England v South Africa LIVE: Cricket score and second Test updates as England in control at close of play

England are taking on South Africa on day one of the second Test today and Ben Stokes’s side are looking to bounce back from a comprehensive defeat at Lord’s. The South African bowling attack ripped through the English batting line-up, led by the pace of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, and England must come up with a way to stem the loss of wickets at Old Trafford this week if they are to level the three-Test series.

England make one change with Ollie Robinson coming into the bowling attack to add height and bounce, with Matthew Potts dropping out. Zak Crawley retains his place in the starting XI despite his continued struggles as opener, with Harry Brook waiting in the wings and tipped for a call-up for the third and final Test should Crawley falter once more here. South Africa make one switch, bringing in a second spinner – Simon Harmer – in place of seamer Jansen.

Who will win the second Test in Manchester? Follow all the latest score updates and live commentary from Old Trafford below.

England vs South Africa

• South Africa won the toss at Old Trafford and chose to bat

• OUT! Kagiso Rabada 36 (72), ct. Root, b. Leach, South Africa 151 all out

• Proteas skittled for 151 as James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes do the damage

• OUT! Alex Lees 4 (7), ct. Verreynne, b. Ngidi, England 5-1 (1.4)

• OUT! Ollie Pope 23 (27) b. Nortje, England 34-2 (10.1)

• OUT! Joe Root 9 (15), ct. Erwee, b. Rabada, England 43-3 (13.5)

• 50 PARTNERSHIP! Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow pass 50 together, England 98-3

• STUMPS! England (111-3) trail South Africa (151ao) by 50 runs

On to Day Two

18:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That just about does it for our coverage of the opening day at Old Trafford. England are ahead in the game, but if South Africa can find a couple early in the morning they will fancy the twin spin threat of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj to cause England difficulty later in the game.

We’ll be back in the morning as England look to establish parity and build a decisive first-innings lead. Ta-ta!

Stuart Broad, pads still on, has a chat with Sky Sports

18:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We are really happy. It was one of those good tosses to lose in a sense, we were quite keen to have a bowl. I don’t think any of us expected it to nip quite as much in that first session. Jonny and Creepy [Crawley] did well to see out the day, so we are pretty happy with that day.

“Jimmy called it early with the new ball, he said ‘I’m not getting any swing’, but it really did nip. We did a lot of damage in that first session. It was a real team effort. We are delighted with that. I felt like I bowled a really good first spell.

“It feels like a lot happened in this day. It brings that moving day, typically day three, forward to tomorrow, really. There is a wicket-taking ball in there so you have got keep hammering away.

“I chatted with Stokesy yesterday on the golf course about [not taking the new ball]. Ollie Robinson has great assets with the new ball. He got Sarel Erwee and Dean Elgar out in the Lions game. He was really unlucky today. That first change role is a role that I have not done that much recently but it is a role that I am comfortable with, and it was more of a match-up decision that could change tomorrow or in the future.

“It was very bowler friendly today, but the players who play here for Lancashire always say the second day is the best day to bat. A lead would be great, and if it continues to offer a bit of nip, a bit of bounce and a bit of turn we are in a great position.”

Stumps! England (111-3) trail South Africa (151ao) by 50 runs

18:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A much improved first day from England, asked to bowl this morning by South Africa but taking full advantage of a pitch favouring seam. James Anderson and Stuart Broad led the way with three apiece a England’s attack dismantled South Africa for 151 despite some late fight from Kagiso Rabada.

South Africa equally started well with the ball, reducing England to 43-3 as Alex Lees, Ollie Pope and Joe Root each fell reasonably cheaply, but a confident knock from Jonny Bairstow and battling innings from Zak Crawley ensure it would be very much England’s day.

STUMPS! England 111-3 (28), J Bairstow 38, Z Crawley 17, Simon Harmer 0-1 (1)

18:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A little bit of turn and a little bit of bounce for the tall Harmer, who does tend to get plenty of over-spin on the ball with his long fingers. Zak Crawley is securely forward to the final two balls, and England end the day just 40 behind with seven wickets still in hand.

England 110-3 (27)

18:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And to bowl the final over of the day will be Simon Harmer, who has found English soil so fertile over the last five years. Old Trafford should be a surface that suits him - can he break the game back open in the final set of six of the evening?

England 110-3 (27), J Bairstow 37, Z Crawley 17, K Maharaj 0-20 (6)

18:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stroke by stroke his confidence begins to build, too, sweeping confidently as Maharaj strays too straight.

One more over to survive before stumps which means, alas, England’s unveiling of the “Nighthawk” will have to wait.

England 105-3 (26), J Bairstow 36, Z Crawley 13, L Ngidi 1-20 (7)

18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This has been much better from Zak Crawley, who for all the talk of England liking his natural style has adopted a different approach and found a way to survive. The manner in which he is playing within himself rather evokes memories of both Joe Denly and, looking further back, Chris Tavare, two players who were far more free-scoring for Kent than England. Neither was world-beater, of course, but Crawley deserves a lot of credit for the manner in which he has gone about this.

