England v South Africa second Test: Over-by-over commentary

Second Test scoreboard

South Africa won by 340 runs

England 2nd inns: 133 (44.2 overs. Cook 42, Moeen Ali 27; Philander 3-24, Maharaj 3-42, Morris 2-7, Olivier 2-25)

South Africa 2nd inns: 343-9 dec (104 overs. Amla 87, Elgar 80, du Plessis 63, Philander 42; Moeen 4-78, Stokes 2-34, Anderson 2-45)

England 1st inns: 205 all out (51.5 overs. Root 78, Bairstow 45, Ballance 27; Maharaj 3-21, Morris 3-38, Morkel 2-45, Philander 2-48)

South Africa 1st inns: 335 all out (96.2 overs. Amla 78, de Kock 68, Philander 54, Morris 36, Kuhn 34; Anderson 5-72, Broad 3-60, Stokes 2-77)

Get in touch: @tickerscricket | Dave.Tickner@sportinglife.com

Second Test headlines

South Africa square the series
Proteas demolish England batting again
Sky Bet odds

England v South Africa day four commentary

RESULT: South Africa (335 & 343-9d) beat England (205 & 133) by 340 runs
Even more one-sided than the first Test, where South Africa at least had their moments. England have been on the back foot here from the moment Faf du Plessis bravely but correctly chose to bat first after winning the toss under cloudy skies with Broad and Anderson and their outrageous Trent Bridge records lurking in the opposition changing room.

WICKET! Anderson c de Kock b Olivier 0

Literally everything du Plessis tries is paying off instantly here. Unbelievable. Bring Olivier back to see if he can get a couple of cheap wickets. He gets two in two, Anderson feathering an edge through to de Kock to end an astonishing Test match.

WICKET! Wood c Morris b Olivier 0

Good from Faf again - what a difference his return has made - getting Olivier on with the chance of a couple of quick confidence-boosting wickets against the tail. Wood plays his part, fencing the first ball to gully.

Over 44: England 133-8 (Dawson 3, Wood 0)
That shot from Broad might just be my favourite in the history of Test cricket. It was like he trying to describe this entire England performance via the medium of holing out to deep midwicket off the spinner.

WICKET! Broad c Morkel b Maharaj 5

Broad has worked very hard for a very long time for his 373 Test wickets. Which is why it's so hard to understand why he's so very happy to throw Test wickets out like confetti to just absolutely anyone. You could almost be forgiven for thinking this was deliberate catching practice as Broad slog-sweeps the ball absolutely straight to Morkel at deep midwicket. The only thing that puts you off that is that not even Robin Hood himself could be that accurate over a distance of 65 yards.

Over 43: England 130-7 (Dawson 3, Broad 4)
Broad avoids the pair, slicing a drive in the air but wide of the man at gully. Tries to run himself out from the last ball of the over, hitting it straight to cover and inexplicably setting off for a single before Dawson tells him to stop being quite so very daft.

Over 42: England 126-7 (Dawson 3, Broad 0)
Maiden over from Maharaj to Dawson and there is literally nothing more to add there.

Over 41: England 126-7 (Dawson 3, Broad 0)
In all seriousness, if Philander is going to start fielding like that then it's basically unfair to let him play. He's batted brilliantly and bowled even better, but the one thing that made it okay was his comically inept fielding. Even that's gone now. Broad avoids a king pair. These are the small victories we have to make do with.

WICKET! Stokes c&b Philander 18

The end coming swiftly now, Stokes driving the ball straight back at Philander who completes a smart return catch.

Over 40: England 122-6 (Stokes 17, Dawson 0)
Liam Dawson in at number eight. Be great when England make like three changes for the next Test but he keeps his place.

WICKET! Moeen Ali c Kuhn b Maharaj 27

Moeen Ali successfully reviews a caught-behind decision, overturned on some vaguely iffy Ultra-Edge evidence (or lack thereof) with a few small murmurs on the graph deemed not to be from the ball striking the edge of the bat. Two balls later he sweeps the ball straight into the hands of square-leg.

Over 39: England 120-5 (Stokes 17, Moeen Ali 25)
Philander back. Stokes batting waaay out of his crease here, and then walking further towards the bowler before delivery. He's a good yard down the wicket by the time he's playing the ball. Decision for de Kock to make here; he's good enough to stand up to the stumps here if he thinks the percentages are better for getting a bowled or lbw with Stokes forced back rather than a catch behind the wicket. I'd say that is very much the case. Philander shows the other option he has available, ending the over with a bouncer. But it's telling how easily Stokes avoids it.

Over 38: England 120-5 (Stokes 17, Moeen Ali 25)
Four more for Moeen, Big Morne Morkel going down like the proverbial roll of lino at cover and diving over the ball as Moeen unfurls another one of those cover-drives that he just simply cannot resist. Maharaj's figures just getting a little bit messy here even though he's bowling beautifully.

Over 37: England 115-5 (Stokes 16, Moeen Ali 21)
Since I said I was surprised not to see Moeen flogging boundaries all around the place, he's hit five fours in 11 balls. He's great to watch, he really is, but not someone you'd have batting for your life. Thick outside edge brings four through gully, before a cover-drive in the air but in the gap. He'll score a lot of runs in his Test career - he's already past 2000 - but at no point will the bowlers ever feel they've got no chance.

Over 36: England 107-5 (Stokes 15, Moeen Ali 13)
Ah, here comes the Mo we all wanted to see. Three boundaries in a row off Maharaj, all of them magnificent. The first is swept hard in front of square, and the third lapped delicately to fine-leg. In between comes the artistry and grace of the perfectly played cover-drive.

Over 35: England 93-3 (Stokes 14, Moeen Ali 0)
Maiden over from Morkel to Moeen Ali. Fair play to Moeen, I had him nailed on for a boundary-laden run-a-ball 30 and out here, but he's going for the 30-ball duck instead. I like it as a tactic, because prodding around for ages without scoring any runs annoys exactly the same group of people who get annoyed by any batsman getting out to an attacking shot.

Over 34: England 93-3 (Stokes 14, Moeen Ali 0)
Cricket is rarely dull when Ben Stokes is involved. Doesn't always last as long as you'd like, but that's all part of the fun. Four, play-and-miss, four here to start Maharaj's over as Stokes uncomplicatedly biffs one past a diving mid-off, curtain rails at one off the back foot and finds only fresh air, then sweeps cleverly fine to find the boundary again.

Over 33: England 85-5 (Stokes 6, Moeen Ali 0)
Even when Stokes absolutely nails a pull shot off Morkel, he gets only a single. Somehow sums up the futility of the day. It's a glorious shot of brio and coiled-spring power. Deep midwicket just calmly picks it up and throws it back as Stokes jogs to the non-striker's end.

Over 32: England 84-5 (Stokes 5, Moeen Ali 0)
Lucky escape for Moeen, an inside edge ballooning off his pad over short-leg and landing short of the man at leg-gully. 

Over 31: England 84-5 (Stokes 5, Moeen Ali 0)
Serious bouncer from Morkel leaves Stokes arching his back and then flat on it after somehow gloving the ball straight to ground. Morkel has words to say, Stokes, back on his feet, pointedly not meeting his eye as he stares intently at the ground beneath him.

Over 30: England 84-5 (Stokes 5, Moeen Ali 0)
Remember when England's biggest problem was their weird-coloured jumpers? Good times.

WICKET! Bairstow c Morris b Maharaj 16

Yeah, this is officially Not Good from Bairstow. In the second over after lunch, he's tried to whack Maharaj over the top. He's dragged it to mid-on. Twitter will go mental.

Over 29: England 83-4 (Bairstow 16, Stokes 5)
We're back under way, with Morkel back into the attack. It's more of the same. Bairstow tentatively defending and getting a couple of inside edges into his pads to prompt oohs and aahs from the well-populated slip cordon. Superb bouncer from Morkel is equally well played by Bairstow, who limbos underneath it, hands low and eyes fixed on the ball as it fizzes past his nose through to de Kock. And even better from Bairstow to end the over, as Morkel looks for the classic bumper-yorker trick but gets both line and length slightly wrong. Bang goes Bairstow through midwicket for four.

 🍽 LUNCH: England, 79-4 (28 overs), require 395 more runs to win
Another superb session for South Africa, who now need only six more wickets to complete an enormously one-sided victory to square the series. Be a major surprise now if they don't complete the job today. The huge worry for England is the continued fragility of their batting. They've suffered top-order or middle-order collapses (or both) in all four innings of this series now. Hard to know what the solution is, but it already seems inevitable that changes are afoot. No exaggeration to say only two of England's top four are certain to play the next Test. That's not ideal. South Africa are now 1/66 for victory, by the way, which is of no interest to anyone. So let's have a look elsewhere. The RequestABets may have something more to offer. There's 13/2 for Bairstow and Stokes both to reach 50, and 11/10 for Maharaj to take two or more wickets - reasonable price given he could very easily get these next two, never mind the rest. Or how about a match bet between Cook and Bairstow? Cook, in the clubhouse with 42, is 8/11; Bairstow 11/10 to go past that.

Over 28: England 79-4 (Bairstow 12, Stokes 5)
Bairstow plonks Maharaj down to long-off for an easy single. Stokes blocks out the rest of the over, without ever looking remotely convincing.

Over 27: England 78-4 (Bairstow 11, Stokes 5)
Four for Stokes, a controlled edge wide of the slips that not even Bavuma can chase down, and that lands a significant psychological blow as it brings England's target below 400.

Over 26: England 74-4 (Bairstow 11, Stokes 1)
Stokes and Bairstow have shared a 399-run partnership against South Africa before. That takes England three runs from victory here, and you'd think the tail could scrape home from there. Stokes, though, looking in huge trouble against Maharaj already. Was caught behind via bat, pad and keeper's shoulder in the first innings, and has already defended two into his pad off the inside edge here. Two men catching on the legside as Stokes continues to prop forward with low hands when defending out of the rough. Does at least manage to get off strike and off the mark with a back-foot punch down the ground.

Over 25: England 72-4 (Bairstow 10, Stokes 0)
Wicket-maiden for Morris, Stokes watchful in defence after getting a long, painful nought in the first innings. Cook's highest Test scores in 10 Tests at Trent Bridge now read: 50, 43*, 43, 43, 42. Bizarre statistical quirk. I've got nothing to offer by way of explanation.

WICKET! Cook c de Kock b Morris 42

Well at least it wasn't 43 again. This is a really unusual dismissal for Cook as well, so credit to Morris for managing to surprise him with the short ball. Cook initially wants to take it on, decides to late to pull out of the shot, and can only punch it down the legside where de Kock takes a smart one-handed catch. Now a question only of time and the magnitude of this massive South Africa victory. Been a superb all-round performance from Proteas, remarkable comeback after such a limp show at Lord's.

Over 24: England 72-3 (Cook 42, Bairstow 10)
Bairstow whips Maharaj through midwicket for four, but if this were a boxing match it would a) be a bit weird and b) still be a round to the bowler on points. Twice beaten, once saved from an lbw only by a scratch of an inside edge.

Over 23: England 68-3 (Cook 42, Bairstow 6)
Just the second maiden over of the day, from Morris to Cook.

Over 22: England 68-3 (Cook 42, Bairstow 6)
Keshav Maharaj replaces the profligate Olivier. Fair enough call even without the fact Olivier was leaking runs. Maharaj got Bairstow with a beauty in the first innings; nothing negative about this move, even though spinners historically haven't thrived here. Sure enough, the last ball of the over spins and bounces sharply from middle-and-leg, past the shoulder of Bairstow's bat and into the shoulder of de Kock's body. SPOILER ALERT: England are toast here.

Over 21: England 66-3 (Cook 41, Bairstow 5)
Good spell this from Morris. When Rabada comes in for Olivier at The Oval, this South Africa attack is going to look very tidy indeed. Amazing turnaround in where the power lays in this series since Lord's.

Over 20: England 64-3 (Cook 40, Bairstow 4)
Cook races along to 40, driving Olivier through the covers for four and then pinching a quick single on the legside. He's 40 not out off 60 balls, and going along at basically a run a ball this morning. Bairstow off the mark with a punchy drive through mid-on. Olivier leaking runs, but South Africa, it's fair to say, can afford it.

