Pietersen revives England on day one
Date released: 10 July 2008
Kevin Pietersen survived an early run-out chance and a heavy blow to the head, to restore England's ascendancy with an unbeaten century on day one of the England v South Africa Test Match at Lord's.
Read a digest of the day, over-by-over, below:
Day One, England 309-3 at the close.
South Africa won the toss and chose to field.
Batsmen: Kevin Pietersen (104) & Ian Bell (75)
Bowlers:
Nursery End: Dale Steyn
Pavilion End: Makhaya Ntini
Odd numbered overs from the Nursery End, even numbers the Pavilion End
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6:31pm: Pietersen's lapping it up. With the Sky cameraman tracking him off the pitch, his face in on the big screens around the ground and he's waving his bat to all sides of the ground. He's earned every single clap from the applause too - he batted brilliantly, starting patiently, shrugging off being hit by Steyn and scoring freely when he could.
6:26pm 90th over: Last over of the day and Ntini bowling it. Smith having a quick word - a wicket here would be a real bonus.
Bell has other ideas, clipping Ntini off his legs for four.
And that's your lot for today - Pietersen get another ovation as he leads the England batsmen off. He and Bell really dug England out of a hole - in great style too.
6:25pm: What do you think of Pietersen's century? Where does he rate amongst England's best ever batsmen? Send us your thoughts and comments: Live@Lords.org.
6:21pm 89th over: A decent line from Steyn, just a single from the over.
Pietersen celebrates his century 6:18pm 88th over: Ntini comes on at the Pavilion End. Bell knocks it away for two and that's the 300 for England.
300 up for England
6:12pm 87th over: Steyn has a big appeal for LBW against Pietersen and stands there in disbelief when he doesn't get it. It definitely looked a close call.
6:07pm 86th over: The best bowler of the day, Morkel versus Pietersen - who's on 98.
There it is, first ball and Pietersen is punching the air the minute it leaves the bat - all the way to the boundary - and the Lord's crowd are on their feet for Pietersen. Brilliant batting.
100 for Pietersen
Next ball and it's almost all over - Pietersen chops at one from Morkel and almost plays it onto his stumps. That century, incidentally, is Pietersen's 13th in Tests, his 4th at Lord's.
Bell reminds us there are two batsmen out there, as he clips Morkel into the leg side for four.
6:03pm 85th over: He's still on 97 and Bell hogging the strike. Pietersen keeping calm with some prodding of the wicket.
A single off the first ball to Bell - here we go again. The England balcony is full, they're ready... the crowd are ready. Pietersen is going to need a cool head.
A big swing from Pietersen but a good stop from Ntini, just a single. A good leave from Bell and Pietersen will be back on strike next over.
6:00pm 84th over: Bell scored a single off the last ball of the previous over, so it'll be him facing and Pietersen trying to remain nonchalant at the other end.
Three slips, a gully and a short leg - a single to Bell brings on Pietersen - he's on 97.
5:55pm 83rd over: Unsurprisingly another seamer comes on at the Nursery End, it's Dale Steyn.
Pietersen's clearly pleased to see him, hitting him for four of the first ball of the over. 'KP' moves to 97 with a single. He's quite big on his celebrations generally, if he can complete his century against South Africa, I think they'll be able to hear him back in Cape Town.
5:51pm 82nd over: Here comes the new ball and Smith gives it straight to two-wicket man, Morkel. Three slips and a gully and Smith is back on the attack at last.
Bell is hooking, but right into the ground in front of Amla at short-leg. Amazing reflexes from Amla though as he juggles and makes a good stop.
Finally South Africa stem the flow of runs with a maiden.
5:47pm 81st over: Smith doesn't take the new ball at the earlist opportunity, instead keeping Harris on, with the old ball, from the Nursery End. If the plan is to bore Pietersen and Bell into a mistake, it's not working so far - they're happy to bide their time with ones and twos and play the loose balls for four - like that one, which takes Pietersen to 92.
A bit of life in the Protea's bowling at last, Harris asking for LBW against Pietersen but umpire Bowden is not interested.