England 105-3 (25), J Bairstow 36, Z Crawley 13, K Maharaj 0-15 (5)

18:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two balls down leg from Maharaj grant Crawley a nudged single and Bairstow a swept four. The latter is ticking along rather nicely and not having to take unncessary risks - England within 50 of South Africa with ten minutes until the close.

England 98-3 (24), J Bairstow 31, Z Crawley 11, L Ngidi 1-20 (6)

18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad has his pads on, England’s so-called “Nighthawk” with licence to give it a whack until the close if required. For now, though, it is Bairstow playing the agressor, benefitting from a pretty ropey bit of fielding from the usually secure Keshav Maharaj at backward point. Cut away for four, which brings up the 50 partnership from 62 balls, with Bairstow and extras the heavy contributors.

Cleanly struck! Over-pitched by Ngidi and into it climbs Bairstow, little in the way of a follow through but enough on it to beat Dean Elgar to the extra cover cushion.

England 90-3 (23), J Bairstow 23, Z Crawley 11, K Maharaj 0-8 (4)

18:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brief shouts of excitement from the close-in fielders as the ball springs up to short leg, but it was straight off Crawley’s knee with bat safely out of the way. The square leg umpire sends a hopeful appeal for a stumping upstairs for a check, but the batter’s back foot never lifted - as, I think, Kyle Verreynne rather knew.

Six dots.

England 90-3 (22), J Bairstow 23, Z Crawley 11, L Ngidi 1-12 (5)

18:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This partnership is rattling along not far short of a run a ball, which might have prompted Elgar to look to his two tidiest bowlers. Lungi Ngidi delivers for his captain, the only runs of his over an effective push straight of mid-off by Bairstow which is reeled in ten yards short of the boundary.

England 88-3 (21)

18:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yep, it is a double change - Lungi Ngidi recalled to the attack for a second spell.

England 88-3 (21), J Bairstow 21, Z Crawley 11, K Maharaj 0-8 (3)

18:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Zak Crawley nearly contrives to get himself out to a ball thrown down the leg side, just about managing to get his bat on it as he charges down. Jonny Bairstow, usually such a destuctive player of spin, takes two more singles in the over.

England 85-3 (20), J Bairstow 19, Z Crawley 10, K Rabada 1-35 (8)

18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

4,2,4,2 as Bairstow goes on the attack against Rabada: a flick to fine leg for the first boundary; tucking off the hip for the two; a tasty drive on the up through extra cover for the second boundary; and a well-run two to the leg-side sweeper to complete a productive scoring sequence.

A no-ball and a single make that a particularly expensive over from Kagiso Rabada, which may have Dean Elgar contemplating another change.

At the other end, Nortje is done, perhaps for the day - Keshav Maharaj back amongst things after two early overs.

England 71-3 (19), J Bairstow 7, Z Crawley 10, A Nortje 1-28 (6)

17:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Zak Crawley enters double figures from his 51st delivery, finding fine leg with a thick inside edge as he props forward to block another Nortje missile.

Another five wides in that over - South Africa could rather do without these extras with a low total on the board, however keen Nortje is to fire things up. Dean Elgar gives him a consolatory pat on the back, and that may conclude his spell.

England 64-3 (18), J Bairstow 7, Z Crawley 9, K Rabada 1-22 (7)

17:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Delicious from Kagiso Rabada, ball somehow evading both the shoulder of Jonny Bairstow’s bat and off stump as the South African quick continues to probe away.

He draws an edge from the final ball, but Bairstow’s hands are withheld, and soft - it flies down through the cordon for four.

England 58-3 (17), J Bairstow 3, Z Crawley 8, A Nortje 1-22 (5)

17:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is decent fight from Crawley, who has taken 46 balls for his eight but is sticking in and playing within himself as much as he can. Anrich Nortje is really starting to bend his back but his bouncers remain errant, Kyle Verreynne doing well to get half a glove to the latest down the leg side.

Sharp! Nortje slams one into Jonny Bairstow’s chest guard, then drawing an indeterminate prod at a ball on sixth stump to close the over.

England 56-3 (16), J Bairstow 2, Z Crawley 8, K Rabada 1-16 (6)

17:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An ugly top edge from Jonny Bairstow as he plays a half-hearted short arm jab to a back-of-a-length ball from Kagiso Rabada. It tumbles back down to earth just over the fielder at midwicket, but Rabada had overstepped, anyway.

For the first time all day, really, just a scent of some swing for Rabada as Crawley lets one outside off arc away from him.

England 54-3 (15), J Bairstow 1, Z Crawley 8, A Nortje 1-21 (4)

17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another wayward Nortje short ball beats Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps - byes this time, which feels cruel for the keeper who had nary a hope of getting to that one down the leg side.

