Summary

  • Rabada bowls Stokes (58) after promising partnership with Bairstow

  • Bairstow reprieved on 4 - third umpire controversially rules slip catch didn't carry

  • Root out lbw for 52 after passing 5,000 Test runs

  • Skipper survived edge behind on 40 when keeper failed to go for catch

  • De Kock takes three catches - Cook (46), Westley (29) & Jennings (17)

  1. Postpublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    That's it from us for today. You can read Mr Shemlit's match report over here.

    We'll be back tomorrow at 10:30 BST for whatever day two may bring. Thanks, as always, for your company. In a bit!

  2. 'I will help every player'published at 18:57 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Paul Farbrace on Test Match Special: "I’m not a selector but as a coach I will help every player as much as I can. We believe we are supporting the right players. Jennings' going through a tough time, sometimes you go through a tough time and you learn a lot about the player."

  3. Postpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Ben Stokes is being cricket smart. Joe Root says he wanted to breed a side that becomes cricket smart. In Ben Stokes, they've got one of those cricketers.

  4. Postpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    The questions we asked before this Test are still not answered. With Jennings, yes, it was a good ball, but it's another opportunity missed. Westley looks like a good player but he switched off. Malan looks like a firecracker but he got in and gifted his wicket. Particularly with Jennings, he will watch and read stuff tomorrow morning which won’t be too nice for him.

  5. 'I knew Root was out'published at 18:50 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    South Africa fast bowler Duanne Oliver speaking to Sky Sports: "The boys will be happy with the performance today. The new ball nipped around quite a bit but the older ball didn't. it's more seam than swing.

    "When Root missed that delivery, I knew it was going to hit the stumps. There was no doubt in my mind. He's an attacking player and as captain, he wants to lead from the front. If we can do the basics right, we can disrupt England."

  6. Postpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    I thought it was good cricket. The toss was, again, one where a captain could have easily bowled. It’s been a fighting day, England have had to fight for every one of this 260 runs. Throughout the whole day, the key to South Africa’s performance was the spinner. Maharaj bowled so well, had control, used the crease nicely. He seemed to be able to control the batsman, he was in their mind, one step ahead.

  7. 'Root is heartbeat of our side'published at 18:46 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    More from Farbrace on Joe Root: "Joe Root looks a quality player. He looks as though, every innings he gets better and better. He is the heartbeat of our team. He showed his quality. Hopefully there's thousands more runs to come."

  8. Postpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    You've got to have a technique and a mindset. You find out a lot about players when they're going through a tricky period. You always have to have an eye on whether you see Keaton Jennings walking out at Brisbane in the winter to face Hazlewood, Bird and Starc.

  9. 'Keaton will be disappointed'published at 18:40 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Farbrace on Keaton Jennings: "He has worked extremely hard. We thought we saw signs in the second innings of The Oval of someone who has worked really hard to adapt to international cricket. There hasn't been a great deal of time for him to make any changes he might want to. I thought today he was starting to show he was looking like he was adapting. He'll be massively disappointed."

  10. Postpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

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

    It's been a hard fought day for both teams. It's been a long tour for South Africa, it's been a poor one and they are desperate to get something out of it. It's their last chance to salvage something and they've tried hard all day today.

  11. 'Morkel was outstanding'published at 18:37 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    England assistant coach Paul Farbrace speaking to Sky Sports: "They bowled really well today. Morne Morkel was outstanding and Maharaj has bowled with real control. I think we battled well. We talked a lot about assessing the situation, the conditions, and making sure we get that right. We did that really well in the last game and I think we've shown that today."

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    #bbccricket

    Duncan Mitchell: This is the problem... Moeen Ali will be left with the tail yet again. Such a waste of one of our most talented batsmen.

    Ian B: Nightwatchman coming in with 6 wickets down is an utter nonsense.

    Thomas Broadle: South Africa just on top. England will be disappointed that everyone's got a start but nobody has gone on to make a big score.

  13. Postpublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Here's the final wicket to fall today, with Ben Stokes bowled by a beauty by Kagiso Rabada.

  14. Postpublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

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

    South Africa have done a good job, they could have had a bit more luck here or there. Tomorrow's morning session is critical, they need early wickets and to get England out for 300 and below and then bat well.

  15. Postpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    Toby Roland-Jones, incidentally, didn't shift from the non-striker's end after being sent out as nightwatchman. Do let me know your thoughts on that...

  16. Postpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

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

    You can only define how a day is by seeing what happens in the second day. If South Africa come out tomorrow and roll England out, then you can say it was a good first day.

  17. Close of play - Eng 260-6published at 90 overs

    And that, folks, is your lot for the day. Jonny Bairstow picks up a boundary off the outside edge, before he leaves the final two balls of the over. That's your lot. Even stevens? Or are South Africa slightly ahead?

  18. Postpublished at 18:23 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

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

    It's been that kind of day today ... play and miss, play and miss, chop one onto the knee and hit the next one for four.

  19. Eng 256-6published at 89.3 overs

    Duanne Olivier will take the final over of the day, and he's summarily driven through cover for four by Bairstow.

  20. Postpublished at 18:22 British Summer Time 4 August 2017

    There's one over left and England have sent out a nightwatchman. Toby Roland-Jones has been told to go stand at the non striker's end.