Paul Collingwood rescued England and resurrected his international career with a defiant 101 not out in the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.

Coming to the crease with England 104-4, leading by just 21, he put on 115 in a thrilling 23-over stand with Kevin Pietersen, who struck 94.

Collingwood added an unbroken 76 for the eighth wicket with Tim Ambrose - and reached his hundred with a six.

England ended day three on 297-6 - 214 ahead - with the game in the balance.

By Ben Dirs

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606

ENGLAND SECOND INNINGS

CLOSE

1917: Thanks very much for all your chat today, and apologies to all those who sent emails in and didn't get them posted. Mark Mitchener in the hot seat tomorrow, and knowing Mitch, it will be very hot indeed...

1911 - 297-6 Harris with the last over of the day. He spears one down Ambrose's leg-side and the little man sweeps hard and picks up one to fine-leg. Collingwood smothers the last ball of the day and what an innings that is from the Durham Nugget. The South Africans realise just how good, every one of them shaking his hand before he reaches the boundary. England lead by 214, they've got a chance to save this series. And today was undoubtedly the best day's Test cricket this summer.

1905 - 296-6 This partnership now 67. Ambrose plays a rather ungainly sweep to third-man for one. Eight more runs for Colly and he'll have made a hundred in the session. Ntini drops short and Ambrose clatters him through square-leg for four. Nel dives full length, looks to have saved the boundary with his left hand, but the ball ricochets off hsi right and goes over the rope. You don't bowl there to Ambrose, the little man cutting a wide ball outside off-stump for three. Colly nibbles at one outside off-stump, but survives.

"Colly for Pope! If The Man Of The Hour is dropped for the next Test what message does this send to the openers?"
David Grocott, Colchester, in the TMS inbox

1900 - 287-6 About 11 minutes to play. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Colly bumps into KP in the England dressing room, that's got to go down as a bit of a mickey-taking shot from Colly. Maiden over from Ntini.

1853 - 279-6 Collingwood swivels and pulls Morkel away for one, and the replays show he very nearly toppled onto his stumps there. There's Ambrose with his first run for 28 minutes courtesy of a well-controlled paddle to backward square-leg. Morkel, striving for the yorker, ends up serving up a full-bunger on middle and leg and Colly whips it away for four. One more for Collingwood and he's 92.

1849 - 272-6 Harris really fizzing through his overs, I'm struggling to keep up to be honest. I did see that Collingwood went for one almighty heave-ho, didn;t quite get it and the ball dribbled away for one, the only run of the over.

1847 - 271-6 Collingwood moves to 84 with a clip to mid-wicket off Harris and there's the fifty partnership courtesy of another nurdle to leg from Colly off Morkel. Smith has a lid brought on for Amla and posts him at short leg. However, the expected short stuff doesn't transpire. The locals getting excited, and so they should be, they've just witnessed the best day's cricket of the summer so far.

"Doesn't Pietersen have a Test average of around 50? I guess he's just a cowboy cricketer though. Hey ho."
Sam Radford in the TMS inbox

1839 - 269-6 Morkel strays onto Colly's legs and is squeezed away for one by Collingwood. One wide and there are two runs from the over. Only eight overs left tonight, Collingwood on 83, a chance to make three figures before stumps.

"WELL DONE COLLY and to ALL the pointless critics of this man (press, pundits and public) all go away politely and eat your very large slices of humble pie. I despise the way great players are castigated and crushed by the snowballing effect of public opinion - always initiated by the media and so-called expert pundits who should know better. Well, once again you've got it wrong. And I'm delighted for Colly to come back and get 50 in such tough circumstances. His innings could make or break the series for England. Please LEARN from this people."
Angry Doctor Dave, Manchester, in the TMS inbox

1835 - 267-6 Good flight from Harris, drawing Collingwod forward and tying him in knots. Colly goes for the slog-sweep and the ball squirts into the leg-side for one. Sorry if I'm coming across a bit dazed, but I'm a bit dazed...

"G'day mate, an Aussie following in Toronto here. On the KP thing, as I see it, only two players worry the Aussies in the England team, KP and Mr Flintoff. Amazes me that they pan KP. Both are the only match winners in that side."
Andrew Wiltshire in the TMS inbox

1830 - 266-6 Morne Morkel returns to the attack. That's streakier than a bag of Frazzles from Collingwood - he drives away from his body and the ball races past third slip and away for four. This partnership now 45, and if they're still there at stumps...

1827 - 261-6 That's a funny old shot from Colly, looking to clip a full-bunger from Kallis to long-on and instead shovelling him to wide long-off for four. Collingwood now has 75. That's too straight from Kallis and Collingwood tucks him away for one to steal the strike.

1824 - 256-6 Nel really struggling with his line and he's turned round the corner for one by Collingwood. Another leg-side delivery is tucked away for one by Ambrose and Collingwood flicks another leg-side ball from Nel to square-leg for a couple. Nel finally pitches one up outside off and Collingwood square-drives for one.

