Cook leads England's day

Jul 19, 2012

Andrew Strauss won the coin toss and chose to bat as the first Test got underway at The Oval•AFP

Morne Morkel unexpectedly took the new ball and had a big appeal against Strauss turned down off the fourth ball...•Getty Images

Cook reached his half-century shortly after lunch•Getty Images

But there's was no denying Cook his 20th Test century•Getty Images

Smith was presented with a bat before the start to mark his 100th Test•Getty Images

...only for DRS to show it was hitting and send Strauss on his way•Getty Images

He Jonathan Trott put on over 100 runs for the seventh time in Tests, adding 170 for the second wicket•Getty Images

It was a difficult day for the South African attack, Dale Steyn in particular•Getty Images

Jonathan Trott joined Alastair Cook to put on a century partnership for the second wicket•AFP

But Trott fell to Morkel with a lazy drive to edge behind for 71•PA Photos

But they did find late success as Kevin Pietersen gloved a pull to AB de Villiers against Jacques Kallis•Getty Images