England vs South Africa LIVE: Cricket score and third Test result as England seal series victory

England polished off the remaining runs they needed to beat South Africa by nine wickets in the third Test at the Oval on Monday morning to secure a 2-1 series victory.

Openers Zak Crawley and Alex Lees were still at the crease as the hosts began the day requiring just 33 runs for victory after bad light stopped play on Sunday evening.

Lees was dropped by Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne from the third ball of the morning and then survived another scare when a thick edge flew over Keegan Petersen at third slip to go for four but the Proteas made a breakthrough on the penultimate delivery of the third over of the day, with Lees’ fortune finally running out as a review showed he had been trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada.

The Durham batter was out for 39 with England 22 runs from clinching the series but Ollie Pope joined Crawley at the crease to quickly knock them off, as the under-fire opener eased the pressure on himself somewhat by ending unbeaten on 69 and cap a remarkable summer for England’s Test team.

Follow reaction to the third Test below:

England vs South Africa

Victory gives England 2-1 series win over South Africa

England win by nine wickets on day five

Crawley hits unbeaten 69

Wicket! Lees 39 (73) lbw b. Rabada, England 108-1 (19.5)

England waste no time to seal South Africa series win

12:10 , Michael Jones

England needed just 25 minutes on the final morning to wrap up a 2-1 Test series victory over South Africa.

Play on the penultimate evening of the truncated third Test was contentiously halted due to bad light at the Kia Oval with England just 33 short of overhauling a 130-target and with all 10 wickets in hand.

Surrey threw open their doors free of charge for the deferred denouement and there was no surprise twist as England claimed a nine-wicket win for their sixth Test success in seven matches this summer.

England waste no time to seal South Africa series win

Reaction from Kagiso Rabada

12:00 , Michael Jones

South Africa Player of the Series Kagiso Rabada said: “It seemed like every game was decided from the toss. We won it at Lord’s and things went our way, but looking in hindsight we will take a lot of learnings out of this series.

Story continues

“We are a young team, including myself, but there is a lot for us to take from this. We will look to get better moving forward, and get some more wins.

“I injured myself in the second T20 at Cardiff, and I wasn’t sure if i was going to make it to this Test series. But I am very glad I did, and I am very grateful.to the medical staff for helping me.

“It’s very exciting to see the talent we have in our fast bowling department but overall as a team, there is so much talent and we’ve just got to get used to playing together as a team, and then the world is our oyster.”

Reaction from Ollie Robinson

11:56 , Michael Jones

As part of his Player of the Match interview England’s Ollie Robinson said: “It’s been a really enjoyable comeback for me and the team. The experience over the last few weeks have been really enjoyable and it’s great to be with the lads again.

“Its nice to get where I am but don’t feel like I am the finished article. There’s lot of work to do, there’s a tough winter ahead so I will keep pushing on.

“The environment is a great place to thrive, it is really enjoyable. You can see that with how we are playing with a smile on our faces and having a great time out there.

“I think with Stokesy you always get complete honesty which at times is what I needed. Luckily it worked off the back of that.

“It was definitely a helpful surface, it always had a bit of carry. Tall bowlers tend to do well here so it was nice for me to do well this week.”

The trophy presentation

11:54 , Michael Jones

Kagiso Rabada is South Africa’s Player of the Series having picked up 14 wickets across the three test matches and remained a threat every time he came on to bowl.

(PA)

The trophy presentation

11:48 , Michael Jones

Jonny Bairstow is awarded the England test match Player of the Summer award after scoring 681 runs including four hundreds and a couple of match winning knocks. His broken leg means he isn’t here to collect the award but it’s a fitting tribute to the Yorkshireman who was a crucial part of England’s winning formual.

More specific to this game, Ollie Robinson is awarded the Player of the Match award thanks to his five-wicket haul in the first innings.

England win the three-match series 2-1

11:45 , Michael Jones

(Getty Images)

(PA)

(Action Images via Reuters)

What a summer for England

11:40 , Michael Jones

England win the game by nine wickets and claim the series 2-1.

England win the three-match series 2-1

11:35 , Michael Jones

England win their sixth (out of seven) Test match of the summer – the first time that has happened since 2004.

It is a truly remarkable turnaround after an atrocious winter in Australia and the West Indies.

They have beaten the World Test champions (New Zealand), they’ve beaten India and now they’ve beaten the current leader in the World Test Championship (South Africa).

England win the three-match series 2-1

11:31 , Michael Jones

It was a regulation morning for England, 33 runs to win knocked off inside half an hour in just 5.3 overs. Zak Crawley’s confidence will be boosted by an unbeaten knock of 69 and he was ably supported by Alex Lees 39 and Ollie Pope 11*.

Kagiso Rabada took South Africa’s only wicket of the innings with figures of 1-57.

England win the match by nine wickets to end the test match summer.

England 130-1 (22.3), Pope 11, Crawley 69, Jansen 0-40 (7.3)

11:28 , Michael Jones

England win! Ollie Pope gets off strike and Zak Crawley cuts Jansen away through the offside to collect four and knock off the winning runs.

He finishes unbeaten with 69 and Pope is 11 not out.

England win the three-match series 2-1.

England 125-1 (22), Pope 10, Crawley 65, Jansen 0-35 (7)

11:24 , Michael Jones

Ouch! Ollie Pope tries to reverse ramp Marco Jansen over third man to end the game in style with a six but he gets it all wrong and takes a knock onto the chin.