Over 19: England 55-3 (Cook 35, Bairstow 0)
Morris, understandably, tries to repeat the trick against the new batsman Jonny Bairstow. The only difference is that the ball lands eighteen inches away from Bairstow instead of at his toes, and he's able to defend.

WICKET! Root b Morris 8

Great delivery, and surely that's the game. An 87mph yorker, swinging away, beats Root and hits the outside half of the off stump. That is simply magnificent. Nothing Root could do, and his bemused look is fully justified. Absolute perfection. It swung so late, and was pitched so perfectly, it would have dismissed any right-hander who has ever had a go at this ridiculous sport.

Over 18: England 55-2 (Cook 35, Root 8)
Good shot from Root, punched out to deep cover, brings a single. Ropey shot from Cook, a loose drive and a thick outside edge, brings four. Nobody said cricket was fair.

Over 17: England 50-2 (Cook 31, Root 7)
Cook has a woeful record at Trent Bridge. Bizarre really. This is his 10th Test here and he's only made one-half century at an average barely scraping into the 20s. And that was exactly 50 and no more. Another quirk: he's got two 43s and a 43 not out here. So he's approaching a very dangerous part of his innings. Root, meanwhile, takes a slightly dicey quick single off Chris Morris. Punched into the covers off the back foot, and a clean pick-up might have caused problems.

Over 16: England 49-2 (Cook 31, Root 6)
Good news for England. Philander is off. Root celebrates the news by driving Duanne Olivier down the ground for another three. Olivier hasn't been around Test cricket long enough to learn not to bowl on Cook's pads. Won't take him long, as he watches the ball disappear through midwicket. Takes him one ball in fact. The next one is full, just outside off stump. Perfect. Cook drives it down the ground for four more. That's a bit unlucky, Duanne, if we're honest. Trust us, there's more future for you in that delivery than the previous one.

Over 15: England 38-2 (Cook 23, Root 3)
Third slip in outrageously close here, wearing a helmet. Can see why he's there - it's a position Root himself has fielded in before - given the number of edges we've already seen fall short of the slip cordon. Incredibly difficult to catch anything there, but infinitely easier than catching something that bounces. Nice drive down the ground from Root gets him off the mark with a three.

Over 14: England 35-2 (Cook 23, Root 0)
Four more for Cook's edge, the outside one this time getting the ball wide of the slips and down to the boundary. The trusty legside nurdle brings Cook two more.

Over 13: England 29-2 (Cook 17, Root 0)
Cook continues his audacious bid to play a match-winning innings without using the middle of his bat once, squeezing another ball into the legside for a single. Morkel then extracts a genuine edge from Root, but it lands short of du Plessis at second slip.

Over 12: England 28-2 (Cook 16, Root 0)
First ball Root faces, the last of Philander's latest successful over, jags back and thuds into his right thigh.

WICKET! Ballance lbw b Philander 4

No escape for Ballance this time as another lbw review sends him on his way. Again it keeps a touch low and, with Ballance's technique, that's always going to be a problem. Only doubt - and the only thing that could possibly save him - is whether it pitched outside leg. It didn't. 

Over 11: England 23-1 (Cook 15, Ballance 4)
Philander bowling magnificently this morning, but Morkel's not far behind. Flintoffian delivery here from the big man, angled in to the left-handed Cook from round the wicket before shaping away off the deck to find the outside edge. Ball flies at head height past a diving gully and away for four. Better from Cook here, though, leaning on a full delivery and punching it past cover for a hard-run three. Great take from Quinton de Kock diving down the legside as Morkel loses the radar for a moment. There's an lbw shout against Ballance. South Africa not all that interested initially but the appeal increases in volume and Du Plessis reviews Paul Reiffel's not out verdict. It's closer than I thought on the replay, jagging back in to the left-hander and thumping into the flap of the pad. Ballance never that far forward, but it still looks a touch high. Trimming the top of the bail, says Hawk-Eye, and th original decision stands.

Over 10: England 16-1 (Cook 8, Ballance 4)
Three runs for Cook, but it's a shot fraught with difficulty as he plays away from his body through gully off the back foot. It's basically the shot that got him out in the first innings at Lord's, and I'm not sure the risk:reward is in Cook's favour with it. Last ball of the over from Philander arcs back at Ballance and misses the off stump by a whisker. On the basis that there are only two kinds of leave, that from Ballance is a Good Leave.

Over 9: England 13-1 (Cook 5, Ballance 4)
Nasty delivery to end the over. It's a brute from Morkel that gets big on Ballance, who to be fair does pretty well to play the ball down safely. But it's come at a price, and that price is a thumping smack to the glove. He immediately yanks his hand off the bat handle and starts shaking it in that way instantly familiar to anyone who's ever whacked themselves on the thumb with a hammer. As far as I'm aware, the medical benefits of violent shaking of an injured hand are as yet unproved. But it remains the standard, accepted practice.

Over 8: England 12-1 (Cook 4, Ballance 4)
Runs absolutely flowing now for England as Ballance edges (safely, went straight to ground) wide of the slips and down to the fence at third-man. It's been a tough series for Ballance, but worth remembering that in three of the four innings in this series he's essentially been a de facto opening batsmen. And he's scored more runs than either Jennings or Cook. Although that is also part of the problem, because to be honest none of them have really scored any.

Over 7: England 8-1 (Cook 4, Ballance 0)
Cook finally off the mark with a prod into the legside off the inside half of the bat. He's so impressed with that shot that he decides to repeat it. Can England score 400 runs here off the inside half of the former captain's bat? I'm saying yes.

Over 6: England 4-1 (Cook 0, Ballance 0)
Ballance blocks the last ball of a fine opening over from Philander. South Africa's day so far now, if we're honest.

WICKET! Jennings b Philander 3

Jennings prods an unconvincing drive past cover for two but lasts only three more balls before having inadequate defences breached by Philander. There's a bit of movement back in, but a Test opener playing defensively probably shouldn't get clean bowled by this delivery if we're being brutally honest about it.

Over 5: England 2-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 1)
Keaton Jennings off the mark and off the pair with a hook to long-leg for a single. You'd have to say it's England's day so far.

 ☀️ 1050: If England are going to do this, they're surely going to need a slow 150 from Alastair Cook, a fast 150 from Root, and a cobbled 150 from the rest. But, you know, the sun's shining, the pitch isn't that bad, it's a small ground and oh God I've started already. Sky Bet have England at 13/2 to pull this off, and expecting a defeat of just under 200 runs. The over/under England total runs line for their second innings is 284.5 - it's 10/11 either side of that mark.

1040: Welcome. So, England need just 474 runs to win here, and the even better news is rust they've already got one of them. You know what they say; a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single run during a fraught four-over session where you could easily have lost four wickets. 

I love these kind of impossible run-chases, because at some point there will come a moment - maybe it will last an over, maybe an hour - when we'll all start thinking "They could actually do this, you know." 

We may even grow confident enough to say it out loud in front of other humans. The South African fielders will start to look a bit pensive. TV screens will fill with lists of highest fourth-innings totals and chases. And, let's face it, Joe Root will probably be batting.

Then in the blink of an eye England will have lost by 257 runs, we'll all feel foolish, and we'll angrily demand that a bowler be dropped as a sacrifice to the goods of weak batting.

It's going to be a genuinely great day.  

England v South Africa day three commentary

1835: The game has hurtled along at express pace and England require a world record fourth-innings chase to pull this out of the fire. It seems unlikely but with so many strokemakers in the side it only takes a couple of partnerships to get them somewhere close. However, there were signs today of the pitch misbehaving, plus bounce and turn for the spinners, so South Africa remain very much in pole position with their runs safely on the board and conditions likely to favour the bowlers even more on the final two days.

Over 4: England 1-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 0)
Another appeal for lbw, this time against Cook. Umpire again turns it down and replays show it was going over. Cook then guides a ball down to Morris at gully. He is firmly behind the next one and is hit on the thigh by the last ball of the day as England survive a very testing four overs.

Over 3: England 1-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 0)
A leg bye gets England off the mark and is greeted by another big cheer. Loud appeals for lbw against Jennings and it looked to be going down legside. Umpire shakes his head and no review.

Over 2: England 0-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 0)
Philander starts against Keaton Jennings who guides a ball down into the slip cordon but it's safe. He then leaves one that nips back and it's not far away from off stump. 

Over 1: England 0-0 (Cook 0, Jennings 0)
Alastair Cook takes strike against Morkel and is rapped on the pads first ball. The umpire gives it but the opener calls for the review. Ball tracking shows it was going over the top and the decision is greeted by huge cheers - what a start! Cook then nibbles at one outside his off stump and his heart must have been in his mouth again. Maiden over to start.

1807: South Africa declare on 343 for nine with a lead of 473 runs, leaving England to bat for a tricky 10-minute spell before stumps tonight.

Over 104: South Africa 343-9 dec (Philander 42, Morkel 17)
Morkel again drives Moeen down the ground for four against the spin. He tries again but there is now a fielder out at long-off so it's only a single. Philander then launches the spinner for consecutive sixes as South Africa make hay in the Nottingham sunshine.

WICKET! Philander c & b Moeen 42.
Philander goes for another big shot but gets a leading edge and it lobs up gently for Moeen to take a return catch.

Over 103: South Africa 326-8 (Philander 30, Morkel 12)
Just two off Dawson's 11th over and almost a wicket as Morkel misses with a huge swing and the ball just misses the stumps.

Over 102: South Africa 324-8 (Philander 29, Morkel 11)
Morkel turns Moeen off his pads for a couple and then hits him straight down the ground for a boundary as the lead goes to 450. Morkel hits a second drive down the ground for four.

Over 101: South Africa 314-8 (Philander 29, Morkel 1)
Dawson replaces Stokes and gets some big bounce which beats Morkel and goes for four byes. 

Over 100: South Africa 308-8 (Philander 28, Morkel 0)
Maharaj goes back to Moeen and plays down the wrong line, but the ball just misses the stumps.

WICKET! Maharaj c Broad b Moeen 1.
Maharaj looks for the big shot down the ground but Broad takes a great running catch at long-on.

Over 99: South Africa 306-7 (Philander 26, Maharaj 1)
Swing and a miss from new batsman Maharaj against Stokes. It looks as though South Africa will go for their shots now and possibly have a few overs against England tonight.

Over 98: South Africa 304-7 (Philander 25, Maharaj 0)
Moeen replaces Wood and there is early spin and turn. Morris comes down the track but doesn't time his lofted drive and has to settle for a couple.

WICKET! Morris c Ballance b Moeen 13.
Morris gets a leading edge as he looks to sweep and Ballance does well to come in from short fine leg to take a diving catch.

Over 97: South Africa 301-6 (Philander 24, Morris 11)
Morris is in his stride now and crashes Stokes through the covers for four. He then gets a couple to bring up South Africa's 300. The final ball comes off the thigh guard and goes for four but the umpire feels Morris did not play a shot and deems it a dead ball.

Over 96: South Africa 294-6 (Philander 24, Morris 5)
Philander takes a single off Wood's first ball - Morris is back on strike and was not looking too secure against the Durham man. But he manages to get a single to finally get off the mark and then drives down the ground for a boundary.

Over 95: South Africa 287-6 (Philander 22, Morris 0)
A ball from Stokes keeps exceptionally low and Bairstow has no chance in preventing four byes. He then finds an edge but it falls short of the keeper and hits him on the wrist. Bairstow needs treatment and looks to be in some pain, but is able to resume.

Over 94: South Africa 282-6 (Philander 21, Morris 0)
Wood is making life hard for new batsman Morris and it's a maiden to keep the pressure on.

Over 93: South Africa 282-6 (Philander 21, Morris 0)
Philander spoils a good over from Stokes with a punch off the back foot through the covers for four.

Over 92: South Africa 278-6 (Philander 17, Morris 0)
Philander gets a thick edge through gully and they are able to run three.

