England v South Africa third Test: Live over-by-over commentary

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Close of play

England 1st inns: 171-4 (Cook 82* Stokes 21*, Root 29, Westley 25; Philander 2-17)

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Third Test headlines

Cook closing in on century
Malan and Jennings out cheaply
Westley impresses on debut
England win toss and bat first

Dave Tickner's tips
Beefy's Bets
Third Test guide
Sky Bet live odds

England v South Africa day one commentary

STUMPS: That's it. The umpires have called time on the day with rain and bad light having the final say as England close day one on 171-4 after 59 overs. It has been an intriguing yet dour opening day, punctuated by showers.

One man has been there throughout is Alastair Cook. England's record run-scorer is 82 not out. It has been a typical Cook innings, gritty and determined, showing his enormous powers of concentration to rescue England. I can't remember Cook giving one chance.

There was also an encouraging debut from Tom Westley in testing conditions.

For South Africa Vernon Philander was the standout performer, claiming the wickets of  Keaton Jennings and Joe Root and finishing with 2-17 from his 12 overs.

The weather forecast is expected to be similar on Friday to that of today but England will be looking to top 300 and that could put pressure on the tourists.

So that's it for today's coverage and we'll be back tomorrow for day two. 

1820: It's stopped raining and the groundstaff are back out sweeping the covers. There's a chance we could still get some more play afterall.

RAIN DELAY: That was a good half-hour for England. Only 22 runs have been added since tea but Cook and Stokes remain unbeaten. You can't help at being impressed by Philander's display today considering he has had a tummy bug. He's given England absolutely nothing and could and should have had a couple more wickets.

The rain is teaming down and chances of further play look grim at the moment.

Over 59:  England 171-4 (Cook 82, Stokes 21)
That's the 50 stand between Cook and Stokes and that is just what England needed. Sadly, it's started raining again and the players are heading off.

Over 58:  England 168-4 (Cook 80, Stokes 20)
This is a marvellous spell from Philander, who beats Stokes all ends up with three deliveries in that over.  They are the sort of deliveries that would clean up the tail in no time. Impressive stuff from the seamer.

Over 57:  England 167-4 (Cook 80, Stokes 19)
Two boundaries in that latest Morkel over to Cook either side of the wicket take him to 80.

Right, let's take a quick look at Sky Bet's in-play odds. England remain 11/10 to win with South Africa 15/8 and the draw is 3/1.

Over 56:  England 158-4 (Cook 72, Stokes 18)
Philander finally loses his accuracy with a wide the first ball of the 57th over. Stokes maybe senses an opportunity and flashes the seamer over the slips for four. But Philander has the final word in the over with another snorter that pitches and leaves Stokes, missing his outside edge by millimetres.

Over 55:  England 152-4 (Cook 72, Stokes 13)
Another cracking delivery from Morkel that pitches and jags away from the edge of Cook's bat. Another close shave for England.

Over 54:  England 152-4 (Cook 72, Stokes 13)  
Philander bowls the first over from the Vauxhall End and cuts Stokes in half with one superb delivery. I'm not sure how that missed but Stokes survives

Over 53:  England 150-4 (Cook 72, Stokes 11)
Morkel concedes only one run in the first over after the rain break but it's a run that takes England to 150. 

The players are back out and warming up. There's 31 overs still to bowl today and play could continue until 1930. This is a big session for both sides. England will be desperate not to lose anymore wickets, while the tourists, who bowled so well in the afternoon, will be keen to see the back of Cook (72*) and Stokes to maintain their advantage.

1658: RAIN DELAY: The sun is shining and the groundstaff are beavering away trying to sweep the puddles off the covers. Play is scheduled to restart at 1730.

It's still raining so there will be a delay before play resumes at The Oval.

