Boxing Day Test : South Africa v England at Durban

South Africa win-loss record at home hasn't been great, but since their readmission to Tests

England's win in 2004-05 is the only time a team other than Australia

beat them in a series at home

James Anderson has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test

due to a calf strain
                             

Chris Woakes will replace the injured James Anderson in England's bowling attack when the four-match series against South Africa begins in Durban on Saturday.

match starts in 3 hours ..

England 142/3 (52.6 ov)

153 - 3

Current partnership 104 runs, 39.2 overs, RR: 2.64 (Compton 39, Taylor 61)

174 - 3

666666  !!  Current partnership 125 runs, 45.0 overs, RR: 2.77 (Compton 51, Taylor 70)

62.3
Elgar to James, SIX, splat! Too short from Elgar and Taylor climbed into a massive pull,

deliberately underneath the ball and walloped high over midwicket

and caught : Steyn's da man : James Taylor exits

~~ I've seen fire and I 've seen rain~~

63.3
Steyn to Taylor, Late on a back-foot push and just the thinnest of grazes through to the keeper.

He has played a massive part in England's revival...

JWA Taylor c †de Villiers b Steyn 70

All in all, this was a satisfying fightback from England. Given the conditions early on and the stop start nature, England were unable to get any rhythm and Steyn looked like a man possessed. This conspired to leave England 49/3 with their two most consistent batsman (Cook and Root) back in the pavilion. At that point, I was really fearful of England being skittled out for under 150.

Compton was brilliant for England. Defiant and watchful. For South Africa, Steyn was tremendous. He bowled with pace, passion and precision. A special note for Bevuma, how good is he at short leg?

The match is deliciously poised going into day 2.

Shame Jimbo succumbed!

The boy did well!