Nortje very nearly beats the defences of Jonny Bairstow with his first ball at the new batter. Squirmed to leg for a single.

England 48-3 (14.3), J Bairstow 0, Z Crawley 7, A Nortje 1-19 (3.3)

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Loose! A first truly inexact stroke from Zak Crawley, aiming an airy drive at a very, very wide ball from Nortje after the South Africa quick had zipped a bouncer over the head of both batter and keeper for five wides.

Crawley cuts the next ball in to his own thigh as Nortje touches 94mph.

England 43-3 (14), Jonny Bairstow 0, Z Crawley 7, K Rabada 1-14 (5)

17:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Root knew it straight away - keen to score, he just chased that one slightly, hoping to force through the offside. Erwee will be rather relieved to have just about clung on.

OUT! Joe Root 9 (15), ct. Sarel Erwee, b. Kagiso Rabada, England 43-3 (13.5)

17:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The change works! Joe Root is gone! A cry of “oh no” from Root as he pushes at one he perhaps could and should have left, a thick outside edge flying to first slip.

Sarel Erwee grasps at it thirce before eventually clutching it against his chest. A familiar dismissal for Root, and South Africa have England’s key man cheaply.

England 41-2 (13)

17:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Keshav Maharaj experiment lasts two overs - Kagiso Rabada switches to the Brian Statham End for another burst.

England 41-2 (13), J Root 7, Z Crawley 7, A Nortje 1-14 (3)

17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anrich Nortje is still short of top speed, but consistently up above 90mph as he tests Zak Crawley’s patience outside the off stump. His last ball, 93mph, leaves the batter, who plays inside the line well enough.

England 40-2 (12), J Root 6, Z Crawley 7, K Maharaj 0-5 (2)

17:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Too short from Maharaj, allowing Root’s fast feet to shuffle into position for a firm pull through square leg for four.

England 35/2 (11)

17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Keshav Maharaj will continue from the other end having come so close to dismissing Crawley in his first over. Ollie Pope, by contrast, was comprehensively cleaned up.

England 35-2 (11), Joe Root 1, Z Crawley 7, A Nortje 1-13 (2)

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa put in a deep backward point immediately for Joe Root, looking to prevent any leakage of unnecessary runs in the former England captain’s favourite scoring area. Another savage nip-backer troubles Root’s thigh pad before a push into the off-side gets him off the mark.

OUT! Ollie Pope 23 (27) b. Anrich Nortje, England 34-2 (10.1)

17:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Beaten for pace and Ollie Pope’s furniture is rearranged! After another slightly wayward start Anrich Nortje is back firing them down, typically skiddy and causing Pope problems. A length ball nips back at the batter again, taking a chunk of his outside edge as Pope loses balance lunging for it and cannoning into the top of the pegs.

Pope, who had looked solid, trudges off.

England 34-1 (10), O Pope 23, Z Crawley 7, Keshav Maharaj 0-0 (1)

17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Turn for Keshav Maharaj, beating a pretty nervy defensive stroke from Zak Crawley, who is saved by the extra bounce in the surface from the brand new ball. Oooh - on replay that looks rather tighter. Dean Elgar elects not to review.

What does ball tracking say? Umpire’s call! Close, but it would have remained not out.

Keshav Maharaj into the attack

17:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A twin change - Keshav Maharaj will fire down some left-arm darts, having done for both of these two early in the second innings at Lord’s, and with South Africa, of course, shorn of a fourth seamer. A slip and a short leg to start with to Crawley.

England 34-1 (9), O Pope 23, Z Crawley 7, A Nortje 0-12 (1)

17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nortje’s response is three balls above 90mph that jag back at Pope, who hops about on hot coals.

Edged, but short of the slips! Those three cause Pope to grope at a length ball outside off stump, but the ball fails to carry to Simon Harmer, taking a piece of the spinner’s fingernail on its way to the third man boundary. Lively.

England 30-1 (8.2), O Pope 19, Z Crawley 7, A Nortje 0-8 (0.2)

17:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pope welcomes him with a boundary! Short outside off but shooting low, and Pope chops down on it nicely.

Another! This one does get up, allowing Pope a more certain flow of the bat through the ball. Fine of the point fielder and four more...

England 22-1 (8), O Pope 11, Z Crawley 7, L Ngidi 1-10 (4)

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pope is sharply on to a back-of-a-length ball, recognising an opportunity to pull to the leg side and take two to the man at fine leg. That’s good from the Surrey batter, too, once more calling Crawley for a tight but just single.

A first bowling change. Ready the radars - it’s Anrich Nortje’s turn to crank it up...