Over 91: South Africa 275-6 (Philander 14, Morris 0)

WICKET! Du Plessis lbw Stokes 63. Du Plessis is trapped by a ball that keeps low. Umpire Paul Reiffel gives it out - Du Plessis reviews but it doesn't save him with ball tracking saying it would have hit leg stump.

Over 90: South Africa 273-5 (Du Plessis 62, Philander 13)
Muted appeals from Bairstow for a catch off Philander down the legside, before Wood flashes one past his outside edge. Wood repeats the trick and the batsman can only shake his head. 

Over 89: South Africa 273-5 (Du Plessis 62, Philander 13)
Stokes replaces Anderson at the Radcliffe Road End and Philander paddles him round the corner for a single. Stokes has looked the most likely to take a wicket today and Du Plessis is troubles by the final ball, an inside edge sending it crashing into his pads.

Over 88: South Africa 272-5 (Du Plessis 62, Philander 12)
Wood comes on for Broad and comes within a whisker of finding Du Plessis' outside edge with a terrific delivery. 

Over 87: South Africa 272-5 (Du Plessis 62, Philander 12)
Another testing over from Anderson who has bowled well for little reward throughout the day.

Over 86: South Africa 270-5 (Du Plessis 62, Philander 10)
Philander drives Broad on the up and crashes it through the covers for four. Next ball he gets a thick edge through the slips for another boundary. He then takes a single and the South Africa leads goes to 400.

Over 85: South Africa 261-5 (Du Plessis 62, Philander 1)
Anderson whistles one past the outside edge of Philander's bat but he finally gets off the mark after facing 20 balls. 

Over 84: South Africa 260-5 (Du Plessis 62, Philander 0)
Broad raps the pads of Du Plessis and appeals, but it looks as though it was going down the legside and a review was not even considered this time. Du Plessis responds with a cover drive for four.

Over 83: South Africa 256-5 (Du Plessis 58, Philander 0)
Anderson also gets some bounce and it's a maiden,

Over 82: South Africa 256-5 (Du Plessis 58, Philander 0)
Broad will share the new ball on his home ground and there is a little bit of early swing plus some bounce. Philander awkwardly plays a rising deivery, one hand coming off the bat. Big appeal for caught behind? Or even lbw against Du Plessis. Nothing from the umpire so it is reviewed straightaway but replays show it was missing the stumps by some way and there was no bat or glove involved. 

Over 81: South Africa 254-5 (Du Plessis 57, Philander 0)
England take the new ball and it goes to Anderson - no surprise there. Bit of width first up to Du Plessis who launches into it but Broad makes a good stop in the covers.

Over 80: South Africa 253-5 (Du Plessis 56, Philander 0)
Du Plessis comes down the pitch and whacks Moeen over the top for a boundary.

WICKET! Bavuma c Root b Moeen 15. Bavuma tries to emulate his skipper by dancing down the pitch but doesn't get hold of it and gives an easy catch to Root at wide mid-off.

Over 79: South Africa 248-4 (Du Plessis 51, Bavuma 15)
Just one run off Dawson's over with Bavuma very watchful.

Over 78: South Africa 247-4 (Du Plessis 50, Bavuma 15)
Bavuma charges down the pitch to Moeen but Broad fields at long-on so it's only a single. Du Plessis drives off the back foot and Cook gives chase, but it's another three runs as the skipper brings up his 50.

Over 77: South Africa 241-4 (Du Plessis 46, Bavuma 13)
Dawson resumes after the tea interval and Bavuma scampers a quick single. Du Plessis paddle sweeps for a couple and it's a productive start with another two runs added.

1550: South Africa are now 1/7 favourites with Sky Bet to win the game, while England are 9/1 and the draw 10/1. Du Plessis is 11/4 to get a century and Bavuma 2/1 to reach his 50. Click here for latest match odds!

1542 - TEA: Another solid session for South Africa who have extended their lead to 366 and are very much on top here. England have a new ball due in four overs and that could be their last hope, but it is difficult to see them chasing down a total of what is going to be in excess of 400.

Over 76: South Africa 236-4 (Du Plessis 42, Bavuma 12)
Bavuma greets Moeen's first ball from around the wicket with a boundary and that's the last over before tea.

Over 75: South Africa 230-4 (Du Plessis 41, Bavuma 7)
Bavuma gets his first boundary and South Africa have kicked on again following the loss of Amla.

Over 74: South Africa 226-4 (Du Plessis 41, Bavuma 3)
Du Plessis sweeps Moeen for four to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Over 73: South Africa 221-4 (Du Plessis 37, Bavuma 2)
Bavuma gets off the mark with a single and Du Plessis gets one down the ground as the lead moves to 350.

Over 72: South Africa 218-4 (Du Plessis 36, Bavuma 0)
Maiden over for Moeen who was bang on the money there to Du Plessis.

Over 71: South Africa 218-4 (Du Plessis 36, Bavuma 0)
Another single to Du Plessis and Dawson must be delighted to see the back of Amla who had given him a torrid time.

Over 70: South Africa 217-4 (Du Plessis 35, Bavuma 0)
Moeen concedes a single to Du Plessis and England will now look to build pressure with the tea interval approaching.

Over 69: South Africa 216-4 (Du Plessis 34, Bavuma 0)
England take a risk as Dawson comes back into the attack and immediately Amla is down the pitch and launches him down the ground for four. Big appeal as Amla is hit on the pads coning down the wicket. Umpire shakes his head but England review.

WICKET! Amla lbw Dawson 87. Replays show the ball woud have hit middle stump so Amla's terrific knock comes to an end.

Over 68: South Africa 212-3 (Amla 83, Du Plessis 34)
A little bit of spin for Moeen but batting looks decidedly easy as the lead approaches 350.

Over 67: South Africa 210-3 (Amla 82, Du Plessis 33)
Amla claims another boundary from Broad's opening delivery before Du Plessis takes a risky single with Moeen just missing the stumps. Another check of the ball but still no change.

Over 66: South Africa 204-3 (Amla 77, Du Plessis 32)
Amla sweeps Moeen round the corner for a four to bring up South Africa's 200 and then a single brings up the 50 partnership from 135 balls.

Over 65: South Africa 199-3 (Amla 72, Du Plessis 32)
Broad continues and good fielding from Dawson in the deep means Amla only gets a single for a well-played pull shot.

Over 64: South Africa 198-3 (Amla 71, Du Plessis 32)
Cheers greet the arrival of Moeen Ali and it will be interesting to see if the batsmen target him like they did Dawson earlier. Du Plessis misses an intended slog sweep and it's a good start from the spinner with just one run conceded.

Over 63: South Africa 197-3 (Amla 70, Du Plessis 32)
Broad is once more accurate and racks up a maiden.

Over 62: South Africa 197-3 (Amla 70, Du Plessis 32)
Du Plessis drives past gully for a boundary after Wood offers him too much width. He drives again for another four with one hand coming off the bat.

Over 61: South Africa 188-3 (Amla 70, Du Plessis 23)
Broad keeps plugging away and concedes just two runs, but the signs are now looking ominous for England.

Over 60: South Africa 186-3 (Amla 69, Du Plessis 22)
Root again has the ball checked by the umpire, but it's quickly handed back. Woods ends up on the floor again and strikes Amla on the arm. The Durham man is looking to bowl quickly but Amla is untroubled. 

Over 59: South Africa 185-3 (Amla 68, Du Plessis 22)
Broad is back into the attack Du Plessis drives him down the ground for four, beating Moeen's despairing dive at mid-off.

Over 58: South Africa 181-3 (Amla 68, Du Plessis 18)
Du Plessis carves Wood away off the back foot for a boundary in-front of square. The bowler responds by digging one in and the South Africa captain is struck on the hand but is OK.

Over 57: South Africa 175-3 (Amla 67, Du Plessis 13)
Tidy over from Stokes with just two singles coming from it.

Over 56: South Africa 173-3 (Amla 66, Du Plessis 12)
Wood ends up on the ground following his first delivery but it's a good probing over and a maiden.

Over 55: South Africa 173-3 (Amla 66, Du Plessis 12)
Stokes induces a false shot from Du Plessis before calling out he groundsman to hammer down the footmarks close to his deivery stride.

Over 54: South Africa 171-3 (Amla 65, Du Plessis 11)
Wood comes on in place of Anderson and concedes just one run from the final ball.

Over 53: South Africa 170-3 (Amla 65, Du Plessis 10)
Du Plessis pulls Stokes for a single and the batsmen are being very watchful at present as the lead goes to 300.

Over 52: South Africa 169-3 (Amla 65, Du Plessis 9)
Du Plessis shovels one off his pads and claims a single before exchanging more words with Anderson. Amla guides a ball slightly legside down to an unprotected boundary before a play and miss as the bowler responds.

Over 51: South Africa 164-3 (Amla 61, Du Plessis 8)
Another maiden - good pressure by England's bowlers here.

Over 50: South Africa 164-3 (Amla 61, Du Plessis 8)
Du Plessis leaves an inswinger from Anderson which is not far away from off stump and then is beaten on the back foot as he looks to drive. A maiden and England are right on the money here.

Over 49: South Africa 164-3 (Amla 61, Du Plessis 8)
Stokes resumes from the Radcliffe Road End and first up Amla is forced to duck away from a bouncer. He then gets one past the outside edge of Amla's bat - good start and a maiden. 

Over 48: South Africa 164-3 (Amla 61, Du Plessis 8)
Anderson starts the afternoon session from the Pavilion End and Du Plessis guides the ball past gully for a boundary with no third man in residence.

1310: South Africa are 1/6 favourites with Sky Bet to win the match, while Engand are 13/2 and the draw 16/1. Amla is 6/4 to get a century and 6/1 to get 150 or more. There is also a PRICE BOOST currently available with Joe Root now 11/4 from 9/4 to score most England runs in the second innings. Click here for all the last match odds!

1302: LUNCH. England have given themselves a glimmer of hope with wickets in consecutive overs, but South Africa remain in the ascendency as they lead by 290 runs with seven wickets in hand.

Over 47: South Africa 160-3 (Amla 61, Du Plessis 4)
Stokes bowls the last over before the interval and it's a maiden.

Over 46: South Africa 160-3 (Amla 61, Du Plessis 4)
Just one run off Anderson also and how England would like to strike again just before lunch.

Over 45: South Africa 159-3 (Amla 60, Du Plessis 4)
Just one run conceded by Stokes as England continue to build the pressure.

Over 44: South Africa 158-3 (Amla 59, Du Plessis 4)
Anderson returns to the attack and strikes immediately!
WICKET! De Kock c Bairstow b Anderson 1. Anderson angles the ball across De Kock and he edges behind to keeper Bairstow.

It's taken almost a full session but the crowd have come alive and although South Africa still hold the upperhand England are fighting back. Du Plessis gets off the mark with a boundary before a leading edge lands safe. 

Over 43: South Africa 154-2 (Amla 59, De Kock 1)
WICKET! Elgar c Anderson b Stokes 80.
A well-directed short ball from Stokes sees Elgar get in a real tangle and a leading edge pops up nicely to Anderson running in from backward square leg.

Over 42: South Africa 153-1 (Elgar 80, Amla 59)
Amla again jogs down the pitch to loft Dawson down the ground for four. He repeats the dose but this time it's a six as he brings up the 34th half-century of his stellar Test career in which he averages just under 50. Amla also hits the final ball for four with 14 runs coming off an expensive over.  

Over 41: South Africa 139-1 (Elgar 80, Amla 45)
It's a change of ends for Stokes who produces a good yorker to Amla who does well to dig it out. Just one run conceded but both batsmen look comfortable out there.

Over 40: South Africa 138-1 (Elgar 80, Amla 44)
England turn to left-arm spinner Liam Dawson and Amla quickly advances down the track and hits him back over his head for four.

Over 39: South Africa 132-1 (Elgar 79, Amla 39)
Amla pulls Wood for a single and the England attack is carrying very little menace at the moment. Elgar then guides the ball down through the sips for a boundary.

Over 38: South Africa 126-1 (Elgar 74, Amla 38)
Elgar takes on a short ball from Stokes and pulls it through mid-wicket for four prompting the bowler to go back over the wicket.