Luckily it hit Pope’s gloves first which took the sting out of the hit. That delivery was also a no-ball so England need just five.

England 124-1 (22), Pope 10, Crawley 65, Rabada 1-57 (11)

11:22 , Michael Jones

Crawley eases Rabada into the legside and take one to Keshav Maharaj at mid-on. Pope is quick on the pull again and turns a short ball around the corner for three more to race to 10.

The ball continues to do a bit off the pitch but South Africa don’t have the runs on the board to trouble England. Crawley blocks out the next two balls before blasting a square drive through point for four runs!

Rabada overstepped too so England need 6 to win.

England 115-1 (21), Pope 7, Crawley 60, Jansen 0-34 (7)

11:18 , Michael Jones

Pope has started strongly. He gets Jansen away for a couple of runs before hooking the fifth ball of the over to the deep square leg boundary for four more!

England now require 15 to win.

England 109-1 (20), Pope 1, Crawley 60, Rabada 1-48 (10)

11:16 , Michael Jones

Ollie Pope is the new batter and he dances down the track at Kagiso Rabada for his first ball. Pope gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball squirts away for a single.

21 runs to win.

Wicket! Lees 39 (73) lbw b. Rabada, England 108-1 (19.5)

11:14 , Michael Jones

Gone! This is a brilliant review from South Africa as ball-tracking show that the delivery was going to clip the top of leg stump. Alex Lees has to depart.

England 108-0 (19.5), Lees 39, Crawley 60, Rabada 0-47 (9.5)

11:12 , Michael Jones

There’s an appeal from Kagiso Rabada who comes around the wicket and gets one to jag off the pitch into the pads of Alex Lees. On the initial view it looks like the ball might be sneaking down the legside but South Africa are going to review it after the umpire says not out.

England 108-0 (19), Lees 39, Crawley 60, Jansen 0-28 (6)

11:09 , Michael Jones

Lees and Crawley scramble through for a single to end Jansen’s over. England need just 22 more runs to win, Rabada will continue.

England 107-0 (18.3), Lees 39, Crawley 60, Jansen 0-28 (5.3)

11:07 , Michael Jones

Four! Marco Jansen opens up from the other end for South Africa and hits a good length just outside Alex Lees’ off-stump. Lees attempts to punch the ball through the offside on the back foot but gets a heavy outside edge that flies into the slips.

The ball shoots over Keegan Petersen at third slip and runs all the way to the boundary for four.

England 103-0 (18), Lees 35, Crawley 60, Rabada 0-47 (9)

11:05 , Michael Jones

Dropped! Rabada sets Lees up with another wide delivery but just brings his length back a touch. Lees wafts at it and gets a thick edge through to Kyle Verreynne who shifts to his left and spills the catch!

There are three more runs picked up by Lees and Crawley before the end of the over as England continue to motor along.

27 runs required to win.

England 97-0 (17.2), Lees 34, Crawley 58, Rabada 0-44 (8.2)

11:03 , Michael Jones

100 up for England! Zak Crawley takes the first ball and flicks Rabada down to fine leg for a single to get England back up and running today.

The seamer’s next delivery is a half-volley to Alex Lees and he pushes it into the covers for two more runs to bring up England’s hundred.

They need 30 to win.

England 97-0 (17), Lees 32, Crawley 57, Rabada 0-41 (8)

11:01 , Michael Jones

Here we go then. The final day of the test match summer and England need 33 runs to win the three-match series against South Africa.

Alex Lees and Zak Crawley will pick up where they left off. Kagiso Rabada is going to bowl the first over.

Joe Root on enduring qualities of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes

10:59 , Michael Jones

Former England captain, Joe Root, continued his media duties this morning and spoke to BBC Test Match Special about how team mates James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes continue to improve with age.

“The game was in the balance yesterday and it took a wonderful spell of bowling from the two senior lads [James Anderson and Stuart Broad] to really shift the momentum of the game.” he said,

“It is something that would be very easy to take for granted, we see them perform like that regularly, but when you look back in years to come we will recognise they are the two greatest seam bowlers statistically and they showed every bit of that yesterday.

“One of Ben’s [Stokes] great characters as a leader is him showing what it means to perform for his team and for his players. To be able to do that [produce long spells] takes more than skill and fitness, it takes something else, and yet again he put in something very special for us to be in the position we’re in right now.”

England need 33 runs to win

10:50 , Michael Jones

Play is due to start at 11am with England needing just 33 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand.

Zak Crawley is unbeaten on 57 and Alex Lees is on 32. They raced to 97-0 last night in pursuit of 130, so things might be over pretty quickly this morning if they continue that approach.

Having watched England play test cricket this summer it’s very evident that they will definitely continue this approach.

On this day in 2005: England win Ashes for first time since 1987 after Oval draw

10:45 , Michael Jones

England won the Ashes for the first time since 1987 on this day in 2005 after drawing the final Test against Australia at The Oval for a famous 2-1 series victory.

Michael Vaughan’s side produced one of the country’s great sporting moments to end a run of eight Ashes series defeats after seven weeks of thrilling action had gripped the nation.

It was a dramatic conclusion to what is widely regarded as one of the best-ever series between the two arch enemies.

On this day in 2005: England win Ashes for first time since 1987 after Oval draw

James Anderson calls for ‘common sense’ after England made to wait for victory

10:36 , Michael Jones

James Anderson called for more “common sense” from umpires as England were kept waiting for a Test series triumph over South Africa despite needing just 33 runs for victory.