"Am I the only one quietly thinking England have got the faintest whiff of a chance if we get a lead of 200+? If Harris is getting turn on this pitch (and I'd fancy my chances in a spin-off with Harris!), Monty should have a field day. He can be a match-winner on his day, and it looks like the pitch is starting to take to spin quite nicely."
Jason, Norfolk, in the TMS inbox

"Sadly Pietersen is like the builder who persuades you to part with your money, lays the foundation, and then disappears with the work part done. A cowboy cricketer, not a Test cricketer."
Steve, Oldbury, in the TMS inbox

1818 - 251-6 Poor ball from Kallis, bowling from the City End, and Ambrose helps it on its way to the long-leg boundary. Short from Kallis and Ambrose should have feasted on that, but is unable to pierce teh off-side field.

1815 - 247-6 Nel back on. He strays onto Colly's legs and is turned round the corner for one. One more leg-bye from the over and this pair are nudging ahead in ones and twos and desperately trying to make a game of this.

"Re the call to drop Pietersen! That's most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Last time I heard getting out on 94 was better than getting out on 2, 9, 17, 20 or 25. We need him to play his natural game and accept sometimes he'll get out. If you can find a gritty stayer to play alongside him I'm sure the selectors would love to hear from you."
Thin James, London, in the TMS inbox

1810 - 245-6 Colly nibbles Harris round the corner for a single. Ambrose shovels Harris to mid-wicket for one and Colly nicks the strike with a drive to mid-on.

1808 - 242-6 Kallis drags one in short and Coly rocks back and crashes him through the covers for four. Another cut brings him a single. Tremendous knock this by Collingwood, he still believes England can win this.

1804 - 237-6 Harris arrows on down the leg-side and the ball races past Boucher and away for four leg-byes. That takes the lead to 154. That's a pretty woeful shot from Ambrose, a scatty drive that turns away and just misses his off-stump.

1800 - 233-6 Kallis is into the attack again and I hear we could be playing until just past 1900 this evening. Collingwood reaches for a wide one from Kallis, gets a toe-end and the ball lands just in front of wicketkeeper Boucher. Colly had three attempts to pierce the off-side field in that over but didn't succeed. Lots of very angry emails in our inbox, some calling for the head of KP (be warned, you'd need a very big wheelbarrow to get it out the ground) but most defending him vigorously.

"The criticism that KP is receiving is ridiculous. What would we give for another batsman who could consistently score 50+ when under pressure? To slaughter someone who has outscored the rest of his teammates by a distance, and has done so while playing in an entertaining, attacking style, is remarkable. Would we prefer to see him block, block, block and then edge behind for 13 off 75 balls like many of the players around him do? I don't think so. He's going to be wrongly made the scapegoat, again."
Rob in Leeds in the TMS inbox

"How unsurprising that the 'Drop KP' brigade has come out the woodwork now. Never mind the fact that if not for KP, we'd have lost this match already. KP is a world-class player, but not even Bradman could win games singlehandedly. The other batsmen need to get runs if we are ever going to challenge the Saffers, let alone the Aussies next year."
Uscroft in the TMS inbox

1757 - 233-6 Collingwood, like a hypnotist clicking his fingers, snaps everyone out of their daze and clubs Harris through mid-wicket for four. One more for Colly before Ambrose solidly defends the rest of the over. Drinks.

1750 - 228-6 That's a maiden over from Harris, and England are almost shotless now. I have to agree with those defending Pietersen. When you look at the scorecard in tomorrow's papers, it will say he scored 94, Colly got a few, and everyone else got rugger all between them. Who's going to seriously look him in the eye in the England camp and tell him to buck his ideas up? Vaughan? Strauss? Cook? It's not Pietersen's fault his adopted country can't produce Test batsman of any fibre. That's a maiden from Ntini.

"Are these people slagging Pietersen off for real? He's just scored more runs than Vaughan has in the series. Top-scored in the match, and people say drop him. You take the good with the bad with KP, that's what he is."
Ian in the TMS inbox

"Look folks, KP is what he is. You can't marvel at his wonderful shots as he piles on the runs for you, and then castigate him for getting himself out. To get the former you're always risking the latter."
Chris Moorcroft, London, in the TMS inbox

"Re. Rob in Glasgow: He hasn't sacrificed the game, he's made it a game with his innings."
Ian, Grays, in the TMS inbox

1744 - 228-6 Ambrose angles Ntini behind square for a couple but otherwise leaves well alone. Harris spears one down leg and Collingwood tickles him round the corner for four. Still 23 overs to go this evening, it could be a very late finish. Collingwood goes for the big heave-ho and misses - big appeal, but he got nothing on it. Colly nicks the strike with a nurdle to leg. No he doesn't, no run there.

