England vs South Africa LIVE: Cricket score and third Test result as England seal series victory
England notched the 33 runs they needed to win the game at The Oval and secure a 2-1 series victory over the Proteas
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:
WICKET! Leach 0 (3) b. Rabada, England 158/9 (35.4)
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
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)
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
England’s Stuart Broad reacts to Day 3
“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
“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
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
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
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
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.
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