Over 52:  England 149-4 (Cook 72, Stokes 10)
Three runs off that Rabada over and it's tea. South Africa will be delighted with how they bowled in that session, particularly after letting England off the hook during the morning's play and still hold the edge. England, however, are still very much in it while Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes are at the crease and with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali waiting in the wings.

Play will resume in 20 minutes, although it is raining at the moment.

Over 51:  England 146-4 (Cook 72, Stokes 8)  
Cook moves to 72 with a lovely straight drive off Morris. He's in the zone today, this is Cook at the best, grinding his way towards another century. One more over before the tea interval.

Over 50:  England 140-4 (Cook 67, Stokes 7)
Four more runs for England in that Rabada over. Tea is coming up in a few minutes.

Over 49:  England 136-4 (Cook 66, Stokes 4)
Just a single off that Morris over. Still plenty of swing out there for the South African bowlers. It would be interesting to see how Jimmy Anderson would do on the wicket and in these helpful conditions.

Over 48:  England 135-4 (Cook 66, Stokes 3)
At last the sun is shining and we have blue skies overhead. England keep the scoreboard moving along with six off that Rabada over. It's important Cook and Stokes hang around if England are going to post a decent first innings total.

Over 47:  England 129-4 (Cook 62, Stokes 1)
England take four more runs off Morris, who is proving costly despite that earlier wicket of Tom Westley. Stokes also gets off the mark and how England could do with a big innings from the Durham all-rounder.

Over 46:  England 125-4 (Cook 59, Stokes 0)
Cook eases some of the pressure with a lovely back-foot drive that races to the boundary off Rabada. Classic Cook.

Over 45:  England 121-4 (Cook 55, Stokes 0)
Philander maintains his unerring accuracy to keep the pressure on England with only a single coming in that over.  He's figures are impressive with 2-3 from his six overs so far.

Over 44:  England 120-4 (Cook 54, Stokes 0)   
Malan finally gets off the mark with a single from his 15th ball in Test cricket, but two balls later it's all over as he's bowled by a superb yorker from Rabada. Malan couldn't do much about that. 

WICKET! Malan b Rabada 1

Over 43:  England 117-3 (Cook 53, Malan 0)  
FIFTY FOR COOK: The former England skipper reaches his half-century off 128 balls with a flashing cut shot to the boundary.  He's been in for more than three hours which shows just how testing the conditions are. The following ball Philander again moves a delivery across Cook - that was close!

Over 42:  England 114-3 (Cook 49, Malan 0)
Rabada is desperately close to removing Malan with one that darts back sharply and flies over the stumps. There's still plenty of swing out there for the bowlers.

Over 41:  England 114-3 (Cook 49, Malan 0)
Cook is made to wait for his 50 after another accurate over from Philander. He's certainly not taking any chances with England in a bit of a mire at the moment.

Over 40:  England 114-3 (Cook 49, Malan 0)
After that short delay play gets back underway with Malan dashing down the wicket to Maharaj. He's obviously desperate to get off the mark on his debut. That's the second time we've seen Malan look to get down the wicket.

1508: Good news. The covers are coming off and play is due to resume in ten minutes or so.

RAIN DELAY

Three balls into the 40th over and the umpires take the players off with England on 114-3 after another shower. Not ideal for Dawid Malan, who has only just arrived at the crease. Alastair Cook remains at the other end after a dogged display just one run short of another half century.

Over 39:  England 113-3 (Cook 48, Malan 0)  
Another left-hander and another debutant arrives at the crease after the dismissal of Root in Dawid Malan. The Middlesex man surives the remainder of Philander's over. This could be a tough baptism.

WICKET! Root ct de Kock b Philander 29
What a delivery from Philander that squares Root up and de Kock takes a superb one-handed catch at full length. There's not much Root could have done to avoid that one. That was some catch.

Over 38:  England 112-2 (Cook 47, Root 29)  
Root picks up two more off Maharaj to keep the scoreboard moving, albeit slowly.