5:43pm 80th over: Still the stocky Kallis from the Pavilion End and South Africa clearly just passing time for the new ball, due in the next over.
Pietersen's happy to oblige, easing Kallis into the mid-wicket region for four.
150 partnership, Pietersen & Bell
5:41pm 79th over: Pietersen cruises into the 80s. Bell tries to liven things up, driving back down the wicket, but Harris dives to make a good stop from his own bowling.
5:37pm 78th over: More risk free cricket all round from the Kallis over. South Africa need to do something to shake these two from their steady scoring.
5:34pm 77th over: A ninth straight over for Harris, still that short-leg for Bell.
Pietersen congratulates Bell on his fifty 5:30pm 76th over: More simple, risk free scoring and the South Africa team look stuck for ideas. That said, last time it looked that way they took three quick wickets.
5:26pm 75th over: Over two hours at the crease for these two and they're really putting England back in control.
Bell rocks back to push Harris away into the on side for four.
5:21pm 74th over: Kallis & Harris the bowling combo at the moment. I hate to put the mockers on the batsmen but neither bowler looks to have anything to trouble them at the moment.
Pietersen clearly feels comfortable, dinking Kallis through the covers for three.
Bell is playing the straight-man to Pietersen's stroke-play - he's playing the straight bat to Kallis too. He must be itching to get to his fifty but he's being very patient.
And there it is! Well played, into the leg side for two.
Fifty for Bell
5:19pm 73rd over: South Africa stick with Harris at the Nursery End and with Amla at short leg, but only for Bell. With Pietersen facing he drops back to mid on.
5:16pm: Morne Morkel's still the pick of the bowling figures flashed up on the new digital scoreboards here at Lord's - but he's been the most expensive too. His 18 overs have brought two wickets at the cost of over fifty runs.
Still quite relaxed on the England balcony - bowling coach Otis Gibson making the tea.
5:12pm 72nd over: Here comes the change, Jacques Kallis in for Steyn at the Pavilion End. Can he disturb the composure of these two batsmen?
Respectful batting as they adjust to Kallis' change of pace. That's drinks.
England 238-3 at drinks
5:08pm 71st over: A sixth straight over for Harris as South Africa look to slow Pietersen down. Bell inches closer to his 50.
Hashim Amla's back at short-leg. A quiet over, two from it, but Graeme Smith will be pleased to quiten the Lord's crowd and the effervescent Pietersen.
5:04pm 70th over: Four more to Pietersen's score as he hits Steyn through mid on. Steyn's keen to even the score, firing in a bouncer which has even 'keeper Boucher at full stretch to reach it.
5:03pm: Glorious afternoon sunshine now at 'HQ', the wind still quite stiff, blowing down the ground, west to east, from the Pavilion to the Nursery if that helps you picture it.
4:59pm 69th over: Another single for Bell from Harris and the 'KP' show can resume. 'Only' three this time for Pietersen, as he clips it wide of the 'keeper.
4:56pm 68th over: One slip and a gully in place. No short leg any more and three men on the rope, including a deep fine leg and deep point - the plan, presumably, to get Pietersen out when he goes for the boundary.
Not even deep point can stop that one though, played hard to the boundary.
4:52pm 67th over: Bell paddles it away for a single - meaning we get to see Pietersen vs Harris again. It's not the rash, risk-taking Pietersen of old though - the new, responsible, stand-on one-day captain Pietersen gently paddles one away - runs two and brings up his fifty.
50 for Pietersen
Half-century secured he swings at the next one and scores four.
Pietersen and Steyn share a quick chat - perhaps about the benefits of the KOLPAK system? 4:46pm 66th over: Steyn back into the attack. Pietersen waits for the loose ball, which comes on the last of the over, and he hits it for four.
4:43pm 65th over: Just one slip and Amla still there. Pietersen steps down the wicket and drills Harris through mid-wicket for four.
200 up for England
Pietersen's getting comfortable now, slapping it into the Compton Stand for the first six of the day. Harris is rattled, over-stepping for a no ball - a rarity for spinners.