Bad light brought an early end to the penultimate day of the third Test to a smattering of crowd boos and a few disgruntled looks in the home dressing room, with England on 97-0 in pursuit of 130.

Zak Crawley’s classy 57 not out from 44 deliveries, his first half-century in 17 Test innings, looks to have safely negotiated what might have been a tricky target in a low-scoring game while Alex Lees contributed 32 to the unbroken union, drilling the last ball of the day for a boundary.

While Anderson had some sympathy for the officials, who have the ultimate say over the light and set a precedent 24 hours earlier, Anderson told Sky Sports: “In certain situations you do think maybe common sense could come into play.”

James Anderson calls for ‘common sense’ after England made to wait for victory

Root reviews England’s summer

10:28 , Michael Jones

England batter Joe Root came out to speak to Sky Sports before the start of today’s play and explained how things have changed for the team since Ben Stokes took over the captaincy at the start of this summer.

“It’s been incredible, it’s been great fun to be part of, it’s great fun to play the style of cricket that we have and to get back to winning ways as well.” he said,

“To be a part of some brilliant test match wins has been great fun. It’s really nice to see the side flourish and take some big steps forward and hopefully we can take that into the winter and beyond.

“We’re taking 20 wickets regularly, the mindset and shifting how we’ve gone about that has been great. Yesterday for example we had four slips for pretty much the whole game and that sort of attacking mentality, always hunting wickets.

“We’re not afraid to take teams on but there have been times where we’ve had to absorb some pressure. [Ben Stokes] has galvanised the team very well, he’s led in every way possible this summer and I’m really excited for where he can take this team in the coming years.”

England vs South Africa highlights

10:22 , Michael Jones

Day four was another day of barmstorming action with 13 wickets and 270 runs that left England on the brink of victory in the third test of the series against South Africa.

Take a look at the highlights from day four at the Oval.

Zak Crawley finds form to leave England on brink of series victory over South Africa

10:16 , Michael Jones

Zak Crawley ended a disappointing summer with a flourish as England moved to the brink of a Test series victory over South Africa at the Kia Oval.

After 16 innings without a half-century, Crawley’s 57 not out means what might have been a potentially tricky fourth-innings target of 130 in a low-scoring third Test should be safely negotiated on Monday.

England reached 97 without loss – they need just 33 more runs for a 2-1 series win – before bad light brought an early finish 23 minutes before the scheduled 7pm close, prompting some boos in the crowd.

Zak Crawley finds form to leave England on brink of series victory over South Africa

‘We have a lot of learning to do’ says Rabada

10:09 , Michael Jones

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada is excited for the team’s future and believes the young players coming through the ranks will gain a lot of experience from this tour of England.

He spoke on Sunday about how well England have played during this test series and how things might have been different if the Proteas had taken all their chances.

“England came out hard in their second innings, we did create chances. If those chances go to hand it’s a different game.” said the fat bowler.

“This England side have tons of experience. We have a lot of learning to do as a team. I am excited with the prospects our young players have for the future, it’s all a learning curve. “

Crawley comes good

10:01 , Michael Jones

It’s been a tough summer for England’s opening batter Zak Crawley. Despite featuring in a winning England side Crawley’s poor form has been under the spotlight with commentators and fans calling for him to be replaced at the top of the order.

Ben Stokes and Brendan McCullum both emphasised their faith in the 24-year-old and he repaid them on a gloomy Sunday evening yesterday.

With England needing 130 runs to win the series Crawley, and opening partner Alex Lees, got off to a flyer with the Kent man combining pulls and drives to regularly find the boundary.

He finished the day unbeaten with 57 runs off just 44 balls, bringing up his sixth 50 in 28 tests and his first half-century of the summer. Can he finish off the job this morning?

(PA)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

‘This summer has been amazing’ says Anderson

09:54 , Michael Jones

James Anderson spoke to BBC Sport following the day’s play yesterday and touched on England’s turnaround in form this summer following the change in leadership. Ben Stokes took over the captaincy from Joe Root and Brendan McCullum replaced Chris Silverwood as head coach.

The team has won five out of the six test matches they’ve played so far and look set to make it six from seven later today. In contrast before this summer England had won one of their last 17 tests.

Anderson first spoke about Sunday’s action before moving on to what it is like to play with this new attacking mindset introduced by Stokes and McCullum saying:

“We’ve bowled really well throughout the match. We didn’t get our rewards in the first session, but we kept hammering away bowling our best balls.

“This summer has been amazing, I have loved every minute of it. Brendon and Ben have changed the mindset of the group and Test cricket around the world. The coach and captain have been a breath of fresh air and it makes me want to carry on as long as possible.”

England vs South Africa

09:43 , Michael Jones

England are closing in on a series victory against South Africa as the third and final test resumes for day five. Ben Stokes’ men need just 33 more runs to win the match and claim the series 2-1 after two days of exhilarating action at the Oval.

The test was due to start on Thursday with Stokes winning the toss and electing to bowl first only for rain to wash out the entire day’s play. Friday’s play was then cancelled out of respect for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II before the cricket finally started on Saturday morning.

Stokes and England coach Brendan McCullum both promised exciting action before that start of play and they delivered. 17 wickets fell on Saturday as England swept through the South African batting line-up to dismiss the Proteas for just 118 but they floundered in reply and ended the day on 154-7 just 36 runs ahead.

