Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 15 December 2009 /

It's day one of the First Test of an eagerly-awaited Series. Talking us through the action, the stats, the betting and the best seasonal cakes around is the inimitable Ed Hawkins. Email him at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk

CLOSE 15.41 SA 262-4
A day which has perfectly encapsulated England's problems taking 20 wickets abroad. None of their plans have worked (full to Kallis, short to Duminy), their bowlers wasted the first new ball, they've had injury worries (Onions) and they've made a mess of their referrals. South Africa will be delighted with their work. They have overcome the double jolt of losing Dale Steyn to injury and Graeme Smith for a duck. And it's their old warhorse Jacques Kallis who has dragged them into a dominant position. Remember, South Africa have won 11 of their 14 at this venue. They are are [2.38] to improve on that record. England are [8.40] and the draw is [2.12]. See you tomorrow, bright and early

15.34 SA 250-4
Two overs to go. England desperate for a wicket tonight to avoid heading back to the hotel in a grumpy mood.

15.30 SA 244-4
It is Reconciliation Day in South Africa, a celebration of unity. Before that it was called the Day of the Vow, which was a religious holiday commemorating the Afrikaner victory over the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River in 1838. Don't get that confused with Michael Caine in Zulu, though. Sure, they had spears but I don't think anyone said "don't throw bloody spears at me".

15.18 SA 241-4
Jacques Kallis has a ton. His sixth against England. It's a solid century, nothing more than that. But it never is with Kallis. He's a Volvo. Bread and butter. Brown cords. Functional.

15.07 SA SA 234-4
The new ball has been taken. Stuart Broad has it. England backers should hope he doesn't waste it like this morning. Three slips and a gully.

14.59 SA 223-4
One over to the new ball and a good betting opportunity has arisen. England have rested up their paceman to have a real go this evening at taking wickets at an optimum time. England are [7.60] and the draw is [2.30]. Back or lay respectively. A wicket for England and that price, obviously, will come in with the possibility of dropping further with a new batsman. As for the stalemate, I can only see it drifting from here. There have been only two draws in 15 Tests at Centurion and this wicket could crumble later on.

14.49 SA 218-4
Kevin Pietersen has not been seen much today. Just as well. I've just spotted that he has had an image change: a disastrous goaty beard. It looks as though he has painted it on. Another blog has suggested it is David Brent-esque. That's being kind. It is no exaggeration to reckon he looks exactly like this bloke.

14.39 205-4
A bit of breaking news. Graeme Onions has a calf strain and he is unable to bowl for half an hour. That must make him a doubt for a new ball stint. Worrying for England, too. That hampers their chances of taking 20 wickets in this game. England are so short that Jonathan Trott is bowling. Really, Kallis and Duminy should be trying to score heavily.

14.32 SA 204-4
England's over rate has been so slow that not only have several old codgers, probably in Eastbourne, died of boredom during today's play but there could be several more deaths with another 20 overs still to bowl. South Africa's run rate over the last 10 is up to 3.5. That's better. And their price is coming in the right direction, down to [2.26] now. England are [6.20] and the draw is [2.46]. With the new ball on the way, we might have something to say shortly about the latter two prices.

14.15 SA 190-4
Two fours from Jacques Kallis' bat in James Anderson's last over and an almighty six from JP Duminy off Graeme Swann is a sign of intent from South Africa. Just as well. It is important they push on having allowed their run rate to slip to 1.7 over the last 10 overs. With the new ball due in 15 overs, the chance of wickets will increase so they need to make headway now. A return to their old negative ways could be pivotal indeed.

14.00 SA 172-4
80 per cent of balls bowled to JP Duminy have been short. They've gilded the lilly a bit there, England. In other news it is snowing furiously outside my window but steadfastly refusing to settle. It is as if the sky is having a snowball fight with the earth. Throwing everything it can at it only for the pavements, roads and gardens to swallow it with ease.

13.48 SA 167-4
England are anything but subtle. They are peppering JP Duminy with short stuff, hoping that he will swat a catch to one of two men posted out on the hook. They have a point insofar as JP got himself into a muddle with such a stroke in the one-day series but what they appear not to know is that the left-hander does not have the shot in his locker in the first-class game. He only plays it in one-day matches because he has to get on with it, when he can take his time he does exactly that.