Over 37:  England 110-2 (Cook 47, Root 27)
The Immodium must have worked as Philander returns to the attack. No surprise he's straight back on to the nagging line and keeping the pressure on the England captain. Finally, England manage to scramble a bye and Cook gets away from Maharaj.

Over 36:  England 109-2 (Cook 47, Root 27)
Cook finally ends the run drought. This is gritty Test match cricket. That's drinks!  

Over 35:  England 107-2 (Cook 45, Root 27)
You might think there's something wrong with our scoreboard but it's down to a third successive maiden from the tourists. Morkel is well on top at the moment.

Over 34:  England 107-2 (Cook 45, Root 27)
Maharaj backs up Morkel with another maiden, the last ball prompting Cook into a false shot. The pressure is really building on the England batsmen at the moment.

Over 33:  England 107-2 (Cook 45, Root 27)
That's a jaffa! Morkel is enjoying a very good spell and beats Root three times in the over with some lovely away-swing. That was a great, great over.

Over 32:  England 107-2 (Cook 45, Root 27)
There's defnitely a tiny bit of spin out there for Maharaj but not enough to trouble Root, who is playing the spinner off the back-foot with ease.

Over 31:  England 106-2 (Cook 45, Root 26)
Perfect timing, Philander is back on but will have to wait before he can return to action, but it's Morkel who is handed the ball and immediately has Cook in bother. 

Over 30:  England 101-2 (Cook 45, Root 25)
That's the 100 up for England. With the dangerous Philander still off, du Plessis turns to the left-arm spin of Maharaj but Cook and Root both bag a single each.

Over 29:  England 99-2 (Cook 44, Root 24)
Morris continues and lures Root into a false shot. There was certainly no need to play that Joe! Root, though, has the perfect response with a boundary.

Over 28:  England 93-2 (Cook 44, Root 18)
A couple more in that over from Morkel who isn't really troubling the batsmen.

Over 27:  England 91-2 (Cook 42, Root 18)  
That's a much better over for England as Cook and Root both cash-in on some wayward bowling from Morris. Maybe it's time for Morris to take his sweater?

Over 26:  England 79-2 (Cook 36, Root 13)
A maiden from Morkel keeps the pressure on England without really threatening Root and Cook.

Over 25:  England 79-2 (Cook 36, Root 13)
Root races into double figures with a couple more boundaries, one which flew off the edge just short of du Plessis. That was too close for comfort for England followers. It's crucial this pair hang around if England are to get a big first innings score.

Over 24:  England 69-2 (Cook 34, Root 4)
England's two most prolific run-scorers at the crease now with Root joining Cook. Root wastes little time in getting off the mark with a crashing cut through the square-cover area. 

Over 23:  England 64-2 (Cook 34, Root 0)
Westley and Cook both pick up a single before Westley drives straight to du Plessis who bags a catch at slip. A poor start to the afternoon session for England.

WICKET! Westley ct du Plessis b Morris 25

The players are back out after lunch and the sun is shining at the Oval. There's five balls remaining in the 23rd over to be completed by Chris Morris. 

1250: England will be delighted to have reached the lunch break for the loss of just Keaton Jennings. Alastair Cook and Tom Westley, on debut, look pretty solid and it's a decent stand. For South Africa they could regard this as a missed opportunity in bowler friendly conditions. Time for a cuppa and I'll be back for the afternoon session shortly.

RAIN STOPS PLAY: There's a few spots of rain and the covers are coming on. And now they are going straight back off again. Is this is shortest rain break in Test history? Just as play was due to resume the rain comes down again and the players are back in the pavilion. The umpires call for an early lunch.

Over 22:  England 62-1 (Cook 34, Westley 24)   
The 50 partnership is up for Westley and Cook and to be honest neither man looks too troubled.

Over 21:  England 56-1 (Cook 31, Westley 22)  
Westley looks positive with anything that is pitched up and takes full advantage by hipping the ball over square-leg for four.