The hosts added just four runs to their overnight tally on Sunday morning before South African had to bat again. Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee put on 58 for the first wicket before Stokes got the breakthrough and turned the momentum back in England’s favour. The four man attack of James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad and Stokes himself were once again too much for the visitors who slumped to 169 all out leaving England needing 130 runs to win the series.

Alex Lees and Zak Crawley had designs on knocking the total off yesterday and came out with an attacking mindset. Despite struggling for runs this summer Crawley blasted his way to 57* off just 44 balls whilst Lees added 32*. England reached 97-0 with 50 minutes of play to go before the umpires decided to take the players off for bad light.

Play picks back up this morning with England needing just 33 more runs to win with all 10-wickets in hand.

BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY! England 97/0 (17.0), Lees 32, Crawley 57 – England need 33 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:39 , Luke Baker

And yep, the umpires have determined that the light is too poor to continue. They took a reading yesterday evening when they came off, which sets the benchmark for the remainder of the Test match. It’s clearly dropped below that now.

England don’t look happy – Ben Stokes looks livid on the balcony but that is likely that for the day…

England 97/0 (17.0), Lees 32, Crawley 57 – England need 33 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:38 , Luke Baker

A Lees single off the first ball of Jansen’s over before Crawley takes one from a pull shot. Nicely-timed by Lees, as he crunches a FOUR through the covers.

Down to 33 required but the light is closing in… Umpires conferring here

England 91/0 (16.0), Lees 27, Crawley 56 – England need 39 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:34 , Luke Baker

DROP! Crawley absolutely catches another whipped shot off his pads into the leg-side, it flies to midwicket where Rickelton does well to get his hands on it but the ball hits the ground. That looks painful. Single taken.

Lees then gets a single before Crawley EDGES another one straight between the wicketkeeper and first slip. They leave it for each other, so it hits the ground and races away for FOUR. Lucky but he probably deserves some luck after the summer he’s had. Just 39 needed now.

England 85/0 (15.0), Lees 26, Crawley 51 – England need 45 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:29 , Luke Baker

An EDGE from Crawley but soft enough hands that it drops well short of the slips and races by them for FOUR runs. No-ball as well. Then another glorious cover drive for FOUR by the Kent man. This is the most convincing he’s looked for a while in England colours.

And from the next ball he brings up his 50! A stunning flick off his legs for FOUR! That’s his first half-century of the summer. Single to finish. The eight-quickest half-century for England in Tests, coming off just 36 balls.

England 71/0 (14.0), Lees 26, Crawley 38 – England need 59 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:23 , Luke Baker

Nortje was pummelled about a bit during his previous over and Crawley starts in similar fashion as he puts the opening delivery through the covers for FOUR. A no-ball as well, so actually it’s FIVE!

Crawley seeing it well out there and only some good fielding prevents another boundary as again he punches hard into the covers. Just a single thanks to the diving stop.

The runs required drop below 60…

England 65/0 (13.0), Lees 26, Crawley 33 – England need 65 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:19 , Luke Baker

The fact we’ve just had drinks shows you how long there should be left in the day but just like yesterday, the light will likely curtail this day.

Crawley pulls superbly through square leg for FOUR runs and it’s the same shot from the following ball but just a single as he finds a man on the boundary this time. England halfway to the target.

50 UP! England 60/0 (12.0), Lees 26, Crawley 28 – England need 70 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:14 , Luke Baker

It hasn’t always been pretty but that’s 50 UP for these two under-fire England openers as FOUR leg-byes come on a deflection past the keeper.

Two off the following ball and then a single to bring Crawley on strike, who crunches a stunning FOUR through the covers. That’s where Crawley is at his best.

Nortje went for 12 off the over in the end thanks to a single off the final ball. That’s also DRINKS!

England 48/0 (11.0), Lees 23, Crawley 23 – England need 82 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:07 , Luke Baker

Rabada still keeping things tight as he forces Lees to fence a couple of deliveries away. A single off the final ball is all England can manage.

England 47/0 (10.0), Lees 22, Crawley 23 – England need 83 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 18:03 , Luke Baker

Anrich Nortje into the attack and Lees welcomes him with a punch into the covers for two. Then a lovely shot from Lees as he angles the ball through the cordon for FOUR. Very clever and the first boundary in a while for this pair. Single off the final ball to finish things off.

England 40/0 (9.0), Lees 15, Crawley 23 – England need 90 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:58 , Luke Baker

It’s still Rabada from this end and he’s pretty tight. A leg bye is the only run and the over ends with a huge swing and miss from Crawley.

England 39/0 (8.0), Lees 15, Crawley 23 – England need 91 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:55 , Luke Baker

Crawley nicely drops one into the covers for a single, that is also a no-ball. Lees then endures a couple of cries of “CATCH IT” when the ball squirts into the air off edges of his bat but they don’t drop within range of fielders. He takes a single to finish the over.

England 36/0 (7.0), Lees 14, Crawley 22 – England need 94 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:52 , Luke Baker

You do wonder how different things would be if Lees had been held in the slips by Jansen off the first ball of the innings…

Again, a first-ball single from Crawley before Lees is watchful for the remainder. The light may stop England reaching the total before the end of the day although it is brighter than yesterday at this time.

