Rep South Africa in England Test Series and Tour

[AmpH]

Completely agree aeolium.

And we need to get back to Test matches on terrestrial BBC please

That would be marvellous , but I doubt it will happen again at least for the foreseeable future.

[amateur51]

Prior out to first delivery with new ball, but Bairstow is getting himself back into yetserrday's shape by the sound of it.As a replacement for Pietersen, Bairstow is quite hopeless - he's playing himself in, settling down to the long task ahead. Pietersen would have hit two fours & been back in the pavilion to send a few tweets by now!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

and he needs 6 for his ton! fingers very very crossed!

[aeolium]

Great shame Bairstow missed out on his ton but a superb innings against probably the best bowling attack around at the moment - his father who died in such sad circumstances would have been very proud of him.

[amateur51]

Great shame Bairstow missed out on his ton but a superb innings against probably the best bowling attack around at the moment - his father who died in such sad circumstances would have been very proud of him.

My thoughts too aeolium - I hope that he makes a great success of his Test cricket career - this innings suggests that he might

[AmpH]

Great shame Bairstow missed out on his ton but a superb innings against probably the best bowling attack around at the moment - his father who died in such sad circumstances would have been very proud of him.

Indeed. I saw his father play many times and JB is I am glad to say imbued with his character and fighting spirit. But what good bowling from SA to him this morning, especially once he got into the nineties - tight, intelligent and thoughtful - a cut above the England attack I think.

[amateur51]

After England took two quick wickets in RSA's second innings it feels like Kallis and Amla are settling down for a strong fight back and the game is slipping away from England. Two more wickets needed by close of play tonight please England

What a great advert for Test cricket this game has been, this series in fact

[AmpH]

Another excellent day's cricket , but SA are pretty well placed I think considering the depth of their batting still to come. The morning session tomorrow will be crucial, especially if Amla stays in. England need some inspired bowling from someone and perhaps need to be a bit more imaginative in the field. Michael Vaughan said on BBC Sport that 300 - 330 could be chaseable , but I wouldn't fancy England's chances chasing more than say 270. Test cricket like this continues to show why it is the most satisfying form of the game.

[amateur51]

Rain, grim light and thunder has stopped play and TMS is having an absorbing conversation twixt journalists about KP and the Strauss affair. Consensus seems to be that the silly insults were just that & could be forgiven but advising Morkel et al on how to get Strauss out is unforgivable.

A highly talented and gifted player, and a deeply immature personality - a real shame because England need his talent but they don't need his self-destructive behaviour. I think this is the end of KP as an England player and it will initially be difficult for him to play in India without England's say-so, so it's a lose-lose scenario. very sad

The sun has come out here, only a few miles away from the ground - restart planned to be at 13:55

[aeolium]

A highly talented and gifted player, and a deeply immature personality - a real shame because England need his talent but they don't need his self-destructive behaviour. I think this is the end of KP as an England player and it will initially be difficult for him to play in India without England's say-so, so it's a lose-lose scenario. very sad

I agree, am51. Sadly, KP seems to want to bring every issue out through the media rather than discussing it with Strauss and Andy Flower. It's impossible to see how he could return to the England team from here.

A pity about Anderson dropping that sitter in the pre-lunch session (and Prior dropping Amla yesterday) - that's ended England's chances in this game imv.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

...is he eligible to play in and for RSA/

[AmpH]

...is he eligible to play in and for RSA/

If he was would they want him to ? As I understand it he rather burnt his bridges when he left SA and threw in his lot with England and in any event SA are doing rather well without him.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

way to go Mr Finn!!!!!

[amateur51]

This weather must be purgatory for the fielding side - England are plugging away but RSA have a lead of 300 with seven wickets down - with a day and a session to go, it's all to play for

One Kevin Pietersen was out first ball today playing for Surrey against Hampshire, his old county

[AmpH]

I am advised that England's highest successful 4th innings run chase in Tests is 332 and that the highest successful 4th innings run chase in Tests at Lords is 344 by the 1984 WIndies. Hmmm ......... food for thought !!