It's a crucial day in the context of the series. After last night's fireworks England, spear-headed by a rejuvenated Andrew Flintoff, are looking to use the new ball to run through the Proteas' tail. Ed Hawkins follows all the action live. Send him your questions and comments at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk.

19.14 England 297-6
England are still in this game. FIghting hard. And it is all down to the concentration skills of Paul Collingwood, who is 101 not out. England lead by 214. Remember, the average fourth-innings all-out total at Edgbaston is 196. The highest successful chase in the fourth-innings is 211. SA have a new ball immeditaely tomorrow. Should be fascinating. See you then.  read more »

Kevin Pietersen made all the headlines on day one with one of the best innings seen at Lord's for several years. Will Kev and Ian Bell really punish Graeme Smith for electing to bowl first? Keep apace with the action and the latest from the Betfair markets. Ed Hawkins is in the hot-seat once again.

18.14 RAIN STOPPED PLAY South Africa 7-0
That might be it for the night. England have had 3.2 valuable overs but they've wasted them.Sidebottom and Anderson did not make the batsmen play.

18.01 South Africa 0-0
England's field: four slips, two gullies, mid on, mid off and deep backward square (Monty). They are going to have a real go tonight. The draw has come out to [1.51]and England are [3.10]. Smith played and missed at the first one but England's best hope of getting him is a leg before. Vulnerable to the ball that swings in, he often tries to play around his front pad.  read more »

Don't worry Jacques, it's sunny this morning! Ed Hawkins is at Lords for the first Test against the Proteas and he'll see play start on time. Stay up to date with the cricket, and the odds, in his live blog.

18.41 England 309-3
England are in charge after seeing off South Africa's battery of pacemen, largely thanks to the brilliance of Kevin Pietersen. The first session was something of a phoney war after the much-hyped Proteas fast-bowlers looked gun shy. But after lunch, they bowled bullets and with three wickets for three runs in 13 deliveries showed what they are capable of. From there it was the KP show. His century will have warmed the wallets of many top-bat punters who were on him to put his old country to the sword. England are on the cusp of a first-innings 400 for the first time in 12 months. It would take something remarkable for them to lose from such a position. Rain is forecast for tomorrow which could juice up the pitch and gives hope for those of us who were hoping for wickets with the new ball. The prices are: England [3.85], South Africa [7.80] and the draw [1.63]  read more »

Don't worry Jacques, it's sunny this morning! Ed Hawkins is at Lords for the first Test against the Proteas and he'll see play start on time. Stay up to date with the cricket, and the odds, in his live blog.

18.41 England 309-3
England are in charge after seeing off South Africa's battery of pacemen, largely thanks to the brilliance of Kevin Pietersen. The first session was something of a phoney war after the much-hyped Proteas fast-bowlers looked gun shy. But after lunch, they bowled bullets and with three wickets for three runs in 13 deliveries showed what they are capable of. From there it was the KP show. His century will have warmed the wallets of many top-bat punters who were on him to put his old country to the sword. England are on the cusp of a first-innings 400 for the first time in 12 months. It would take something remarkable for them to lose from such a position. Rain is forecast for tomorrow which could juice up the pitch and gives hope for those of us who were hoping for wickets with the new ball. The prices are: England [3.85], South Africa [7.80] and the draw [1.63]  read more »

It's backs to the wall time for England at Headingley, with the home side trading at [100.0] for victory before the off. Cricket betting maestro Ed Hawkins is on hand to keep us updated throughout the fourth day's play

18.30 SA win by 10 wickets
A fully deserved victory for South Africa, who won virtually every session in the Test. England will name their squad for the third Test at Edgbaston - which starts on Wednesday week - on Saturday and it would be a surprise if the names Pattinson and Ambrose are included. England have to go back to four bowlers with Andrew Flintoff as one of them. If they do that, they have a chance of squaring the series in Birmingham. It is their most successful ground. I'll be blogging for that, too so join me again.  read more »

It's backs to the wall time for England at Headingley, with the home side trading at [100.0] for victory before the off. Cricket betting maestro Ed Hawkins is on hand to keep us updated throughout the fourth day's play

18.30 SA win by 10 wickets
A fully deserved victory for South Africa, who won virtually every session in the Test. England will name their squad for the third Test at Edgbaston - which starts on Wednesday week - on Saturday and it would be a surprise if the names Pattinson and Ambrose are included. England have to go back to four bowlers with Andrew Flintoff as one of them. If they do that, they have a chance of squaring the series in Birmingham. It is their most successful ground. I'll be blogging for that, too so join me again.  read more »

South Africa have their backs against the wall after Michael Vaughan enforced the follow-on. The sun is shining at Lord's and England's bowlers have their tails up. Ed Hawkins is watching it all and reporting on all the action from the price on the draw to the best cakes to go with his afternoon cup of tea.... 18.31 SA 242-2 CLOSE Turgid stuff here at HQ today. And it is a depressing thought that there is likely to be similar fare on offer tomorrow. England's body language is reminiscent of stalemates past against Sri Lanka and Pakistan when they looked tired and shorn of ideas. It is difficult to suggest what they can do to take the remaining nine South Africa wickets given that the new ball did not bring the clatter of victims that they had hoped.  read more »

The Pietersen era began with a bang yesterday as England's five man attack ripped through the South African order with apparent ease. Overnight rain means consolidating that advantage won't be easy, though. Follow all the action on Ed Hawkins' live betting blog.

Got a question or a comment for Ed? Email him on hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk

13.02 Eng 116-3 LUNCH
Alright me old China? Yep. Opening ceremony now on. Having slagged off these sort of things, it is quite clear that China will put on a show. Frighteningly organised so far with 2008 drummers in perfect unison. Well, they have to be. Anyone who is out of sync will probably be shot.

12.52 Eng 111-3
Nelson strikes. Cook gone with an edge to slip. England [1.72]. Still worth backing that in my view. England should get a big lead here. Paul Collingwood, fresh from a ton at Edgbaston, is at the crease. Let's watch to see whether his bottom hand is taking over too much.  read more »

Ed "The Hawkeye" Hawkins will be keeping us up to date with all the action and betting news from the Fourth and final Test between England and South Africa. It's Kevin Pietersen's first ever Test as England captain and he's not the type to want to get off to a losing start...

18.35 Eng 49-1 CLOSE
England are 145 behind. If they lose an early wicket tomorrow - both Alastair Cook and Ian Bell will have to start afresh to make that more likely - we should consider backing them because despite SA's low total, this is a good batting wicket.

18.23 Eng 42-1
England have started well, which shouldn't be a surprise because the pitch is good. It is a surprise to some, though because they are hovering around the [1.60] mark. We could beack at that price but I'm holding out for a lucky SA wicket.  read more »

Welcome to the Cronje Lamb cup.

Refresh every 5 minutes or so for OBO goodness.

181/3 40 overs

Kallis fell asleep, and a no ball was called when he forgot to waddle into the circle.

KP is with Freddy now, straight slow off Vernon T for a boundary.

Tries another swipe next ball, but only a single.

Vernon's slower ball almost breaks the site screen when Freddy smacks it.

This might be the end of his spell.

170/3 39 overs

Botha back on.

Makes sense, but probably came two overs too late.

Freddy is seeing them quite well now and scoring at close to run a ball.

Partnership 50 off 62.

Botha isn't helping my slow balling logic by bowling Freddy a full toss, which luckily for Botha he only gets 2 off.  read more »