England 34/0 (6.0), Lees 14, Crawley 21 – England need 95 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:49 , Luke Baker

Crawley clips the first ball off his legs for a single before Lees sees out the rest of Jansen’s over. Things have settled into more of a traditional Tes match rhythm following that frenetic start to the innings.

England 34/0 (5.0), Lees 14, Crawley 20 – England need 96 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:43 , Luke Baker

A much calmer over as Rabada largely finds his line and length but the England openers take three singles.

England 31/0 (4.0), Lees 13, Crawley 18 – England need 99 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:38 , Luke Baker

Jansen runs in and Lees chips one down the ground for two. He then takes an ungainly swing, a sort of pull that squirts off a top edge, Maharaj going backwards at mid-off and dives for it with one hand but it flies just beyond him and falls safely on the ground! Lees living dangerously…

An inside edge single from Crawley and the target is now into double figures.

England 27/0 (3.0), Lees 10, Crawley 17 – England need 103 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:35 , Luke Baker

Lees clips a single off his pads before Crawley times a stunning shot through the points region for FOUR runs at the top of the bounce. The very next ball, perfect timing again as an on-drive is punched down the ground off the back foot for FOUR more. Maybe Crawley being freed up by attacking this small total?

A couple of singles to finish the over. England 27-0 after three overs! Now just 103 more needed!

England 16/0 (2.0), Lees 8, Crawley 8 – England need 114 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:32 , Luke Baker

Blimey, this is an eventful over!

There is undoubtedly a classy cricketer in Zak Crawley and he shows such infuriating flashes of it among the problems. A gorgeous drive down the ground for FOUR off the first ball of Marco Jansen.

Then it’s a huge RUN-OUT chance! England take the sharpest of singles into the off-side, it’s a direct hit from Rickelton and Lees is in trouble at the striker’s end. Replays show he’s juuuuust in however. Not great bat grounding technique as his bat was well past the line before being grounded but he gets away with it.

Then a big APPEAL for Lees caught in the slips and a REVIEW from South Africa but not even close to hitting the bat, clearly thigh pad. NOT OUT call on the field stands.

Lees then pummels an on-drive down the ground for FOUR before a single to leg from the final ball. Ten runs, a tight run-out call and a review for caught in the slips from that over!

DROP! England 6/0 (1.0), Lees 3, Crawley 3 – England need 124 more to win

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:25 , Luke Baker

WOW – WHAT A START! First ball of the innings, Kagiso Rabada into Alex Lees and it’s DROPPED. Rabada induced the edge from Lees, it went fast to third slip, where Marco Jansen dived to his left but the ball hits his wrists and goes down. Races towards the boundary for three.

South Africa can’t afford to miss chances like that defending such a small total

Later in the over, Zak Crawley gets three of his own as he steers a bouncing ball into the off-side past point. Already six of the 130 runs required on the board…

England vs South Africa

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:15 , Luke Baker

So, England need 130 runs to win this Test match. Will they get that in the next 90 mins or so of play this evening?

Chances are they’ll ask their (out-of-form) top order to throw the bat at it, so could that provide some chances for South Africa? Alex Lees and Zak Crawley will be out at 5.21pm to start the innings.

WICKET! Kyle Verreynne c & b Anderson 12 (36). South Africa 169 all out (56.2).

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:13 , Luke Baker

And that’s that. Jimmy Anderson has a second WICKET as Verreyne top-edges a wild slash straight up in the air and Anderson himself gets under it for the caught & bowled.

South Africa all out for 169 and England need 130 runs to win this Test match and the series. There will be fireworks this evening you’d think!

South Africa 169/9 (56.0), Nortje 0, Verreyne 12 – SA lead by 129 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:10 , Luke Baker

Anrich Nortje the final man in. Broad pumping up the crowd and asking for more noise! Nortje leaves a couple and plays a defensive stroke to see out the remainder of the over.

WICKET! Keshav Maharaj b Broad 18 (24). South Africa 169/9 (55.3).

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:07 , Luke Baker

Another breakthrough for England and it’s a WICKET for Stuart Broad. Outstanding delivery as he gets one to seam and it clips the top of the stumps – clean bowled! Great stuff and South Africa in more trouble

South Africa 168/8 (55.0), Maharaj 18, Verreyne 11 – SA lead by 128 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 17:04 , Luke Baker

Anderson does indeed switch ends and concedes four off the over. A couple of early singles before two off the final ball from Maharaj.

South Africa 164/8 (54.0), Maharaj 15, Verreyne 10 – SA lead by 124 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:58 , Luke Baker

Stuart Broad into the attack and you have to assume a switch of ends for Jimmy Anderson will be upcoming.

Great fielding in the deep from Alex Lees as Maharaj forces one down to fine leg as the England opener slides across to prevent the boundary. Three runs there and four off the over.

South Africa 160/8 (53.0), Maharaj 12, Verreyne 9 – SA lead by 120 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:53 , Luke Baker

Stokes still steaming in, admirable from the England skipper. Forces a Maharaj inside edge from the opening ball of the over but when he drifts down the leg side he’s flicked for FOUR off the hips.

Another full-toss loosener is squirted away for two into the on-side. Stokes looking slightly laboured – maybe time for a change?

South Africa 154/8 (52.0), Maharaj 6, Verreyne 9 – SA lead by 114 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:50 , Luke Baker

Solid from Anderson as he concedes just a single from the over. Can Maharaj and Verreyne produce some heroics to somehow salvage things for South Africa?

