South Africa v England: first Test, day two – live!

Graeme Smith, South African’s new interim director of cricket, is chatting to Ian ‘n’ Mike. His shoulders could have their own chat show.

“I was looking forward to being in the comm box, but South African cricket has got into a lot of challenges into the last while and I wanted to get in and see if I could make a difference and help. The biggest challenges? I’m still working to try and add a bit more intensity, a bit more experience, a bit more leadership.

[re Kolpaks] I think it is always difficult to stop guys going to earn a good living that comes their way – in many ways its a good thing for them but for us it is a big challenge. We’ve got to be able to give our guys a good living, the strength of our cricket willthen improve, and then work out transformation, how we brings really talented black Africans through.”

Graeme Arthur drops a note.

When does play begin? Have I got time to take the dog out?

And, out of interest, what would have happened if England had failed to field 11 fit players from their squad? Or, indeed, should a number of the current team have to leave the field? Is there a point beyond which play is abandoned / suspended?

You’ve got time for a quick stroll round the block – play starts at 8am GMT. As for the illness question, I think they could keep calling people up ad infinitum. Back in 1986, you could whistle for an old pro in a suit pressing the flesh in a hospitality box…

We’re on, Rob Key has ironed his shirt and is calling it “a crucial day.” Ebony Rainford-Brent praises Sam Curran.

Nasser Hussain and Ian Ward are out on the pitch in matching white shirts, no ties. The clouds are out, it is humid. Nasser says day 2 is the best day for batting. Shaun says said the pitch is as good as he’s seen it for a few years . The cracks in the pitch are not yet in play – too far outside off stump.

It is especially poignant to read the report on the future of the Melbourne Test while England play in South Africa. It was only a couple of years ago that all grade cricket had to be cancelled in the Cape Town area because of drought, and the touring Indians were donating money to water charities.

Drilling deep into the report, particularly prescient in Australia right now, with burning bush fires and controversy over the future of coal, it suggests that the Boxing Day Test will soon no longer be able to exist in its present form because of rising temperatures, and will have to be moved to the evening or a different time of year.

Cricket Australia’s response: “Cricket is played in different climates and countries around the world and it is committed to both addressing the impact of climate change and ensuring cricket continued to be played in Australia on December 26 for many years to come.”

Here is coverage from Day 2 of Australia v New Zealand and Travis Head’s century – as it happened.

Good morning everyone! An intriguing day ahead at Centurion. While we wait for the coverage to start, a couple of things. Firstly, there is more sickness in the England camp to report – now Mark Wood joins Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Chris Woakes and two members of support staff in the sick bay.

Also, do read this important report into the future of the Boxing Day Test in this era of climate crisis.

Tanya will be here soon. Here’s Sam Curran’s thoughts on the first day of play:

“It’s been a tough week as a squad and we’re pleased how we’ve stuck together as a group. It was tough out there, warm with not much breeze. Of course we would like to have bowled them out by the close. But I would say it’s been an even day. [Quinton] de Kock played beautifully, yet all in all we’re pretty pleased.

“There was a special atmosphere out there with the band and the Barmy Army. It was pretty cool … There is some nice carry here so you can nick the batters off and there is a bit of variation in the bounce. Maybe we will need some different plans for Quinton in the second innings.”

Read more from Vic Marks here.