That's woken the crowd up a bit, warm applause for Pietersen who even gets a congratulatory pat from Harris.
4:38pm 64th over: Amla stays in at short-leg for Morkel, bowling to Bell. The wind has picked up again, the slip fielders trousers are snapping in the breeze.
Pietersen pushes Morkel back down the ground and they run three. The batsmen do a bit of gardening on the wicket as they have their between overs chat.
4:35pm 63rd over: Amla in at short-leg again for Harris, bowling to Pietersen.
Pietersen swings his arms this time, stooping forward to play Harris into the leg side for four. He repeats the trick, if not the stroke moving his feet well to play another four through mid-wicket.
4:30pm 62nd over: Morkel's getting the applause from his captain, in the slips - but Pietersen is batting patiently, biding his time. Morkel trying to tempt him outside off stump, but Pietersen stepping out and around it time and again.
Finally one he can play and he drops it short for another single. A good over from Morkel.
4:27pm 61st over: Time for a bit of spin again, Paul Harris on at the Nursery End. A maiden over for Harris.
4:24pm 60th over: Solid, stoic Test cricket from the two England batsmen, taking the bounce out of the Proteas' step with some patient batting.
Another 'drop and run' from Bell, perfectly demonstrates the point. Good cricket.
4:20pm 59th over: Some movement off the seam for Ntini but it bests everyone - including Mark Boucher behind the stumps running all the way down to the Pavilion for four.
Bell plays a text book front foot drive - and holds the pose for the cameras! 4:13pm 58th over: Tentative basics from the batsmen, just dropping Morkel at their feet and running quick singles. There are no close in fielders and they seem content to keep topping up the score.
Bell is nearing a half century and it seems like he's hardly been batting for five minutes.
Morkel gets one nipping back at Pietersen at it goes right through him, between bat and his body. The bowler stands within a few feet of 'KP' with his hand, thoughtfully, on his chin.
Pietersen's clearly unimpressed and hooks the next one for a powerful four. Our emailer's daughter, Rosie (below) will be loving that!
4:10pm 57th over: Likewise with Ntini, as Pietersen steps over and around a delivery aimed outside off stump. Pietersen prods one away for a single as the batsmen try to settle in again.
4:07pm 56th over: Double-wicket taking Morne Morkel is on at the Pavilion End. The England batsmen are taking no chances against him, happy to wait for the balls they can hit.
4:02pm 55th over: Ntini it is, Pietersen facing and enough to keep Rosie happy for now - he gets a single. Closely followed by some angry bat pointing at the crowd in the Edrich Stand - presumably distracting him behind the bowlers' arm.
Bell brings up the fifty partnership for these two with a gentle swat into the on side. These two have steadied a rocking England ship.
4:01pm: The players are back on the field and Smith is having a long chat to Ntini who is now warming up. Sure to come on at the Nursery End.
3:56pm: Susie's written in to Live@Lords.org to say her son, Jack M (aged 9) has taken a days holiday to watch the match! Apparently he spent yesterday praying (for an England win presumably). Sister Rosie is a big fan of Pietersen: "Come on KP don't let us down!" Susie entreats.
If ever Pietersen was after a big score, it'll be today. He'd dearly love to do well against South Africa in his first Test against them. Thanks for your email Susie - keep them coming in folks!
3:48pm: With the match finely balanced, who do you think will come out on top? Send us your views, comments or questions to: Live@Lords.org - we'll publish the best ones here - perhaps we can start a debate.
Can Pietersen save England? And just which 'muppet' do you think he had in mind when referring to Graeme Smith in his autobiography? Is he more of a Kermit or a Miss Piggy?
Morkel has taken the wickets of Cook and Strauss 3:46pm: After all the pre-match hype surrounding Dale Steyn and Makhya Ntini, it's Morne Morkel who's done the damage with two wickets. The Proteas pace battery making their mark on the game.
3:43pm: Definitely South Africa's session that one. Three big wickets, including both openers and the captain - and they're right back in the match.
3:38pm 54th over: Harris, the spinner, back on - at the Pavilion End this time. Just the one run from the over and that's tea.