South Africa 153/8 (51.0), Maharaj 6, Verreyne 9 – SA lead by 113 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:45 , Luke Baker

Wow, Ben Stokes continuing. He’s only got one knee remember, and I assumed Stuart Broad would be into the attack. Galvanised by that wicket perhaps.

Maharaj crunches a FOUR through extra cover when the England skipper strays too wide and takes a single later in the over

South Africa 148/8 (50.0), Maharaj 1, Verreyne 9 – SA lead by 108 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:42 , Luke Baker

England won’t want to hang about now. Jimmy Anderson into the attack post-tea. Can he get a quick breakthrough? Verreyne slices a single and that means new man Keshav Maharaj is on strike.

APPEAL for lbw from the first delivery he faces but it’s slipping down leg side and the umpire shakes his head. A single follows and Verreyne see out the remainder of the over.

WICKET! Kagiso Rabada c Brook b Stokes 0 (2). South Africa 146/8 (49.0).

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:37 , Luke Baker

And that is some start. A WICKET with the final ball of his spell. Kagiso Rabada on strike, the ball pitches in the footholes, takes an edge and is caught by Harry Brook at slip.

A question whether it’s a bumped ball at the point of contact but replays show it’s clean and that’s brilliant by England!

England vs South Africa

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:35 , Luke Baker

Ok, we’re ready to resume at The Oval. Can England finish off South Africa and take a crack at this score tonight? Two balls of Ben Stoke’s over left to start us off.

TEA! South Africa 146/7 (48.4), Maharaj 0, Verreyne 8 – SA lead by 106 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:16 , Luke Baker

And that’s also TEA! Another good session for England who are in control of this match. A couple more quick wickets after the break and it’s conceivable they could even finish this today.

That might be getting ahead of ourselves but they’re certainly in good shape.

WICKET! Marco Jansen b Stokes 4 (16). South Africa 146/7 (48.4).

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:14 , Luke Baker

Last over before tea and Stokes, despite hobbling about a bit with his knee and looking absolutely knackered, grabs the ball for one final effort.

And it pays dividends as the skipper takes a WICKET! And it’s not a no-ball this time! He bowls a perfect inswinger that nips between bat and pad, smashing into leg stump. Clean bowled – brilliant stuff.

South Africa 146/6 (48.0), Jansen 4, Verreyne 8 – SA lead by 106 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:09 , Luke Baker

This over is another lively one! First ball from Robinson and Verreyne top-edges a pull shot that flies for SIX! I say ‘flies’, it landed directly on the rope and fine leg couldn’t get round to it.

The following delivery goes to one of the close fielders who takes a shy at the stumps and Verreyne has to take evasive action, Matrix-style, to get out of the way of the ball! No damage done and smiles all round.

NOT OUT! South Africa 140/6 (47.0), Jansen 4, Verreyne 2 – SA lead by 100 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:05 , Luke Baker

Oh dear, Ben Stokes… He gets one swinging away from Jansen and he edges to fourth slip where it’s well-taken by Ollie Pope and would be a wicket but Stokes has overstepped for a no-ball… NOT OUT!

Stokes has a well-documented history of taking wickets with no-balls and this is another. He’s starting to look shattered, has he got one more over in him?

South Africa 139/6 (46.0), Jansen 4, Verreyne 2 – SA lead by 99 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 16:01 , Luke Baker

A maiden over for Robinson, who is absolutely nailing his line and length at the moment. Should be time for three more overs before tea.

South Africa 139/6 (45.0), Jansen 4, Verreyne 2 – SA lead by 99 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:57 , Luke Baker

A fairly nondescript over from Stokes although Verreyne flicks a single to leg. South Africa edging closer towards a lead of 100 but you’d think they’ll need considerably more than that.

South Africa 138/6 (44.0), Jansen 4, Verreyne 1 – SA lead by 98 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:51 , Luke Baker

Marco Jansen the next man in and England will have designs on winning this today. Robinson finishes his over, throwing in a no-ball and off the final delivery, a well-timed punch through the covers from Jansen runs away for FOUR.

WATCH: Robinson gets his 50th wicket

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:49 , Luke Baker

Here’s the first of those two quick wickets from Ollie Robinson – his 50th in Test cricket. An inswinger too much for Wiaan Mulder.

WICKET! Khaya Zondo lbw b Robinson 16 (51). South Africa 133/6 (43.3).

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:47 , Luke Baker

What a Test match Ollie Robinson is having! He gets another wickets as one jags back in, Zondo half-plays a shot and it raps the pad. Could be a bit high but up goes the finger! WICKET!

South Africa understandably review and it’s incredibly tight on height but it’s umpire’s call, so the decision stands. Jubilation for England.

South Africa 128/5 (43.0), Zondo 16, Verreyne 0 – SA lead by 88 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:45 , Luke Baker

Kyle Verreyne the next man in for South Africa, although Zondo is on strike. Stokes still proving slightly expensive as Zondo chops one for FOUR through backward point and then smashes another FOUR through long-off. Eight from the over

WICKET! Wiaan Mulder b Robinson 14 (52). South Africa 120/5 (42.0).

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:40 , Luke Baker

Robinson continuing from the other end and with the final ball of the over he gets the breakthrough with a WICKET! It’s his 50th in Test cricket as he gets one to nip back in to Mulder and a cut is under-edged on to the stumps. Clean bowled!