England 19-1 (7), O Pope 8, Z Crawley 7, K Rabada 0-12 (4)

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Signs that Kagiso Rabada may just be settling into his rhythm as he tests the protective qualities of both of Crawley’s thigh guards with his pace up above 85mph for the first time in the innings. Rabada is interested in reviewing his second nip-backer, but draws little support from his teammates.

Another nice shot from Ollie Pope, leaning on a cover drive as Rabada pushes too full. He scampers back for three.

England 15-1 (5), O Pope 5, Z Crawley 6, L Ngidi 1-7 (3)

16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Crawley and Pope are very different batters, Pope a ball of frenetic energy, Crawley much more rigid and upright. So far, though, the opener looks secure against Lungi Ngidi’s wiles, stealing a single from the last ball of the over with mid-on back on his heels and unable to prevent the run.

England 14-1 (5), O Pope 5, Z Crawley 5, K Rabada 0-8 (3)

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A shuffle down the pitch from Ollie Pope, attempting to prevent Kagiso Rabada from finding a consistent length. As it happens, Pope’s off-ward movement just cramps his drive, skewing to mid-on off the inside half of the bat. A maiden.

England 14-1 (4), O Pope 5, Z Crawley 5, L Ngidi 1-6 (2)

16:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another loose delivery from South Africa’s opening pair, Lungi Ngidi granting Zak Crawley opportunity to flick merrily down to fine leg for four as he tries to angle the ball in from wide of the crease.

Crawley judges a leave well as Ngidi again goes wider in his delivery stride.

England 10-1 (3), Ollie Pope 5, Z Crawley 1, K Rabada 0-8 (2)

16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More variable bounce as Pope jabs a broomstick down on a scuttler outside off from Kagiso Rabada, who will like the look of this surface.

He strays too straight, though, and Pope is up on his toes clipping in a lively manner to the midwicket fence. A bit of a gift from Rabada.

England 6-1 (2), Ollie Pope 1, Z Crawley 1, L Ngidi 1-2 (1)

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

In comes Ollie Pope, England’s batting standout at Lord’s and with plenty of work to be done again here. Ever busy, he, like Crawley, prods one in to the off side to get his scoring underway.

OUT! Alex Lees 4 (7), ct. Kyle Verreynne, b. Lungi Ngidi, England 5-1 (1.4)

16:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Lees’ stay will be brief! Excellent from Lungi Ngidi, on the money straight away to the left-hander from around the wicket.

Angle in, significant nip away, thin edge, and a gleeful gather from Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps. South Africa have an early breakthrough and Lees’ tough summer continues.

England 5-0 (1.3), A Lees 4, Z Crawley 1, Lungi Ngidi 0-1 (0.3)

16:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The spotlight tightens on Zak Crawley as Ngidi hustles in, the Kent opener firmly forward to the first ball and letting a little tempter of a half-volley through. He gets off the mark, too, sharply putting his foot down after blocking into the covers and home in comfort as Lees responds well to his call.

England 4-0 (1), A Lees 4, Z Crawley 0, K Rabada 0-4 (1)

16:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Simon Harmer and his bucket hands are stationed at second slip, necessitating a reshuffle to the South African cordon, with Aiden Markram pushed one wider. For now, little to trouble them, as Lees solidly blocks the last of Kagiso Rabada’s first six balls out into the offside.

Lungi Ngidi will again share new ball duties.

England 4-0 (0.2), Alex Lees 4, Zak Crawley 0, Kagiso Rabada 0-4 (0.2)

16:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Streaky start from Alex Lees! Rabada starts over the wicket to the left-hander, pushing the ball across him, and Lees launches into a positive push at a length delivery. Outside half of the bat, but landing in a gap and racing away to the third man boundary.

Zak Crawley and Alex Lees stride out

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back to Manchester, and England’s opening pair have made their way out across the lengthening shadows of the evening sun to the middle. South Africa’s tail showed that runs can be had on this pitch if you can survive the new ball - the job is clear for Alex Lees and Zak Crawley.

Kagiso Rabada’s rest is brief - he has the new ball in hand.

Gary Ballance apologises to Azeem Rafiq

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just before we get back underway at Old Trafford, news from elsewhere.

Gary Ballance has apologised in person to former teammate Azeem Rafiq for using what he admits was “unacceptable - at times, racist - language” while the pair were colleagues at Yorkshire.

The former England batter said in a statement: “If I had realised how much this hurt Azeem, I would have stopped immediately,” said Ballance.

“I wanted to meet him and be clear in person that I intended no malice.

“That’s not an excuse. I realise that the language I used was wrong.

“I have accepted, from the outset, the words I used were wrong and I hope this statement brings Azeem some comfort. There is no place in our sport for this behaviour and I am determined to play my part in ridding the game from racism and make it more inclusive. To do this we all need to be honest and learn from our past mistakes.”

Rafiq responded: “I would like to thank Gary. He has done cricket and the fight against racism a great service with these words.

“I would also like to thank those who have been in contact with me privately to apologise for what they witnessed.”

