England will hope to make in-roads against the strong South Africa batting line-up when the first Test of the four-match series resumes at Lord's.

The tourists need a further 387 runs to avoid the follow-on, with all 10 wickets intact.

There was some watery sunshine at South Ossetian rebels order mobilisation ...
Strauss ton inspires England win ...
Two convicted over fatal maglev accident in Germany ...
Fight on malaria stepped-up ... the home of cricket, with the pitch expected to remain good for batting and work to do for the England bowlers.

England posted a superb 593-8, largely thanks to Ian Bell's magnificent 199.

LATEST ACTION (ALL TIMES BST)

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Mark Mitchener' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

By Mark Mitchener

1103 - SA 8-0
We have four balls of James Anderson's over to complete from last night, and South Africa captain Graeme Smith is beaten with the second ball of the day. The first run of the day comes when Smith turns one off his legs to Monty Panesar at fine leg.

1058: Umpires Billy Bowden and Daryl Harper lead out the England fielders. The TMS team report that it's a little cloudy, with a chilly breeze blowing now and showers forecast for the afternoon, and the light's not brilliant at this stage either. But we're pressing ahead.

"If England are to get wickets, they have to patiently pitch it up on a full length all day just on/outside off, keep it tight, getting the batsmen driving. Perhaps a little swing early. The South African bowlers made the mistake of banging it in on a slugging pitch, going for easy runs via back foot shots, effectively allowing two big tons from Bell and Pietersen! Monty will be bowling many overs and will be the danger man for the South Africans, the more the match progresses"
Rob Whittle, Norwich, in the TMS inbox

"This is, by some distance, the coldest day of the Test so far. The 'True Indian Food' stand is doing a roaring trade - at 1045! Anyone had enough of the 'New T20?' I do hope so. Everyone at Lord's has, and wants to see what England's bowlers can do today"
BBC Sport's Oliver Brett at Lord's

And, if you haven't already, do check out the TMS Blog where, along with Aggers' thoughts on the Twenty20 "franchise" proposal, you can read Mr Brett's thoughts on Paul Collingwood and the other talking points of Day Two.
TMS BLOG: Twenty20 franchises hold little appeal for Aggers
TMS BLOG: Spare a thought for Collingwood

1035: A few words of explanation if you think my typing's not up to its usual speed and fluency. I'm just back from playing cricket for a week myself, and in the process of taking a frankly superb catch at cover (well, the ball was smashed so hard and so fast at me that I didn't have time to get out of the way) against our arch rivals, I managed to injure the middle finger of my left hand, which is still swollen and discoloured. An X-ray showed no break or dislocation, but my typing may not be up to its usual standards.

A minor consolation was that I did hold onto the catch, and it was chosen as our team's champagne moment of the week!

1025: Morning, everyone - it's eyes down for day three at Lord's, with South Africa having just started their reply to England's total of 593-8 which they built up over the first couple of days.

(BBC)

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