Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Alastair Cook has now faced the first ball of a Test match 44 times, taking him above Graeme Smith into third in the all-time list of this particularly obscure category.

Graham Gooch is top with 58 and Sunil Gavaskar second with 56.

There it is. Alastair Cook attempts to drive Ishant Sharma and the ball moves away at the last second, leaving Cook pushing at nothing. It's always a bit fraught when Cook faces Ishant, given that the right-armer has dismissed him 11 times in 17 Tests.

Cook, wisely, opts to defend his way through a maiden.

Adam Todd: On holiday, listening to TMS for Alastair Cook’s final England game. Hoping he can end his international career on a high after 12 outstanding years for his country!

Image source, Adam Todd

A half-yelp from the slip fielders as Jasprit Bumrah hits Keaton Jennings on the edge of the pad, but that pitched well outside leg. He's then beaten by the final ball of the over, a loose drive connecting with fresh air, rather than the ball.

Maiden.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

It's one of his three areas!

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

Oh he's scored some runs through there through the years.

Ishant serves up a horrible half-volley, right onto Alastair Cook's pads, and a turn of the wrists sees Cook pick up his first boundary. Every nice shot that Cook plays is being greeted by a nostalgic sigh from those watching.

There was a fine reception for Alastair Cook as he walked out to bat this morning.

Good movement by Keaton Jennings, too, to avoid walking through the middle of it...

One of my colleagues has just wandered past and remarked that Cook "is definitely going to get a double ton." So, you know, if he gets out, it's definitely his fault.

Keaton Jennings, meanwhile, gets squared up by Jasprit Bumrah, first taking a whack on the thigh pad then watching the ball nip past his outside edge as he presses forward. He and Cook take a couple of leisurely singles to keep things trundling along.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Alastair Cook has now passed 1,000 runs at The Oval at an average of 45.55.

Only he and Graham Gooch have scored 1,000 runs now at the two London Test grounds - The Oval and Lord's.

Image source, Rex Features

Full again from Ishant Sharma, and this time it's Keaton Jennings who drives it across the practice pitches and away for runs. Ravindra Jadeja throws himself to the ground to stop the ball reaching the boundary, and Jennings has to settle for three.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

He's away! He's away! A mixture of a relief and applause that Cook doesn't get a duck. Looking at the pitch, he'll get a second knock here.

Runs! It's a bit too full from Ishant Sharma and Alastair Cook pushes the ball away through cover for three. Cook is off the mark.

Here's Ishant Sharma...

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at The Oval

A standing ovation before a ball is bowled. Special atmosphere.

Movement from Jasprit Bumrah, as he gets the ball to nip past Cook's outside edge.

Rishabh Pant goes tumbling to his right as Bumrah strays down the leg side, but he can't repeat the trick twice. Another slingy delivery goes whizzing away for a bye, and England are off the mark.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Ooo-er. I had a terrible premonition he was going to go first ball.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

What a reception, everyone is on their feet. The two openers came here on the Underground today. They punch gloves and it's time for battle to resume.

Jasprit Bumrah will open the bowling.

Alastair Cook takes a second, assessing the field, and lets the first ball swing across his body and go through to the keeper.

That's a stunning reception from The Oval crowd, and from India, who give Alastair Cook a guard of honour as he makes his way to the middle.