England 163-3 - TEA.
3:33pm 52nd over: Bell moving Kallis around to make an easy two.
3:29pm 51st over: Ntini returns at the Pavilion End. Pietersen starting to find his feet, picking up a boundary.
3:24pm 50th over: Kallis will owe Ashwell Prince a drink after the day is over - a long run down to the rope and Prince kept after it, to save an almost certain boundary.
Make that two drinks - an almost carbon copy, as Prince denies Bell another boundary, this time he's backed up by another fielder, to save him to trouble of the throw after that long sprint.
Pietersen ducks into a quick ball from Steyn 3:20pm 49th over: Steyn's pace will keep Pietersen on his toes after he took that one in the ear last over.
The England batsmen are on their toes though, dabbing at or avoiding Steyn's deliveries - happy to take their time and settle now, after that flurry of wickets.
3:15pm 48th over: Kallis continues from the Nursery End. A quiet over, but England will be happy with that at the moment.
A great action shot: Vaughan's stumps in a mess - click for more match photos 3:08pm 48th over: After that Kallis interlude from the Nursery End, Steyn can now switch ends, coming back on, this time from the Pavilion End.
His pace has Pietersen ducking - but ducking into an 89mph delivery. Ouch. Pietersen shaken but trying not to show it as he takes off his helmet to 'adjust' it.
3:04pm 47th over: Bell continues to take boundaries when they're offered - width from Kallis (back on at the Nursery End) and he eases it past the slips for four.
2:59pm 46th over: We're back to three slips, a gully and a short square leg as South Africa look to press their advantage.
2:55pm 45th over: Steyn trying to unsettle Pietersen now - the first time 'KP' has faced the land of his birth in a Test match. He's eager to get off the mark... a little too eager perhaps, going for a crazy single and only just making it, as he dives into his ground.
Bell is scoring quickly though, another boundary through the leg side for the right hander.
2:49pm 44th over: The tourists are jumping now after two quick wickets - Morkel has one skipping up on Cook who has to jump to fend it into the pitch.
Morkel repeats the trick and Cook cannot get out of the way quickly enough. It rears up off the pitch, clips his bat and loops into the air - an easy catch for De Villiers.
England 117-3 - Cook: c. De Villiers b. Morkel - 60
What a quick turn around for England - three wickets have gone at the cost of just three runs. Bell interupts Morkel in his delivery stride, shying away before he settles again - and then creams the ball to the boundary! Off the mark with a four.
2:42pm 43rd over: Steyn returns (a sign the South Africans think Vaughan will struggle against his pace?) back on at the Nursery End.
Instead it's the settled batsman, Alastair Cook, playing at missing at the Protea pace-man.
The England captain is soon on his way back to the Pavilion though. Steyn's pace beats him all ends up and makes a mess of his stumps.
England 117-2 - Vaughan: b. Steyn - 2
Kevin Pietersen coming out to bat. They claim it'll make no difference but you know the South Africa fielders will be concentrating just that little bit harder with 'KP' at the crease.
Michael Vaughan (second right) had looked rather relaxed on the England balcony, until Strauss fell 2:36pm 42nd over: Strauss pushes Morkel back down the pitch for two; and carves the next ball fine, for four as he chases his half century.
He won't get it though! Morkel hits him on the pads and Daryl Harper's finger goes up! Strauss is out on 44.
England 114-1 - Strauss: LBW b. Morkel 44
2:32pm 41st over: Harris is wiping his hands on the pitch to try and get the grip to spin the ball - and it works. He gets one to spin back at Cook who plays and misses, taken by Boucher who's standing well up to the stumps.
Then Cook is playing the attempted sweep - attempted and missed, with Harris asking for an LBW decision, which doesn't come. A maiden from Harris who, suddenly, is looking the man most likely for South Africa.
2:29pm 40th over: Three slips (at positions 1, 2 and 4) and a gully for Morkel - you can't say that Smith isn't being attacking with his field settings.
2:25pm 39th over: Harris back on, with his left-arm spin, from the Nursery End as Graeme Smith continues to look for a way to unsettle the England batsmen. The latest idea: a man stood at short leg - Hashim Amla the man under the helmet.