Over 37: South Africa 122-1 (Elgar 70, Amla 38)
Elgar scampers a quick single to bring up the 100 partnership which has taken 182 balls, but in the context of the game could well turn out to be a matchwinning one. Amla guides the final ball from Wood safely through the slips for a four.

Over 36: South Africa 114-1 (Elgar 67, Amla 33)
Stokes comes around the wicket to Amla so I think we can expect some short stuff here. Amla takes a single to get off strike and Elgar is then rapped on the pads, but it's outside the line so can't be out.

Over 35: South Africa 113-1 (Elgar 67, Amla 32)
A few spots of rain but nothing that should cause us any problems. Elgar manages to guide the ball down between two gulleys for a four.

Over 34: South Africa 108-1 (Elgar 63, Amla 31)
Ben Stokes is now also into the attack and Elgar clips him for four through mid-wicket.

Over 33: South Africa 104-1 (Elgar 59, Amla 31)
Mark Wood is brought into the attack as England desperately look for a breakthrough. He goes past Elgar's outside edge and it's fair to say they have not had any luck so far. Wood beats him again outside off stump but bowls too straight with the final ball and Elgar punches him way off his pads for three as Broad does the fielding.

Over 32: South Africa 101-1 (Elgar 56, Amla 31)
A single for Amla brings up the 100 for South Africa and they now lead by 230. 

Over 31: South Africa 99-1 (Elgar 55, Amla 30)
Amla drives off the back foot and Stokes misfelds at backward point to gift him a boundary. The fiery Durham all-rounder makes up for it next ball with a terrific stop as Anderson gives Amla too much width.

Over 30: South Africa 94-1 (Elgar 55, Amla 25)
Elgar flashes hard at Broad after the ball just moves away from him. Anderson gets a hand on it diving to his left a gully but he can't cling on.

Over 29: South Africa 94-1 (Elgar 55, Amla 25)
Elgar picks up another couple and there are plenty of bemused England players at the moment as they realise they could have got rid of Amla in the previous over. 

Over 28: South Africa 91-1 (Elgar 52, Amla 25)
Another Elgar outside edge through the slips but again it's safe and the frustration grows for England. Amla edges behind and Bairstow takes and there is a half-hearted appeal but no review. Replays show there was a nick so England have missed a geat chance there.

Over 27: South Africa 89-1 (Elgar 51, Amla 24)
Elgar picks up a couple with a drive through the covers and a controlled outside through the slips - half-stopped by Ben Stokes - brings him his eighth Test fifty.

Over 26: South Africa 85-1 (Elgar 47, Amla 24)
England put a second man out for the hook shot for Amla who is not always entirely convincing with it. But for now it's just a bluff as Broad keeps the ball up and on a length to claim a maiden.

Over 25: South Africa 85-1 (Elgar 47, Amla 24)
England want the ball changing but there is little sympathy from the umpire who throws it back to Anderson. Elgar plays and misses the final ball of a very tidy over.

Over 24: South Africa 84-1 (Elgar 47, Amla 23)
Stuart Broad opens up from the Pavilion End on his home ground. He's immediately on the money from around the wicket to Elgar who punches the fifth ball down the ground for the day's first boundary. Broad sqaures him up with the next, but an outside edge goes through the slips along the ground for another four.

Over 23: South Africa 76-1 (Elgar 39, Amla 23)
James Anderson gets day three under way from the Radcliffe Road End with Dean Elgar taking strike and the first ball induces a tentative prod and whistles past the outside edge. Elgar gts the first run of he da with a flick off his legs for a single. 

1040: Latest betting news and Sky Bet have South Africa as strong odds-on 1/6 favourites to win the match, with England 13/2 and the draw 14/1. James Anderson to take three or more wickets in the second innings is 4/7 and to take five wickets 9/2. Click here for all the latest match odds. 

1030: Good morning and welcome to our coverage of day three of the second Test between England and South Africa from Trent Bridge. Yesterday very much belonged to the tourists as they dismissed England for a well below-par 2o5 - the last seven wickets going down for just 62 runs. South Africa then closed on 75-1, a lead of 205 and you would think having to chase anything much over 320 will be a tall order for England in their second innings so they will be looking to make significant in-roads this morning. Like day two, we have an overcast morning with the threat of showers so it would appear to be a good time to bowl. The forecast is for better weather to arrive this afternoon so there really is some urgency for England to strike and strike hard.

England v South Africa day two commentary

1835 - CLOSE: No doubt it has been South Africa's day as they leave the field 205 runs ahead, a very handy lead on a pitch that is only going to keep offering more assistance to the bowlers. England will need quick wickets tomorrow morning otherwise they will be batted out of the game. Join me again from 1030 on Sunday morning for live coverage.

Over 22: South Africa 75-1 (Elgar 38, Amla 23)
Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson will bowl the last over of the day and it's a maiden.

Over 21: South Africa 75-1 (Elgar 38, Amla 23)
Elgar is struck on the elbow by Stokes and he is not wearing a protector. He needs treatment and this could now be the last over of the day. Elgar is carrying on but does not look particularly comfortable.

Over 20: South Africa 75-1 (Elgar 38, Amla 23)
A maiden for Moeen and South Africa will certainly have an eye on the close of play now.

Over 19: South Africa 75-1 (Elgar 38, Amla 23)
Stokes is brought into the attack as England desperately look for a breakthrough. Tidy start fom the bowler who has found a good length and appeals long and loud for a leg before against Amla - no review. 

Over 18: South Africa 73-1 (Elgar 37, Amla 23)
Amla advances down the pitch and whacks Moeen back over his head for a well-struck boundary. Moeen then serves up a full toss that is also dispatched for four and England are looking a little ragged.

Over 17: South Africa 63-1 (Elgar 36, Amla 14)
Broad appeals for lbw against Amla, but it is turned down by the umpire and no sign of a review on this occasion. Elgar then drives him down the ground and batting looks fairly easy at the moment.

Over 16: South Africa 58-1 (Elgar 32, Amla 14)
Moeen Ali replaces Wood as Engand turn to spin. Amla works him off his pads for a single before Elgar drives out of the rough and although it's in the air, it's well clear of Cook's desperate dive at point.

Over 15: South Africa 53-1 (Elgar 28, Amla 13)
Elgar clips Broad off his legs for a boundary. He then squirts one down past Jennings at gully for another four with England now forced to employ a third man.

Over 14: South Africa 45-1 (Elgar 20, Amla 13)
Amla dabs a Wood delivery through the slip cordon and with no third man it's a boundary. Amla then plays a decent hook shot to get another four as the lead extends to 175.

Over 13: South Africa 37-1 (Elgar 20, Amla 5)
Broad comes back in place of Anderson and looks to target Amla with some short stuff judging by the field. But he immediately gets off strike so the trap will have to wait. Broad does find the outside edge of Elgar's bat but it lands well short of Root at second slip.

Over 12: South Africa 33-1 (Elgar 17, Amla 4)
Elgar jabs down on a Wood ball heading for his ribs and he gets a single from another accurate and probing over.

Over 11: South Africa 32-1 (Elgar 16, Amla 4)
Another maiden from Anderson but it's wickets that Engand really need here.

Over 10: South Africa 32-1 (Elgar 16, Amla 4)
Much better over from Wood whose length is spot-on and he is forcing Elgar to play shots. A maiden is a good comeback after he conceded 10 runs in his first over. 

Over 9: South Africa 32-1 (Elgar 16, Amla 4)
Anderson continues from the Radcliffe Road End and needs some sawdust on his run up. It's a containng over and earns him a maiden.

Over 8: South Africa 32-1 (Elgar 16, Amla 4)
First bowling change sees Wood on for Broad at the Pavilion End and his first ball is driven for four by Elgar. Anderson parries another Elgar drive, but they still get back for two. Another boundary follows and it's not been a good start for the Durham quick.

Over 7: South Africa 22-1 (Elgar 6, Amla 4)
WICKET! Kuhn c Root b Anderson 8. Andrson finds the outside edge and Kuhn guides it to Root at second slip who takes a good low catch. Just what England needed if they are to get back into this mach.

Amla gets off the mark with a flick off his legs that Wood gets to, but can only palm it into the boundary rope.

Over 6: South Africa 18-0 (Elgar 6, Kuhn 8)
Elgar again goes fishing for one outside his off stump from Broad who is going around the wicket, but no edge. The opener picks up a couple as Moeen does the fielding in the deep.

Over 5: South Africa 16-0 (Elgar 4, Kuhn 8)
Loud appeal for lbw from Anderson against Kuhn which was given not out by the umpire - and also went for four leg byes. England opt to review and replays show it was going well over the stumps so definitely not out.

Over 4: South Africa 10-0 (Elgar 4, Kuhn 6)
Elgar picks up a couple through mid-wicket as Broad concedes his first runs of the innings.

Over 3: South Africa 7-0 (Elgar 2, Kuhn 5)
Anderson gets one past the outside edge of Elgar's bat and then another which the batsman could have left. Good early signs for England. Elgar does get off the mark with a couple to ease his nerves.

Over 2: South Africa 5-0 (Elgar 0, Kuhn 5)
No surprise that it is Broad to share the new ball. Kuhn plays a full-blooded drive and the ball whistles past his outside edge. 

Over 1: South Africa 5-0 (Elgar 0, Kuhn 5)
Kuhn clips the first ball from Anderson off his legs for four and South Africa have a gift to start with.

1650: An unexpected collapse from England, although 14 wickets have fallen on a day which has favoured the bowlers but Joe Root did show there are not too many demons in the pitch. There are still 29 overs to be bowled today so the hosts have a chance to get themselves back into the game as they trail by 130 runs.

Over 52: England 205 all out (Anderson 0, Wood 6)
Terrific pull shot from Wood off Morris for a boundary brings great applause from a capacity Trent Bridge crowd.

WICKET! Wood c Du Plessis b Morris 6. Wood edges a rising delivery to second slip.

Over 51: England 201-9 (Anderson 0, Wood 2)
Wood keeps out Maharaj with relative ease and picks up another single.

Over 50: England 200-9 (Anderson 0, Wood 1)
Wood does well to keep out a testing over from Morris as South Africa search for the final wicket and manages a single to bring up the 200.

Over 49: England 199-9 (Anderson 0, Wood 0)
WICKET! Dawson c Amla b Maharaj 13. Dawson top edges a sweep and Amla takes a simple catch at square leg.

Over 48: England 199-8 (Dawson 13, Wood 0)
WICKET! Moeen c Du Plessis b Morris 18. Moeen, perhaps expecting another short ball, drives loosely but only scoops the ball up to Du Plessis who had just stationed himself at point.

Broad is hit on the pad first ball and it's been reviewed afer the umpire said not out.
WICKET! Broad lbw Morris 0. Field set for a short ball but it was full and fast with tracking showing it would have hit leg stump so Broad has to go.

Mark Wood keeps out the hat-trick ball, a full toss speaed in at leg stump. South Africa are now very much on top.

Over 47: England 199-6 (Moeen 18, Dawson 13)
Loose delivery down the legside from Maharaj and he is swept by Dawson for a boundary.

Over 46: England 195-6 (Moeen 18, Dawson 9)
Morris looks as though he will test Moeen with some short stuff, but so far they have been easy to avoid. He offers up some width with the final delivery and Moeen takes a couple.

Over 45: England 193-6 (Moeen 16, Dawson 9)
Just one run for Moeen and Maharaj has quickly settled back into a very good rhythm.

Over 44: England 192-6 (Moeen 15, Dawson 9)
It's to be Chris Morris from the Radcliffe Road End and South Africa go up straightaway for a caught behind. It's given but Dawson has no hesitation in reviewing and it's a good move as replays show he was a long way off making contact. He adds injury to insut for the Proteas by guiding the next ball through the slips for four. 

Over 43: England 186-6 (Moeen 15, Dawson 3)
Maharaj bowls the first over after tea and Moeen helps himself to a single. Dawson follows suit and England are up and running once again.