Over 20:  England 51-1 (Cook 30, Westley 18)
The 50 is up for England as Westley, who hadn't scored for 16 balls, drives through the covers for a couple. The lights are on and it's a difficult time for England. Heavy showers are forecast later but it currently remains dry.

Over 19:  England 48-1 (Cook 29, Westley 16)     
REVIEW: Morris calls for a review after the umpire turns down an appeal for leg-before on Cook. The review clearly shows an edge and Cook survives. 

Over 18:  England 47-1 (Cook 28, Westley 16)    
Tom Westley is looking unruffled. He's made 16 so far from 35 deliveries. A solid start in the problem No 3 position for England.

Over 17:  England 47-1 (Cook 28, Westley 16)   
Morris is having trouble finding his radar. His second over is all over the place. The score is 47-1.

Over 16:  England 45-1 (Cook 28, Westley 16)  
Rabada bowls a maiden, his second so far. The runs have dried up for the time being.

Over 15:  England 45-1 (Cook 28, Westley 16)
Maharaj is off after one over of spin and Chris Morris on. His first ball is a wide but he gradually finds his line without really troubling Cook.

Over 14:  England 44-1 (Cook 28, Westley 16)
Rabada is certainly steaming in. Only one single in that over to the former England captain. DRINKS

Over 13:  England 43-1 (Cook 27, Westley 16)        
Keshav Maharaj is on for Morkel, who takes a break. It will be interesting to see if there's any turn in this Oval wicket early on. Westley makes his intentions clear with two crashing drives off the spinner for four.

Over 12:  England 35-1 (Cook 27, Westley 8)       
Rabada looks to be finding his line with a maiden. It's time for spin.

Over 11:  England 35-1 (Cook 27, Westley 8)      
Lucky escape for Cook as he is squared up by Morkel and the ball flies through a gap at gully at catchable height. Two balls later, Cook is beaten again with one that  rattles into Quinton de Kock's gloves. That was a great over.

Over 10:  England 32-1 (Cook 24, Westley 8)     
Cook looks in good nick this morning and as Rabada strays off line and the left-hander whips him through midwicket for four. A typical Cook shot that one. 

Over 9:  England 27-1 (Cook 19, Westley 8)    
Morkel continues to Westley and the Essex man takes advantage of a wayward delivery the final ball of the over to secure his second boundary with a flick off his legs.  Time for a change as Rabada replaces Philander.

Over 8:  England 23-1 (Cook 19, Westley 4)   
Cook finally breaks Philander's stranglehold with his first runs of the seamer with a brace.

Over 7:  England 21-1 (Cook 17, Westley 4)  
Westley gets off the mark with his fifth ball in Test cricket, a sublime shot off his legs to the boundary for four. That's certain to give him plenty of confidence.

Over 6:  England 17-1 (Cook 17, Westley 0)
Cook gets his first look at Philander and the wily operator continues with his excellent line outside off-stump. There's just enough movement off the seam to make Cook wary and there's very little for the batsman to drive.

Over 5:  England 17-1 (Cook 17, Westley 0)
Buzzers! Heino Kuhn throws wildly as Cook takes a quick single and the ball races to the boundary. That's five more to Cook as Philander has no chance of getting behind the stumps

Over 4:  England 12-1 (Cook 12, Westley 0)
Philander is rewarded for an excellent start as he exposes Jennings' weakeness outside off-stump. It was a little predictable as the experienced seamer followed on where he left off at Trent Bridge. Poor old Keaton, he looks woefully out of nick.

WICKET! Jennings ct Elgar b Philander 0
Jennings goes as he edges Philander to Elgar, the South african opener snapping up a good low catch at third slip.

Over 3:  England 12-0 (Cook 12, Jennings 0)
Morkel troubles Cook first ball of his second over but England's profilic opener responds superbly with a lovely drive for four through the covers and then, next ball, flicks one off his leg for another boundary through square leg. 

