yippee SA have declared.

Stranger things have happened but I can't see this pitch deteriorating

Comms mentioned that Steyn and Philander look a long way from fitness in the nets

Could affect how many overs the current quicks bowl if the A team aren't yet ready to come back into the team

Didn't realise that Bavuma was first black South African to score test Century.. I didn't hear them mention that as he approached his ton at all...
Can see why the emotion seemed heightened.. Good stuff

Chucking it down, down under.

Wonder whether they'll do a 'Cronje' (in one sense) by forfeiting innings?

Otherwise, it's going to be a boring last day at the SCG.

Sydney is making Manchester look like a drought zone.

The forecast for tomorrow does not look promising either.

As I am back from gardening leave I will just say that Stoke's brutally brilliant innings will be remembered long after the result of this test (whatever it is) has been forgotten.

The fastest 250 in history - well done Ben.

not the start we wanted this morning

altho it would make for good viewing i hope this doesn't turn into a nervous day

oh dear

19-2

Hales edges one into the slips...........quelle surprise

I suppose on the bright side England's only chance of winning is to be bowled out for 120 or 130 then bowl SA out for 100

I think it already is.

it was a fantastic catch but i agree not a good sign to see him get out like that, a ball he really didn't need to play and it wasn't like he was playing any sort of shot really

i know this is a bit knee jerk but wouldn't complain too much if hales got left out, bump everyone else up a spot and slot buttler back in at #7 as keeper

Agree with the bit about Hales to be left out. I'm happy for him to be given the rest of the series so that he is given a fair crack, but I don't think he's a Test opener and would be surpised if he proves otherwise.

very lucky break for root

if we had gone 3 down there the jitters might have really set in

Root got some good luck there - no ball from Morkel when he was caught!

Root out

Looks like England might have a chance to win........

Taylor dropped on 22

England lead now 87

Compton out

4 down.........lunch soon

85-4

87 ahead

need to bat at least the whole of the next session

For someone who digs in for the day, that is the second time in this match that Compton has got out just before an interval to a shot he needn't have played

Looks like it could be a roles reversal of Abu Dhabi when Pakistan were playing for time and we got scuppered by the light

Only way to get buttler in the team again, he looking at IPL right now but isn't sure yet if he want to take it especially with Strauss comments of specialisation of the test team/odi team.

he knows that bairstow got the gloves all summer now and he has a clear shot at IPL and still play a good amount of county championship games.
the only doubt in his mind is whether this will typecast him in the selectors/Strauss eyes, he still wants to play Test matches.

Looks likely Buttler would play IPL now, I be very surprised if he played county championship games in April/may he literally get nothing out of that, playing in pitches that have no use in the International game.
if he plays IPL he does both, plays IPL and then play's county cricket in the best months that mirror international cricket.

Just to emphasise the previous highest score by a Test Team that went on to lose the match was 586 by Australia against England in 1894. Some record to beat!!

squeaky bum time with england 115-5 now

poor shot to get out playing by stokes but cant really criticise him too much as thats his game

What a crazy match - maybe England will bowl them out