England vs South Africa LIVE: Cricket score and second Test updates from Old Trafford today

Oddly, it was the overheads that had Ben Stokes keen for a bowl this morning but there has been no real swing for England today, and what looked a firm, batter-friendly pitch has actually offered plenty of nip. Full marks to England’s seamers for making use of it – they really have been very good, and can now set about making inroads into a long South African tail with the sun just starting to peek through the thick Manchester cloud.

A fine morning for England, happy enough to be asked to bowl having lost the toss. It looked a slightly curious call from Dean Elgar to grant the hosts first use of bowler friendly conditions at Old Trafford and his top order have been tortured by an immaculate display of seam bowling from James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad. No South African batter has yet looked fully settled and a couple for Ben Stokes before lunch will make the England captain all the happier at the interval.

It proves the only drama of the last over before lunch.

Dropped! Nearly another one burgled by England, but Ben Foakes can’t gather a thin under-edge! It’s another poor start to the over from Leach, short of a length outside off stump, but Verreynne dithers on the cut and nearly gives his wicket away. Sharp chance for Foakes, but one you’d have fancied him to take.

A touch unfortunate for Van der Dussen, that, the double umpire’s call doing for him. Enter Simon Harmer, probably a place or two too high at number seven, but with a job to do.

Time for one more from Jack Leach before lunch…

Huge appeal from England – and given! Another for England, but Rassie van der Dussen sends it upstairs for a check.

It looked like England were rather hedging their bets with the appeal with Ben Foakes also keen on a caught behind. There’s no bat – has it struck him in line? Umpire’s call, and umpire’s call on the top of leg stump! It’ll stay out!

Van der Dussen shakes his head. It was another probing ball from Stokes, ducking back in to beat the batter on the inside edge as he tried to play forward.

A loose start from Leach, forcing down a long-hop that Rassie van der Dussen dispatches to leg for four. The rest of the over is rather tidier, even without too much spin to concern RvdD.

Enter Kyle Verreynne, with England eyeing that long South African tail. We send our best wishes to the Verreynne family – the wicket-keeper’s grandfather is currently in hospital after falling ill while attending the First Test at Lord’s.

He’s off the mark with a flick off the hips.

Another change for England, and a first sighting at how spin will fare on this Old Trafford surface. Jack Leach into the fray.

Taken this time! A mental lapse from Aiden Markram and Ben Stokes has claimed him cheaply!

It’s another short ball lacking in real venom, but Markram is haphazard on the pull regardless, skewing a horrible top edge up into the air. Markram groans as Ben Foakes settles underneath it, and England’s morning gets even better.

Nearly a wicket with his first ball! A mistimed heave from Markram to an attempted bouncer from Stokes, but wide and over the fielder at forward square leg.