England’s bowling figures

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Anderson 15-4-32-3

Ollie Robinson 14-0-48-1

Stuart Broad 11-1-37-3

Ben Stokes 7-0-17-2

Jack Leach 6.2-1-11-1

South Africa 151 all out

16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A pretty sorry card for South Africa:

Dean Elgar 12 (42) c Bairstow b Broad

Sarel Erwee 3 (12) c Foakes b Anderson

Keegan Petersen 21 (29) c Root b Broad

Aiden Markram 14 (27) c Foakes b Stokes

Rassie van der Dussen 16 (31) lbw b Stokes

Kyle Verreynne 21 (49) c Foakes b Broad

Simon Harmer 2 (16) lbw b Anderson

Keshav Maharaj 0 (1) lbw b Anderson

Kagiso Rabada 36 (72) c Root b Leach

Anrich Nortje 11 (37) lbw b Robinson

Lungi Ngidi 4 (10) not out

South Africa 151 all out

16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

All wrapped up 20 minutes after tea by England, making sure the situation did not get away from them. On a pitch that looks to be getting better and under clear skies, 151 looks a total of limited value for South Africa - but this will be a huge evening for Alex Lees and Zak Crawley, who are both rather in need of a significant score.

Here’s the Anrich Nortje wicket:

OUT! Kagiso Rabada 36 (72), ct. Joe Root, b. Jack Leach, South Africa 151 all out

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Saunter down the pitch, big swing, thick edge, and safely snared by Joe Root at slip! Kagiso Rabada’s fighting knock ends on 36 and England have extinguished South Africa for 151!

South Africa 151-9 (53), L Ngidi 4, K Rabada 36, O Robinson 1-48 (14)

16:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another half appeal from Ollie Robinson and his colleagues as he strikes Kagiso Rabada’s pads. That one is shooting down leg, but Robinson clearly targeting the stumps in a manner that England didn’t before the tea break.

Three balls for Ngidi to contend with this time. Thrice he gets behind the ball impeccably.

South Africa 150-9 (52), L Ngidi 4, K Rabada 35, J Leach 0-11 (6)

16:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rabada slices a big drive just shy of deep extra-cover, a parry allowing him two. The number nine is happy to let Leach have two balls at the number eleven. Ngidi usually likes to give it a whack if he gets one tossed up above the eyes, but his defensive technique is solid, too, as he blocks out the over.

South Africa 147-9 (51)

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack Leach will continue after the interval. Rabada needs 18 for that first 50 with the last man in.

South Africa 147-9 (51), Lungi Ngidi 4, K Rabada 32, O Robinson 1-47 (13)

16:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Shot! What a way to get off the mark! Lungi Ngidi presents the full face of the back, driving crisply through the line of a full ball back past the stumps.

OUT! Anrich Nortje 11 (37), LBW b. O Robinson, South Africa 143/9 (50.1)

16:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Angling in, smashing into the pads and Anrich Nortje is gone first ball after tea! So much for that!

Full and straight to start from Ollie Robinson, attacking Nortje before the he has got his feet moving again. He goes neither back nor forward and is caught on the crease, and an optimistic review returns three reds on ball tracking.

Robinson gets a richly deserved first and England are one away.

Back out there

16:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England are already ten overs short for the day, so this will be an extended final session. If South Africa can fight up towards 200, they’d be very, very pleased.

South Africa 143/8

15:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This fightback from Rabada and Nortje won’t balm South Africa’s top and middle order woes, but it is an encouraging showing from the pair. It really is extraordinary that a man with Rabada’s obvious batting acumen is yet to score a professional 50, though the fast bowler has played limited cricket outside of T20 leagues and at international level. This has been a very accomplished showing so far - is today the day for that elusive half-century?

Tea! South Africa 143/8 (50)

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A mixed session for England, still firmly in control of the contest but probably slightly disappointed to not already be batting. It looked like South Africa’s first innings may be over quickly when James Anderson struck twice in two balls and Stuart Broad drew a feather of an edge from the bat of Kyle Verreynne, but Kagiso Rabada has played well, finding solid support in a nuggety knock from Anrich Nortje. Their partnership is worth 35 and just beginning to frustrate England, with a softening ball causing the pair limited issues.

Tea! South Africa 143/8 (50), A Nortje 10, K Rabada 32, J Leach 0-8 (5)

15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One half-dance up the track is the extent of Kagiso Rabada’s ambitions for the over. An arm ball from Leach beats the bat to draw a gasp from Ben Foakes, but Nortje and Rabada guides South Africa safely to tea.

Last over before tea

15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England will tempt Rabada - the field is up, with three men surrounding the bat at slip, leg slip and short leg, waiting for a false shot against Jack Leach.

South Africa 143-8 (49), A Nortje 10, K Rabada 32, B Stokes 2-17 (7)

15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another relatively placid over from Stokes adds one more to Rabada’s tally as tea nears.

