Postpublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special
Maharaj has been a really big fine for South Africa - as well as offering control, he's found some turn and does his job superbly.
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
Postpublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Eng 112-2published at 14:43 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Cook 47, Root 29
A lovely wristy flick from Root down to fine leg off Maharaj and the skipper scampers two, the embattled Philander having to give chase.
Postpublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match SpecialSouth Africa need Philander to keep the pressure on here. The pitch is playing well, there's swing in the air and the extra grass will help with the carry, although The Oval has lost its real pace.
Eng 110-2published at 14:40 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Cook 47, Root 27
The thickset Philander, racing to the crease as opposed to the restrooms following that stomach upset, bustles in from the Pavilion End. Three of his first four overs were maidens, a spell in which he also claimed the wicket of Jennings, and only a single results from this one. Dark clouds building again on a strong breeze.
View from the press boxpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
drinks break Drinks breakpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Eng 109-2
After a spell of 22 balls without a run, Cook turns Maharaj for a brace. Former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell is in attendance and, unlike some of his former colleagues he is not making good use of the hospitality. He is a true artist and is carefully constructing a masterful watercolour of the ground.
Postpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialGreat little passage of play there, Morkel really bowling well and getting the ball to move. Joe Root was watchful and played him out - a good display by England.
Eng 107-2published at 14:30 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Morkel 0-35 from 12
Joe was not smiling at this one, it thudded into an unprotected area. Morkel up at 89mph, seaming the ball sharply, but Root holding firm.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
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Rich: That ball from Morris to Westley was unbelievable. Fair play to the lad.
Eng 107-2published at 14:26 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Cook 45, Root 27
England living a little dangerously here, Cook almost getting an edge with an attempted cut at Maharaj. A second successive maiden.
Image source, PAPostpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on TMSWhat I like about Joe Root is his ability to forget about the last ball. He does it very well - as soon as the bowler turns at the top of his mark, he's forgotten about what went before.
Eng 107-2published at 14:24 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Probing stuff from the formidable Morkel, 6ft 6" and up at 86mph, beating Root repeatedly outside the off stump. There are smiles from the bowler but they might have been accompanied by some choice observations in Afrikaans. Joe just responds that delightful benign grin.
Postpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at The OvalOn the back of every seat in the bottom tier of the pavilion. You'd think that the members wouldn't need reminding.
Eng 107-2published at 14:18 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Cook 45, Root 27
A slip and a short leg for Maharaj now and just a single to captain Root results.
Get involved - Cricketing business namespublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
#bbccricket
Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas & Uda Walawwe Mahim Bandaralage Chanaka Asanka Welagedara - Proof-reading and spell check service
Anon - please remember your name!
Eng 106-2published at 14:15 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Cook 45, Root 26
Philander is back out there now and South Africa will want him back in the attack. A remarkable delivery from Morkel zips away from Cook's outside edge and also beats wicketkeeper De Kock's grasp, racing away for four byes. A good spell from Morkel and he takes the edge with another that falls short of the gully.
Postpublished at 14:12 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialThere are patches of rough developing already so there will hopefully be something there for Moeen Ali.
Eng 101-2published at 30 overs
Cook 45, Root 25
Philander is off the field again with that upset stomach - have we another lasagne-gate? - so it is the left-arm spin of Maharaj, whose opening over before lunch went for eight, who takes up the attack from the Vauxhall End and both batsmen collect singles.
Sri Lanka under the coshpublished at 14:05 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Image source, ReutersSri Lanka endured a difficult second day in the first Test against India in Galle.
They closed on 154-5 - still 446 runs behind India's first innings 600 all out.
They are effectively six down because Asela Gunaratne has a fractured thumb. Angelo Mathews is, however, still there on 54. Full scorecard here.
Eng 99-2published at 14:05 British Summer Time 27 July 2017
Cook 44, Root 24
Short from Morris and Root swivels adroitly to pull his fourth boundary, Rabada's despairing dive on the fine-leg rope to no avail.