South Africa will resume on 38-1 on day two of the third Test after dismissing England for a paltry 231.

Alastair Cook (76), Ian Bell (50) and Andrew Flintoff (36 not out) scored the only runs of significance as England toiled at Edgbaston.

Andre Nel and Jacques Kallis were both outstanding with the ball, each taking three wickets for South Africa.

But Andrew Flintoff gave England hope after removing Graeme Smith late on to leave South Africa in charge.

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By Ben Dirs

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Ben Dirs' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

Play is due to start at 1115 BST

1100: A bit of early morning rain means we are due to start at 1115, so only a 15 minute delay. Apparently we're in for dry settled weather over the first few hours before a band of rain moves in - once that's hit, the lady from the BBC weather centre reckons we might in for a washout.

1055: Looks like we're going to start on time, but it's overcast and billowy up in Birmingham, so we could be in for rain. It has been raining this morning but the covers are coming off. The England team have been spotted this morning, seemingly getting the hairdryer from Freddie Flintoff. That pyjama party round Vaughany's last night must have got a bit out of hand. Collingwood was standing there looking sheepish as though he'd vomited in Freddie's slippers.

"We won the toss and it was a good deck, so it was disappointing. The guys have worked very hard, they're not complacent in any way. It's a tough game, and when the guys are down on their confidence it makes it even tougher. It was a frustrating day, but the game's not out of our grasp."
England batting coach Andy Flower

"Raining in Solihull about four miles from Edgbaston with clouds heading that way."
Nigel Prideaux in the TMS inbox

1040: Some technical chit-chat: we were trialling our new auto-refresh system yesterday with the Olympics in mind. It worked - a lot of you liked it and some didn't - but it was a bit of a nightmare for me so it's on the backburner until Beijing.

1035: Things can only get better. Surely. Last night, I staggered into the night air like a man escaping from the house of a serial killer. What a horrible, horrible day's cricket from an England point of view.

(BBC)

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