Summary

  • Rain shortens opening day - just 59 overs bowled

  • Cook holds England together with unbeaten 82

  • Stokes unbeaten on 21 - failures for Jennings & Malan

  • Westley makes 25 and skipper Root adds 29

  1. Postpublished at 18:50

    That's about it from us as the last few fans slink away from a still soggy Oval. Stephan Shemilt's match report is there for you to read, there's BBC local radio commentary on tonight's T20 games and more reaction on 5 live Sport after 19:00 BST.

    TMS will be back tomorrow morning from 10:00 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra with half-an-hour of highlights, then the live coverage starts at 10:30 when BBC Radio 4 LW comes to the party, as it were. (We'll be jumping on with the live text at that point). Until then, enjoy the rest of your evening and be reassured that Alastair Cook will be back at the crease tomorrow morning. TTFN.

  2. 'Malan will get that ball again'published at 18:45 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Malan got an 88mph yorker which is always difficult but I do think he gets a bit shut off, that front foot can just be opened a little bit to get in a better alignment because clearly he is going to get that ball again in the second innings.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:44 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Text 81111

    Re: Geoffrey's point on managerial experience [18:28] - Eddie Jones, Warren Gatland, Steve Hansen were never capped internationally.

    Collins Taylor , Stone, Staffs

  4. 'I can't see Jennings opening in Australia'published at 18:42 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    I can't see Jennings opening in Australia but I saw him in Dubai and thought he could play. Clearly he is low in confidence and I don't see him walking out at Brisbane but you never say never. The second innings is clearly going to be very big for him.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:42 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    #bbccricket

    Gary Blanchard: I can't be the only one wondering where the next genuine Test match players are? Next Cook, Root, Jimmy, Broad?

    Alastair Cook and Jimmy AndersonImage source, PA
  6. 'Keaton Jennings' technique is a real worry'published at 18:41 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    His problem is that when he plays a defensive stroke, the bat's 90 degrees to the ground and so if it gets an edge it carries to the slips. Look at how Cook or Root defend, the bat's at 45 degrees. If you're facing someone like Philander, he's the one bowler you wouldn't want to face if you're lacking confidence. His technique is a real worry.

  7. 'Cook was sending out a message'published at 18:41 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    First and foremost the England team got criticised for going out with a gung ho approach at Trent Bridge. Against Morris, Morkel and Rabada here you just can't play like that, the ball was moving around but I thought they were really impressive. Of course it helped when you have Alastair Cook playing the attritional way. He was almost sending out a message saying this is how you play. If you go out playing big drives with your bat away from your body you might play one or two nice shots but eventually you'll get the outside edge, but the way England applied themselves has given them half a chance of posting a decent score in the first innings.

    Here's some Cook highlights from today:

  8. Postpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    You look at the style of play today, and the tempo from England - that is the tempo required on a day like today. There will be other days when you can go along at four or five an over, but not today.

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:36 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    #bbccricket

    David Randall: Came down to The Oval at 6pm to see if I could get in to the cricket... ticket office still want full price (£70) for 1.5hrs?

  10. Postpublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    While we wait for the Aggers and Vaughan review (which will be available as the TMS podcast later), here's a more comedic moment from earlier which you may have missed - of the sort you'll see in club cricket every Saturday.

    A wild throw gives England four overthrows - and Alastair Cook scores a five.

  11. The Jennings Debatepublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    Jennings is neither forward or back properly. His front knee isn't bent so his head is back and he is feeling for the ball. He was tentative and there is nothing positive about anything. If your technique has faults it will be exposed. First of all he has to get someone who understands technique and why he should get his head over the ball, or they have told him and he ain't listening. It's far too late at Test level.

  12. Close of playpublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    That's it for the day. No more play. Stand by your beds for the Aggers and Vaughan review of the day.

  13. It's rainingpublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    The newly bearded Aleem Dar leads his fellow umpires off the field. Could we be nearing a "that's it" announcement?

  14. Postpublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    Malan fell on his face and it was a bit embarrassing but it was a good ball. If he opened his stance a little bit as Cook does he has a better chance of not falling over. You haven't got to beat yourself up about it because it was a very good ball.

  15. Postpublished at 18:29 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Alec Stewart is calling it on TMS - he thinks he's seen a signal from the groundsmen and umpires, and is second-guessing them that there won't be any more play today.

    We'll let you know if there''s any official word.

  16. Postpublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    My concern is when people are selectors and they haven't played Test cricket. It's a different pressure and if you've never been in that environment how can you understand it? Or someone who has played a few matches and failed, how can he be any good at it?

  17. BBC coveragepublished at 18:27 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Still lashing down at The Oval. You're not missing anything. But have TMS on your wireless as Tuffers just did an Arsene Wenger impression.

    I can also tell you that BBC Radio 5 live will have plenty of cricket on this evening - 5 live Sport from 19:00 BST will look ahead to England v Portugal at Women's Euro 2017, and have plenty of reaction from The Oval with Alison Mitchell and Alec Stewart. Then, there's commentary on England-Portugal on 5 live, and Scotland-Spain on 5 live sports extra and BBC Radio Scotland.

  18. Postpublished at 18:23 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Phil Tufnell
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    You've got to go through the gears as a batsman, perhaps sometimes England keep churning in fifth gear.

  19. Postpublished at 18:20 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

    Alec Stewart
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    South Africa bowled well, Cook has been the standout player because he has played in an old fashioned Test match way and allowed himself to bat all day, whereas the mentality of the T20 or 50-over players is people think it's a crime if you have a few dot balls.

    Alastair Cook and Morne MorkelImage source, PA