Monday 28 December 2015 17:37, UK
Sky Sports News HQ reporter Tim Abraham keeps tabs on James Anderson during a hectic Christmas period of cricket...
England completed their warm-up preparations in Pietermaritzburg with an impressive victory over South Africa A; it was just about the perfect run out, with the batsmen getting runs and Steven Finn proving he was ready for Test cricket again. From the picturesque Oval, we travelled straight to Durban, which is about an hour's drive.
I wanted to be in place for South Africa practice early next morning, plus as we left, we got wind that Jimmy Anderson was doubtful for the first Test and I needed to report the concerns into Sky Sports News HQ upon arrival that evening.
We have a great character of a doorman at our hotel. Despite the heat and humidity in Durban, he wears a thick coat weighed down by a multitude of badges, given to him from guests all over the world. I remember him from past visits but to be honest I did not think he would still be here, but there he was. I bet he's seen a few famous stars and personalities come and go!
After early live reports from the hotel on Anderson and the release of the One Day and T20 squads for South Africa, it was straight to Kingsmead to catch up with South Africa for the first time on the tour as England were having the day off.
There's great access to the nets at Kingsmead so I was able to see up close just how quick Dale Steyn was bowling, after his groin injury, and how fired up he seemed for this comeback Test match; he gave opener Dean Elgar a good working over.
The South African players are polite guys; there was a hello and welcome from Morne Morkel and AB De Villiers even dropped his pads, gloves and bat to shake hands on the way to nets.
Christmas Eve was the busiest of the build-up days with both teams practising and holding news conferences. We turned up expecting to film Anderson going through his fitness test but he was immediately ruled out, although he still took part in the kick-about all be it in goal.
Stuart Broad spoke about the loss to England; he was the leader of the attack earlier this summer and it turned out alright for England and him with that 8-15 at Trent Bridge!
He was full of the Christmas spirit, despite the loss of Anderson, wearing his Christmas hat for the news conference and for all interviews. I followed suit on Christmas Day, wearing my Santa hat for all live crosses and interviews, as I usually do on Christmas Day, whether it's here or on an Ashes Tour.
South Africa had been in Durban longer, and had three clear days of practice so did not train on Christmas Day.
England did with Alastair Cook holding his pre-match news conference on his birthday; aside from previewing the series he confirmed Chris Woakes would play. He also spoke about having his birthday on Christmas Day and how down the years he has had to make do with 'double' presents.
After practice we went straight down to the beach area to get some 'Christmas Day in Durban shots', and that's where I filmed my piece to camera on a taxi cart, being pulled by a local character who got dressed up in all his Zulu head dress for the occasion. All was ok until he kept leaping in the air, bouncing up and down, throwing me around in the back.
Don't miss a ball of England's tour of South Africa on Sky Sports - at home, on the move and across our digital platforms. Our first Test coverage continues on Sky Sports 2 at 7.30am on Tuesday.