Fairly frugal from Harris, just two from the over, but again nothing to worry the batsmen unduly.
2:22pm 38th over: Another bowling change - Morkel back on at the Pavilion End for Steyn. Simple stuff from Cook, easing it off his pads, down to third man for another single.
2:18pm 37th over: Strauss brings up the 100 for England with a well-timed four, back down the ground off Ntini.
100 up for England
England's tonne coming off 224 balls.
2:12pm 36th over: Smartly done from Strauss as he pulls Steyn away into the on side for four. Then it's Cook playing Steyn back down the ground for an easily run three.
2:09pm 35th over: The England balcony looks extremely relaxed. Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen are in the best seats, at the front of the dressing room balcony. Vaughan has his pads on but doesn't look like he's expecting to bat any time soon.
Ian Bell looks far more active in fact, he can be seen wafting his bat around in the dressing room.
2:02pm 34th over: A wild one from Steyn beats bat, 'keeper and slips - running away for four runs - unsurprisingly called a wide too, so five to the total.
Still two slips and that man who can't make up his mind if he's a gully or a fourth slip... moving between the two as the bowler runs in.
Steyn perseveres, trying the switch to over the wicket, just to keep the batsmen guessing. The England openers look pretty comfortable though.
Cook brings up his 31st Test match fifty 1:58pm 33rd over: Ntini has his hands on his hips - another edge from Cook and again it goes between third slip and gully. Gully now edging in to almost a fourth slip position - the third slip slot still vacant.
A bit less fortune for that one, as Cook clips Ntini away to bring up his fifty.
50 for Cook
1:53pm 32nd over: Steyn tries to tempt Strauss to give away his wicket, offering a little height and then some width - but Strauss isn't biting, he's happy to leave those wider ones alone.
Ashwell Prince doing some bizarre looking, knee-hugging stretches out in the field. He has bowled a little spin himself recently...
1:50pm 31st over: Cook flicks one off his pads, through the leg-side and away for another boundary.
1:44pm 30th over: Dale Steyn remains the bowler from the Pavilion End. Just two slips and a gully - a cover point, mid-off, mid-on and a couple of men saving runs on the leg side.
Just one from the over, Cook inching nearer his half-century.
1:41pm 29th over: Ntini resumes the South Africa attack. He finds an edge mid-over too, Cook playing at one but it's very low and bounces just in front of the slips.
Just the one from that over, Cook running it from that near miss.
1:39pm: Mr. Hunt's concerns weren't without foundation - a brief rain shower dashes over Lord's. But it's just that - brief, and with perfect timing it's blown away again as the players take to the field for the second session.
1:13pm: Concern on the outfield now and Grounsman Mick Hunt looks to the skies... and calls on the Lord's hover-cover. He's not often wrong about the weather, Mick, so brace yourself for some showers.
1:08pm: It's lunchtime in the Investec Media Centre too and it's a bit of a who's-who of cricket in the canteen area. Messers Tufnell and Boycott exchange a few jokes on the balcony. Michael Atherton joining the queue to get some lunch; Derek Pringle catching up with old friends too.
England 71-0 at lunch
12:57pm 28th over: A rapid, short ball from Steyn has Strauss taking evasive action - but he leaves his bat in the air and it catches the end, fortunately for him, it drops short of gully. Some good hostile bowling from Steyn.
A maiden over just before lunch. Good bowling.
12:53pm 27th over: Time for another bowling change - it'll be the spinner, Paul Harris from the Nursery End. A decent start from Harris, tucking Cook up, back in his crease.
12:48pm 26th over: Just one from that over - Steyn bowling a decent line but again, nothing to worry the batsmen. The men on the England balcony look pretty relaxed.
12:44pm 25th over: Strauss is at it too now - clipping Ntini into the leg side - which just beats the persuing fielder to the boundary.
Smith is looking like a puzzled man - fiddling with his cap as he tries to think of a way to get one of these batsmen out.