13.35 SA 162-4
The players are back after tea. An important session for both sides as they look to be able to walk off knowing that they are in the ascendancy. In the short term, JP Duminy is under pressure with fielders crowding around him as Graeme Swann spins a web. Jacques Kallis looks assured, though.

TEA 13.11 SA 159-4
England needed the wicket of AB de Villiers just before tea. It lifted their spirits after their referral rick and got them back into the contest as far as first-day honours are concerned. JP Duminy is the new batsman.

WICKET 13.09 SA 159-4
England get their man. AB de Villiers c Cook b Swann 32. South Africa [2.40], England [4.10] and the draw [2.86].

13.07 SA 159-3
England struggle to take 20 wickets abroad (one win in their last seven Tests) for a couple of solid reasons: the pitches are not as bowler-friendly and nor are the Kookaburra balls which are most often used. A lack of brains is another reason and we've just had a fine example of naivety. Or stupidity if we want to be harsh. England reckoned AB de Villiers had edged behind off Graeme Swann. So they called for a referral. Bonkers. There is no Snickometer or Hot Spot available which makes it virtually impossible for decisions to be overturned. England should know that and the fury on their faces may not be for injustice but their own brainlessness for wasting a referral. They've have none left now.

12.58 SA 158-3
You know that Girls Aloud song I'm Just a Love Machine? Well, replace the word 'love' with 'run' and you have the song that Jacques Kallis sings to himself every morning in the mirror. He has his 52nd Test fifty. Fifty-second! It looks all so irrelvant to him as he lazily wafts his bat in the general direction of the crowd's admiration.

12.49 SA 151-3
As the snow falls here in west London, I've received an email from JC in sunny - why do English people always put this word in front of countries considered even slight warmer than their own? - Qatar. "Is it me or does our batting line up look quite formidable? That pearl of optimistic wisdom is my contribution to your blog ... I will no doubt live to regret the jinx it will have, but after SA bat effortlessly for two full days it will probably be forgotten about by the time we get a chance to be formidable."

12.40 SA 150-3
South Africa go to 150. Kallis (45) and De Villiers (29) have put on 57 and England are beginning to worry. So much so that Paul Collingwood has come on to bowl with a defensive 5-4 split field.

12.21 SA 131-3
Someone's been working on their reflexes. A sharp piece of fielding by Alastair Cook briefly threatened AB de Villiers' stay at the crease, but he was found to have made his ground. AB, or Alphabet as we like to call him, is rather a good option for top South Africa series batsman. He is [3.00] but the market remains immature. Alphabet averages 100 runs per Test in the last 12 months, 21 more than Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. He also top scored in South Africa's previous series against Australia and was No 1 when these sides last met.

12.10 SA 131-3
England have wasted a review. Not only did Jacques Kallis get hit outside the line on the pad from Anderson, but he also hit it. A hint of desperation from England because they could have referred three better shouts previously in the day. South Africa are going at 3.24 per over. Kallis moves on to 42.

12.00 SA 114-3
Jacques Kallis takes a six and a four off Graeme Swann before surviving a huge appeal for leg before. England implored the umpire to give it out yet when they were offered the chance to refer they turned it down. You'll spot the contradiction. I wonder if one of the upshots of the review system will be that players will just politely ask: "how is that umpire?"

11.50 SA 99-3
So Graeme Swann has picked up a wicket with only his second ball. Nice flight, bit of drift and a puff of dust and turn did for Prince, who edged into the hands of Paul Collingwood at slip. Interesting that there is turn already. That may concern England in time given that they are scheduled to bat last on this.

WICKET 11.46 SA 93-3
Prince ct Collingwood b Swann 45. South Africa [2.40], England [3.90] and the draw [3.00].

11.31 SA 84-2
One of the things to look forward to most about the start of a Test series is the chance to check the email for this blog, which has been redundant since the summer. During the hiatus, interesting mail received include Mr Noob Benson getting in touch regarding AN URGENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, the Banana Online Lottery telling me I've won for the fifth time (what are the odds?) and Medena Aliu offering a "benefitting massage".

11.22 SA 77-2
England have two slips for Prince but three for Kallis. Slightly surprising they haven't kept the trio up for Prince after lunch, the bat can always feel a little heavy after sandwiches and a few cakes.

11.08 SA 70-2
A key 20 minutes or so coming up for England. Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis have the potential to make Andrew Strauss regret his toss decision. The last time the pair batted together they put on 160 against Australia at Cape Town.