South Africa 142/8 (48), A Nortje 10. K Rabada 31, J Leach 0-8 (4)

15:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad is currently off the pitch, freshening up after his second spell and having a chat with Brendon McCullum on the balcony. Matthew Potts is on as England’s substitute.

Jack Leach continues, trying to attack the stumps of Nortje, moving his short leg to leg slip after Nortje fiddles one fine for two. A tempter outside off stump is left alone.

This partnership is now worth 34 - South Africa’s best of the day.

South Africa 140/8 (47), A Nortje 8. K Rabada 31, B Stokes 2-16 (6)

15:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just short of Ollie Pope under the lid! An inside edge and an anxious look from Nortje as the ball spoons up into the leg-side, but Pope can’t quite grasp his fingers beneath it in time, perhaps ever so slightly on his heels as Nortje aimed a flick.

Stokes finishes his over with a pretty dirty slower ball that lands on the crease line about three foot outside Kagiso Rabada’s leg stump. Rabada watches it go with a derisive look.

South Africa 138-8 (46), A Nortje 8, K Rabada 30, J Leach 0-6 (3)

15:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rabada does fancy a go, slog sweeping Leach’s second ball and almost picking out Jonny Bairstow, who collects on the hop.

The field comes up for Anrich Nortje, who is struck on the thigh pad by a fizzing back-of-a-length dart. Slightly too high.

On comes Jack Leach

15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A change of tactic for England - Jack Leach on, surely to throw up a few tempters at Rabada, who might just fancy a shot or two at the left-arm spinner.

South Africa 137-8 (44), A Nortje 8, K Rabada 29, B Stokes 2-15 (5)

15:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A wry smile from Ben Stokes as Kagiso Rabada sashays down and has a mighty swing in the vague vicinity of a short and wide ball. Three men await on the leg boundary, with two more in the ring, but Rabada twice finds open pasture, glancing a two and pulling a single.

And there’s the Anrich Nortje late cut again! A flourish with the wrists to guide it down through the gully and four more!

South Africa 130-8 (44), A Nortje 4, K Rabada 26, S Broad 3-37 (11)

15:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anrich Nortje collects his first runs from his 16th ball, guiding through a gully gap cleverly. He does crouch really low at the crease, Nortje, as if stooping below a beam, but these are all very useful runs for South Africa.

South Africa 125-8 (43), A Nortje 0, K Rabada 25, B Stokes 2-8 (4)

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

I’m still not sure about England’s strategy here. More than half of their deliveries to South Africa’s 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th batters have been short of a length. Even if the ball has softened and the pitch flattened, it still feels as if continuing to prope away at the top of off is the right approach.

South Africa 124-8 (42), A Nortje 0, K Rabada 24, S Broad 3-32 (10)

15:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Broad goes over the wicket, pushing the ball across Rabada, who nonetheless still tries to pull to leg, and very nearly skews a mistimed pull to that fielder pushed back at wide mid-on.

A nudged single to fine leg gives Nortje one ball to negotiate, which he does with another crisp block.

South Africa 123-8 (41.1), A Nortje 0, K Rabada 23, S Broad 3-31 (9.1)

15:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Heave! A first proper swing from Rabada, spotting a full ball he fancies a swing at and rather clothing a slog straight of wide mid-on for four.

South Africa 119-8 (41), A Nortje 0, K Rabada 19, B Stokes 2-7 (3)

15:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anrich Nortje has four first-class fifties, and has shown his battling qualities with the stick in hand against England before, but that’s not his finest shot, a leaping prod at a ball from Stokes that leaves him. On he scraps unperturbed, ducking beneath a couple and fending another away.

South Africa 118-8 (40), A Nortje 0, K Rabada 18, S Broad 3-27 (9)

15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A short ball from Broad fails to get up, sending it slamming into the scapula of a ducking Kagiso Rabada. The batter responds with an elegant flick between the scattered leg-side fielders, with Ollie Pope doing some sharp work to prevent a boundary.

Rabada has looked probably the most comfortable batter out there so far. Broad chunters away, unhappy with the state of the ball, but draws short shrift from both umpires.

Time for another bowling change - Ben Stokes calls his own number, replacing Anderson, whose pursuit of a five-for is at an end, for now.

South Africa 115-8 (39), Anrich Nortje 0, K Rabada 15, J Anderson 3-32 (15)

14:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rabada’s response is to back away for a spot of carvery, slicing over the off-side for three more.

Anderson is full to Anrich Nortje. Two textbook forward defensives.

South Africa 112-8 (38.2), Anrich Nortje 0, K Rabada 12, J Anderson 3-29 (14.2)

14:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa may have a dart now with both Broad and Anderson sniffing a five-for. That’s emphatic from Kagiso Rabada, launching into a pull and getting plenty on it with both of England’s catchers in the deep backward of square. Anderson sticks another man out on the fence.

