CLOSE Another marvellous day for England. After the success on the first two days, the caveat had to be that a pitch can't be properly judged until both teams have batted. Tonight, with South Africa following on and still 333 runs behind despite collecting 13 runs off England's spinners in those last 10 minutes. They face a huge task to save this match now after a batting display that was horribly below par.

Over 95 Pietersen 1-0-1-4b-0-0 13-0 - Smith takes an eternity to patiently and accurately take his guard. Pietersen killing himself laughing with the ball in his hand. In a massive anti-climax, Smith gets a single from the first ball of the over. But McKenzie has a keen sense of theatre and takes a single from ball three. The next one is rubbish from Pietersen, stufffed down the legside for four byes. In all seriousness, England won't want the new ball getting wet on the outfield. The final ball of the day flicks off Smith's pads and is smartly caught by Bell at short-leg. Huge appeals from England, but Bowden rightly says no and calls time. It was a sight closer to the edge than Collingwood's, mind.

Over 94 Panesar 0-1-0-0-0-0 7-0 - Panesar appeals hugely and optimistically for lbw after hitting Smith on the pads a full six inches outside the line of off stump. Smith gets the next ball down the ground for a single, and McKenzie plays out the over. England are desperately sprinting round to allow Pietersen to bowl at Smith. This will be fun. Thomas Crabtree reckons it's unfair to criticise Steyn, because he hung around longer than other more-recognised batsmen. Fair point, and if he'd been bowled by a ripping spinner from Monty or nicked an outswinger from Sidebottom then I'd agree with you. It was the manner of his dismissal that betrayed a lack of thought.

Over 93 Pietersen 0-0-0-0-0-0 6-0 - Pietersen had his cap and sweater off almost before Smith played the final ball from Panesar. For the second night in a row, Smith is sulking in the rain, chatting to McKenzie and trying to delay proceedings. It's been a bad three days for the skipper. There's huge excitement as a straight-on ball from Pietersen goes past McKenzie's outside edge, and the part-time spinner completes a maiden. England's first-innings lead, by the way, is their biggest against South Africa since 1939.

Over 92 Panesar 4-0-2-0-0-0 6-0 - Smith makes a statement by whipping Panesar's first delivery through midwicket for four. To add to the drama, the rain has started to fall. Smith gets two more with a flick through the legside, and Pietersen will be desperate to get a little bowl tonight. He's warming up.

SECOND CHANCE The England players sprint out on to the field followed, some time later, by the South Africa openers. Panesar is ready to open the bowling for England. That must be a first. If it is Pietersen at the other end that will definitely be a first. Imagine if he gets Smith out...

ON WE GO The umpires take a reading, and beckon to the balconies that play can continue. Huge cheers all round the ground, apart from inside the South Africa dressing room. If England do take one of the South Africa openers back with them tonight, Steyn might be advised to make himself scarce.

LIGHT SHOW The umpires are back out in the middle. Will England decide to bowl three overs of spin just to get South Africa back out there, or save the new ball for a fresh dig at the Proteas tomorrow?

Over 91 Pietersen 0-0-W 247ao - An ego boost for Collingwood. For the first time in his career, he's been told he's too quick to bowl. He was all set to have a bowl, but Pietersen has been called into action. WICKET! And he's done the job! Too tempting for Steyn, who tries to clear the fence but can only hole out to Sidebottom at mid-off. As the players walk off, Vaughan gives Smith the nod and, light permitting, there will be a tricky three-over spell of batting for the South Africa openers. They won't be too impressed with Steyn.

Over 90 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-1 247-9 - Vaughan takes the hint from the umpires and quickly tell Monty to get his jumper off. An unexpected chance for a five-fer then for Panesar. After five dot balls, Panesar allows Steyn to get a single which isn't the best piece of cricket from England's spinner.

Over 89 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-1 246-9 - Dark clouds directly above the ground at the moment, but blue sky all round the horizon. Strange. Steyn gets a single from the final ball of the over to keep the strike. He's 18 not out and thinking like a batsman. If only some of South Africa's top six had taken the same approach. At the end of the over, the umpires get together to have a look at the light.

Over 88 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-W 245-9 WICKET! Prince's superb innings comes to an end on 101 as he tries to cut Sidebottom through the offside but can only get a thin edge through to Ambrose. A superb innings with very little support. Makhaya Ntini is South Africa's last man, and Sidebottom is annoyed with himself for firing the final ball of the over wide of the stumps and allowing the number 11 to leave it alone. Incidentally, if you're a millionaire at a loose end tomorrow, there will be tickets available from North Gate at 9am tomorrow priced at £75 and £80. Paupers can get a restricted view for 30 sheets.

Over 87 Anderson 0-0-0-0-1-0 245-8 - Anderson is back into the attack for England, and that's another small victory for South Africa. Vaughan would have loved to keep his opening bowlers back for the second innings, but has now been forced to use both of them to try and break this stubborn stand. Prince gets a single from the fifth ball of the over to leave Steyn just one ball to survive. He does so quite easily, clipping the ball nicely to long-leg. They don't take the single though.