1550: Latest betting from Sky Bet who now have South Africa 8/11 favourites to win the match, with England 6/4 and the draw 10/1. They have also released a PRICE BOOST which is Hashim Amla to be South Africa's top second innings runscorer which is now 100/30 from 11/4. Get all the latest match odds by clicking here.

1545 - TEA: A session of 99 runs and four wickets, but South Africa will feel they have edged it having taken the vital wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes.

Over 42: England 184-6 (Moeen 14, Dawson 2)
Chris Morris to bowl the final over before tea and Moeen takes a single first ball. Three more singles follow before the teams leabe the field ahead of what could be a pivotal final session.

Over 41: England 179-6 (Moeen 10, Dawson 1)
WICKET! Bairstow b Maharaj 45. Peach of a ball from the spinner that leaves Bairstow and crashes into the stumps.

New batsman Liam Dawson is immediately off the mark before Moeen takes a single to keep the strike.

Over 40: England 177-5 (Bairstow 45, Moeen 9)
Moeen again shows his confidence with a drive on the up off Philander that races to the boundary.

Over 39: England 173-5 (Bairstow 45, Moeen 5)
A tidy over from  Maharaj who concedes just one run to Moeen and it looks like a period of re-building for England.

Over 38: England 172-5 (Bairstow 45, Moeen 4)
A maiden for Philander who continues to ask questions of the batsmen, despite bowling at less then 80mph. 

Over 37: England 172-5 (Bairstow 45, Moeen 4)
WICKET! Stokes c De Kock b Maharaj 0. Stokes is beaten by a delivery that bounces perhaps less than he was expecting. He gets a nick and keeper De Kock juggles it before taking the catch.

Moeen Ali slog-sweeps his first ball for four to show his intent and the field quickly spreads. 

Over 36: England 168-4 (Bairstow 45, Stokes 0)
Philander is still getting enough movement to create doubt in the minds of the batsmen. But Bairstow drives down the ground for a boundary, a little bit uppish but safe.

Over 35: England 164-4 (Bairstow 41, Stokes 0)
Spinner Maharaj returns and Bairstow is watchful before taking a single off the last ball thanks to another misfield.

Over 34: England 163-4 (Bairstow 40, Stokes 0)
Philander returns and makes an appeal for lbw against Bairstow which is turned down, but South Africa call for the review. However, it shows the batsman hit the ball and on we go. Bairstow then looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pad but it's safe. A thick outside stops short of the boundary but they run three to round off another interesting over. 

Over 33: England 160-4 (Bairstow 37, Stokes 0)
Bairstow goes on the drive and Philander should stop it, but makes a ral hash of it and it's another boundary. He then finds the gap through extra cover and Kuhn's dive is not enough to prevent the ball crossing the rope.

Over 32: England 151-4 (Bairstow 29, Stokes 0)
Bairstow cuts going onto the back foot and the ball flashes past Morris at gully. He adds two more and England bring up the 150.

Over 31: England 144-4 (Bairstow 22, Stokes 0)
There's a strange hush in the ground following Root's wicket. But England are still in a good position, it's a case of rebuilding once again.

Over 30: England 143-4 (Bairstow 21, Stokes 0)
WICKET! Root c De Kock b Morkel 78. Root looks to drive on the up to a full delivery but edges behind and keeper De Kock takes a stunning diving catch going across in front of first slip.

New batsman Ben Stokes is greeted by two bouncers and has the pendulum swung back in South Africa's favour now dangerman Root has departed?

Over 29: England 143-3 (Root 78, Bairstow 21)
Bairstow clips off his legs for a couple and runs are once more coming freely for England. Olivier has not settled and bowls a wide one, a very wide one.

Over 28: England 139-3 (Root 77, Bairstow 19)
A loose one down the legside from Morkel is helped on its way by Root for a four. The bowler then beats Bairstow, but also off-stump and the despairing dive of the keeper and it goes for four byes to bring up the 50 partnership.

Over 27: England 130-3 (Root 72, Bairstow 19)
Olivier is back into the attack and England will now feel much more comfortable against South Africa's change bowlers with Morris also likely to return soon. Bairstow drives through the covers for four to end a profitable over with nine runs coming off it.

Over 26: England 121-3 (Root 71, Bairstow 11)
Root gets one in the ribs from Morkel but is able to smile about it before he edges a boundary wide of the slip cordon. Bairstow looks for an expansive drive but it nips back and beats him. 

Over 25: England 114-3 (Root 64, Bairstow 11)
Root takes another single and South Africa are finally starting to apply the brakes after England were up at over five an hour prior to lunch. Just as I say that Philander bowls short and is pulled away for four.

Over 24: England 107-3 (Root 58, Bairstow 11)
Just a single to Root off Morkel's over which was right on the money.

Over 23: England 106-3 (Root 57, Bairstow 11)
Root helps himself to a couple of Philander and still looks relatively untroubled on a day that has belonged to the bowler so far.

Over 22: England 103-3 (Root 54, Bairstow 11)
Worrying signs as a Morkel delivery stays low and just whistles past Bairstow's off-stump. An edge, but this time it's safe as it goes past third slip and England bring up their 100. 

Over 21: England 99-3 (Root 54, Bairstow 7)
Bairstow drives hard and edges, but it falls short of Faf Du Pessis at second slip. The batsman takes a couple of runs before another play and miss - England are riding their luck here.

Over 20: England 95-3 (Root 53, Bairstow 4)
Morkel strikes Root on the back pad with a ball that went through his defences. 

Over 19: England 94-3 (Root 52, Bairstow 4)
WICKET! Ballance b Philander 27. Philander changes ends and it does the trick as an unlucky Ballance gets an inside edge onto his leg before the ball hits the stumps.

Philander then gets one to nip back at new batsman Bairstow and it hits the thigh pad before going through the slip cordon for a boundary. Bairstow then clips one of his legs for consecutive fours before an eventful over ends with a play and miss.

Over 18: England 86-2 (Root 52, Ballance 27)
Morkel is back into the attack and straightaway induces a false shot from Ballance that squirts into the legside for a single. 

1335: The players are just coming back out for what should be an enthralling afternoon session. The weather has improved but you would still expect plenty of assistance for the bowlers ... if they bowl in the right areas.   

1315: A quick betting update and England are now 4/5 favourites with Sky Bet to win the match, with South Africa 2/1 and the draw 9/2. Root to score a century is 11/10 and to be not out at the end of the day 9/2.

1304 - LUNCH. A eventful first session which saw James Anderson blow away South Africa's lower order as he picked up five for 72. The Proteas hit back with the ealy wickets of openers Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings, but a stand of 82 between Yorkshire team-mates Joe Root and Gary Ballance means this second Test remains very even.

Over 17: England 85-2 (Root 52, Ballance 26)
Last over before lunch and spinner Maharaj is introduced. Root takes his ninth boundary to bring up his 50 and what a vital one it is.

Over 16: England 80-2 (Root 48, Ballance 25)
South Africa review after Root jabs the ball into the ground and they felt it came off his boot before being caught, but the England captain is safe. Root responds by pulling Olivier for four. Another pull ... this time not middled but it falls safe. The final ball of an eventful over is squirted away between third slip and gully for another four.

Over 15: England 70-2 (Root 38, Ballance 25)
Ballance gets bat on a wide delivery from Morris and skews it over third man for yet another four. Root plays and misses and it looks as thought it was a delivery he could have left, but takes three off the fonal ball.

Over 14: England 62-2 (Root 35, Ballance 20)
Great ball by Olivier brings a play and miss from Root just to remind us all that there is still plenty in the pitch. But the next delivery is too straight and Root picks up a couple. 

Over 13: England 60-2 (Root 33, Ballance 20)
Better over fom Morris, but Ballance is still able to clip him away for a couple. But the final ball is speared down the legside from around the wicket and Ballance simply helps it on its way.

Over 12: England 54-2 (Root 33, Ballance 18)
Ballance scampers a single to bring up England's 50 as Olivier comes into the attack. Root clips the final ball off his legs and it goes for another four.

Over 11: England 49-2 (Root 29, Ballance 17)
Morris' first two balls of the day are short and wide and Root sends both to the boundary rope with some aplomb.

Over 10: England 39-2 (Root 20, Ballance 16)
Root takes a single and England trail by exactly 300. The flurry of runs continues as Ballance guides the ball past Morris at gully for another four. South Africa are not happy with the ball but t is checked by the umpire and thrown back to them.

Over 9: England 34-2 (Root 19, Ballance 12)
Ballance perfectly executes a cover drive off Morkel and all of a sudden batting looks a little easier. Another four follows as Ballance touches a wide one off his legs which races across the rope.

Over 8: England 26-2 (Root 19, Ballance 4)
Root plays a glorious cover drive but then plays an uppish stroke that flashes past Morris through gully. It goes for four but bowler Philander will take heart from it as Root plyed well away from his body. Then comes a lovely drive off the backfoot and it's another boundary for the cowd to cheer.

Over 7: England 14-2 (Root 7, Ballance 4)
Root guides the ball down to third man for a couple and it's vital England try to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Ballance finally gets off the mark as he plays the ball behind gully for a boundary.

Over 6: England 7-2 (Root 4, Ballance o)
Two Yorkshire players at the crease with a big re-building job on their hands. Root takes a single from another excellent Philander over.

Over 5: England 6-2 (Root 3, Ballance o)
WICKET! Jennings c De Kock b Morkel 0. Great delivery from Morkel squares Jennings up and he is caught behind. Skipper Root comes to the crease with his side in trouble but gets off the mark with three runs.

Over 4: England 3-1 (Jennings 0, Ballance o)
An inside edge comes to Cook's rescue after he is struck on the pads and Philander is already looking might dangerous. A huge appeal for lbw is rejected by the umpire but South Africa call for a review.

WICKET! Cook c De Kock b Philander 3. Although the initial appeal was for leg before, DRS showed there was a small inside edge so Cook goes caught behind by the keeper.

Over 3: England 3-0 (Cook 3, Jennings 0)
Maiden for Morkel against Jennings who is in need of a solid knock.

Over 2: England 3-0 (Cook 3, Jennings 0)
Philander shares the new ball and it's a typically probing over, before he offers up one that is too straight and Cook clips it away for a couple.

Over 1: England 1-0 (Cook 1, Jennings 0)
Three slips and a gully for Morkel as Cook defends the first ball of England's reply. Cook gets off the mark with a flick off his hips and it's a watchful start.

1135: I said it looked ideal conditions for England's seamers but of course you still have to exploit them and who better than Anderson to do just that. He has blown away South Africa this morning to pick up five wickets and put his side on top. But England will have to bat well to take advantage - stay with us for the start of England's first innings.

Over 97: South Africa 335 all out
WICKET! Morkel c Bairstow b Anderson 8. Five wickets for Anderson as Morkel is caught behind by Jonny Bairstow. A perfect morning for England.

Over 96: South Africa 335-9 (Morkel 8, Olivier 0)
Broad again is too full and Morkel drives down the ground for a valuable boundary.

Over 95: South Africa 330-9 (Morris 36, Morkel 4)
Great fielding by Ben Stokes at cover but he slips as he throws the ball at the stumps and goes down holding his left side. The doctor briefly comes out but Stokes is able to resume quickly.

WICKET! Morris c & b Anderson 36. Morris drives Anderson straight down the ground for a cracking boundary, but next ball gets a leading edge and offers a simple return catch to the grateful bowler.

Over 94: South Africa 326-8 (Morris 32, Morkel 4)
Morris gets an unorthodox boundary, swatting away a delivery he intially looked to leave and it looks as though his intention is to play a few shots now he is in with the tail. Morkel also gets off the mark with a boundary and we could be in for some fun and games!

Over 93: South Africa 317-8 (Morris 27, Morkel 0)
Anderson clips Maharaj on the pads and appeals, but nothing from the umpire and it did look as though it was going down. Anyway it's four leg byes to the total.

WICKET! Maharaj c Root b Anderson 0. Next ball Anderson finds the outside edge and skipper Root makes no mistake at second slip.

Over 92: South Africa 313-7 (Morris 27, Maharaj 0)
Stuart Broad is into the attack and Morris clips him off his legs for the first boundary of the day. The bowler is stirred into action and digs the final ball of the over in short, Morris ducks but is hit on the shoulder.   