"I can't honestly believe what I have just seen from KP. He had the match in his grasp and to play a shot like that is the height of arrogance. He will never fulfill his potential until he gets his ego under control and he cannot be considered a potential captain of Englanmd until he does so. A truly unbelievable shot."
The G-Man in the TMS inbox

1737 - 222-6 Well, that's a bit of a kick in the jaffers. The Edgbaston crowd have gone from Slayer gig to OAP's Christmas party in the space of a couple of minutes. I want to hate KP, I really do, but I can't... a maiden from Ntini and Ambrose is off the mark with a flick to leg off Harris.

"The selectors need to drop Pietersen for The Oval to show him that he is not more important than the game. If that means sacrificing a match then so be it: he has probably sacrificed this one anyway."
Robert Grimwood, Glasgow, in the TMS inbox

"KP showing exactly why he should never, ever, under any circumstances, be the England captain: he's simply not a team player."
McSquiffy in the TMS inbox

1720 - 216-4 Good grief, start loading up the hand cannon Stewie, Pietersen's just reverse pulled Harris for four! AND ANOTHER! KP'S GOING BERSERK! DROP PIETERSEN?! YOU'VE GOT TO BE MAD! The man is clearly a lunatic, and you've got to have lunatics in your team. Brilliant, Pietersen now 92.

1716 - 207-4 Morkel drops short and Pietersen is right on top of it and yanking him away for four. Total control, no need for any silly switch-hits KP. Another short one is dragged away for one by KP and I've got another lookeylikey! Matt from Nottingham reckons I look like Edgar from 24! A quick browse on Wikipedia reveals that Edgar from 24 is about 25st. Thank you sir, you are a gentleman. Short again from Morkel and this time Collingwood fills his boots, flogging the rangy paceman through mid-wicket for four. England still trucking.

1711 - 197-4 Harris bowling into the rough outside Pietersen's leg-stump. KP pads up to one and the ball dribbles away to the long-leg boundary, but that's dead ball. And here comes the switch-hit! What the ruddy Nora is he thinking? He changes stance, swings across the line but misses. Silly, very silly...

"I think your comment about 'spunk' earlier was extremely out of order, considering my pet chihuahua, Spunk, passed away recently. I expect an apology in writing."
Chris Canning from Godalming, Surrey in the TMS inbox

1705 - 197-4 Wide from Morkel and Collyingwood climbs into that cut shot and the ball races away for four. Wide again from Morkel and Colly uppercuts over the slip cordon for four. Fully in control of that shot, England travelling at six an over since tea. One more Colly with a nurdle to mid-wicket. Sorry, we didn't lose another wicket! Didn't do that on purpose, made me chuckle though, some of you got very annoyed. Here's drinks!

1700 - 187-4 Pietersen dabs Harris into the leg-side for a couple and picks up another single before Collingwood chances his arm, using his feet to Harris and clipping him over mid-wicket for four. Colly picks up another single with a tickle round the corner.

1655 - 179-4 Colly gets himself into an awkward position and the ball squirts to deep extra-cover. He runs three, and that was risky, a direct hit and he might have been out. That's peche de la peche from Pietersen who moves to 70 with a dreamy clip through mid-wicket for four. Two more for KP with a paddle to square-leg before he drives Morkel easily for three. Lots of chat in the inbox about what exactly a banana is. Did someone below say bananas were a herb? You'll be telling me horses are a type of nut next.

1650 - 167-4 Harris is back on. Pietersen clubs him to long-off for a single and I've just been told that this is Collingwood's highest Test score of the summer. It may even be his highest first-class score of the summer, which is quite remarkable. He picks up a single to nick the strike.

"I think that your comment about Colly being struck by lightning was highly distasteful in light of today's news from Teesside. Shame on you."

1646 - 165-4 Thank you Mitch for filling in, I thought my eyes were going to start bleeding there. It's Nel to continue. Collingwood defends a couple off the back foot before feasting on some width from Nel and chopping him through point for four to move to 25. Colly showing some spunk, and I like spunk. Apologies to Dominic - I did have your email, but I appear to have mislaid it. Oops.

By Mark Mitchener

1642 - Eng161-4
Colly dabs a single, then Kallis gets one to swing away from KP, who's in Neil McKenzie mode - he's not biting at anything he doesn't have to. But he punches a loose one past the diving Morkel at mid-on for another four. Mr Dirs is fully refreshed and ready to take back the reins. Though I would humbly mention that my brief commentary session has brought 35 runs and no wickets... over to you, Ben!

1639 - Eng 156-4
KP nudges Nel off his legs for four, then Nel strays even further down the leg side and Pietersen flicks it even finer off his legs for another boundary to bring up the fifty stand. Nel not happy.

"Re: Nigel Barrett's comment [at 1555] about bananas being herbs. The banana tree's a herb, the banana itself is still a fruit. Just so there's no confusion"
Nick Green in the TMS inbox

1635 - Eng148-4
Colly slashes Kallis through cover for four, seemingly more in the groove since tea. The TMS team seem to think at least he's going out with a blaze of glory, even if it may be his last Test innings for a while.

