By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

Anderson endured his day while Smith enjoyed his - yet again

This was one of the most one-sided days of Test cricket that I have ever seen.

England left the field thoroughly humiliated having taken just one wicket in 69 overs - and that was a fortunate deflection off an inside edge.

Once again it was Graeme Smith who dominated proceedings, ending the day on 214 not out with a triple century in his sights on Saturday.

His partnership with Gary Kirsten was worth 257, a record for the second wicket, and England were left to rue the chances they missed.

Nasser Hussain dropped Smith on the first day, for only eight, and Mark Butcher dropped a comfortable catch at slip off Andrew Flintoff when Kirsten had scored 54.

When your bowlers are struggling to this extent, it is essential that the fielders grab every opportunity.

In some ways, we should not be surprised by South Africa's commanding position.

Anderson's a shadow of his former self and inexperience makes it hard to bounce back quickly

In this past year, starting with India's visit last summer, England have regularly conceded 400 runs or more in the first innings.

The only respite came in the two Tests against Zimbabwe when the bowlers were clearly flattered to an absurd degree.

Their inability to bowl a consistent line and length must be a serious concern to the coaching staff, yet I make no apology again for raising the issue of central contracts and the number of overs England's bowlers are bowling in county cricket.

It was scandalous that James Anderson did not play between the one-day series and the Edgbaston Test, not least because he had just spent a month playing with a white ball which, as we all know, offers swing bowlers much more help than a red one.

England are as good as out of this game and all that can be salvaged now is pride

Anderson is now looking a shadow of his former self, and his inexperience will make it difficult for him to bounce back quickly.

It was a shame to see the South Africans leave the field early for bad light - but no surprise.

The new regulations which allow for time lost to be made up on following days, have been brought in with the public in mind.

But unfortunately, one obvious loop-hole is that the players will go off in these situations and prefer to play in better light the following day. This needs to be addressed.

As for England, they are already as good as out of this game and, for one or two, all that can be salvaged now is pride.

It is probably already too late for Darren Gough, who has looked ineffective, but Alec Stewart, Anthony McGrath, Hussain and Butcher could all do with scoring heavily when England's turn comes, finally, to bat again.