Over 91: South Africa 309-7 (Morris 23, Maharaj 0)
Anderson is on the money straightaway bowling at Philander, who has a nibble at the fourth delivery of the day.

WICKET! Philander c Dawson b Anderson 54. Next ball he gets a leading edge and is caught by Liam Dawson at cover. Perfect start for the hosts. 

1055: The lights are on and it's pretty gloomy - but we have what should be ideal bowling conditions with a relatively new ball and two all-rounders at the crease. The ball is now being changed after some complaints from England so we have a slight delay before James Anderson gets the second day under way bowling with two slips and a gully. 

1025: Sky Bet still make England favourites to win the match and they are available at 6/4, with South Africa 13/8 and the draw 2/1. Vernon Philander - tipped at 50/1 pre-match by my colleague Dave Tickner - is now 10/11 to be South Africa's top first innings batsman, with Chris Morris 14/1. 

1015: Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of day two of the second Test between Engand and South Africa at Trent Bridge. My name is Simon Crawford and any questions can be sent to simon.crawford@sportinglife.com. The Proteas, still smarting after losing the opening Test in poor fashion at Lord's, will resume on 309 for six after winning the toss. It was pretty much honours even yesterday, but conditions are overcast with a threat of rain, so England's seamers will be hoping to wrap up the South African innings swiftly this morning.

England v South Africa day one commentary

Over 90: South Africa 309-6 (Philander 54, Morris 23)
Stokes finds the outside edge of Morris' bat with the final ball of the day, but it reaches Root on the half-volley. He mock-celebrates, but it's been a very, very good day for South Africa. It threatened to go wrong early in the evening session, but Philander and Morris have done superbly well. Their partnership already woth a hugely valuable 74 and there could be plenty more to come; both are rather better than mere 'bowlers who can bat a bit'.

Over 89: South Africa 307-6 (Philander 53, Morris 22)
One more over to negotiate, and it's been a fine one for the tourists.

Over 88: South Africa 306-6 (Philander 53, Morris 21)
It's been a very decent effort from South Africa at both ends of the day today, either side of that majestic Amla-de Kock partnership. Philander, who may be my hero, passes 50 by swatting Stokes through midwicket and then picking up four with an edge between second slip and gully.

VD Philander 50: 70 balls 9x4

Over 87: South Africa 296-6 (Philander 44, Morris 20)
Wood into the attack. Philander clips him into the legside before a gazunder beats Morris but is wide of the stumps. First really naughty ball we've seen here today. Went right underneath Morris' textbook forward defensive.

Over 86: South Africa 295-6 (Philander 43, Morris 20)
Four more for Big Vernon Philander, crunching Broad through the offside. He's over halfway to Amla's 78 now, not that I'm really paying attention to any of that sort of thing and GO ON, VERNON, THAT'S THE WAY MY SON a nice-looking cover drive brings three more as Jennings cuts off the boundary.

Over 85: South Africa 288-6 (Philander 36, Morris 20)
Philander takes a quick single to midwicket to move to 36.

Over 84: South Africa 287-6 (Philander 35, Morris 20)
Good ball from Broad, jagging back at Philander, but his thick inside edge runs away safely into the legside for an easy single. Morris, looking utterly solid in defence, sees out the rest of the over. No exaggeration to say that both this pair look a safer bet for runs right now than poor old JP Duminy. It's still hilarious to me that he was batting at four last week. The Kallis spot, of all things.

Over 83: South Africa 286-6 (Philander 34, Morris 20)
Maiden over from Anderson, well played by Morris.

Over 82: South Africa 286-6 (Philander 34, Morris 20)
GO ON, VERN, YOU GENUINE HERO OF A MAN. Clubs Broad through midwicket for four more. Also brings up the 50 partnership, but that is not the 50 I'm thinking about right now.

Over 81: South Africa 281-6 (Philander 30, Morris 19)
Anderson gets some shape with the new ball, but Philander plays him well, using soft hands to ensure an edge doesn't carry to third slip. Then picks up two with a punch through midwicket and four more for another safe, semi-controlled outside edge. He's 48 short of Amla. IT'S LESS THAN 50. IT'S POSSIBLE.

1800: New ball taken. Also, reviews reset. The Howler Window closes with no harm done. Also worth noting that we can play until exactly 1851 tonight to get these overs in due to that rain break in the morning session.

Over 80: South Africa 275-6 (Philander 24, Morris 19)
Good from Root. One last change-up to try and buy something before the new ball, an over of Keaton Jennings' military-mediums. It's a decent enough over as well, with a lot of grins from the England lads as Morris inside edges into his pads before being beaten by a lovely, wobbly outswinger. Morris smiles, but it's a smile designed to conceal the dread fear that occupies every corner of his being.

Over 79: South Africa 273-6 (Philander 24, Morris 17)
Moeen lobs up a tempter, and Philander obliges. Nails it, though. Four runs through cover.

Over 78: South Africa 269-6 (Philander 20, Morris 17)
Good from Dawson, tossing one high into the air to try and tempt Morris into something injudicious. Works as well, almost, with a big drive from Morris producing an inside edge past the stumps that brings the batsman a couple but a moral victory for the bowler. Two more for a rather better shot, a lap-sweep that has Jennings scampering around the boundary to intercept.

Over 77: South Africa 265-6 (Philander 20, Morris 13)
And the overs don't take long when it's the spinners. It's not so bad.

Over 76: South Africa 262-6 (Philander 19, Morris 11)
Look, it won't last as long as it used to in the ODIs. You'd have 20 overs of unspeakable dross to get through there. Only four more overs of understandable stalemate tedium here before hostilities are resumed.

Over 75: South Africa 262-6 (Philander 19, Morris 11)
This is the Test equivalent of the boring middle overs that used to blight ODIs before batsmen just started smashing everything everywhere and saved the format from itself.

Over 74: South Africa 259-6 (Philander 17, Morris 10)
Tricky stick-or-twist decision for this pair against the pre-new-ball spin here. There's nothing there for the spinner: do you go after them, try and get some early runs before Broad and Anderson return but risk getting out, or sit in and make sure they're there for the second new ball. At the moment, they're sitting in. Probably rightly.

Over 73: South Africa 258-6 (Philander 16, Morris 10)
Moeen into the attack which, you suspect, means a change of ends for the spinners with Dawson replacing Stokes at the other.

Over 72: South Africa 257-6 (Philander 15, Morris 10)
Philander's a serious cricketer. One of the very best new-ball bowlers in the game and not remotely out of place at number seven in the batting order either. Proper player. Gets four here with a booming drive through cover-point as Stokes offers width to go with a full length.

Over 71: South Africa 252-6 (Philander 11, Morris 10)
Dawson's back. Just a couple of singles from the over, which is more like it, although the fact England need a deep cover in order to keep shots played off the back foot down to singles isn't ideal.

Over 70: South Africa 250-6 (Philander 10, Morris 9)
Yep, a dangerous partnership. Boundaries - good ones, driven through the covers - for both batsmen in this over. And they each pick up a well-judged single along the way as well, 10 runs in all coming from Stokes' over.

Over 69: South Africa 240-6 (Philander 5, Morris 4)
This is a dangerous partnership for England, two players well capable of taking the game away with a couple of hours' merry biffing. Morris off the mark with a clump down the ground for four.

Over 68: South Africa 235-6 (Philander 4, Morris 0)
Wicket-maiden for Stokes, whose earlier frustration has melted away in the glow of this double-wicket post-tea burst. Chris Morris the new batsman; will it be his Day Today? Sorry, but it has to be done and it's best to get it out of the way early so we can all move on with our lives.

WICKET! Bavuma c Bairstow b Stokes 20

Second wicket of the spell for Stokes, Bavuma almost middling the ball through to Bairstow as he attempts to leave. Big bonus wickets for England these ahead of the new ball.

Over 67: South Africa 235-5 (Bavuma 20, Philander 4)
Two boundaries in the over for Bavuma, and they're good 'uns as well. A short ball is whacked through midwicket, a full one driven past point. Keeps the strike with a single off a thick inside edge. Wood looking disgruntled as he slopes off to long-leg on his imaginary horse.

Over 66: South Africa 226-5 (Bavuma 11, Philander 4)
Philander off the mark with a punchy four through point. To be honest, the ship has probably already sailed on our 50/1 poke at him being top bat here, but you just never know in this great game. Amla got out just early enough to keep the dream alive. Cruelty, thy name is hope.

Over 65: South Africa 222-5 (Bavuma 11, Philander 0)
Two runs for Bavuma, pulling Wood well in front of square but not quite timing it as he'd like.

Over 64: South Africa 220-5 (Bavuma 9, Philander 0)
Vernon Philander in at number seven. England still have plenty of work to do here with him, Morris and Maharaj to come, but my word they've done well since tea. South Africa's big three all dismissed in the space of 12 overs.

WICKET! Du Plessis c Bairstow b Stokes 19

Brilliant from Bairstow, diving down the legside to snaffle a fine catch after Stokes' delivery gets to him via a big deflection off du Plessis' backside but - crucially - a smaller one off the glove before that. Good decision from Paul Reiffel as well, upheld despite du Plessis' instant review.

Over 63: South Africa 218-4 (du Plessis 17, Bavuma 9)
Good from Wood. Four runs from the last ball of the over, but it's off a genuine edge from Bavuma, who was also fortunate earlier in the over to see an inside edge bounce past rather than into the stumps.

1648: Key moment now as the back-up bowlers return while Broad and Anderson rest up for the second new ball. England need them to deliver - ideally wickets, but if not that then at least control.

Over 62: South Africa 214-4 (du Plessis 17, Bavuma 5)
Two boundaries for du Plessis in an expensive over for Anderson, punched through the covers off the back foot and then clipped off the toes through midwicket. Anderson in full chunter now, looking at figures of 1-61 that could so easily have been three-for-less.

Over 61: South Africa 204-4 (du Plessis 8, Bavuma 4)
Bavuma shows Amla how it's done, nailing a hook shot through midwicket for four as Broad attacks him with the bumper. South Africa past 200 and still in a tidy position despite the post-tea departures of de Kock and Amla.

Over 60: South Africa 199-4 (du Plessis 7, Bavuma 0)
Anderson's figures could look very different today. Been past the outside edge time and again, du Plessis this time groping uncertainly forward and grateful to see the ball whistle past without any contact. In keeping with cricket custom, that play and miss is followed by a punchy shot to the boundary. Anderson then has reason to chunter at his great mate Broad when a misfield allows du Plessis a single. Broad firmly in dishes it out so has to take it territory there.

Over 59: South Africa 194-4 (du Plessis 2, Bavuma 0)
Temba Bavuma the new batsman. The crowd have suddenly come to life, sensing Broad is starting to do that thing he does.

WICKET! Amla c Wood b Broad 78

He's had a couple of lucky escapes with this shot, to be fair, but Amla finally pays the price on the pull shot, top-edging the ball straight into the hands of Wood at long-leg. England dragging themselves back into this.

Over 58: South Africa 193-3 (Amla 78, du Plessis 1)
Glorious shot from Amla, driving Anderson down the ground for four more. He now averages 184 against him. Make that 186, another beautiful shot bringing four more off the back foot behind point.

Over 57: South Africa 185-3 (Amla 70, du Plessis 1)
Du Plessis finally off the mark from the 14th ball he faces, working the ball away to deep square-leg. Amla repeats the shot for his 70th run.

Over 56: South Africa 183-3 (Amla 69, du Plessis 0)
Amla decides to start scoring runs again. Good decision, in my opinion. Bit too full from Anderson and driven for four through extra-cover. Broad trots after it, but only to pick it up from the fence and throw it back.

Over 55: South Africa 179-3 (Amla 65, du Plessis 0)
A third maiden over since tea, du Plessis looking suspiciously at the pitch suspiciously after some perceived uneven bounce that was mainly in his mind.

Over 54: South Africa 179-3 (Amla 65, du Plessis 0)
Anderson backs up his great ally and partner with a maiden of his own, the last ball snaked past Amla's outside edge and accompanied by some gruff words of encouragement.