"Are you really Dominic from London having a go at doing a better job on the live text?"
Skye, Norwich, in the TMS inbox[No - MM]

1631 - Eng 144-4
Nel trots in for another over, Colly does well to get into double figures with a careful pull through mid-wicket for four. As ever, the batsmen glove-pump in mid-pitch. An attempted off-drive doesn't go quite where Colly intended it, but it evades point and they run two to take England's score to 143 (a net lead of 60). A single ensures he keeps the strike.

"That Dominic has a high opinion of himself doesn't he? In my opinion Dirs is just continuing in a long line of cricket commentators who have a bit of banter between cricketing issues and I applaud him for it. I'm sure Dominic thinks he could bat at three, open the bowling, captain and pull the fittest girl in the ground as well, but that doesn't make it so!"
Ben, New Cross, in the TMS inbox

"You had me going for a minute there - I thought Dominic of London had taken over!"
Clyde, working extremely hard despite the lateness of the hour, in the TMS inbox

1623 - Eng 129-4
Andre Nel to take the second over after tea, still snarling and posturing like a pantomime villain. ("Oh no he isn't!"). A Pietersen cover-drive brings three, then Colly carefully guides one safely to gully's right but there's no run. Bill Frindall on TMS notes that the Durham ginger ninja has finally brought up 100 first-class runs for the season with this innings.

1618 - Eng 126-4
Colly leaves the first couple from Kallis, then gropes at one outside off stump and the burly South Africa all-rounder gives him a word or two. (Not of encouragement, I expect). The last ball sails down the leg side and Colly is happy to have seen off a maiden.

1613: Right, with this extended day as they try to get a few more overs in to make up for those lost to bad light and rain yesterday, Mr Dirs is going to have a short break - consider me your temporary substitute fielder (though I promise not to milk it as much as Gary Pratt or Garry Park).

By Ben Dirs

TEA INTERVAL

"I have had time to reflect on my earlier email and I was starting to think that an apology was in order. Then I saw that you added a picture of dogs dressed as bananas. In short the 'Collingwood standard' of your chat needs to step aside. I am 100% convinced I could do a better job on the 'live text' than you and I am prepared to prove it. You have my e-mail address."
Dominic in London in the TMS inbox

"Re your comment on fast food not being fruit. Bananas aren't fruit either, they are technically herbs."
Nigel Barrett in the TMS inbox

1546 - 123-4 A leg-bye gets Colly off strike and Pietersen picks up a few with an easy clip to mid-wicket. Mostly wide stuff from Ntini outside Collingwood's off-stump and eventually Colly has a waft at one and misses. KP takes him under his wing at the end of the over and says a few kindly words, like a dad comforting his small son after a fall.

1542 - 119-4 It's Chinese water torture from Kallis, every ball nagging away outside off-stump. Collingwood flashes and misses outside off-stump, but Kallis's next ball is too straight and Colly works him off his pads for a couple. Another single for Colly last ball and he'll face Ntini next.

1538 - 115-4 Collingwood's first ball faced is speared in by Ntini and it raps the Durham man on the thigh, leading to a half-hearted appeal. Collingwood defends on the back foot next ball, and he stiffens as the ball hits the bat, as if he's been struck by lightning. But Colly is off the mark two balls later, swivelling and yanking Ntini through square-leg for four. One more for Collingwood before Pietersen is very nearly out, a leading edge falling just three inches short of McKenzie in the covers. Heart in the mouth moment for England.

"'Wonder what kind of shop KP will open when he's hung up his ego?' More to the point, where will he find a coat-hook that strong?"
Dom Skelton, Sheffield, in the TMS inbox

1519 - 100-3 Pietersen falls across his crease and clips Morkel to mid-wicket for a few. A drive from Bell to cover-point brings up three figures for England. Bell sways out of the way of a short ball from Morkel before very nearly edging behind next ball. Testing times for these two batsmen, this Morkel looks like a very classy operator to me.

1515 - 95-3 Just one run from Harris's courtesy of a drive to mid-on from KP. Former England spinner Eddie Hemmings was on Sky at lunchtime. He now owns a cornershop in West Butterwick. Very surreal to be honest: one moment he's being clattered for four consecutive sixes by Kapil Dev, the next he's flogging flying saucers and Razzle on what looked like the set of Open All Hours. Wonder what kind of shop KP will open when he's hung up his ego?

1512 - 94-3 Morkel really nagging away outside Bell's off-stump, and there are four welcome runs for Bell courtesy of controlled outside edge. Bit tense this - anyone got any pictures of animals dressed as fruit?

"I believe the downfall of the English cricket team has coincided with the absence of messages from Sarah from Canterbury/Bucks."
Colin from Chatham in the TMS inbox

1507 - 90-3 Pietersen nurdles to mid-wicket for a couple of easy runs. Amla is at forward short-leg. Pietersen spots something behind Harris's bowling arm and stops the spinner in the middle of a delivery. Just two from the over, Pietersen 26, Bell 12.

