Vernon Philander
Former South Africa fast bowler on BBC Test Match Special

I'm really excited about this Test. I think South Africa havea really good balance in their team and they have a strong batting line-up as well. A lot of these cricketers will have played over here in the UK.

Right then, let's have your predictions, general thoughts etc. It's been a while.

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I am absolutely fine with England's new way of playing - it's never dull, they look like a side enjoying themelves after a frankly miserable winter and it just brings that spark back to the game that they were missing.

Will they end up with egg on their face at some point? Absolutely. But that's the risk-reward situation, isn't it?

England captain Ben Stokes on South Africa's criticisms: "I'm happy for Dean and the South Africa team to say they're not interested, but also keep talking about it.

"The opposition seem to be doing a lot of talking. We don't speak about it that much; we just concentrate on what we do."

Here's what Ben Stokes had to say in response to Elgar's, er, grumpiness.

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Today is a really good test of England's new method. It has been blown out of proportion a little. It hasn't all been reckless batting. They have soaked up pressure.

First morning of a Test, on a fresh pitch, against a good bowling attack, it will be interesting to see how they bat to set the game up.

I will say one thing in Dean Elgar's defence - the term 'BazBall' makes me want to weep whenever I hear it.

It sounds like something I'd throw around for my dog in the park.

South Africa skipper Dean Elgar on England's new style of Test cricket: "The new England style is quite interesting. But I don't see that there's longevity in brave cricket because I see things evening out over time in Test cricket.

"There was often parity between England and New Zealand and had New Zealand taken their opportunities, and their catches, then things could have been very different. England would have come away with egg on their faces."

You might have seen there's been the tiniest bit of... needle, let's say, over the past few days between the two sides.

South Africa got, frankly, smashed in their warm-up against the England Lions last week and quite a few of their players made it clear that they were tired of hearing about England's new big-hitting philosophy for Test cricket...

I fear Zak Crawley could be in for a quite testing morning.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Lord's

Dean Elgar was spitting out his decision before the coin landed. It feels like the right call because of the conditions, but also because of the way England have been playing - their four wins this summer all batting second. Now, Stokes & Co have the challenge of making the running. It will make for interesting viewing.

England: Crawley, Lees, Pope, Root, Bairstow, Stokes (capt), Foakes (wk), Potts, Broad, Leach, Anderson.

South Africa: Elgar (capt), Erwee, Petersen, Markram, Van der Dussen, Verreynne (wk), Jansen, Maharaj, Rabada, Nortje, Ngidi.

England captain Ben Stokes, speaking at the toss: "I'm very excited to get the team back together. The first training session back here was really good and we're really looking forward to getting started.

"It was important, when we got back together as a group, to look back on the things we spoke about before the New Zealand series.

On James Anderson, playing at 40: "We're very lucky to have him. He's an incredible ambassador for the game and for fast bowelrs of the future.

"I can't see him stopping. He looks as young as ever and he's really enjoying his cricket, which is great to see."

Ben Stokes says he'd have had a bowl as well.

South Africa captain Dean Elgar after choosing to bowl first: "Overheads played a big part. I was little undecided coming in today.

"It has been a decent year for us and another big one coming up.

"That [warm-up loss] is water under the bridge. It is now time for the real thing. We had a really good camp until then. We are pretty ready to go."

The main news is that Kagiso Rabada is playing for South Africa, having come through "100%" for his side.

Obviously.

Well called, Dean Elgar.

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I thought the wicket would be really dry but it is not as hard as I thought. Both sides will bowl.

Time for the toss!

Bowl first?

BBC Weather's Simon King: "The weather apps will tell you something different depending on which use. There will be heavy showers developing today. Some may be torrential. But some places may get nothing at all. I am hopeful there will be some play. If it does rain there will be a lot in a very short period of time."