Over 53: South Africa 179-3 (Amla 65, du Plessis 0)
Wicket-maiden to start the evening session. Big start for Broad and England in this session.

WICKET! De Kock c Cook b Broad 68

First ball after tea! Width offered by Broad, de Kock goes after it, but manages only to steer the ball straight to Cook at first slip. A juggle from the former captain, but the catch is taken and that is a huge relief for England. De Kock was the man who could have made a difficult evening genuinely painful.

 ☕️ TEA: South Africa 179-2 (52 overs)
Faf du Plessis' brave decision to bat first now fully vindicated by first the doggedness of Kuhn and then the precocious genius of de Kock. With them both has been the timeless class of Amla, and England - who in truth have done little wrong with the ball and could easily have more to show for their efforts - face a draining evening session lengthened by that brief rain delay before lunch. The live odds totally different from this morning, when England were comfortable odds-on favourites. Now it's South Africa (11/8) just shading favouritism from the draw (6/4) with England facing a long road back to force victory from here; they're 11/4 to do it.

Over 52: South Africa 179-2 (Amla 61, de Kock 68)
Might be advisable to hide anything breakable in the England changing room before tea. For the third time today, Amla top-edges a hook shot. But yet again it lands safely between the two men stationed out there. Amla, obviously, rubs Stokes' nose in it further by driving him for four. Great partnership, this, and a great session for South Africa. De Kock playing an innings of quiet, game-changing genius.

Over 51: South Africa 173-2 (Amla 60, de Kock 67)
Maiden over from Moeen. No mean feat with de Kock on strike.

Over 50: South Africa 173-2 (Amla 60, de Kock 67)
Hasn't needed much good fortune thus far, but de Kock does get a slice of luck here as a thick outside edge flies away in the air but just wide of gully. Runs away for four as well, to further improve Stokes' mood. Luckily, he's not the sort of chap to let this get to him.

Over 49: South Africa 168-2 (Amla 60, de Kock 62)
De Kock drives Moeen through cover for two runs that achieve two things. One, they bring up the hundred partnership, and two, they take de Kock past Amla, who is scoring at a perfectly acceptable rate. This is quality.

Over 48: South Africa 165-2 (Amla 60, de Kock 59)
Back-to-back boundaries for de Kock and while there's an element of luck about the first, diverted to fine-leg off the inside edge, it's all testament to the way he's moving the game forward. The second four is altogether more convincing, pulled to midwicket, and England need to make something happen.

Over 47: South Africa 156-2 (Amla 60, de Kock 50)
There is the half-century for de Kock, brought up with an easy single down the ground. South Africa in a great position now.

Q de Kock 50: 59 balls 5x4

Over 46: South Africa 153-2 (Amla 59, de Kock 48)
It's increasingly hard to fathom just how South Africa thought number seven, and eventually number eight after some nightwatchman chicanery, was the right place for a man of de Kock's talents to bat in this side. There was the Adam Gilchrist comparison but that Australia side had several all-time greats, while South Africa have Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy and Theunis de Bruyn. It's almost as silly as calling Dawson your number-one spinner. De Kock moves to 48 with a steered cut behind point off Stokes. He's made it look easy, and is scoring at a strike-rate around 80.

Over 45: South Africa 146-2 (Amla 58, de Kock 42)
England turn to the part-time spin of batsman Moeen Ali... Amla premeditates a paddle-sweep and ends up having to play an ugly prod when Moeen offers a waist-high full toss. Could've hit it anywhere he'd wanted had he just stood still, but has to settle for a single in the end. De Kock gets three for a delicate leg-glance.

Over 44: South Africa 142-2 (Amla 57, de Kock 39)
Stokes and Wood keeping a bit of a lid on things now after a Dawson-induced burst of runs for South Africa.

Over 43: South Africa 140-2 (Amla 56, de Kock 38)
Another good over from Wood. Just a single from it. He's bowled significantly better than figures of 0-39 from 11 suggest to be fair.

Over 42: South Africa 139-2 (Amla 56, de Kock 37)
Dawson off, but still no Moeen Ali. Stokes back on. Two singles from the over. And then dropped! From nowhere, Stokes somehow finds the edge of an attempted Amla drive, but the ball goes through Cook's hands at first slip. Very low, but it carried. England usually prefer to drop Amla when he hasn't scored many. Dropping him on 50-odd an interesting variation on cricket's most baffling tactic.

Over 41: South Africa 137-2 (Amla 55, de Kock 36)
Good maiden over from Wood. England needed something. Sun's out, two good players well set, outfield getting quicker, pitch getting flatter.

Over 40: South Africa 137-2 (Amla 55, de Kock 36)
Obviously we all know the "number-one spinner" thing is the most transparent and palpable guff, but what Dawson is supposed to offer this side is control. That's why he's there ahead of, say, Adil Rashid. This, then, is a worry, because he's offering no control here. De Kock gets two boundaries, both beautiful in their different ways. The first is dabbed with almost offensive ease down to the third-man boundary, the second biffed over the bowler's head.

Over 39: South Africa 128-2 (Amla 55, de Kock 27)
De Kock has all the shots, but he's also very good at turning over the strike. One of those batsmen, like Root, who very rarely allows the game to come to a standstill. Lovely rhythm to his work. Here he twice works balls into legside gaps for singles where lesser players would've been defending straight back down the ground for none. In between, Amla collects four, helping a wayward delivery from Wood on its way to the fine-leg fence, and a single to deep square-leg.

Over 38: South Africa 121-2 (Amla 50, de Kock 25)
Just wonderful from Amla, check-driving Dawson straight back over his head. Amla doesn't use any more effort than is absolutely necessary, which is why he deliberately lands the ball exactly on the boundary Toblerone thing to collect six runs and reach 50. It's only his third score of 50 or more in 10 Tests, but it's been a typically classy effort.

HM Amla 50: 93 balls 6x4 1x6

Over 37: South Africa 114-2 (Amla 44, de Kock 24)
Well this is just lovely batting from de Kock. Pure Gower as he drives Wood on the up through the covers for four before nonchalantly whipping the next through midwicket for four more. Adds three with another cover-drive, and Wood hasn't bowled a bad ball yet. Couple of singles complete an expensive over that had literally nothing wrong with it. Tremendous batsmanship. Genuinely ludicrous that he batted at eight in the last game.

Over 36: South Africa 101-2 (Amla 43, de Kock 12)
De Kock drives through the covers, and makes Old Man Amla run hard to get back for a third. Youngsters these days have no respect.

1435: England's number-one spinner Liam Dawson coming on for his first bowl of the day.

Over 35: South Africa 98-2 (Amla 43, de Kock 9)
Good comeback over from Wood, just a single from it for de Kock off the first ball and Amla kept honest thereafter. Didn't bowl well at Lord's; been much better here.

Over 34: South Africa 97-2 (Amla 43, de Kock 8)
Re. that missed catch in Broad's last over: "Putting Moeen and his stupid normal arms there," tweets Erik. "Further proof that England don't know how to use him." De Kock tries to drive through the covers, but his footwork is lacking. Got to be careful with that in these conditions, but gets away with it here as the ball comes off the bottom corner of the bat all along the ground past the slips for three.

Over 33: South Africa 94-2 (Amla 43, de Kock 5)
Amla can't decide whether to play or leave and ends up doing neither and both, withdrawing the bat too late in the piece and steering an outside edge just short of Root at second slip. An aerial swish flies safely between gully and point for four before a thick inside edge brings two more. It's advantage Amla in this contest right now, but my word it's been close.

Over 32: South Africa 88-2 (Amla 37, de Kock 5)
Broad double-teapotting in frustration at the fact Moeen Ali doesn't have arms 30 feet long as a top-edged pull shot lands safely between the two men in the deep. Broad, of course, has long championed Mr Tickle's case for a place in the England Test team. He'd have snaffled that with no drama.

Over 31: South Africa 86-2 (Amla 36, de Kock 4)
South Africa getting themselves into a decent position here, and now have their best two batsmen at the crease. England would very much like a couple of wickets reasonably quickly here. Stick around for more of that kind of insightful analysis.

Over 30: South Africa 83-2 (Amla 36, de Kock 3)
Some lovely driving here, as Broad strives for a full length after bowling pretty much nothing that would've hit the stumps up to now. Even the wicket he got was going over the top before Kuhn got involved. Sumptuous cover-drive from Amla brings four, and de Kock collects two to get off the mark with an equally attractive if only half as effective stroke.

Over 29: South Africa 75-2 (Amla 31, de Kock 0)
Amla and Anderson continuing to produce something special here. This time it's Amla who lands the first blow, a back-foot punch perfectly into the gap at point before Anderson hits back with two classic, curving outswingers past the outside edge. Last ball comes back at Amla with a hint of reverse, but he manages to get the inside half of the bat to the ball and collect a single.

Over 28: South Africa 70-2 (Amla 26, de Kock 0)
Quinton de Kock, who batted number eight in the first innings at Lord's, now up to number four in the order here ahead of his skipper, du Plessis. Four runs off the  first ball he faces, but it's off pad rather than bat down to fine-leg.

WICKET! Kuhn b Broad 34

Kuhn's vigil is over, a thick inside edge takes the ball into the leg stump. Similar to the one in Broad's last over that cut him in half, it wouldn't have threatened the stumps but for the bat's involvement, but it did move significantly. 

Over 27: South Africa 63-1 (Kuhn 34, Amla 23)
Anderson v Amla is my everything right now. Amla almost chops on, and then survives a big lbw shout after playing across his pad. It's going over the top, so now Howler Window woe for England there. Anderson targets the stumps/pads again, but this time gets clipped away through midwicket for three.

Over 26: South Africa 60-1 (Kuhn 34, Amla 20)
Broad trying to bowl big inswingers here, but giving Bairstow more trouble than the batsmen. Twice in the over he's flying down the legside to grab one-handed and prevent extras. Surprise short ball from Broad then almost does for Amla, who takes it on with no real control and is lucky his top edge lands well short of Dawson at long-leg. A beauty from Broad cuts Kuhn in half but doesn't find the inside edge on its way through to Bairstow.

Over 25: South Africa 59-1 (Kuhn 34, Amla 19)
Great contest this. Unplayable delivery from Anderson hoops past Amla's outside edge, before soft hands get South Africa's number three out of trouble when two balls do find the outside edge but land well short of Stokes at gully. Anderson, exasperated, goes for the magic ball to end the over but, as so often happens, when you start the ball straighter it doesn't swing at all and ends up on leg stump. Clipped away for three.

Over 24: South Africa 56-1 (Kuhn 34, Amla 16)
England chuck away their second review on another ludicrous lbw appeal. There's lots for a new Test captain to learn, but one of the first and most important for Root will be to ignore his bowlers - and Broad in particular - when there's an lbw review up for debate. This one's a good ball from Broad, jagging back at Kuhn, but it hits him right at the top of the pad flap and would've cleared leg stump by a long, long way. England open a 56-over Howler Window on a pitch that's doing a bit. Not ideal.

🍽 LUNCH: South Africa 56-1 (23 overs)
Yeah, good effort from Kuhn in particular. Brave decision from Faf to bat first - the Test and series could have been gone with a bad morning. But they've had a solid one, Kuhn battling through for 34 not out and Amla showing flashes of his genius in reaching 16. England bowled okay, but might feel they've slightly missed the boat a bit here. That's reflected in the match odds, where England have drifted from 4/6 after the toss to 6/5 now. South Africa in to 2/1, while the draw has also shortened to 5/2. Du Plessis now a 9/2 Price Boost to top-score when his chance comes.

Over 23: South Africa 56-1 (Kuhn 34, Amla 16)
Amla keeps Stokes out to conclude a very decent morning for South Africa.

Over 22: South Africa 56-1 (Kuhn 34, Amla 16)
No-look four from Kuhn, who takes his eyes off another short ball from Wood - as he did when taking that blow on the head earlier - but this time somehow getting the middle of the bat to the ball and hammering it through square-leg. Wood can't quite believe it.