"I bet Dominic in London is seething mad with himself for ruining such a carefully-worded email with the very last sentence."
Maskus, London, in the TMS inbox

1500 - 88-3 Pietersen flays Morkel through the covers for four and scores are level. One more for KP with a nurdle to leg. And that's text-book from Bell, dispatching a half-bunger from Morkel to the extra-cover fence. Bell holds the pose as he trots past Morkel, which will please the big man no end. It's drinks.

"If Vaughan was a sausage, he'd be a Linda McCartney sausage. God, I hate Paul McCartney, with his stupid face..."
Adam Kirkup, 29, no girlfriend and bored in the TMS inbox

1457 - 79-3 Bell comes down the pitch to Harris and smashes him over the top for four. Not very convincing that, Harris got fingertips to it. Dominic in London, I am as God made me sir...

"Just thought you should know that the standard of your 'live text' chat mirrors the game. Your chat is boring, meandering and ineffectual like England. The only flash of joy for England was Freddie last night and I can assure you that the only flash of joy in your 'live text' was the short-lived introduction of auto refresh which apparently you couldn't work properly. Pipe down Dirs and just tell me what's actually happening. Spare me your pearls of your idiocy."
Dominic in London in the TMS inbox

1446 - 70-3 Here's the man that Sir Geoffrey Boycott reckons couldn't spin a hoop down a hill - Paul Harris. That ball will have Boycs spluttering into his porridge - that pitched and gripped and squared Pietersen up and just evaded his outside edge. A peach, and a pretty decent over altogether.

1444 - 70-2 Morkel is back into the attack and he very nearly locates KP's outside edge. Morkel digs one in and Pietersen is unable to pull it away for any runs. KP does bag a single with a tuck off his pads.

"Mendis is superb. He isn't the biggest spinner of the ball but he is impossible to pick and can turn it both ways as well as the flipper etc. He's already taken the Indian team apart a couple of times and those guys were breastfed on spin bowling. Imagine what he'll do the rest of us..."
Matt, London, in the TMS inbox

1439 - 69-2 That's a wreckless, airy fairy drive from Strauss and he's chopped in half by Kallis. The Middlesex man does pick up three with a clip off his pads. KP moves to 17 with a clip off his pads for one. Some chap who goes by the name of Kinky Newt has sent in a youtube clip of our friend Ajantha Mendis.

1433 - 65-2 Strauss picks up a single and here's KP on strike. Nel over-pitches and Pietersen flays him through the covers for four. Nel gives KP a little nudge in the side as the batsman trots past, and KP reacts as if he's been strafed with a sub-machine gun. It's all happening - on comes what appears to be the Milky Bar kid, who has retrieved Amla's sun hat, and KP pings the last ball of the over for a magnificent on-driven four. Take that Andre, you great grinning galoot.

"A nice big terracotta pot like my mum has got should be harder to get back in the pavilion then Vaughan."
Ben Smith in the TMS inbox

1430 - 56-2 Kallis drops short and Strauss cuts hard - good stop from Amla and England pick up one. Anyone seen this new Sri Lankan spinner bowl? Ajantha Mendis, apparently he's the absolute daddy and he's got about 12 variations. They should nickname him Heinz.

1426 - 55-2 Class shot from Strauss, who bends the right leg and creams Nel through the covers for four. Strauss drives to mid-off for one more before Pietersen reaches for a widish delivery from Nel and pings him rather uppishly through the covers for four. Nel has a chunter and KP seems to say a few things back. Calm down KP, it's all part of the plan. Nel has a few more words at the end of the over, while Smith also has a chirp as he trots past. KP laughs it off, and as an England fan, that's what you want to see.

1423 - 46-2 Kallis makes Pietersen play only once and that's a maiden. It's all very tense out there at the moment. You have to think that if South Africa pick up another wicket before tea, England are toast.

1419 - 46-2 This Strauss really is the worst batsman I've ever seen strap on a pair of pads. Get off Strauss, you're rubbish! Boooooo! You couldn't score a match-saving Test knock to keep a series alive against South Africa on home soil to save your life! Get him off! Maiden over from Andre.

1414 - 46-2 That's well wide from Kallis and KP reaches for it and squirts it into the covers for a couple. Straighter from Kallis and Pietersen dabs him into the leg-side for two more. Can I just apologise for my severed head comment - I have to hold my hands up and say I wasn't aware of the incident in Canada yesterday.

"Vaughan so often seems to get our hopes up like this, only to let us down quick sharp - like when the prettiest girl in school beckons you round the back of the bike sheds only for it be a trap laid by the school bully (called Gunther maybe?) who is waiting to knock seven shades of snot out of you."
Jeremy, Jersey, in the TMS inbox

1406 - 42-2 Nel probing the channel of uncertainty and Strauss happy to watch the balls go by. But he does have a dart at the final ball of the over, skewing a drive through point for a couple.