Over 86 Sidebottom 1-0-0-0-1-0 244-8 - Steyn does Prince proud, helping the first ball to long-leg for a single to five his partner the chance to get to three figures. Prince suddenly wants a single, and can't get one. Sidebottom swings one past the outside edge, but now Prince can celebrate after clipping one off his pads to reach a fine century (173 balls, 13x4s, 1x6); shame none of his team-mates could match it.

Over 85 Broad 0-0-0-0-0-4 242-8 - Broad strikes Prince another painful blow in the box area. He pulls the next one out to deep square-leg but again doesn't want the single. Makes you wonder why he bothered playing the shot really. Broad comes round the wicket for the final few balls, and starts with two bouncers designed to keep Prince down this end. He can't bowl a third bouncer, but does bowl it short. With the field in, Prince gives himself room and hits it up and over point to move to 99. This partnership is now worth 39 runs and is frustrating England: they'd dearly love to have a decent bowl at South Africa's openers tonight.

Over 84 Sidebottom 0-0-4-0-0-0 238-8 - Steyn swings the bat hard at a full wide ball from Sidebottom and gets a thick edge over the slips and away for four. The next ball swings back into Steyn's pads, but would have gone on to miss leg stump. Big appeals from Sidebottom, but Bowden shakes his head.

Over 83 Broad 0-0-1-0-0-0 234-8 - Broad continues with the new ball, and immediately tickles Steyn with a short ball into the ribcage. Steyn gave Broad a few yesterday, and Broad is relishing this chance to return the favour. The next ball is in Steyn's half and his eyes light up. He aims a massive swipe over the legside but makes no contact. Steyn defends into the offside and scampers a single to get away from strike. Broad almost gets a yorker underneath Prince's defences, but the left-hander just jabs down on it in time. Broad ends the over with a sharp short ball that thuds into Prince's ribs. That's hurt, but he'll have the drinks break to regain his composure.

Over 82 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-4-0 233-8 - Sure enough Panesar's off and Sidebottom's on, brand new ball in hand. There are two slips in place, with pretty much everyone else saving the boundary. Ones on offer everywhere, but Prince isn't interested. Four balls into the over, the field come in to save the one and Prince hits the ball through midwicket for four. That's good batting, and he's on to 95 now. He'll want a single from the final ball of the over but can't make any contact. Steyn is exposed to the new ball.

Over 81 Broad 0-0-0-1-0-0 229-8 - Prince finally takes the single on offer from the fourth ball of the over leaving Steyn two balls to survive. He's backing away to square to play the first, and makes no contact. Two slips and three gullies wait, but Steyn defends the last ball of the over solidly. Sidebottom just going through some looseners, so the new ball might be on the way.

Over 80 Panesar 0-0-0-0-1-0 228-8 - Prince tries to hit Panesar over the top but drags the ball out towards deep midwicket. "Catch" is the cry from the close fielders, but the ball bounces short of Park on the boundary. Prince into the 90s now.

Over 79 Broad 0-0-0-0wd-1-0-4 227-8 - For the first time, Prince hits the ball out to deep cover and declines to take the single early in the over. A very short bouncer from Broad is called wide. Another bouncer is helped out to deep backward-square for a single to leave Steyn two balls to survive. The second one finds the edge but flies wide of slip and away for four frustrating runs.

Over 78 Panesar 0-1-3-1-0-0 221-8 - Panesar continues, so England are perhaps hoping that when Anderson and Sidebottom get a new ball in their hands it'll be Smith and McKenzie in their sights. Prince works the ball into the legside for a single, and Steyn again frustrates England by edging the ball to third-man for three to get away from strike. Prince again, though, is content to trot through for a single from the next ball. Steyn survives the final two balls of the over, trying to smack the final ball over mid-off. Pietersen's deep in that position and there was a long single there but Prince is rightly not interested in it.

Over 77 Broad 1-0-0-0-0-0 216-8 - Prince still happy to take a single from the first ball of Broad's over, and Steyn then gets in a horrible tangle against a short ball from Broad. He fends it away with the handle of the bat, but the ball drops safely. Broad comes round the wicket for the final ball of the over and bowls a short ball that cannons into Steyn's arm and down to fine-leg. Prince declines the leg-bye on offer to ensure he'll keep the strike.

Over 76 Panesar 0-1-0-1-0-0 215-8 - Steyn gets off strike with a single to mid-on from the second ball of the over, and Prince leaves him with two more balls to survive by collecting another run on the legside. Steyn survives. New ball one over away, if England want it. Will Collingwood get to make that decision?

Over 75 Broad 2-1-3-0-4-0 213-8 - Prince trying to invent something here, comingout of his crease and right across his stumps. Broad responds by firing in a leg-stump yorker which Prince flicks one-handed to long-leg for a couple. Did well in the end. He tries to drive the next ball over mid-off and almost holes out to Sidebottom. Perhaps surprisingly he takes the single to leave Steyn exposed, but he gets the perfect result next ball as an outside edge squirts through gully for three runs. Prince back on strike, and he has to duck to get underneath a bouncer from Broad. Vaughan's off the field at the moment so Collingwood is in charge, and he calls the men in to save the single for the last two balls of the over. Prince gets four with a controlled shot wide of gully and still has a final chance to regain the strike for the next over. He hits the ball hard to cover, but Bell makes a diving stop so Steyn will be on strike to Panesar. Prince has raced on to 84 though in an innings that's been quick-slow-quick.