South Africa 118/4 (41.0), Zondo 8, Mulder 12 – SA lead by 78 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:31 , Luke Baker

Some looser deliveries starting to creep in from Stokes and a half-volley down the leg side is flicked for FOUR by Mulder through backward square.

A no-ball and a couple of runs make it a more expensive over but off the penultimate delivery there’s a huge APPEAL for caught behind as Zondo tries to withdraw the bat. Not out says the umpire but England REVIEW and it’s unbelievably tight. Joe Root in particular adamant there was an edge but he just avoids feathering it. No reviews left for England.

South Africa 102/4 (36.0), Zondo 3, Mulder 3 – SA lead by 62 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 15:09 , Jack Rathborn

The Proteas bring up the 100 and are starting to absorb the pressure.

Just six runs between them but Zondo and Mulder have shared 59 deliveries between them.

Now then, Stokes grabs the ball…

South Africa 97/4 (31.0), Zondo 0, Mulder 1 – SA lead by 56 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 14:43 , Jack Rathborn

This is good stuff from Anderson, a leg bye denies him a maiden with the sixth delivery.

South Africa need to reset, the lead is solid for now, they’ll hope to see off this England resurgence.

WICKET! Rickelton 8 (15) lbw b. Anderson, South Africa 98/4 (28.0)

Sunday 11 September 2022 14:32 , Jack Rathborn

Rickelton gone! Nitin Menon gives him lbw to Anderson, he appeals. It’s no good though, he has to walk.

He plays right across the outswinger.

Foakes with plenty of congratulations for the strategy it seems too.

WICKET! Petersen 23 (31) c. Pope b. Anderson, South Africa 91/3 (24.3)

Sunday 11 September 2022 14:17 , Jack Rathborn

WICKET! Petersen angles one to fourth slip, Anderson has his man!

A lovely outswinger and Pope is classy in the slips, getting low to remove him.

The lead is 51 runs.

South Africa 87/2 (22.4), Petersen 19, Rickelton 4 – SA lead by 47 runs

Sunday 11 September 2022 14:00 , Jack Rathborn

Broad is now fifth all-time in the leading Test match wicket takers. A legendary player and career.

WICKET! Elgar 36 (59) LBW b. Broad, South Africa 83/2 (21.4)

Sunday 11 September 2022 13:55 , Jack Rathborn

Broad appeals for LBW on Petersen, Stokes has a thing, but a chuckle and then a spin back to his fielding position removes any drama over an appeal.

There we go… OUT! Broad didn’t have to wait long, that is plum.

McCullum with a big round of applause from the pavillion.

England vs South Africa: Lunch report

Sunday 11 September 2022 13:35 , Jack Rathborn

Left-arm seamer Marco Jansen took a career best 5-35 as South Africa bowled England out for 158 early on day four of the third and final test at The Oval on Sunday, before moving into the lead on 70 for one at lunch in their second innings.

Captain Dean Elgar was 35 not out and Keegan Petersen on seven with the touring side 30 runs ahead having seen off the new ball in difficult batting conditions.

The game has moved forward at pace with 20 wickets falling in four sessions after day one was washed out by rain and the second was cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Both teams’ first innings lasted 36.2 overs as the seamers made hay on a helpful wicket, but England were frustrated in their search for a breakthrough, not helped by wayward lines that gave the visitors regular scoring opportunities.

There is still plenty in the wicket, and Elgar and fellow opener Erwee (26) rode their luck before the latter edged England captain Ben Stokes to Joe Root at first slip with the score on 58.

England had resumed the day on 154 for seven, but lost their last three wickets in 13 minutes for the addition of four runs.

Kagiso Rabada (4-81) had Ollie Robinson (3) caught by Elgar at short mid-off, before Jack Leach played the ball onto his stumps off the speedster.

Jansen wrapped up the innings when he claimed a first five- wicket haul in test cricket when Ben Foakes (14) edged a delivery to Petersen at third slip.

The series is poised at 1-1 after both teams won by an innings inside three days in the two previous games.

(PA)

LUNCH: South Africa 70/1 (19.0), Elgar 35, Petersen 7

Sunday 11 September 2022 13:20 , Jack Rathborn

Elgar and Petersen avoid another breakthrough.

They get to lunch and have a lead of 30 runs.

Advantage Proteas.

WICKET! Erwee 26 (53) c. Root b. Stokes, South Africa 58/1 (15.3)

Sunday 11 September 2022 12:46 , Jack Rathborn

Stokes gets the breakthrough, magic from the captain!

It’s a fuller length and Erwee comes at it and is deceived by the swing.

It’s low, but Root gets low and grasps it, smart catch. The lead is 18 runs.

South Africa 57/0 (14.0), Elgar 30, Erwee 26

Sunday 11 September 2022 12:36 , Jack Rathborn

The lead is up to 17, England having conversations over a new ball?

The Proteas look to have the momentum here.

(Action Images via Reuters)

South Africa 45/0 (11.0), Elgar 25, Erwee 19

Sunday 11 September 2022 12:24 , Jack Rathborn

Erwee sends Broad to the boundary, South Africa lead by five runs.

England bowling a little short and need a change of plan here.

Anderson back on, will Stokes bowl soon? Breakthrough needed to set up a manageable chase.

Elgar caught off guard there, it’s spat up from the wicket and pinged to fourth slip.

South Africa 32/0 (8.0), Elgar 16, Erwee 15

Sunday 11 September 2022 12:06 , Jack Rathborn

Stuart Broad now on for England, who search for a breakthrough, as the lead is about to vanish.