Over 2:  England 4-0 (Cook 4, Jennings 0)
Vernon Philander is straight on the money with a maiden at Jennings. 

Over 1:  England 4-0 (Cook 4, Jennings 0)
A good opening over from Morkel, probing outside Cook's off-stump. The former England skipper gets off the mark with a controlled 'edge' down to third man.

1100: Right, Mone Morkel is ready and it's game on.

1057:  The tourists are out on the field and we await Alaistair Cook and Jennings. They can expect a gruelling examination early doors.

1055: It will be interesting to see how England's batsmen cope in what are certain to be testing conditions early on, particularly the likes of debutant Westley and Keaton Jennings, who will be desperate to make a score after a less than impressive start to the series.

1048:  Here's what Sky Bet tipster and Sky Sports commentator Sir Ian Botham thinks ahead of the match.

"England were just too bad to be true at Trent Bridge. The mark of a good side is how they respond to setbacks and England should show that they are a good side - albeit one with improvements to make - by beating South Africa." Check out his views and get his best bets here.

1045: You can also get my colleague, Dave Tickner's thoughts and tips for the match here. After thumping victories for both sides in the opening exchanges it's easy to see why he's gone for another early finish.

1040: Right, let's take a look at Sky Bet's live odds for the match.

England are 5/4 to win with South Africa 15/8 and the draw a 5/2 shot.

Sky Bet make England skipper Joe Root their big match Price Boost. The Yorkshire batsman to top score in the first innings is 11/4 (from 9/4)

It's no surprise to see Hashim Alma as a 100/30 shot to top score in the first innings for the tourists. I'm still haunted by that monumental 311 not out he scored here five years ago when he batted for more than 13-hours to help his side clinch an innings victory.

1035: Let's just remind ourselves of the teams.

England make three changes from the side that suffered that crushing defeat last time out. Tom Westley gets his chance after scoring a pile of runs for Essex this summer - including a big hundred against this South African attack for the Lions. He comes in for Gary Ballance who broke a finger at Trent Bridge.

There's also a start for Toby Rolland-Jones in place of Mark Wood, who continues to be troubled by an ankle injury. I must admit I was surprised Rolland-Jones missed out in the first Test at Lord's but with the Ashes on the horizon it's good to see him get his chance to impress the selectors.

Middlesex's Dawid Malan also gets his chance in place of Liam Dawson after a couple of average displays from the spinner at Lord's and Trent Bridge

It's no surprise to see South Africa make only one change. Kagiso Rabada, who was banned from the second Test win, returns in place of Duanne Olivier. Rabada remains South Africa's most potent threat with 41 wickets in his last 10 Tests,

England:  Joe Root (capt), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Tom Westley, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, Stuart Broad, Toby Roland-Jones, James Anderson.

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Chris Morris, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel.

1030: The coin goes up and South Africa call heads but it's tails and Root has decided to bat first. Interesting decision from the England skipper with gloomy skies and a hint of green in the wicket. 

1025: England skipper Joe Root will be looking for a response from his side after that truly forgettable effort (if that's what you could call it) at Nottingham.

The weather in London today is currently dry and around 20c but it's gloomy and there is a threat of heavy downpours throughout the day. The toss could be crucial.

1020: Welcome. We go again. Can England bounce back from a thumping defeat at Trent Bridge? They've got previous for doing exactly that sort of thing, as Dave Tickner noted in his preview for this game - read it here.

England are fielding three debutants here. Tom Westley, Dawid Malan and Toby Roland-Jones.

South Africa, meanwhile, will feel they can take control of the series now after such a decisive win last time out. They're at full strength for the first time in the series, with Kagiso Rabada back from his ban.

The series is perfectly poised for The Oval's 100th Test. This grand old venue has seen plenty of memorable moments down the years - it's sure to see some more over the next five days. Or four. Or maybe three.