Ntini could be the man to help him out, as he has Strauss chopping at one, unable to make his mind up which stroke to play.
12:39pm 24th over: Steyn is back on too, from the opposite end to last time as well - a complete change over with Ntini as Smith tries to find that breakthrough.
Cook is finding the gaps in the slips though - everytime Smith takes a slip out, Cook plays it into that gap - four more.
Alastair Cook - has made a good start for England 12:35pm 23rd over: Ntini's back on, from the Nursery End this time and Cook welcomes him back - playing him through the onside for four.
An LBW appeal has Ntini bouncing so far down the wicket he's almost in the slips too! It hit Cook on the knee roll though and looked to be going over - umpire Billy Bowden clearly thinks so as his finger stays in his pocket.
12:31pm 22nd over: Seven men in the cordon again, including the wicketkeeper - a short mid off and mid on too. In fact there's only the fielder at third man who's not in a catching position. Smith is determined to pick up a wicket before lunch.
The field setting means there's lots of room on the leg side for Strauss though and the batsmen seem happy to pick up ones and twos.
12:26pm 21st over: Kallis finds and edge! But it's through the slips and away for four. Just two slips and a gully for Kallis and that one went right through where a third slip might have been.
50 up for England.
12:23pm 20th over: More cordon-carnival for South Africa. Morkel bowling to Cook now with three slips, two gullys and a point fielder.
One loose one escapes though and despite Morkel calling for a catch, it's four runs all the way.
The clouds are rolling over Lord's now and the breeze is stiffening - perhaps that's why Smith fancies his chances with his seamers. A half-hearted appeal from Morkel off the last ball of the over as he beats the bat - but he's appealing on his own and it's not out.
12:19pm 19th over: Kallis is smiling, ruefully - more movement off the seam for the Protea powerhouse, getting the ball to nip back at Cook.
12:15pm 18th over: Lots of encouragement from a clapping Mark Boucher behind the stumps for Morkel - just one from that over.
12:12pm 17th over: Kallis is getting some movement but not enough to seriously trouble the batsmen, Strauss drills him through mid-on for another four.
Smith: Juggling his field settings early on 12:08pm 16th over: Still Morkel from the Pavilion End and Strauss obviously feels better for his quick drink too - playing a smooth shot through mid-on.
12:03pm 15th over: A quick energy drink and Kallis continues from the Nursery End.
11:56am 14th over: Morkel has three slips and a gully still, Smith clearly thinks the Pavilion End is the end to attack from. Just one from it, a wide - and that's drinks.
11:52am 13th over: Only two slips and a gully now as Smith tries to stem the flow of runs. It works too - a tight over from Kallis, a maiden.
11:47am 12th over: All change - and Morne Morkel comes on at the Pavilion End. First ball and Cook clips it off his legs for four - a 'Welcome to Lord's, Morne!' from Cook. It's all pad but it's four runs.
He gets bat on that one though, down towards third man this time for four more.
11:43am 11th over: Smith has obviously seen enough though - it's the first bowling change of the day: Jaqcues Kallis comes on from the Nursery End.
A maiden from Kallis - and when your third choice bowler, who's an all-rounder is delivering it at 80mph+, you know you have a quick attack.
11:40am 10th over: Cook is seeing it like a beachball now - and plays another lovely shot for four more. Smith and Ntini look a little perplexed - this was not part of their plan.
Ntini isn't rattled though, he gets the next ball bending like a banana, swinging away from Cook, into the slips.
11:35am 9th over: Cook takes three from the first two balls, one a neat little drop and run.
The scoreboard's ticking over nicely now for England - they look to have sized up the South Africa attack and are now playing their shots. As if to emphasise the point, Cook gets his first boundary of the day with a flowing stroke for four.
11:30am 8th over: 'Oooohs' around Lord's (and the South African's in the Media Centre) as Ntini beats the bat, again.
And there's the first boundary of the day - Strauss clipping Ntini into the onside and it trickles over the rope in front of the Grand Stand. The Proteas paceman didn't like that and switches to bowl over the wicket for the last ball of the over.