Over 74 Panesar 0-1-1-0-W-0 203-8 WICKET! Prince continues to take singles, and pays the price. Harris is lucky to survive a confident lbw shout after missing a sweep, but very next ball he tries to slog Panesar over midwicket and can only miscue the ball high off the bat towards mid-on, where Anderson again makes good ground before diving forward to take a good catch just above the turf. Monty owes Jimmy a drink tonight, I reckon. It's another fine piece of athletic fielding by Anderson, and Panesar now has an excellent chance to pick up five wickets here. He's got four now, but Dale Steyn repels the final ball of the over.

Over 73 Broad 1-0-0-0-1-0 201-7 - Prince plays the ball into the legside and just for a second considers not taking the single on offer. He trots through eventually, though, to bring up South Africa's 200. Harris tries to fend off a short ball from Broad and gets an inside edge into his thigh that loops towards Bell at a fairly deep short-leg. He scoops the ball up on the half-volley, and looks at the umpire as if unsure of whether he caught it or not. It goes to the third umpire, who has an easy decision. In hindsight, England might wonder why Bell wasn't in an orthodox short-leg position. Harris fends another short ball into the legside, but this time gets it safely away from any fielder and collects a single. That gives Prince one ball to face with the field in, and he tries to thrash it through the covers but makes contact with only fresh air.

Over 72 Panesar 1-0-0-0-0-2lb 199-7 - There are singles wherever you look, and Prince takes one from the first ball of the over to get to 75. Can he get to three figures? He certainly deserves to. It's spinner v spinner now as Panesar bowls to Harris, and he soon spins one past the outside edge. Harris tries to sweep but makes no contact and the ball somehow manages to miss the off stump. That must have been close. Another attempted sweep flicks off the back pad and away for a couple of leg-byes. South Africa are now over halfway to their follow-on target, but with only three wickets in reserve. An added factor here is the new ball, available in five overs' time.

Over 71 Broad 1-4-0-0-0-0 196-7 - And Harris now has a job to do with the bat. Prince shows faith in him by taking a single from the first ball of the over - there are ones everywhere now for the left-hander. Harris justifies the faith by clipping a full swinging delivery from Broad to the midwicket boundary. He gets through the over as some nasty-looking dark clouds gather above HQ. Dark clouds for Freddie Flintoff fans as well - he's been dismissed for just two runs for Lancashire at the Rose Bowl. Good news for Collingwood, though.

Over 70 Panesar 0-1-0-0-0-W 191-7 WICKET! England are happy to give Prince a single, and Montyshows why. Morkel pushes forward with an inviting gap between bat and pad. Panesar duly spins one through it and disturbs the off stump. The tourists are seven down and reeling. Hawk-eye reckons that one spun 42cm to hit the stumps. If you added up every ball Harris bowled on the first two days, they might have spun a total of 42cm. Makes a difference.

Over 69 Broad 0-0-4-0-0-2 190-6 - Morkel gets off the mark. He deliberately looks to get a short ball from Broad up and over the slips, but gets it rather closer to Ambrose than he would have intended. A slower ball from Broad finds the outside edge but because it was a cutter it doesn't carry. For the second time today he scoops one up on the half-volley. Broad goes wide on the crease from round the wicket, and Morkel uses the angle to get the ball into the legside for a couple of runs to end an eventful over.

Over 68 Panesar 0-0-0-4-0-6 184-6 - This is excellent batting from Prince. He defends the first three balls from Panesar and then looks to attack when the field comes in to prevent singles. He plays a wristy reverse-sweep for four through third-man and ends the over with an imperious slog-sweep into the mound stand. Clever batting, and Morkel has shown in his first few deliveries that he has some understanding of how to hold a bat.

Over 67 Broad 4-0-2-1-0-0 174-6 - After almost two hours without a boundary, Prince finally breaks the shackles with a quclity shot off the back foot through the covers. Width offered from Broad, and Prince gets the ball far enough in front of the boundary rider to collect four. A short-arm pull gets Prince two more before he picks out that cover sweeper for a single. Another little flurry of runs for Prince, who has been one of the few bright spots for South Africa in this match. He was probably the man under most pressure in the top six, and he's on his way to answering his critics.

Over 66 Panesar 1-0-0-0-0-0 167-6 - Prince has batted almost to a standstill here. After racing to 40 not out, his strike-rate has dipped below 50 now as South Africa struggle. Panesar gives him a single down the ground to have a bowl at Morkel, and gets very excited when a ball spins back into the pads. The fact Morkel is a good nine inches outside the line doesn't put Monty off a typically ebullient appeal, and Bowden has to just keep England's excitable spinner in check.

Over 65 Broad W-0-0-0-0-0 166-6 WICKET! Broad comes back into the attack and strikes instantly Boucher is in two minds about whether to play or leave and ends up doing neither and diverting the ball into his stumps via a bottom edge. England really are in business now, into the South Africa tail with a lead still in excess of 400. Morne Morkel is the new batsman for South Africa, and he's no mug with the bat. He's a big chap and he can certainly use those long levers to hit the ball a long, long way.