Over 21: South Africa 51-1 (Kuhn 30, Amla 15)
Good awareness from Amla, who defends into the legside and realises Moeen Ali is on his heels at midwicket, so scampers through for a single. Short and wide form Stokes, and Kuhn cashes in nicely, cutting off the front foot and collecting four more.

Over 20: South Africa 46-1 (Kuhn 26, Amla 14)
Kuhn one of those batsmen who makes good balls look even better by squaring himself up. A good example here as Wood goes past his outside edge. But he's still there, and he's still battling. Wood drops short and Kuhn, still getting coaching-manual-defyingly square on, punches it through the covers for four.

Over 19: South Africa 42-1 (Kuhn 22, Amla 14)
Comical review from England, Stokes basically taking the decision for Root with instareview. Root doesn't want to overrule him, but he really, really should have. Amla got an inside edge and was outside the line anyway. To be fair, it was clipping the off bail. Poor from Stokes, but Root has to learn not to be led by his bowlers on those reviews. They're excitable creatures and sometimes don't even seem entirely sure of the laws.

1237: Restart at 1245, which therefore qualifies as a Tricky Little Sesssion Before Lunch.

1235: And the rain's stopped again. Umpires back out, looking at watches, covers and grass. Seems like we'll be back out for a bit more cricket and then lunch at 1pm as advertised.

1230: The rain's actually got a bit heavier again now. The umpires, who had initially stayed out there, now trudge off to their little room, while the groundstaff unfurl the bigger covers across the square. Reckon we'll be officially taking lunch imminently now the full covers are on.

🌧 Rain Stopped Play
It's not heavy. Indeed, the squally shower the blew across the ground has almost finished by the time the players depart and the covers come on. Hopefully not a long delay here. Might be a spot of early lunch. There are lots of umbrellas up now. I see you.

Over 19: South Africa 42-1 (Kuhn 22, Amla 14)
Just like two years ago, the players are leaving the field in the 19th over on the first morning. Back then it was because Australia were all out. This time it's because the sky is raining tears of joy at the sight of a gorgeous, wristy cut for four from Amla.

Over 18: South Africa 37-1 (Kuhn 21, Amla 10)
Good Cricket. Wood snakes one past Amla's outside edge, but the great man puts that immediately out of his mind to pull one hard behind square-leg to go past 8000 Test runs. Next ball is very similar, but Amla decides this time to duck underneath it. The ball doesn't bounce much, and Amla does well in the end to get out of the way. Could've played the same shot as to the ball before, really, but another man had gone out on the fence at square-leg which might be what put him off. Plus, you know, he's got 8000 Test runs. I'm not going to tell him how to score the next four.

Over 17: South Africa 33-1 (Kuhn 21, Amla 6)
Maiden over from Stokes to Kuhn, who shows two different ways to deal with the short ball here, first going underneath and then getting up on his tip-toes to play the ball down into the turf.

Over 16: South Africa 33-1 (Kuhn 21, Amla 6)
Amla has been struggling for form, both today and generally in Tests recently, but the muscle memory is there when he spots a half-volley outside off stump from Wood. A blink of the eye later the ball is bouncing back off the boundary boards at extra-cover as a contented purr reverberates around Trent Bridge.

Over 15: South Africa 29-1 (Kuhn 21, Amla 2)
Well, I'd have given you any price you wanted on Kuhn reaching 20 here this morning which is why I'm not a bookmaker. For the second time this morning, he gets a drive away down the ground when the bowler, understandably, overpitches. That boundary apart - and it really wasn't a bad ball - it's a decent first over for Stokes. His bald patch looking very prominent under the Trent Bridge lights, though. After Rabada mocked him about it in the last Test, could Stokes be the next in an illustrious line of cricketing ambassadors for Advanced Hair Hats? Warne, Gooch, Vaughan... Matthews.

Over 14: South Africa 25-1 (Kuhn 17, Amla 2)
Wood has started really well here, after a tricky Test at Lord's. Pins Amla back in the crease with a couple of good short balls before arcing the full, swinging delivery into the pads. Amla just outside the line and survives, but it's successive maidens for Wood to start his day's work, and he's given both batsmen plenty to think about.

Over 13: South Africa 25-1 (Kuhn 17, Amla 2)
Anderson has a genuinely terrible record against Amla, dismissing him only twice in something like 600 deliveries. That last number might be nonsense. The first one's right, though. Surely if the balance was to be redressed anywhere it would be here. Not just yet, though, Amla watching one through to Bairstow before working to leg for a single. Kuhn flashes the bat at the last ball of the over and gets it just wide of Stokes and away to the third-man fence.

Over 12: South Africa 20-1 (Kuhn 13, Amla 1)
Mark Wood into the attack, and strikes a sickening blow on Kuhn's head with his fourth ball. It's a seriously quick bouncer, and it hits the back of the helmet hard. Kuhn doesn't wear the extra neck protection that most now use, but luckily for him the ball hit low on the helmet rather than missing altogether. Thuds into the Masuri logo. Delay, quite rightly, while Kuhn is checked out but he's going to be fine to continue. Short-leg comes in for the next ball, but this time Kuhn plays the short ball far better, ducking safely underneath it. Excellent first over from Wood, who also gets a bit of movement when pitching the ball up. Kuhn, to his credit, solidly in behind it.

Over 11: South Africa 20-1 (Kuhn 13, Amla 1)
Maiden over from Anderson. He's the first fast bowler ever to take 300 home Test wickets, by the way.

Over 10: South Africa 20-1 (Kuhn 13, Amla 1)
Swing and a miss from Kuhn outside the off stump. Fair enough, to be honest. It was short and wide, and Kuhn gave it the full gun. Only a very thin edge could have got him in trouble, anything more would've brought four.

Over 9: South Africa 18-1 (Kuhn 12)
That's James Anderson's 300th Test wicket in England (and Wales). His 54th in Nottingham.

WICKET! Elgar c Dawson b Anderson 6

England make the breakthrough, and it's a smart catch from Dawson at point. Loose from Elgar in conditions that demand tightness, reaching for one and poking a drive in the air. Still gave Dawson plenty to do, but he dived away to his right goalkeeper-style and pouches it smartly.

Over 8: South Africa 18-0 (Elgar 6, Kuhn 12)
Elgar nurdles a single on the legside. "One and only visit to #TheHorseRacing ruined by umbrella-wielding Tories. Don't these people have hoods?" tweets Tom, a man on the side of the angels.

Over 7: South Africa 17-0 (Elgar 5, Kuhn 12)
Floodlights on, but this is now approaching a Good Start for South Africa as Kuhn carves Anderson through the offside for four. England will be just starting to worry about the lack of a new-ball breakthrough in what are now almost sarcastically favourable conditions.

Over 6: South Africa 13-0 (Elgar 5, Kuhn 8)
Few umbrellas starting to go up around Trent Bridge. They are not to shade from the sun. It's not really raining. Frankly, those getting their umbrellas out need to take a long, hard look at themselves. But then, the umbrella has always been a despicable item, and never more so than at sporting events where the umbrella-wielder is genuinely selfish enough to believe it more important that no water comes into contact with their head than for the paying spectators behind them to be able to see. I hate umbrellas, and anyone who uses them. No coincidence that the umbrella and golf have such close ties. Elgar edges to third-man for four.

Over 5: South Africa 8-0 (Elgar 1, Kuhn 7)
First boundary of the morning, and it's a good one from Kuhn. A controlled, firm drive back past the bowler. Anderson really keen on an lbw shout as Kuhn plays across his front pad, but it looks a bit high and a bit legside. Root talks his senior bowler out of a review. Good work, skip. S Ravi would've given it, mind. Kuhn works the final ball of the over to long-leg to keep the strike.

Over 4: South Africa 3-0 (Elgar 1, Kuhn 2)
Kuhn leaves one from Broad that jags back off the seam and just past the off bail. Oohs and aahs all round. A bunt and run into the covers might have got Kuhn in trouble had Ben Stokes been able to pick up cleanly, but he fumbles and another run goes on the total. Last ball of the over jags back at Elgar and goes through to Bairstow off the thigh. England appeal, in case there might have been a bit of inside edge as well, but there isn't.

Over 3: South Africa 2-0 (Elgar 1, Kuhn 1)
Australia were about four wickets down or something by now. Warning signs for England. Kuhn plays and misses at another Anderson outswinger before wisely scampering a quick single to get to the other end.

Over 2: South Africa 1-0 (Elgar 1, Kuhn 0)
Always good to get the first email of the day, get a dialogue going. "Usjdhrdhdhbrdururbbrurhejrbrn," writes Kishore. Five pounds says that remains the most lucid, illuminating and thought-provoking email received today. Broad starts with a maiden over.

Over 1: South Africa 1-0 (Elgar 1, Kuhn 0)
Dean Elgar works to leg for a single. After one ball this already seems cruel and unusual for Heino Kuhn, groping cluelessly in the vague hope of getting his bat in the way of a snaking outswinger from Anderson. He's going to somehow get a hundred here, and it's going to be magnificent.

1057: We've got Jerusalem out of the way. I'm not saying it's the most nauseating faux-tradition in sport, but it's in the top one. Nottingham-appropriate banter there. But, in all seriousness, stop playing Jerusalem at cricket matches. Please. It's a silly song as well. You could answer literally every single line with "No."

1050: Right, let's have a look at the Sky Bet odds. England are 4/6 after losing the toss, but they will not be at all disappointed to be bowling first - that could easily be shorter by lunch.

South Africa are at 5/2 after their poor first-Test showing with the draw offered at 7/2 - don't get many of those here, just one in the last 12.

Hashim Amla is the 11/4 favourite to top-score for the Proteas in their first innings. Captain Faf du Plessis is the Price Boost – he’s out to 5/1 from 4/1 - but I'd be looking further down the order here. I argued the case in my betting preview, which you can read here, and both Philander and Chris Morris look backable at seven and eight in the order at fancy prices.  

1035: Teams as expected...

England: AN Cook, KK Jennings, GS Ballance, JE Root*, JM Bairstow†, BA Stokes, MM Ali, LA Dawson, SCJ Broad, MA Wood, JM Anderson

South Africa: HG Kuhn, D Elgar, HM Amla, F du Plessis*, T Bavuma, Q de Kock†, CH Morris, VD Philander, KA Maharaj, D Olivier, M Morkel 

1030: South Africa win the toss and bat first. Tricky decision for Faf du Plessis. It's probably the right one, but it's one that could go horribly, dramatically wrong under cloudy skies with a tinge of green on the pitch. Sure enough, Joe Root smiles and tells Nasser Hussain that he would've had a little bowl first actually.

1025: Toss and official team news to come, but England will be unchanged, Root confirming as much in his press conference yesterday, while South Africa make at least two and probably three changes. Captain Faf du Plessis returns, the perennially disappointing JP Duminy dropped for the umpteenth and, perhaps, final time, while Duanne Olivier looks set to replace swearing's Kagiso Rabada. Chris Morris may also come in for Theunis de Bruyn.

1020: Welcome. After the pompous, stuffy, toff pageantry of Lord's, the series heads north to the gorgeous and altogether less up itself Trent Bridge. In their vastly different ways, the two best grounds in the country.

England will be hoping for more of the same, both in this series and at this venue. They cantered to victory in the end at HQ, and have won seven of the last 10 in Nottingham. Last time they came here the Ashes were on the line at 11am and in Alastair Cook's back pocket by lunchtime after Stuart Broad's nonsense 8-15 had routed the Aussies for 60 in under 20 overs.

I'm not saying it'll happen again, but, you know, it could. South Africa's batting looks plenty vulnerable as it is without having to cope with Broad and James Anderson's favourite place in the world. Both average under 20 here with over 90 Test wickets between them. They even bat well here; Broad had more Test runs on this his home ground then any other member of this side, while James Anderson's 81 here against India in 2014 was scarcely less ludicrous than Broad's bowling against the Aussies.

New England captain Joe Root, finding that infamously difficult job an easy enough caper so far, also enjoys it here, making hundreds in both those matches.

In summary, then: get on South Africa to win by an innings in four days.