for the left handers. If one is straight it will be adios senor.