Over 64 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-0 166-5 - Panesar keeps the pressure on with another probing maiden over. He's clearly very much enjoying his work so far today.

Over 63 Anderson 0-1-0-0-0-0 166-5 - Prince shuffles right across his stumps Strauss-style to push the ball into the gap at square-cover for a single. Boucher plays out the over defensively.

Over 62 Panesar 2-0-0-0-2-0 165-5 - Boucher's been a thorn in England's side before, and he's a very dangerous batsman. He's up and running straight away with a clip into the legside for two. He repeats the shot a few balls later but must be careful playing straight balls to leg, and that's highlighted when the final ball of the over comes off a leading edge back towards Panesar. It bounces safely short of the bowler, but that's the shot he's looking for. Couple of peopleasking about how the follow-on target is worked out. Simply, South Africa must get within 200 runs of England's score to avoid the follow-on. So with England posting 593-8, South Africa must score at least 394 in this first innings.

Over 61 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-0 161-5 - Anderson backs up his excellence in the field with an accurate maiden over to Prince. Pressure mounting on South Africa here, still 233 runs short of the follow-on target.

Over 60 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-W 161-5 WICKET! That's absolute brilliance from Anderson. De Villiers comes down the track to Panesar and makes good contact with a drive down the ground, but Anderson flies to his left goalkeeper-style at mid-on and holds on to a cracking catch. He's probably number one in a list of one for fast bowlers who could have taken that catch. The pressure tells, and England are halfway through the South Africa innings with the lead still over 400. Mark Boucher is the new batsman, and there isn't too much more to come either.

Over 59 Anderson 3-0-0-0-0-0 161-4 - De Villiers forces a short ball through the covers for three, and Prince is solidly defensive for the rest of the over. The quiet tone of the afternoon session has spilled over into the evening.

Over 58 Panesar 0-0-1-1-0-0 158-4 - Panesar continues to wheel away, and concedes just a couple of singles from his opening over of the session. He'll have plenty of bowling to do for the first hour-and-a-half of this session before the new ball. Panesar almost bowls a seventh ball in the over, before Bowden realises we've had out fun for that over. Would have been fun and games if Monty had bowled the extra ball and got a wicket.

Over 57 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-0 156-4 - Anderson starts the evening session with a maiden over, but it was almost even better than that. A cross-seam delivery from Anderson stays a little low and comes off the bottom corner of De Villiers' bat. Ambrose dives to his right, but can only scoop the ball up on the half-volley. Good take, but it just didn't quite carry.

TEA Quiet session of cricket that one. Prince and De Villiers have steadied the ship for South Africa, but they haven't been able to get away from England at any stage - the run-rate for the session was just 2.60. It certainly won't be a case of running through a team on this docile surface, but England will be content to keep chipping away. Happily, with Panesar heavily involved in the afternoon, England have managed to get their 30 overs in between lunch and tea. But there's still a long final session in prospect with the second new ball a factor for the last hour of it.

Over 56 Panesar 0-0-0-0-1-2 156-4 - Panesar bowls the final over of the session, and gets very excited when De Villiers leaves a ball that doesn't spin much and only just misses the off stump. De Villiers works the next one to leg for a single to leave Prince to face the final ball of the over, which he he eases through the offside for a couple of runs.

Over 55 Anderson 1-0-0-0-0wd-0-0 153-4 - De Villiers decides to take on the short ball this time, helping it round the corner for a single. Stephen Thomas emails in to say that, after I jinxed Bell so spectacularly yesterday, he's looking forward to De Villiers' second-innings duck. Harsh but fair - I got him good and proper. Anderson tries to bounce Prince but it's far too short and far too high, and rightly called wide.

Over 54 Panesar 0-0-0-1-0-1 151-4 - Panesar is back into the attack after a few tidy but non-threatening overs from Collingwood. Prince is still stuck on 49 and almost chops on trying to force a cut shot from a ball that was too straight. He then takes a fairly iffy-looking single but gets home to finally reachthe landmark (82 balls, 8x4s) and almost bring up the 150 for the tourists. Perhaps now he will settle again, because from 0-40 he looked hugely impressive. De Villiers works the final ball of the over into the legside for a single to keep the strike.

Over 53 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-0 149-4 - Interesting field here with De Villiers looking a little vulnerable to the short ball. There's a fine-leg, leg gully, deep square-leg, midwicket two-thirds of the way back and an orthodox mid-on. De Villiers doesn't seem to pick up the length of the short ball particularly well from Anderson, and gets another blow in the ribcage, but survives a maiden over.

Over 52 Collingwood 1-0-0-0-0-0 149-4 - De Villiers eases Collingwood through cover off the back foot for an easy single, despite a 7-2 offside field. Prince can't get the ball through the field though, as he continues to wait for his half-century.