LUNCH 10.30 70-2
South Africa's session. England would have wanted at least three wickets after deciding to bowl first. Ashwell Prince is 43 not out and Jacques Kallis has seven. The hosts have a platform and the worry for England is one half of one of the most obdurate batting pairings in world cricket is set, and the other is not far off. South Africa are [2.28], England [4.50] and the draw is [2.88].

10.12 SA 56-2
Jacques Kallis, who averaged just over 14 when the sides met in England in 2008, is the new batsman. Immediately England try to get the ball very full as he is often late on such a delivery early on. Apparently he has been working with technical wizard Duncan Fletcher to correct the problem.

WICKET 10.06 SA 51-2
Amla caught Collingwood b Onions 10. Deserved for Onions that. South Africa [2.24], England [4.90] and the draw [3.32].

09.54 SA 45-1
A flurry of excitement there. Onions reckoned he had Ashwell Prince leg before, so did the ump but the umpire review system thought otherwise. The ball was going way over the top of the stumps. So South Africa have one review left. England drifted to [5.50] from [4.50] when the bad news came through.

09.40 SA 41-1
Prince (18) and Amla (12) look reasonably comfortable at the moment. There is very little swing. Still, England persist with three slips. When they remove one of those, we know that batting is getting easier. Graham Onions has had a leg before shout turned down against Amla but it is too high and, sensibly, England decide not to waste one of their referrals.

09.27 SA 37-1
There is a little bit of shape for the England bowlers, but, sadly for Andrew Strauss, not enough at the moment to justify his decision to bowl first. As if to ram home the point, Hashim Amla has just driven down the ground for four. South Africa average 344 when batting first on this ground. They are [1.94] for 400 or more.

09.14 SA 31-1
Stay frosty. Ten overs in we have the optimum time for swing. England will have done some work on the ball, shining one side, to get it to bend. By the way, for those wondering whether Graeme Smith actually edged behind to Prior, there is no doubt. If he didn't he would have used the umpire review system. Each team has two reviews per innings. Graeme Onions is coming on.

08.56 SA 15-1
South Africa, with a cheap wicket down, are shorter at [2.36] than they were before the toss. Ah the toss! Andrew Strauss has laid himself open to criticism by opting to field first. A bit like going to tea at your mother-in-law's and stirring your tea with your finger, it's not the done thing. The stats back him up, though. Of the 14 Tests played at Centurion, 8 have been won by the side batting second. Despite that, the price about the hosts is good and is worth taking.

08.42 SA 9-1
Smith falling for a duck was a surprise but he was not slated to do well. He has a poor record on this ground, averaging only 29.9. Ashwell Prince, opening the batting for only the second time, averages a whopping 82.8. Jacques Kallis averages 60 and it could be between those two for top bat. Prince is [3.00] and Kallis likewise. New batsman Hashim Amla, playing his first Test at Centurion, is dodgy against the short ball and England will soon test him out. He is [4.00].

WICKET 08.37 SA 1-1
Graeme SMith has fallen. And in the worst possible way; strangled down the leg side off Stuart Broad. It is not a wicket which tells us much about the pitch. It was a rank bad ball by Broad and Smith was unlucky enough to get a feather on it. So the drama continues. England are [3.50] with South Africa [2.46].

08.30 SA 0-0
James Anderson has got us underway with the first ball of the series. England will be desperate for seam and swing. It has a fair chance to bend on the Highveld and it is certainly humid enough, a real steamer. Talking of steamers, Sirloin of Beef did his pitch report. "You can see why both sides would've wanted to bowl first. It's green and there's grass on it. The new ball will be crucial and England will be hoping to get movement early on. It will get flatter on days two and three." Most of you will spot the deliberate mistake. South Africa would have batted first.

08.10
South Africa: GC Smith*, AG Prince, HM Amla, JH Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, MV Boucher†, M Morkel, PL Harris, M Ntini, F de Wet

England: AJ Strauss*, AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior†, SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, G Onions

08.05 England win the toss and field
There has been no easing into things on this first morning of the four-Test series between South Africa and England. Dale Steyn is out for South Africa with a hamstring strain, Friedel de Wet makes his debut. Ian Bell bats at No 6 for England. Finally, and most importantly, England have won the toss and will field. The implications of that decision will be discussed shortly. Just time for a short breath and the prices: [2.36] South Africa, [3.60] England and [3.30] the draw.

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