Vernon Philander - showing no signs of the upset stomach to which Graeme Smith alluded earlier - will share the new ball. There's one big change at his end - umpire Aleem Dar, clean-shaven for all the years we've known him on the international circuit, is now sporting a thick, Abraham Lincoln-style beard.

Unlike Morkel, Philander goes over the wicket to the two left-hander, and Jennings successfully negotiates a maiden over, showing him a straight bat.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Morkel has just slipped into a lovely groping line with a bit of shape away and it looks as easy as pie for him to bowl to lefties.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

With that four, Alastair Cook has gone above Allan Border into ninth place in the all-time Test run-scorers' list.

He's got another 636 to go to reach Mahela Jayawardene in eighth place...

Beginning from the Pavilion End, Morkel's first ball is outside left-hander Cook's off stump. He's bowling round the wicket, and has his head in his hands early on as Cook edges the fourth ball of the day for four between third slip and gully.

And remarkably, not only are England up and running, but so is Andrew Samson's stats machine..

It's going to be Morne Morkel - after his traditional circle at the end of his run-up - to deliver the first ball of the 100th Oval Test. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings await. Let's play.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Isn't it beautifully set up? Both teams have had absolute shockers and also played rather well. How will England attack what looks like a very strong bowling line-up? Rabada is back and it's going to be interesting on a slightly green pitch.

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

I think Maharaj has played a key role for Du Plessis and South Africa have a nice rounded attack. There is a bit of uncertainty about the batting so there is a lot of pressure on the top six to get the runs on the board.

"Jerusalem" is belting out around the ground (sung by Laura Wright, who was also on duty at the Women's World Cup final on Sunday at Lord's - what a day that was), and the South Africans are out for an on-field huddle. With overcast skies, it looks a lttle chilly out there - many of the Proteas players have gone for the sleeveless sweater option, and a couple (including the unmistakeable Hashim Amla) are in full long-sleeved wooly-pullies.

Robert Stow‏: I can't call which way this Test will go at all. I just hope England come out of their shell and attack a bit for once...

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at The Oval

This is great. Installed for the 100th England Test at this ground, a board documenting each match. A close inspection reminds you that the hosts have only won one of their past five here.

Alec Stewart
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I was very fortunate that I was able to play my last game here and that will live with me forever but you think back to England beating the West Indies in 1991, the leg-over moment with Johnners and Aggers, external and my first Test match at The Oval.

The biggest one here was one I sadly didn't play in which was when we secured the Ashes in 2005, it captured the public imagination and they have stayed with the England team ever since.

Contrary to some people's belief, you cannot take a hat-trick across two different games - only across two innings of the same match. So sorry Duanne, if you want a Test hat-trick, you're going to have to start from scratch.

Image source, AFP

Over in Galle, Sri Lanka face a huge challenge to get anything out of the first Test against India after the tourists piled up 600 all out.

Shikhar Dhawan finished with 190 (from 168 balls) and Cheteshwar Pujara 153 as the Sri Lankans struggled on a flat pitch.

Sri Lanka, in reply, are 55-1 - losing opener Dimuth Karunaratne cheaply while all-rounder Asela Gunaratne is unlikely to bat because of a hand injury.

You can follow the full scorecard here.

Mind you, if England bat the way they batted at Trent Bridge, I hope for Alec's sake that the game lasts until Saturday teatime...

Alec Stewart
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

It's a massive moment for the club, the second English ground to stage 100 Test matches. Everywhere you look it says 100 and I just hope England put in a good performance. It will be very good to meet up with all the ex-Surrey players who are coming here for the celebrations at tea on Saturday, it will be very special.

And with The Oval bringing up its century, who better than Surrey's favourite son Alec Stewart to pay tribute on TMS?

The selection is already dividing you on Twitter...

Michael Shaw: Despite three debuts this looks a much better balanced (No pun intended) side!

Scott Hunt: Eight batsmen in Eng side is too many. Covering for poor performances. Cut one, play Rashid & side has better balance.

So, with Ballance injured and Dawson jettisoned, I wonder which England player will be next in the crosshairs of the "he's rubbish, get rid of him" brigade of supporters. Keaton Jennings, for instance might want a big score here to avoid the boo-boys' fire - after that century on debut in India, his Test scores this summer have been 8, 33, 0 and 3.

Image source, Getty Images

There's been some overnight news from Australia, where the country's cricketers have been told it is "time to get the show back on the road" and end a long-running dispute that has left 230 players unemployed.

An 'A' tour of South Africa was cancelled amid the row between players and their governing body over the scrapping of a revenue-sharing model.

Cricket Australia's chief executive said there was "increasing urgency" with an Ashes series this winter.

"If it is not resolved, we're proposing arbitration," James Sutherland said.

"We're prepared to accept whatever decision comes. In cricketing parlance, we will accept the umpire's decision and move on."

More on that here.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

England have got to realise the overhead conditions. If South Africa bowl badly you capitalise but England must expect that they will bowl well. You have the positive aspect of playing shots but look to bat 120 overs in the first innings. They look like they have got the hump and I always think England play better when they have had some criticism.