Over 51 Anderson 3-0-0-0-1-0 148-4 - Prince finally moves off 46, but has to wait a while yet to reach 50 as a diving Sidebottom at mid-off saves one run after half-stopping Prince's powerful drive. Another question from a reader now: Doug Miles wants to know if England could have dismissed De Villiers when the ball got lodged in his pad earlier. Obviously, had a fielder come and got the ball, it would never have hit the ground so could be considered a 'catch'. But the answer's no, Doug. Once the ball becomes lodged in the batsman's equipment it's considered dead, so De Villiers was quite safe to take it out and throw it to an England fielder. De Villiers gets himself a single to leg from the penultimate ball of Anderson's over. If you've got any other cricketing queries or thoughts, we love to hear from you. Hit the FEEDBACK icon or email me: Dave.Tickner@bskyb.com

Over 50 Collingwood 0-0-0-0-0-0 144-4 - England have stemmed the flow after these two batsmen got on a bit of a run against Panesar and Broad. Collingwood completes a maiden over to De Villiers, while Prince has been stuck on 46 for quite some time now.

Over 49 Anderson 0-1-0-0-0-0 144-4 - Lord's bathed in sunshine now as Anderson just hurries De Villiers up with a bouncer that eventually lodges in the batsman's pad via inside edge and chest. The next ball is clipped through the legside to deep square-leg, where England's South Africa-born sub fielder Garry Park does the fielding. Steve in Oxford asks if it's true that De Villiers has no ducks in Test cricket. It is indeed, Steve. He's had no ducks in 72 Test innings. That puts him top of the pile for players without a duck in their career. Of players who did eventually suffer one, Aravinda Da Silva is top: his first duck came in his 75th Test innings, so AB's getting close to passing that. As I said earlier, a surprising name in the top ten of players without a Test-match duck is the current bowler, Anderson. He hasn't had one in his first 36 innings at this level.

Over 48 Collingwood 0-1-0-0-0-0 143-4 - Collingwood doing a reasonable containing job here at least, as another over ticks by with just a single from it. Prince just getting a tiny bit stuck as he approaches a half-century.

Over 47 Anderson 0-0-0-0-1-0 142-4 - Double change as Anderson comes on and immediately draws De Villiers into a loose shot outside the off stump. It's basically a straight ball, but it whistles past the outside edge and through to Ambrose. Just a single from the over, driven to mid-on by De Villiers.

Over 46 Collingwood 0-0-0-0-1-0 141-4 - Perhaps on a gut feeling, Vaughan throws the ball to Collingwood to bowl some wobblers with Ambrose up to the stumps and a slip and a gully in place. Imagine if that extra bowling option was Flintoff - perhaps in Leeds next week itwill be. There is inevitably a bit of swing at Collingwood's gentle pace, and De Villiers pushes a drive to Vaughan's left at mid-off and scurries a single. Ambrose is standing back with Prince on strike for the final ball of the over, defended to point.

Over 45 Sidebottom 0-0-1lb-0-1-0 140-4 - Prince misses out on a leg-stump delivery from Sidebottom and has to settle for a leg-bye. De Villiers also gets a ball on his pads, and helps it out to the legside sweeper for a single. Sidebottom shakes his mane with fury and frustration at his errant lines.

Over 44 Panesar 4-1-2-0-0-0 138-4 - Panesar starting to leak runs a bit here. Prince comes down the track and hits over mid-on. No timing, but enough bat on it to get four and bring up the 50 partnership. He defends the next ball into the ground and over short-leg for a single before De Villiers gets a couple of runs for a deft glance down the legside.

Over 43 Sidebottom 1-0-0-0-0-4 131-4 - Prince flicks Sidebottom to long-leg for a single before De Villiers is beaten by one that just holds its line across him. Sidebottom pushes the last ball of the over a bit too far across De Villiers and too full as well. There are two men in on the drive, but De Villiers splits them perfectly to collect another eye-catching boundary. Decent fightback from these two - the partnership's now worth 48 - but much more is needed.

Over 42 Panesar 1-2-0-0-0-4 126-4 - Frustration for Panesar. After five overs of bowling exclusively to De Villiers he gets Prince on strike and then immediately gives him a ball short enough to work away through point for a single. De Villiers collects two more for a thick inside edge into the big gap at midwicket and then gets a rare gift from Panesar. It's a full-toss on leg stump and easily put away to the midwicket fence. That'll be drinks, and a useful partnership is developing here for South Africa.

Over 41 Sidebottom 0-0-1-0-0-0 119-4 - Prince pushes wide of Broad at mid-off for a single from a quiet Sidebottom over. His lines are good here, making the batsmen play.

Over 40 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-0 118-4 - Monty's trying to set De Villiers up for an lbw here with that ball that just drifts on. But AB's wise to the plan and making a real effort to play with bat out in front of pad to counteract the bowler's plan. We always like to keep an eye on players currently outside the England XI and see how they're going. There's been plenty of focus on Freddie this week, but Rick Hutchinson points out another Ashes winner has picked up 3-27 - including the scalps of Marcus Trescothick and Justin Langer - in his first seven overs today. Bring back Harmison!

Over 39 Sidebottom 0-0-2-0-0-0 118-4 - Prince finds the gap at cover for a couple of runs, but almost has gully interested with a loose drive at the final ball of Sidebottom's over. It's a length ball that Prince tries to get through the covers again, but it skes off a thick outside edge and bounces a yard or two short of Alastair Cook.

Over 38 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-0 116-4 - De Villiers plays out a maiden over from Panesar, denied runs from another good-looking drive thanks to a fine diving stop from Strauss at cover.

