Cook, who, with his first scoring stroke, moved ahead of Australian Allan Border to become the ninth highest scoring Test batsman of all time, soon began to display some of his thoroughbred shots, such as this delightfully timed flick off the pads.

Alastair Cook might have been run out early in his innings attempting a risky single, but instead collected five runs courtesy of this overthrow, prompting all Blofeld enthusiasts to shout: "Buzzers!"

Three debutants for England today after the debacle of the 205 and 133 totals at Trent Bridge. Keaton Jennings could be a casualty for the final match at Old Trafford unless he gets a few in the second dig. He looked badly out of nick again today and was caught at third slip for a duck in the fourth over.

Thanks Mitch, there has certainly been a lot of rain in the south east over the last week or so, it is probably good to soft going in my Sussex garden, though Fontwell Park just down the road looks in immaculate condition as always.

So if this latest shower clears we will resume at 13:30 BST although the entire square is currently under wraps. In the meantime let's look back at the main events of the morning session.

Image source, Fontwell Park

And on that note, it's time for me to hand over to rain expert Jamie Lillywhite to talk you through lunch, and the afternoon session.

With the pitch covered by the wheeled covers, the big sheets come on to protect the bowlers' run-ups - and we're going to take an early lunch. So, if the rain is gone by 13:30 BST, play will resume then and we won't have lost any time.

Daniel Davies: Commentators celebrating no runs by England (off the bat) for about half an hour. That's why I love Tests.

Rain stops playpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

12:48 BST 27 July 2017

Eng 62-1 (22.1 overs)

This is getting daft. Before another ball can be bowled, with the players all ready, the rain returns, and they're going off again.

This is proper hokey-cokey weather. The players are in, out, in, out...

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I think when you arrive in Test cricket you can surprise a team. I think I'd be bowling in the channel to Westley and every now and then fire in a yorker.

While we wait for the players to get back to their marks, here's another Tom Westley four for you to enjoy. A stat for you: 67% of his County Championship runs have come on the leg sde.

And you won't believe this... before the covers can get to the middle, the rain stops and they're going back on. They'll only have lost a couple of minutes.

Rain stops playpublished at 12:44 British Summer Time 27 July 2017

12:44 BST 27 July 2017

Eng 62-1 (22.1 overs)

And, in fact, after one ball of Morris's new over, they're going off...

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

The ball is swinging around but I don't think South Africa are getting it right. Rabada is down the leg side whereas usually he is right on the money.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

These two have batted 32 times together for Essex and average 56 in partnership, with six hundred partnerships.

I'm with Nick Compton (see 12:15 tweet) on this one - I think South Africa have under-bowled Vernon Philander this morning. (Unless, as Graeme Smith suggested before play, he's still feeling a little poorly). Cook steers a single through the covers, Westley adds a couple and Rabada is still struggling with his line - Cook helping himself to two more to deep mid-wicket, and that's the fifty stand. As you might say, the only way is Essex?

Uh-oh - a couple of umbrellas have gone up in the crowd. A touch of rain in the air, and a dark cloud over Vauxhall.

Paul Grant: Incredibly sluggish run rate so far. Scoreboard should be reading at least 95-3 by this point. Yawn!

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Jonathan Trott has got a similar style to the way Westley plays. He makes the bowler come to him - Steve Smith does it too. It's becoming a common trend.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on TMS

Tom Westley had got a nice, uncomplicated style. He gets on to the front foot and back foot equally well. His latest four, through square leg, was imperious.

With the floodlights slowly coming on, Chris Morris tries going round the wicket to the left-handed Cook, who knocks another single. Westley, who seems to favour the leg side, steps across to force Morris through mid-wicket for four - scattering those aforementioned pigeons.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at The Oval

Without wanting to steal the thunder of Henry Blofeld, there is an wonderful collection of pigeons in attendance. Most favour strength in numbers, pecking away about 10 yards inside the boundary. Two braver birds have ventured on to the square, at extra cover for Alastair Cook. They must know their cricket. The former England skipper doesn't hit many there.