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Live Test Match Blog: Eng v SA, Fourth Test, Day 2

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The Pietersen era began with a bang yesterday as England's five man attack ripped through the South African order with apparent ease. Overnight rain means consolidating that advantage won't be easy, though. Follow all the action on Ed Hawkins' live betting blog.

Got a question or a comment for Ed? Email him on hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk

19.18 SA 37-1
I don't know whether it's because of my chat, but Amla looks to be enjoying his time at the Oval. He takes a quick single off the last ball of the day and will keep the strike for the first ball of day three. That run takes South Africa to 37-1, they trail England by 85.

McKenzie has scored just 9 but he has his mind on Saturday when rain is forecast. We've not seen much volatility in the market during this match - but a disruption to play tomorrow should give traders an opportunity to manage their positions. The forecast is reflected in the prices.

England have drifted to [1.59]. South Africa are [4.90] and draw is [5.90].

19.10 SA 34-1
Anderson's early wicket has allowed KP to set an attacking field, he has five slips in place. But that has allowed the visitors to score freely. Amla is 24 off 26 balls - South Africa have got the lead below three figures.

18.40 SA 0-1
Brilliant piece of bowling from James Anderson. Outswinger, outswinger, inswinger to trap Graeme Smith leg before. England as short as [1.43]. Important for England to strike tonight because they may not get much more play with bad light threatening. .

18.28 Eng 316
Poor old Harmy has been left one short of his half-century.Mind you, it was his fault. He called for a run which was not on and Monty was run out by a long way. A more than useful lead for England. The lead is 122. England [1.66], South Africa [4.2].

18.20 Eng 316-9
Whoops! Anderson has misjudged one from Paul Harris,shouldered arms and it hit him plum in front. Important because Harmy has 49 and will be nervous about getting his first Test fifty with Monty Panesar on his way to the wicket. Mind you,I reckon Monty is not as bad as everyone else thinks.

18.00 Eng 290-8
Harmison and Anderson doing very well thank you very much. They lead by 96. Valuable. If the ball continues to swing like it has, SA may struggle to post more than 350. And you would still fancy England to make 250 to win this batting last.

17.35 Eng 264-8
Broad gone now. England have thrown away a winning position. Don't forget that they were 219-3. Still, this lead (70) has to be a handy one because the way the ball has swung and continues to swing. Even before the new ball was taken it was bending. Harmison and James Anderson may as well swing away. If they could manage another 30 runs I reckon we could call it more than useful.

17.20 Eng 256-7
SA have delayed the new ball - two overs late so far. They will be hopeful of rattling through the lower order here. Steve Harmison has other ideas. He has stroked a lovely cover drive for four. Hang on, Ntini has taken the new ball, halfway through this over. Perhaps he was just warming up with the old one. Bit of swing straight away with it, too as Harmy shoulders arms

17.05 Eng 248-7
Another wicket for Kallis. This time it's Collingwood, who was taken by surprise by a ball which got up of a length. Just a few signs that the pitch is misbehaving a little bit. Still, England would like a greater lead than the one they have currently. It's just 54 and the new ball is about three overs away.

16.47 Eng 241-6
We have been saved from boredom by Tim Ambrose edging to slip off Kallis. Gosh, he really isn't up to it is he? England are relaint on Collingwood and Stuart Broad getting them a lead of 100. They lead by 47.

16.30 Eng 233-5
England are making a mess of things here. Andrew Flintoff has gone to a nothing shot - caught behind off Kallis. Tim Ambrose is at the crease now with Paul Collingwood. This could be the start of a turgid session as the two go into their shells. I say 'go into', Ambrose has never been out of it this series. He has looked almost strokeless. England still pretty skinny, though at [1.65].

16.04 Eng 232-4
England lead by 38. Collingwood is one run away from a half-century. Flintoff hit Harris for a six before the break. So what do I know?

16.00 Eng 223-4
Slightly nervous times for England, which highlights the fragility of their lower middle order with Andrew Flintoff in at No. 6. The real reason England have the jitters is that Flintoff must begin his innings against spin, something which he dislikes. That is mainly because even at the best of times he is poor against twirl. Remember how Harris got him as soon as he came to the crease in the second dig at Edgbaston? In Flintoff's favour is his love of The Oval. He really fancies himself for runs every time he plays there.

15.49 Eng 219-3
KP has his century. A dreamy start to his career as England captain. Interestingly, he celebrated his 14th Test quite responsibly...whoops he's out now. Caught by Kallis off Ntini. He edged to slip for exactly 100. England slightly vulnerable now. They lead by 25 with Andrew Flintoff striding out.

15.47 Eng 210-3
Interesting spell here. KP needs four for his ton and Paul Harris is trying to tempt him into the same mistake he made at Edgbaston.