Over 37 Sidebottom 0-0-0-4-0-0 116-4 - Sidebottom is back on in place of Broad at the Pavilion End with runs just starting to come a little more freely for the tourists. But Sidebottom also offers a boundary ball in his comeback over, and Prince clips it away nicely to the square-leg fence despite Monty's despairing efforts to get round from long-leg.

Over 36 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-4 112-4 - Another classy drive from De Villiers against Panesar gets four to end an otherwise tidy over from the left-arm spinner. Justguilty of offering a bit of width with that last one.

Over 35 Broad 4-0-0-0-0-0 108-4 - Short and wide from Broad, and Prince takes full toll. He's not the tallest batsman, but gets right on top of the bounce to crash the ball through point. Lovely stroke, but he follows it with an ugly swish at one that comes back down the slope. Sublime to ridiculous. Chastened, Prince defends the next one solidly.

Over 34 Panesar 0-4-0-0-0-0 104-4 - Panesar just drops a fraction short to De Villiers, who steps back and flicks the ball wristily through the legside for four. Nice shot, and De Villiers has made a promising start to his innings here.

Over 33 Broad 0-0-0-0-4-0 100-4 - Prince brings up South Africa's 100 in fine style, whipping a straight half-volley from Broad through midwicket. That's the only blemish on an otherwise impressive over from England's young quick.

Over 32 Panesar 0-0-0-0-4-0 96-4 - Lovely shot from de Villiers, driving a full ball from Panesar through the covers with the spin, and beating Anderson's dive on the boundary. De Villiers scored a double century in India, so you'd imagine he's fairly comfortable playing against spin.

Over 31 Broad 0-0-0-0-0-1 92-4 - De Villiers hooks the final ball of Broad's over down to Panesar at long-leg for a single. AB's known as a bit of a dasher, but he's been watchful thus far.

Over 30 Panesar 0-0-4-0-0-0 91-4 - Brave shot, driving Panesar from out of the rough, but he gets to the pitch and middles the ball sweely through cover-point. Broad makes a mess of an attempted sliding stop, turning a probable three into four. England Women, meanwhile, have completed a 10-wicket win over the West Indies. Sarah Taylor hit 30 not out in the short run chase. Done and dusted by lunch.

Over 29 Broad 0-0-0-0-0-0wd-0 87-4 - De Villiers has gone 72 Test innings without duck - a record. Unbelievably, number seven on that list is James Anderson with 36 innings. De Villiers, meanwhile, plays out Broad's over in watchful defence. Just a wide from that over, rightly given for a ridiculously short legside bouncer.

Over 28 Panesar W-0-0-2-0-1 86-4 WICKET! Panesar strikes with his very first ball after lunch. He drifts the ball down the legside from round the wicket, but the ball spins sharply out of the footmarks behind McKenzie's pads and clips the leg stump. McKenzie can't quite believe that's just happened. Big spin there from Monty, and it brings AB de Villiers to the crease. Looking at the replays again, that wicket ball didn't even spin out of the rough: it was straight off the surface of the pitch, making the amount of turn even more alarming for South African viewers. De Villiers gets off the mark with a clip through the legside for two and keeps the strike with a single from the final ball as a drive ricochets off the silly-point fielder. England have an instant breakthrough in this session, and Vaughan deserves huge credit for keeping him on after lunch. South Africa are four down, and they still trail by over 500 runs.

Over 27 Broad 0-0-0-4-1-0 83-3 - Broad starts the afternoon session, and almost strikes an instant blow. McKenzie is squared up but benefits from playing with soft hands. The ball finds a healthy outside edge but bounces just short and between Strauss and Collingwood, running away for four. McKenzie gets another single turned away through midwicket.

DOUBLE WHAMMY It's not just the men doing the business for England today. England Women have bowled West Indies out for 41 in their second ODI. Isa Guha was destroyer in chief with 5-14 from eight overs. Charlene Taitt and extras were joint top-scorers with eight.

LUNCH Another session for the home side. The two keymen, Smith and Kallis, have gone for single-figure scores while Amla is also back in the hutch. McKenzie has been solid and Prince aggressive, but Vaughan will be delighted with that session. The only criticism of England is a common one: their over-rate is again abysmal - just 25.4 overs bowled in that two-hour session. With 98.4 overs scheduled for the day, we could be here rather late this evening if the weather holds.

Over 26 Panesar 1-0-0-0-0-0 78-3 - McKenzie collects a single to square-leg, and Panesar will probably be quite happy to have the left-hander on strike. There's some rough for him to work with outside the left-hander's off stump, and he gets a couple of balls to spin back quite sharply. But Prince survives and the players head off for lunch.

Over 25 Broad 4-0-0-4-0-0 77-3 - Nice shot from Prince, using his depth of his crease and punching the ball in front of point for four. Broad just offered him a bit of width there, and Prince has looked to be positive since that huge stroke of luck first ball. More width from Broad, full this time, and Prince leans into the drive and the ball races to the cover fence. Prince has had a shocking recent run in Tests and, like Bell on day one, seems to have decided that playing a few shots is the way to get through it. Working very nicely so far.

Over 24 Panesar 0-1-0-0-4-0 69-3 - For the first time in the match, there's a proper spin bowler in action as Panesar gets a short bowl before lunch. Prince sweeps for a single, and McKenzie then takes a calculated risk and comes down the track to hit Panesar back over his head for four. "Big shot before lunch," chirps Paul Collingwood at slip, but it was perfectly played.

