I can't make out the identity of the batter heading for a net, but it feels optimistic.
BBCCopyright: BBC
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#bbccricket
TBC: Thunder buddy? Trent Boult, surely?
Post update
The TV have just shown pictures of the scene at Lord's and I'm sorry to report that it looks grim in the extreme!
So while we wait, after Mike's comment below: which cricketer would you most want to be stuck with during a thunder storm? Tweet us using #bbccricket - don't be shy!
Get Involved
#bbccricket
Joe Suffield: On the Dom Sibley debate. He's developed a sublime straight drive this season and has started to open up a bit more. I would be interested to see him try again.
Mike Bell: Re 14:44 BST.
Thunder Buddy?
Please can I have Paul Collingwood?
He's scared of nowt.
That's a rumble of thunder. Everyone, grab your Thunder Buddy.
Post update
It won't be much consolation to England fans - or England batters, for that matter - but South Africa's bowlers have been on top form.
Here is the best of what their pacers produced in the morning session, plus the wicket of Ben Foakes in the brief spell we had after lunch before the rain arrived...
Post update
Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
But my app says we're going to be absolutely fine and that heavy rain will miss us to the north.
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
It's very light rain at the moment. It's threatened to rain very heavily but that has not materialised.
However, I'm being shown something that suggests we're going to get two hours of very heavy rain from 10 to three.
Have a go, challenge your friends and let us know how you got on using #bbccricket on Twitter.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Post update
Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
This is a significant innings from Pope. He came in early with wickets falling around him but he has still played positively.
The solitary plus for England is that their number three is still there in difficult conditions.
Post update
As for England, thank goodness for Ollie Pope.
The number three is still there, unbeaten on 61, and with just the bowlers left for company, you fancy it'll be up to him to get England up to anything resembling a competitive first-innings total.
Post update
Coming into the series, we knew that South Africa pace attack could be pretty tasty and they have not disappointed.
Anrich Nortje has taken three wickets, Kagiso Rabada two and Marco Jansen the other.
Lungi Ngidi is the only one of the seam attack yet to strike but he bowled nicely with the new ball and will be keen to get into the action once play resumes.
Post update
Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
It hasn't been easy for England. The ball has swung as we feared this morning with the humid and overcast conditions.
I've really enjoyed the cricket. South Africa have bowled well. They have a really good balanced attack with every option covered. But when they have bowled a bad ball England have been in a position to put them away.
Ollie Pope has batted superbly. He has played positively but in a really controlled manner. He looks a little less frenetic.
The confidence he has been given by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes has allowed him to play like the Ollie Pope that Surrey fans know.
Post update
The hover cover is on, the full covers are being laid out and the rain seems to have settled in. If you have any errands to run but didn't want to miss any of the cricket, now might be the time to go.
Just as an aside, I'm looking out of the window at clear blue sky here in Manchester. Just worth taking into consideration with the Old Trafford Test up next in this series and the inevitable comments that will come if we get a rain delay in that one...
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
My app was wrong by 14 minutes.
Rain stops play
Eng 116-6
Yep, in fact that delay allows England to escape with having to face another ball. The rain is falling and the umpires take the players off.
Post update
We've got a delay as the ground staff prepare for the rain. It feels imminent now.
Eng 116-6
Perhaps the short ball got into Foakes' head, his feet were nowhere with that dismissal and, actually, there was a more sizeable inside edge that I initially realised.
Either way, the end result is the same: stumps disturbed and Foakes is gone.
Stuart Broad is in at number eight and wears one second ball, fast and nasty from Nortje with the ball thumping the England man on the shoulder.
Live Reporting
Sam Drury and Amy Lofthouse
All times stated are UK
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Lord's
I can't make out the identity of the batter heading for a net, but it feels optimistic.
Get Involved
#bbccricket
TBC: Thunder buddy? Trent Boult, surely?
Post update
The TV have just shown pictures of the scene at Lord's and I'm sorry to report that it looks grim in the extreme!
So while we wait, after Mike's comment below: which cricketer would you most want to be stuck with during a thunder storm? Tweet us using #bbccricket - don't be shy!
Get Involved
#bbccricket
Joe Suffield: On the Dom Sibley debate. He's developed a sublime straight drive this season and has started to open up a bit more. I would be interested to see him try again.
Mike Bell: Re 14:44 BST. Thunder Buddy? Please can I have Paul Collingwood? He's scared of nowt.
Should England give Zak Crawley a rest?
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
The thunder and lightning has arrived.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Lord's
That's a rumble of thunder. Everyone, grab your Thunder Buddy.
Post update
It won't be much consolation to England fans - or England batters, for that matter - but South Africa's bowlers have been on top form.
Here is the best of what their pacers produced in the morning session, plus the wicket of Ben Foakes in the brief spell we had after lunch before the rain arrived...
Post update
Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
But my app says we're going to be absolutely fine and that heavy rain will miss us to the north.
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
It's very light rain at the moment. It's threatened to rain very heavily but that has not materialised.
However, I'm being shown something that suggests we're going to get two hours of very heavy rain from 10 to three.
England v South Africa mega quiz
Stuck for something to do during the rain delay?
Fear not, we've got you covered with our England v South Africa mega quiz!
Have a go, challenge your friends and let us know how you got on using #bbccricket on Twitter.
Post update
Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
This is a significant innings from Pope. He came in early with wickets falling around him but he has still played positively.
The solitary plus for England is that their number three is still there in difficult conditions.
Post update
As for England, thank goodness for Ollie Pope.
The number three is still there, unbeaten on 61, and with just the bowlers left for company, you fancy it'll be up to him to get England up to anything resembling a competitive first-innings total.
Post update
Coming into the series, we knew that South Africa pace attack could be pretty tasty and they have not disappointed.
Anrich Nortje has taken three wickets, Kagiso Rabada two and Marco Jansen the other.
Lungi Ngidi is the only one of the seam attack yet to strike but he bowled nicely with the new ball and will be keen to get into the action once play resumes.
Post update
Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
It hasn't been easy for England. The ball has swung as we feared this morning with the humid and overcast conditions.
I've really enjoyed the cricket. South Africa have bowled well. They have a really good balanced attack with every option covered. But when they have bowled a bad ball England have been in a position to put them away.
Ollie Pope has batted superbly. He has played positively but in a really controlled manner. He looks a little less frenetic.
The confidence he has been given by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes has allowed him to play like the Ollie Pope that Surrey fans know.
Post update
The hover cover is on, the full covers are being laid out and the rain seems to have settled in. If you have any errands to run but didn't want to miss any of the cricket, now might be the time to go.
Just as an aside, I'm looking out of the window at clear blue sky here in Manchester. Just worth taking into consideration with the Old Trafford Test up next in this series and the inevitable comments that will come if we get a rain delay in that one...
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
My app was wrong by 14 minutes.
Rain stops play
Eng 116-6
Yep, in fact that delay allows England to escape with having to face another ball. The rain is falling and the umpires take the players off.
Post update
We've got a delay as the ground staff prepare for the rain. It feels imminent now.
Eng 116-6
Perhaps the short ball got into Foakes' head, his feet were nowhere with that dismissal and, actually, there was a more sizeable inside edge that I initially realised.
Either way, the end result is the same: stumps disturbed and Foakes is gone.
Stuart Broad is in at number eight and wears one second ball, fast and nasty from Nortje with the ball thumping the England man on the shoulder.