OUT! Kyle Verreynne 21 (49), ct. Ben Foakes, b. Stuart Broad, South Africa 108/8 (38)

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This one carries to Ben Foakes!

South Africa 108/7 (37.5), K Verreynne 21, K Rabada 8, S Broad 2-24 (7.5)

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Are we tired or has the pitch clamed down?” Stuart Broad asks of umpire Chris Gaffaney as another genuine edge from Kyle Verreynne falls short of waiting hands in the slips.

England keep plugging away short of a length to Kagiso Rabada, who still looks to be batting in a pair of slippers and a dressing gown, such is his level of comfort. Is this the right ploy?

Drinks! South Africa 104/7 (37)

14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another good period for England, with two-in-two for James Anderson moving them closer to wrapping this South Africa innings up. They will have to be careful to not throw this away, though - a score of about 160/170 might just keep the visitors in the game.

South Africa 104-7 (37), K Verreynne 20, K Rabada 7, J Anderson 3-25 (14)

14:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England continue to persist with the short ball tactic, but an end-of-spell James Anderson may not be their best exponent of it. Kagiso Rabada helps a gentle bouncer into the gap between long leg and fine leg, Jonny Bairstow hurrying to his left to keep it to just a single.

Falls short! Full, which still looks a better strategy, from Anderson to Verreynne, squaring up the batter, but it doesn’t carry to Zak Crawley at second slip.

The bowler gets his hardened mitts around a crisp drive back at him from the batter to save four, and the players will pause for a drink.

South Africa 103-7 (36), K Verreynne 20, K Rabada 6, S Broad 2-21 (7)

14:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

If the South African pair are looking for a target to tick off, 119 is their lowest score in England since their readmission to Test cricket, made as Moeen Ali bowled England to victory at The Oval in 2017.

Four singles from Broad’s over takes the visitors beyond 100.

A change of bowling...

14:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad into the attack for the first time after lunch, replacing Ollie Robinson, whose figures of 12-0-43-0 really do him no justice whatsoever.

South Africa 99-7 (35), K Verreynne 18, K Rabada 4, J Anderson 3-24 (12)

14:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England do still fancy their short ball tactic to the tail, Anderson twice bouncing Rabada in the first three balls of his over. Given the amount the ball continues to do off a length, it does seem peculiar.

Rabada drives with limited timing on the up outside off as Anderson does push the ball a bit fuller, collecting two.

South Africa 97-7 (34), K Verreynne 18, K Rabada 2, O Robinson 0-43 (12)

14:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

However pleasing Kagiso Rabada can look at the crease, he’ll do well to get anywhere near those - prodigious away movement off the pitch from Ollie Robinson from a length. That prompts a change in the field from England, Ben Stokes putting him back into third slip, opening up more space on the leg side, which Rabada duly finds.

Just that single from that over.

South Africa 96-7 (33), K Verreynne 18, K Rabada 1, J Anderson 3-22 (12)

14:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Watching Kagiso Rabada bat in his Test career, it has always felt like he has a big score in him. Technically, he is really very sound, and he times the ball gloriously on occasion, particularly on the front foot straight down the ground and through the offside.

He gets off the mark with a flick to leg, before a bottom edge from Verreynne lands some way short of Ben Foakes.

South Africa 94-7 (32), K Verreynne 17, K Rabada 0, O Robinson 0-42 (11)

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Obviously a very different game situation, but you do wonder quite why England were so insistent on their short-ball plan to the tail at Lord’s. Maharaj barely faced a pitched-up delivery early on in his innings there.

Is that another? England think Kagiso Rabada may just have got a fine edge through to Ben Foakes, and review!

It’s an excellent ball from Robinson, angling in and shaping away, but appears to have missed Rabada’s bat by a little way. Yes, like Kyle Verreynne earlier, the toe of the bat had flicked the top of the pad, causing the noise and England’s excitement.

South Africa 92-7 (31), K Verreynne 16, Kagiso Rabada 0, J Anderson 3-20 (11)

14:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Down the leg side! Oh Jimmy... The left-hander has thrown Anderson off, and his line isn’t right, allowing Rabada to throw a half-hearted flick at it and survive.

Still, a double wicket maiden, and Anderson will be fancying his chances of a first five-for on his home ground in Test cricket.

Hat-trick ball...

14:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kagiso Rabada in rather earlier than he’d have hoped, and with a hat-trick ball to face. He’s such an aesthetically-pleasing batter - though right now an ugly survival will suit South Africa.

The crowd lifts as Anderson starts his run...

OUT! Keshav Maharaj 0 (1), LBW b. J Anderson, South Africa 92/6 (30.4)

14:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

TWO IN TWO! Even plumber than the last! Full and at the pads again from James Anderson, beating Keshav Maharaj, who after some useful runs at Lord’s departs after a single ball.