"I think much of Vaughan's strife over this summer can be attributed to his new 'Wispy Mullett' style haircut. Never before has a haricut looked so wrong and that includes Pietersen's skunk-do of 2005."
H, Hampshire, in the TMS inbox

1403 - 40-2 Not such a happy Yorkshire Day for Vaughan, and here's KP. Kallis has rooted him out the last two times, and he's immediately called into the attack. A probing over from Kallis, just the one single from Strauss and KP blocking the next five balls.

"When we had people as useless as Vaughan in our office, we replaced them with pot plants."
Alan at work in Horsham in the TMS inbox

1352 - 35-1 Shot of the day from Vaughan, creaming a length delivery from Ntini through the covers for four. That was so good I almost cried. One more for Vaughan with a clip to mid-wicket and the sun is really shining through now... perfect batting conditions... dare I say it... sorry...

1347 - 30-1 Former Tory Chancellor of the Exchequer Ken Clarke is delaying play up in the pavilion - Oi! Clarke you big lummox! Any danger? He's with some grey-haired chap with a prominent philtrum and glasses. Dunno who he is... Nel drops short and is paddled round the corner for two runs.

"The Barmy Army are holding a fundraising road show on Sunday 10 August at Syresham Cricket Club in south Northants. Ex-England bowler Dean Headley is playing and some of the funds raised are going to grass-roots cricket and Cancer Research UK. Free Entry all day. Bar & food available! 40-over match with music etc. It will be a great day out."
Scott Wilson, Syresham Cricket Club, in the TMS inbox

1344 - 28-1 Edgy from England. Vaughan drops into the off-side, Vaughan 'yes-nos' and a sprawling Strauss would have been out given a direct hit. Ntini drops short and Vaughan gets right on top of that, yanking him away for four. South Africa skipper Smith puts two men out on the hook, but Ntini keeps it tight for the rest of the over.

"Well at least they can't criticise Cook for making 50 and not going on to get a century today..."
Louise, TMS e-mailing virgin from Loughborough, in the TMS inbox

1339 - 23-1 Nel, lumbering into the wicket like a pensioner running for a bus, is turned round the corner for one by Strauss before Vaughan gets a juicy half-bunger with candles on top which he flicks to the fine-leg boundary. Relief for the England skipper.

"This is the first time I have ever followed cricket via live text. I think it would benefit from some sort of auto-refresh."
Mark, Wimbledon, in the TMS inbox

1329 - 11-0 That's a rancid old over from Morkel - the rangy fast bowler is generating plenty of pace and bounce, but his deliveries are starting wide and swinging wider. Strauss didn't have to play at any of those, and Umpire Davis was forced into calling a rare Test wide.

1325 - 10-0 Cook is off the mark with a tickle round the corner for one. Big cheers for Cook and Strauss picks up a single to mid-wicket. Nel, bowling from wide of the crease around the wicket, spears another onto Cook's pads and is flipped away for four. Not a good over from Nel, England able to release the pressure valve. By the way, I haven't got lung cancer, but he did that deadpan things that doctors do when they go: "It could be TB... it could be lung cancer... or you may just have burst a blood vessel from coughing too much." Funnily enough, I'd burst a blood vessel.

1320 - 4-0 The first runs of the day and there are four of them, Morkel staying onto Strauss's pads and the Middlesex man clipping him through mid-wicket for four. Strauss not having to play at the final three balls of the over, but it was a very teasing line nonetheless.

1316 - 0-0 It's Nel, not Ntini, to share the new ball with Morkel. And that's a bit of luck for Cook first ball, Nel firing the cherry into his pads from around the wicket and trapping him plumb in front... only Umpire Dar didn't think so. He had a think about it, shifting uneasily behind the stumps and wincing slightly, like a man deciding whether to allow his daughter out in a particularly short skirt, but eventually said no. The England fans jeer Nel, and the big man puts a hand to his ear before calling for more. Nel is the best Abanazer since Derek Griffiths... Collingwood would make a pretty decent Wishy-Washy...

1311 - 0-0 Hello again. England's openers are in the middle and Morne Morkel will be bowling his first ball in just a moment... it's a goodun, plenty of lift and Strauss just pulls his bat inside. The second delivery isn't so good from Morkel, spearing down Strauss's leg-side, and that's a maiden to start. Lots of response to the 'egg' comment lower down - "After all, they are not renowned for their stabilty and strength," said Adrian Stillwell. Many of you have pointed out that eggs are actually renowned for exactly that. However, you wouldn't want to scoop out a cockpit, attach a couple Cheerios and ride one to work.