15.12 Eng 199-3
England are in front thanks to a flurry of runs. Pietersen hit three fours off a Morkel over and a clip off Nel puts the home side in front. England as short as [1.55] now. KP has 88.

14.51 Eng 165-3
KP has just been dropped by Ntini off Andre Nel. It is the second time Ntini has missed KP in this innings. Both were hard chances. KP went for the hook shot but it went straight up in the air and Ntini, running back with ball coming from behind him, dived but could not hold on. It is the third time KP has played the hook shot poorly in this dig. It is a real weakness in his make-up. You may recall he was almost out playing it in his epic 158 on this ground against Australia in 2005.

14.42 Eng 158-3
Back on now at The Oval. KP has carried on from where he left off, hitting a sumptuous stroke through the onside for four of Andre Nel. It was slightly surprising to see him and Collingwood take the offer of bad light. It wasn't as if they were struggling. The run rate was about 3.3 an over. Now they have to start afresh slightly. Always a risky ploy.

14.25 Eng 151-3 BAD LIGHT STOPPED PLAY
I just switched over Briefly to the opening ceremony. The nations parade has begun. Israel, it appears, have dressed their entire team in sailor's outfits.

14.15 Eng 144-3
SA have managed to get the ball changed. The umpires agreed that it had gone out of shape. The 'new' one might misbehave or it could do nothing. Pietersen took the opportunity to run back to the dressing room. He could have gone for a wee but a quick cuddle with some of his team-mates or a slap on the back for the out batsmen were the more likely reasons.

14.06 Eng 143-3
Collingwood's bottom hand is trying to take over. Two unconvincing shots in his last two balls. First he mistimed a hook shot which fell just short of Makhana Ntini at deep backward square. Then he mistimed a pull, with one hand coming off the bat, which could have gone anywhere. Fot those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, Colly's big weakness is when his bottom hand gets too dominant. It means he plays across straight balls instead of letting his top hand keep his bat nice and straight. Pietersen has 50.

13.50 Eng 124-3
I watched the opening ceremony during the lunch break.I don't think there'll be any shootings. The cameraman had a bit of wobble but that may just result in him being banished to Mongolia. England have been circumspect since the break. KP looks pretty imperious while Collingwood, rest assured, is being watched carefully.

13.02 Eng 116-3 LUNCH
Alright me old China? Yep. Opening ceremony now on. Having slagged off these sort of things, it is quite clear that China will put on a show. Frighteningly organised so far with 2008 drummers in perfect unison. Well, they have to be. Anyone who is out of sync will probably be shot.

12.52 Eng 111-3
Nelson strikes. Cook gone with an edge to slip. England [1.72]. Still worth backing that in my view. England should get a big lead here. Paul Collingwood, fresh from a ton at Edgbaston, is at the crease. Let's watch to see whether his bottom hand is taking over too much.

12.40 Eng 103-2
We are minutes away from the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Normally these opening ceremonies are a load of tosh.You've seen one, you've seen them all: kids in bright clothing, wallies on stilts, dancers behaving like epileptics on fireworks night. And Barry Davies saying things like "it's a metaphor for the world coming together". You would have to be on drugs to come up with such stuff. Ironic really, because most of the athletes will be.

12.26 Eng 91-2
I live! Found a lemon slice at the back the cupboard. They're so choc-a-bloc with preservatives that they keep for ages. Certainly not the best cake I've had but sometimes cake isn't about enjoyment, it's about sustenance. As I type, Shaun Pollock has just used the 'script' line. Come on, Shaun, it's too early for that. KP hasn't even got a 50 yet.

12.08 Eng 70-2
There is a serious situation developing here in west London. We've run out of cake and biscuits. I know, I know, it's a bad one. Not quite sure how I'm going to get through it. I'm beginning to feel faint...can't type...getting dark now...need hobknob...

11.48 Eng 66-2
Of course if KP scores big runs at The Oval today we will all say it was inevitable. "Who writes his scripts?" will be the uninspiring line from the pundits. No one, because it's real life and not some television drama. This is reality. And the reality is that KP has a great record at The Oval, is in fine form following a 94 at Edgbaston and would really love to irk his former countrymen by making a ton. He is [2.72] for top England bat.

11.35 Eng 51-2
Wish granted. Ian Bell has edged Makhaya Ntini to Graeme Smith at first slip.England out to [1.81]. Let's have a bit of that. Some bloke called Pietersen is striding to the crease.

11.33 Eng 51-1
Morning all. We have had a bit of a delay this morning because of rain but we're underway now. I'm keeping fingers crossed for a couple of early wickets. The last thing we want is a dead trading game, something which is likely if Alastair Cook and Ian Bell punch on for big scores. Incidentally, the second innings average score in the last five Tests at The Oval is a whopping 394. That suggests my hope might be a forlorn one.

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