Over 23 Broad 0-0-0-0-0-0 64-3 - Broad is back into the attack for a couple of overs before the lunch break. And he starts the short spell with a good, accurate maiden over. McKenzie solidly defends.

Over 22 Anderson 0-0-1-0-1-4 64-3 - Prince helps a short ball from Anderson to long-leg, where Sidebottom does enough to put the batsmen off a second run. McKenzie clips the ball to deep square-leg for another easy run, and that looks to be his release area, his way of getting off strike and away from trouble. Prince continues to mix up batting like a clown and like, well, a prince by driving Anderson gloriously back down the ground for a cracking boundary.

Over 21 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-0-0 58-3 - Sidebottom switches between over and round the wicket in a maiden over to McKenzie.

Over 20 Anderson 1-3-0-1-3-3 58-3 - Much rests on McKenzie now, and he helps himself to another single to midwicket. That brings new batsman Ashwell Prince on strike for the first time, and his first delivery flies off the shoulder of the bat and somehow finds a gap between four slips and a gully. He scampers three, but it was an unconvincing stroke. That could so easily have been a fourth wicket, but instead it brings up South Africa's 50. McKenzie again plays the ball through square-leg for a single, and there was almost a sense that Anderson was giving him that one to have another bowl at Prince. There's a slight tweak in the cordon now, with fourth slip becoming a second gully. There's still a gap though, and as we know the ball has a funny way of finding it. Prince, though, plays a nice shot this time, punching the ball straight of mid-off and getting three. More runs from the final ball of the over as McKenzie plays the ball wide of gully with soft hands and runs hard to get three. Three threes in that over, an expensive one from Anderson but one that could still have brought reward.

Over 19 Sidebottom 0-0-1-0-0-W 47-3 - Lucky escape for McKenzie, who gets an inside edge into his back leg and turns to watchthe ball trickle past his stumps. He was looking to drive a ball that wasn't quite there - his first real loose shot of the session. For some reason, Sidebottom decides to come round the wicket after that good delivery, and McKenzie is able to use the angle to get the ball into the legside for a single. WICKET! Perhaps it was just a tactic to get Kallis on strike. Sidebottom pushes one across the right-hander, finds the outside edge, and Andrew Strauss takes a fine low moving to his right at first slip. That's the key wicket for England, who are now having a wonderful morning. A wicket apiece for the three seamers.

Over 18 Anderson 0-1-0-0-0-0 46-2 - Vaughan continues to rotate his seamers as Anderson comes on at the Nursery End this time to replace Broad, who took 1-22 in his first five-over spell. McKenzie plays a controlled pull shot to the boundary sweeper for a single. Kallis attempts a drive but gets only a thick outside edge along the ground to Kevin Pietersen in the gully. Decent start to Anderson's second spell.

Over 17 Sidebottom 1-0-2-0-0-0 45-2 - McKenzie starting to pick up a few more singles now as he grows in stature at the crease. Again, a defensive push into the gap at cover gets an easy run. Kallis clips an inswinger nicely behind square-leg, and the inevitable cheers greet Monty's sliding effort on the boundary as the batsmen trundle two runs.

Over 16 Broad 1-1-0-0-4-1 42-2 - Broad just gets one to straighten, and McKenzie gets a leading edge through point for a single after aiming through midwicket. Kallis adds another well-judged run from a push into the covers. Broad, searching for swing, overpitches and Broad leans into the ball and punches it through mid-off for a quality boundary. Shot of the morning, no question. He's alert again to collect a quick single from the next ball to keep the strike.

Over 15 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-0-1 35-2 - While the other batsmen have looked sketchy, McKenzie's looked nice and organised this morning. He's left the ball well outside the off stump and waited for the bowlers to bowl at him and then picked up his runs on the legside. He's fairly new to the top of the order, but certainly seems to have the mentality of an opening batsman. He collects a single for a push into the covers to end another impressive over from Sidebottom. Seems happier in this second spell.

Over 14 Broad 4-0-0-0-0-0 34-2 - Kallis in all sorts of trouble first ball. He doesn't seem to pick up a full ball from Broad, and blindly jabs a bat at it. It squirts off the outside of the toe of the bat and runs away to the third-man boundary. Broad almost gets Kallis with a superb delivery that hits the seam and jags away from the bat and just past the outside edge. Superb over from Broad to end a fine hour for England. They'll enjoy their drinks break.

Over 13 Sidebottom 0-2-0-0-0-0 30-2 - Sidebottom switches ends to replace Anderson. South Africa's key man, Jacques Kallis, is the new batsman but he won't be facing with the wicket falling from the final ball of Broad's over. There's an appeal for lbw against McKenzie first ball but, although the ball did shape back, it would still have gone on to miss off stump. Another ball swings back in to McKenzie but it starts too straight and is worked through square-leg for a couple. The huge cheers tell you it's Monty Panesar doing the fielding. Sidebottom certainly getting more assistance from this Pavilion End and another swinging delivery hits McKenzie on the knee-roll. Not much of an appeal, but it was pretty close. Hawk-eye has it clipping the off bail, so you wouldn't expect to see it given. Fine over from Sidebottom, though.

