Alastair Cook made 66 not out as England reached 142-3 on a weather-hit opening day against a South African Airways XI.
Essex opener in the runs ahead of Test series against Proteas
Tour Match
East London - Day one
England 142-3 (A N Cook 66 no) v South African Airways XI
Alastair Cook hit an unbeaten half-century for England at Buffalo Park on a rain-hit opening day of their fixture against a South African Airways XI.
The tourists had reached 142-3 in 36.2 overs when the heavens opened, with play eventually abandoned midway through the afternoon.
England will hope for better weather on the second and final day of the contest, as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
Sluggish surface
Cook apart, the batsmen certainly seem in need of some more time in the middle having struggled for fluency on a sluggish surface.
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, captain Andrew Strauss managed just a single before edging through to wicketkeeper Mangaliso Mosehle.
It was Charl Pietersen who claimed the initial breakthrough and the former Northamptonshire seamer soon struck again to leave England at 22-2.
Having been preferred to Ian Bell at number three in the order, perhaps a sign of things to come ahead of the opening Test in Pretoria next week, Jonathan Trott made just 11 before falling in a similar fashion to his skipper.
After surviving a close call when he involuntarily inside-edged a single past his leg-stump, Kevin Pietersen helped put on 69 for the third wicket.
Determined
The South African-born batsman struggled for runs during the one-dayers but seemed determined to make the most of an opportunity to find some form.
Pietersen's first boundary took his stand with Cook, who had cashed in on some short stuff from Siya Ntshono, past 50 but he fell before lunch when a delivery from David Wiese stopped on him, resulting in a mis-hit going straight back to the bowler.
Paul Collingwood carried on the recovery work, though, sharing an unbroken partnership of 52 that was only ended by a spell of thundery rain about an hour after the interval.
However it is Cook's form that will please Strauss and coach Andy Flower the most, the Essex opener hitting 10 fours in his 66 not out.
