England in South Africa

[TightEnd]

put in on a sweaty green one. nice

those of you out there try, if the weather improves, to spend a couple of hours on the beach at uhmlanga rocks, about a 15 minute drive down the coast from durban

the waves are fantastic, as is the setting.

[vegaslover]

England look fked already!!!

[TightEnd]

England look fked already!!!

it was a big toss to win

long way to go in the series though. we have to hope the weather stays like this for this one!

technically,that was a poor shot from Hales, far too loose.

[fatcatstu]

Steyn is just beast, the emotion and aggression he plays with is brilliant to see.

Something you don't tend to get from our lads.

[vegaslover]

Yeah big toss to lose, two poor dismissals from an England point of view. Both should have been left.

Steyn is an absolute monster and the best bowler by a mile on either team

[nellberg]

This should be what Compton is there for, lose a few early ones and he just has to stay compact, tire the bowlers out, grind them down and set a platform. Get through the new ball and things will be easier later on.

[fatcatstu]

Although now I look at it, when did Steyn stop bowling at 90mph? He is at about 83-86 at the minute.

Bowling within himself to suit the swinging seaming conditions?

[TightEnd]

He's 32 and just back from injury. doesn't need to bowl 90 in these conditions

[fatcatstu]

Root gone. Trouble brewing here

[nellberg]

Piedt as well, jeeeeeeeez. Just got to stay in the game for the next hour or so, don't let it get away from us.

[TightEnd]

its turning a lot on day 1

got to get some sort of score, be in the game bowling last later on with any sort of score here

[77dave]

What is Cook's record with the toss and over the past 10 matches?

[TightEnd]

won 0 lost 3 against pakistan in uae

won 3 lost 2 in the summer 2015 ashes

won 2 lost 1 in west indies may 2015

last eleven before today 5-6

including today 5-7

[HutchGF]

Compton playing a 'proper' test match innings here. Good to see, always thought he was harshly treated.

[KarmaDope]

Steyn is just beast, the emotion and aggression he plays with is brilliant to see.

Something you don't tend to get from our lads.

Probably has something to do with schools and junior club cricket. Even when I was growing up any aggression and emotion led to a bollocking from the senior pros for being disrespectful.