Still up by eight runs, the Proteas have started superbly.

Elgar is digging in, very gritty and the pressure could switch to England if he continues.

South Africa 15/0 (6.0), Elgar 10, Erwee 5

Sunday 11 September 2022 11:57 , Jack Rathborn

Dropped? Length ball and nudged to Anderson, it’s grabbed on the bounce.

A few moans from the Oval crowd.

South Africa 15/0 (5.0), Elgar 10, Erwee 5

Sunday 11 September 2022 11:46 , Jack Rathborn

Robinson thinks he’s got a catch here, Erwee nicks it to fifth slip!

The crowd aren’t sure, but go up with a crackle around the Oval.

The soft signal from Nitin Menon is not out, Chris Gaffaney could overrule but the replay shows a little brush of the turf before Anderson snaffled it.

England vs South Africa

Sunday 11 September 2022 11:25 , Jack Rathborn

(AFP via Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

WICKET! Foakes 14 (35) c. Petersen b. Jansen, England 158 (36.2)

Sunday 11 September 2022 11:20 , Jack Rathborn

Foakes flicks to third slip, Jansen with a beauty, England all out for 158, a lead of 40 runs.

A big applause from the Oval crowd as the players come off the pitch, Jansen has his five-for.

This game is alive!

WICKET! Leach 0 (3) b. Rabada, England 158/9 (35.4)

Sunday 11 September 2022 11:11 , Jack Rathborn

BOWLED HIM!

Leach chops on, Rabada making light work early this morning at the Oval. England nine down…

England 156-8 (35.0), Leach 0, Foakes 13

Sunday 11 September 2022 11:08 , Jack Rathborn

Marco Jansen brings the fire from the Pavilion End.

Jack Leach starts at the non-striker’s end, Foakes fends off three balls before a single, then Leach negotiates a couple without fuss.

WICKET! Robinson 3 (3) c. Elgar b. Rabada, England 155/8 (33.6)

Sunday 11 September 2022 11:04 , Jack Rathborn

Foakes tickles Rabada away for a single, but South Africa start superbly with the next ball.

Robinson, gone! It’s chipped up to cover and caught by Elgar, that’s a poor way to lose your wicket, especially so soon.

England vs South Africa

Sunday 11 September 2022 10:53 , Jack Rathborn

(Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

(Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

(Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

England’s Stuart Broad reacts to Day 3

Sunday 11 September 2022 10:30 , Jack Rathborn

“It was very special looking around the stadium and seeing a lot of faces in here, and it felt right to be in a cricket stadium,” Broad told Test Match Special.

“ It was a really good day, it felt like everyone was showing a lot of respect to the Queen and celebrating her life with playing a sporting game.”

England seam bowler Ollie Robinson reacts to Day 3

Sunday 11 September 2022 10:19 , Jack Rathborn

“It felt like a really special morning to be a part of. To show our respects in the way we did was a huge honour for us. The silence when we walked down the steps was something none of us had ever experienced.

“The message was clear from Ben, to be positive to try to force a result, to play brave cricket. I think we did that today.”

England lead by 36 at end of day three

Saturday 10 September 2022 19:04 , Michael Jones

At the start of the day’s play England captain Ben Stokes promised exciting action as the test match resumed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and he delivered.

After a somber and respectful tribute to the departed monarch, play started with South Africa asked to bat first. England were on top from the get-go and ripped through the top order thanks to an exceptional spell from Ollie Robinson. He ended with five wickets as England dismissed the Proteas for 118.

In reply Ollie Pope scored 67 but wickets continued to fall around him until bad light stopped play just after half past six. England managed to sneak ahead and with Ben Foakes and Robinson at the crease they lead by 36 runs.

17 wickets and close to 300 runs in the day, what will tomorrow bring?

Just us in the morning as England look to press ahead before bowling South Africa out cheaply once more. As Ben Stokes says ‘it’ll be exciting’ at the very least.

South Africa’s bowling figures

Saturday 10 September 2022 18:56 , Michael Jones

Kagiso Rabada 11.4-1-78-2

Marco Jansen 11-2-34-4

Wiaan Mulder 2-0-11-0

Anrich Nortje 9-0-29-1

England batting scorecard

Saturday 10 September 2022 18:54 , Michael Jones

England 154-7, lead by 36

Alex Lees b. Jansen 13(6)

Zak Crawley lbw b. Jansen 5(34)

Ollie Pope c. Verreynne b. Rabada 67(77)

Joe Root c. Petersen b. Jansen 23(25)

Harry Brook c. Rabada b. Jansen 12(20)

Ben Stokes c. Erwee b. Nortje 6(9)

Ben Foakes not out 11(24)

Stuart Broad c. Verreynne b. Rabada 6(11)

Ollie Robinson not out 3(2)

Jack Leach DNB

James Anderson DNB

Stumps: England 154-7, lead by 36

Saturday 10 September 2022 18:49 , Michael Jones

That’s it for the day. The umpires have called stumps on Day 3 with England leading by 36. They had a fantastic morning and early afternoon by skittling South Africa for just 118.

Ben Stokes’ men were well set to take a comprehensive grip on this game but the batting line-up floundered and the lead is only 36.

Ollie Pope scored a more than respectable 67 and Joe Root cameoed with 23 but none of the other batters chipped in with a significant score.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website