OUT! Simon Harmer 2 (16), LBW b. J Anderson, South Africa 92/6 (30.3)

14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Full, straight and slamming into Simon Harmer’s front pad - that looks adjacent and it is given! Harmer reviews, which proves foolish - three reds on ball-tracking, and off he will have to go. England have their first after lunch.

South Africa 92/5 (30), K Verreynne 16, S Harmer 2, O Robinson 0-36 (10)

14:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Verreynne guides four through down to third man, safely wide of four waiting slips and in total control. Robinson nonetheless gets a clap from his captain - on a pitch offering seam movement and bounce it is a stroke that England feel may bring joy.

The other four balls Verreynne faces are all within a square foot as Robinson explores the top of off-stump. All strike safely against the meat of Verreynne’s bat.

South Africa 87/5 (29), K Verreynne 12, S Harmer 1, J Anderson 1-20 (10)

14:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That tight single is the only score off Anderson’s latest.

South Africa 87/5 (28.1), K Verreynne 12, S Harmer 1, J Anderson 1-20 (9.1)

14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Missed run out! A rough call from Simon Harmer, desperate to get off the mark but pushing perfectly to Ben Stokes in the covers, and with a direct hit the South African spinner would have been well short of his ground. The throw whistles by - Harmer survives!

South Africa 86/5 (28), K Verreynne 12, S Harmer 0, O Robinson 0-35 (9)

13:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Odd, that, but that is why DRS is there - Verreyne had just clipped the top of his back pad as he unfurled his drive, which had England and the umpire convinced of a nick.

Bar a no-ball, no score off a better set from Robinson.

NOT OUT! South Africa 85/5 (27.2)

13:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kyle Verreyne is given after an apparent feather through to Ben Foakes, but there’s an immediate review..and this will be overturned!

There was a definite noise, but ball and bat aren’t in particularly close proximity as Robinson whispers one past the outside edge. Nothing on UltraEdge - third umpire Nitin Menon’s decision is swift and Chris Gaffaney is asked to reverse his decision.

South Africa 85/5 (27), K Verreynne 12, S Harmer 0, J Anderson 1-19 (9)

13:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anderson is amongst things right away, beating Harmer’s leaden-footed push outside off stump with a smidgen of away movement. The batter then chances a couple of strides down toward Anderson, attempting to knock him off his line and length, shouldering arms at a wider one.

By way of riposte, the bowler produces his first bouncer of the day, which Harmer can safely dip beneath.

South Africa 85/5 (26), K Verreynne 12, S Harmer 0, O Robinson 0-34 (8)

13:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A somewhat wayward first over after the resumption from Robinson, Verreynne pulling nicely along the floor to the straightest of two men back on the fence behind square on the leg-side, taking two..

James Anderson has ball in hand at the other end.

South Africa 81-5 (25.1)

13:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson will restart proceedings for England after an excellent, if wicketless, first spell back in the side. Kyle Verreynne faces up...

And caresses a gentle half-volley through the covers for an all-run four.

Afternoon session

13:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The South African pair saunter back out there under blue skies flecked with clearing clouds. England gather for a pre-session huddle on the boundary.

Can South Africa fight back?

13:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One wonders how South Africa will approach the afternoon session. Attempting to sit in and survive has not really worked - might we see a more proactive method from Kyle Verreynne and Simon Harmer immediately after the resumption? Dean Elgar will fancy his bowlers to cause plenty of problems on this surface if the lower order can claw his side up to something competitive.

Lunchtime report

13:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England’s pace attack rattled through South Africa’s top order as the tourists’ decision to bat first at Emirates Old Trafford backfired on the first morning of the second LV= Insurance Test.

Despite skittling England cheaply twice in their innings victory at Lord’s, the tourists spurned the chance to make use of murky conditions in Manchester and paid the price by slumping to 77 for five.

Lancashire local James Anderson got the ball rolling with the initial breakthrough, before Stuart Broad and captain Ben Stokes took two apiece to take a firm grip on the innings.

Pace bowlers give England early control of second Test against South Africa

Lunch! South Africa 77-5 (25)

13:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Oddly, it was the overheads that had Ben Stokes keen for a bowl this morning but there has been no real swing for England today, and what looked a firm, batter-friendly pitch has actually offered plenty of nip. Full marks to England’s seamers for making use of it - they really have been very good, and can now set about making inroads into a long South African tail with the sun just starting to peek through the thick Manchester cloud.

Lunch! South Africa 77-5 (25)

13:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A fine morning for England, happy enough to be asked to bowl having lost the toss. It looked a slightly curious call from Dean Elgar to grant the hosts first use of bowler friendly conditions at Old Trafford and his top order have been tortured by an immaculate display of seam bowling from James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad. No South African batter has yet looked fully settled and a couple for Ben Stokes before lunch will make the England captain all the happier at the interval.

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