SOUTH AFRICA FIRST INNINGS

"Talking of Amy Winehouse, I saw her on the Tube the other day... she got on at High Barnet."
David, Surrey, in the TMS inbox

"Anyone out there want a game on Saturday? Mayfield CC (in East Sussex) is looking for a high-scoring number three. Sorry Michael. I realise you may be free by 1330pm tomorrow, but we really need a run getter."
Peter in the TMS inbox

1252: I would just like to break off from my lunch a) to gag slightly and b) to thank you all for your emails so far today. Particular thanks must go to Dr TV Liew - the "what they actually want is a fried egg and beans" line had me giggling like an imbecile. Ironic really, as the last time I spoke to a doctor he told me I might have lung cancer, which wasn't particularly funny.

"Re David Carter's comment (see below), I was watching an episode of On The Buses the other day. Mrs Butler was serving up Full English to the whole family - I'm certain Stan could not have survived a full day trying to pull clippies on just a bowl of Golden Grahams."
James Houghton in the TMS inbox

1230: The covers are on and we're going to have an early lunch. Make mine a hoof and eyelid bap... AND NO EMAILING FOR 40 MINUTES!

"I'm all for this cricketing alter-ego thing. When will Vaughan admit that every time he goes out to bat he is possessed by Marigold, a 57-year-old dentist's receptionist from Basingstoke?"
Dubs, Battersea, in the TMS inbox

"Re David Carter and breakfast: Clearly knife crime is due to the change in breakfast habits. Imagine sitting down, expecting a full English, only to discover Cheerios - it'd make you pretty angry. When the young say they want respec', what they actually want is a fried egg and beans. PS. I gather Gunther only turns up to bowl, his sister Bertha does the batting..."
Dr TV Liew in the TMS inbox

"Surely going to work on an egg could be quite dangerous? After all, they are not renowned for their stabilty and strength."
Adrian Stillwell in the TMS inbox

"Sir, how many problems in society do you think have been caused by the fact that such dishes as Kedgeree, the Kipper and the full English Breakfast have been replaced by Golden Grahams, Wheetos and the like on the nation's breakfast tables? Even going to work on an egg seems to be in decline."
David Carter in the TMS inbox

1210 - 312-9 Contemptuous from Boucher, leaning back and clubbing Sidebottom over mid-wicket for four. Boucher advances down the track and flays Sidebottom through the covers for four, and these are priceless runs for the visitors. Another cracking shot from Boucher, clipping Siders to the wide long-on fence and these are dangerous times for England... it's OK though! Sidebottom digs one in short, Boucher has a go at it, and Monty's underneath it... AND HE'S PUT IT DOWN! As catches go, that was more of a sitting flat on one's back than a sitter, and Sidebottom wears the expression of a man who has turned up to the Playboy Mansion only to realise he's forgotten his swimming cozzy.

1206 - 299-9 Anderson digs one in and Boucher jumps and plays him down to square-leg for one, which brings Ntini on strike. Ntini negotiates the rest of the over and Sidebottom, with 3-68 to his name, will fancy picking up his fourth wicket of the innings.

"Seems like the pyjama party over at Vaughany's you spoke about yesterday was replaced with bunk beds at Freddie's last night, with the man himself tucking the boys in at 8pm sharp."
Andy not working in Sheffield in the TMS inbox

"Yorkshire Day was started in 1975 to restore pride in a county undermined by the loss of its traditional industries. It falls on 1 August to mark the date in 1759 when soldiers from Yorkshire regiments placed white roses alongside fallen comrades on the battlefield of Minden in Germany. Events include the reading of the Declaration of Integrity and curiously- haired medium-fast bowlers taking wickets. Get some Yorkers in there England, bet they work today!"
Alex, Leeds, in the TMS inbox

1149 - 288-7 Boucher pushes to cover for one. Width from Sidebottom and Morkel puts manners on that, forcing Collingwood into a good save at gully, that will be a fillip for the beleagured all-rounder.

"Just think, if Priestley's name for oxygen had been adopted, Kylie Minogue would have been playing at the 'Dephlogisticated Air' Arena this week."
Keith Edwards in the TMS inbox

1139 - 287-7 A very optimisitc lbw shout from Sidebottom against Boucher, but that pitched about two feet outside leg-stump. Lots of fancy-dressers in today - we've got Zulu-era redcoats, some chap dressed as a caveman... and a gaggle of Winehouses! Lovely stuff. I wonder if they'll all be leaving on ambulance stretchers? Sidebottom appeals again, this time for a caught-behind, but the ball clipped Boucher's pocket. And another appeal, this time for leg before, but Umpire Davis is having none of it. Pretty decent shout that, it pitched in line, but maybe was missing the top of middle.

"Surely the collective noun for a number of Winehouses would be a stash?"
Michael Johnson in the TMS inbox

1135: The rain sweeps in and the players start making for the pavilion like startled wildebeest, but before they can even vault the advertising hoardings, the rain stops, the sun comes out, and they're forced to turn back. Odd. We've got a hold up in play as a couple of old fellas cover a red npower hoarding up with a white sheet, that's obviously what the problem was last night, with the South African players complaining they couldn't see the ball coming out of Flintoff's hand.