Over 12 Broad 0-0-0-1lb-0-W 28-2 WICKET! South Africa in trouble now, as Broad gets the final ball of his third over to just shape down the slope and take the finest of outside edges. Amla, the form man on tour, has to go. Excellent delivery from Broad, following up the short stuff with the length ball just nibbling away. Amla's footwork is not up to the task, with his weight over his back leg, and he follows his skipper back to the Pavilion.

Over 11 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-0 27-1 - Anderson goes wide on the crease to bowl another short ball at Amla, looking to angle the ball into the body. But Amla sways out of the way quite nicely. Another maiden over for Anderson, who now has very tidy figures of 7-4-4-1.

Over 10 Broad 0-1-0-0-4-1 27-1 - Too straight again from Broad, and McKenzie clips the ball to long-leg for a single. Amla gets a streaky boundary, slashing at a ball outside off stump and edging the ball betwen third slip and gully. He gets four for it, but a poor shot with this field in place. Perhaps he was unsettled by the short bowling from Anderson. He gets a short one from Broad to end the over but plays it nicely, getting up on his toes to play the ball into the legside for a single to keep the strike.

Over 9 Anderson 1b-1-0-0-0-0 21-1 - Anderson fires a short ball down the legside, and Ambrose makes a mess of it diving to his left and concedes a bye. Anderson swings one in to McKenzie, who manages to squeeze the ball down to long-leg for a single. Hands on head from Anderson, who reckons he was close to getting that one through. Another short legside ball from Anderson almost has an unexpected result. Amla gets inside it, but then manages to knock his own batting helmet off. It bounces desperately close to the stumps, and that would have been a spectacularly unfortunate dismissal. Anderson decides to repeat the delivery next ball hoping for the same result. Might not be the best policy. Still, there's a clear plan to Amla: short bowling aimed at the body, with short-leg and leg-gully in place.

Over 8 Broad 1-0-4-0-0-0 19-1 - First bowling change of the innings as Stuart Broad comes into the attack. He should be full of confidence after his superb efforts with the bat yesterday. His first ball is too straight, and Amla works it wide of Michael Vaughan at mid-on for a single. Broad again errs in line, to McKenzie this time, and the opener clips the ball away up the hill to the square-leg boundary. Sweet timing again from McKenzie, who hit a beautiful cover drive last night. Better lines from Broad for the rest of the over, but McKenzie is watchful - defending when he needs to and playing inside the line when the ball's a fraction wider. Oohs and aahs from fielders and spectators, but McKenzie wasn't playing at the ball there.

Over 7 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-0 14-1 - Three maidens in a row. Better lines from Anderson this time, making McKenzie play with more frequency.

Over 6 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-0-0 14-1 - Another maiden, and this one's much better from Sidebottom. He's probing away outside Amla's off stump, but the Proteas' number three shows good judgement and lets a couple pass pretty close to his off stump. Sidebottom tries to trap him with the one that comes back, but it's too high. Amla got in an awkward position though, with his head way outside the line of the ball when it crashed into the flap of his pad.

Over 5 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-0 14-1 - Maiden over from Anderson, but not a particularly good one. His line is too wide, and McKenzie is happy to watch the ball pass whenever possible at this early stage.

Over 4 Sidebottom 0-1-0-0-0-0 14-1 - McKenzie plays deliberately inside the line of one pushed across him by Sidebottom, and then works the ball to leg for a single. No real movement for Sidebottom thusfar, but one ball does just offer to come back at Amla. Starts too wide, though, and is easily left alone.

Over 3 Anderson 0-W-0-0-0-0 13-1 WICKET! Anderson makes the early breakthrough. A bit of extra bounce surprises Smith, and the ball flies to Ian Bell in the gully off the shoulder of the bat. Perfect start for England, and Smith walks off looking suspiciously at the wicket. Most deliveries have died this morning, but that one certainly took off. Hashim Amla is the new batsman, and he's in good form after two centuries in the warm-up matches. He leaves his first ball, and then sways out of the way of a bouncer. A solid forward defensive from Amla ends a wicket-maiden for Anderson.

Over 2 Sidebottom 0-4-1-0-0-0 13-0 - Ryan Sidebottom to bowl the first of today's allocation of 98 overs, and immediately offers Smith a gimme down the legside. The South Africa captain is particularly strong there and clips the ball to the fine-leg boundary. The next ball is also on the wrong line, but this time Smith can only flick it to Panesar at long-leg for a single. They'd have been decent balls to the right-hander, and Sidebottom sticks with that line now he's got Neil McKenzie in his sights. McKenzie lets a couple through to Tim Ambrose. No real swing for Sidebottom in that first over.

Over 1 Anderson 0-0-0-0-1-0 8-0 - Anderson completes the over he started last evening, and pushes one across Graeme Smith's defensive shot. Smith works the next ball into the legside for the first run of the day.

WELCOME to day three here at Lord's. It's a bit warmer and a bit cloudier, and England's bowlers will fancy getting some swing in these conditions. This is Lord's, so clearly the pitch won't have changed much. England's bowlers must bowl a better length than their South African counterparts, but wickets will have to be earned.

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