11:26am 7th over: Steyn rips down the first 90mph ball of the day. Next one and Cook dabs it away for another single.
11:21am 6th over: It really does look like a bit of a party in the Proteas' cordon, they obviously fancy Ntini's chances of getting an early breakthrough... with some justification too, as Strauss fences at one that beats the bat.
Another maiden - Ntini's looking dangerous.
11:17am 5th over: Steyn and his captain Graeme Smith have a brief chat before the over - Steyn is clearly feeling left out only getting three slips. He does have a gully too.
Strauss pushes one away and they scamper for a quick single. At last the bowlers will have someone different to look at.
11:13am 4th over: Ntini versus Cook again and once more it looks like nearly half the SA team are stood in the cordon. Four slips and a gully.
But finally England are off the mark. Cook cuts one wide of point and England are on their way. Two from the over means Strauss is away from the dreaded zero too.
11:09am 3rd over: Just the three slips and a gully for Strauss, facing Steyn. The Proteas have clearly got well-worked plans for both batsmen. Steyn is, once again, keeping it tight. No runs on the board yet.
Another maiden and the England openers are having a little chat halfway down the wicket.
11:05am 2nd over: Ntini will bowl the second over. He is the last person to take ten wickets in a match at Lord's.
A very offensive field setting from Graeme Smith - no fewer than four slips and a gully are in position.
Another maiden but a more lively one from Ntini. A couple of deliveries have Cook guessing and the slips with their heads in their hands.
11:01am 1st over: A bit of a loosener for both Steyn and Strauss. A few that darted through but nothing to really trouble the batsmen. A maiden.
11:00am: It'll be Dale Steyn opening the bowling, from the Nursery End. That famous Lord's slope will bring the ball onto the pads of the left-handed Andrew Strauss.
10:59am: The players are on the field to warm applause from a large crowd at Lord's. Some last minute warm-ups from the bowlers, a few squats from the batsmen and we'll be underway.
10:36am: With all the talk about South Africa's express-pace attack, that toss decision should make for an interesting morning. It'll be Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook versus Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn.
10:31am: Toss news: South Africa have won the toss, Graeme Smith has opted to put England in. South Africa field.
10:29am: Team news: South Africa's team is in - and so is Harris. They've gone for the spin option. Whether the ends up being a wise decision, only time will tell.
9:41am: It really is a magnificent building the Investec Media Centre - it won the Stirling Architecture prize shortly after it was finished.
You can experience it yourself. It's part of the famous Lord's Tour. Sadly, on match days, you cannot come into the Media Centre (it's too cluttered with media-types) - but if you're coming to one of the Test match days, you can take advantage of our great two-for-one offer.
The Media Centre is also available to book for parties, meetings or functions. How about that to add some prestige to your event? A party with a view - and what a view - of one of the most famous places in world sport.
Over-by-over, from the Investec Media Centre 9:31am: In case you were wondering, we're reporting the action for you from one of the best seats in the house at Lord's - in the Investec Media Centre.
Where are you following the match from? The office? At home? Drop us an email: Live@Lords.org to let us know.
Got any questions? About the teams, the match or Lord's itself? Always wondered just how big is is that infamous Lord's slope? What do the 'WG' in W G Grace stand for? Let us know - and we'll do our best to answer all your queries.
9:22am: Some gossip on the team news - England are, as you may have read, breaking the Test cricket record by naming an unchanged team for the sixth successive Test.
No confirmed news on the SA team yet - rumour has it that the moist conditions in north-west London recently is making the Proteas reconsider their long term plan to keep Paul Harris in the team as a spinner.
Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini are as good as shoe-ins. Will the fourth bowler slot go to Harris, or another seamer, Andre Nel? When we know, you'll know.
9:09am: The gates are open here at Lord's and Members are rushing to get the best seats. Everyone is really looking forward to this one.
The sun is shining at Lord's The good news is, despite the forecasting doom-mongers, the sun is shining, the covers are off and it looks like a great day for cricket. There are a few clouds in the sky, but they're off the white and fluffy kind at the moment.
Stay with us for live updates from the 'The Home of Cricket'.