1131 - 287-7 Width from Flintoff and Morkel rocks back and slaps him through point for two. And what a shot that is from Morkel, thumping a length ball from Flintoff to the long-off fence. Early contender for shot of the day, Morkel not looking like a number nine at the moment. Flintoff erring down leg again and that's two more leg-byes. We've got a spot of rain at Edgbaston... it actually looks pretty set...

"It's a well-known fact that in the Middle Ages people sustained themselves by inhaling marshmallows in gaseous form. Their name derives from the fact that particularly high concentrations of this life-giving substance were found in the air near marshes. But with the invention of oxygen people realised that breathing that was easier."
Rob D in the TMS inbox

1128 - 276-7 A hint of swing back into Boucher from Sidebottom and Boucher tucks him away for one. Sidebottom, liek Freddie in the last over, has not quite mastered this new ball yet and there are two leg-byes off Morkel's thigh. Morkel nicks the strike with a tickle round the corner

1123 - 273-7 Blimey, it's like the ruddy Culture Show on here today. Apart from that girl who eats 21 chocolate digestives and six bags of crisps a day, she probably sprinkles hundreds and thousands on the top of her books. I reckon Freddie was breathing fire air last night, but he hasn't quite slipped into a groove yet this morning. He takes the new cherry and Boucher jabs into the leg-side for one before Morkel gouges out a yorker. And that's a streaky four, the tall left-hander squirting a full toss through point.

"Re 1050: Actually Ian, people wouldn't be breathing Oxygen for another three years, when Lavoisier gave it a zingier name. Priestley had dubbed it the rather clunkier 'dephlogisticated air', whereas Carl Wilhelm Scheele called it 'fire air'."
Graham Ruston in the TMS inbox

1118 - 268-7 Pretty gentle pace from Sidebottom but he's getting plenty of shape away from the left-handed Morkel. Bit too wide however, and Morkel doesn't have to play at his first few balls. But the last delivery is far better, drawing Morkel into the shot and hooping past the outside edge. It looks like a swing bowlers' paradise out there to me.

1113 - 268-7 Another peach of a delivery from Freddie, Boucher fences and edges... and the luckless Collingwood, diving full-length to his right, is unable to snaffle a difficult catch at second slip. A Test to forget for the Durham man, and it could be his last for some time. Too straight from Freddie and Boucher flips him away for a couple - tremendous stop from Sidebottom on the boundary rope, South Africa's lead now 38.

"Interesting question Jack. Assuming you want a spinner in the side you'd have to go for Monty ahead of Harris (who according to Boycott couldn't bowl a hoop down a hill!). I'd also go for KP ahead of Amla, he's a world-class player although would undoubtedly benefit from a few sessions with a sports psychologist."
Jono in the TMS inbox

1104 - 264-6 Players are out and about and Freddie will have first bung. Flintoff steaming in around the wicket to the left-handed Prince and his first ball fizzes past his off-stump. Freddie spears one down the leg side and the ball races away for four byes. Not much Ambrose could have done about that. Prince nibbles Flintoff to leg for a single before Boucher picks up a single. One no-ball and a leg-bye from that first over, a scruffy one from Flintoff.

1058: Anyone see that girl on the front page of The Sun this morning? 33st at the age of 15. A couple of things: I know she eats a lot, but surely her family can afford a proper zimmer frame rather than that garden chair she's using to get around. And I can't say I like that expression on her face on page 5. It says to me: "You should have got out of bed earlier, you'll just have to make yourself a bowl of cornflakes..."

1052: The news on Freddie is that he won't get his bottom slapped after his show of dissent last night. I thought he took that dodgy lbw decision by Umpire Dar pretty well, I reckon Gunther would have shouted in his face and twisted his nipples.

"According to my 'On this Day in History' desk calendar, today is the 234th anniversary of Carl Wilhelm and Joseph Priestley's discovery of oxygen. What did people breathe before that?"
Ian, Birmingham, in the TMS inbox

1050: It's windy up at Edgbaston, but mercifully dry at the moment and we'll be starting on time. A couple of chaps have emailed in to tell me it's Yorkshire Day today. Never heard of it - what's that all about?

"Here's something to ponder while waiting for the match to start. Supposing you had to form a team from the present England and SA teams to play the rest of the world. Who apart from Freddie would even be considered among the English players?"
Jack in the TMS inbox

1038: Anyone see that documentary about packaged sandwiches on Monday? If not, I'll give you a clue: next time you fancy one, save yourself a few quid - pour loads of sugar and salt between two slices of bread, sprinkle some toenail clippings and, if you can get your hands on some, a few beaks, and it will have roughly the same nutritional value as a chicken mayo sanger from your local petrol station.

1031: Morning. For those who logged off early last night, what a final session you missed. Freddie on fire, and England are right back in it. And what a broad church the chat was, ranging from dogs with side-partings to existentialism. I have high hopes for today, although England will need Flintoff firing on all cylinders this morning.