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:
Planned inspection delayed
The planned inspection that was due to take place at 1.30pm will not go ahead as the rain has come again. The covers are back out and there’s no sign of the players.
It’s all very frustrating.
England and South Africa see rain wash out opening session of third Test
No play was possible on the opening morning of the decisive third LV= Insurance Test between England and South Africa at the Kia Oval.
With the series deadlocked at 1-1 after innings wins for both sides, there was plenty of anticipation for this match, but overnight rain meant a delayed start before a shower washed out the session.
In-between, Ben Stokes elected to bowl first after winning the toss for the first time in the series, with Harry Brook making his Test debut in place of the injured Jonny Bairstow in England’s only change.
South Africa brought in middle-order batters Ryan Rickelton and Khaya Zondo for the injured Rassie van der Dussen and out-of-form Aiden Markram.
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder and left-arm quick Marco Jansen – controversially omitted at Emirates Old Trafford – replaced spinner Simon Harmer and seamer Lungi Ngidi, who was ruled out with a niggle.
Rain washes out opening session of third England vs South Africa Test
No play was possible on the opening morning at The Oval
England batter Harry Brook is huge talent but ‘a bit dumb’, says Ben Stokes
England captain Ben Stokes believes Harry Brook is a “huge talent” but was less complimentary about the Test newcomer’s intellect, describing him as “a bit dumb”.
Yorkshire batter Brook is poised to make his red-ball debut in his country’s series decider against South Africa at the Kia Oval after being selected in place of the injured Jonny Bairstow.
The 23-year-old has been patiently awaiting an opportunity all summer and underlined his capabilities last month with a superb knock of 140 for England Lions in a tour game against the Proteas.
Stokes is a big admirer of his Northern Superchargers team-mate’s on-field talents, albeit his overall appraisal was not entirely glowing.
England batter Harry Brook is huge talent but ‘a bit dumb’, says Ben Stokes
The Yorkshire batter is set to make his Test debut in the series decider against South Africa
England stars tipped to join USA’s new ‘go big or go home’ cricket competition
Liam Plunkett believes England’s top stars will find it hard to resist the attraction of the big-money Major League Cricket competition in the United States next summer.
The inaugural 20-over event is set to involve franchises based in six US cities and offer higher salaries than any league in the world with the exception of the IndianPremier League.
Former England pace bowler Plunkett, part of the 2019 World Cup-winning team, is set to play in the competition next June and July and expects many current national team players to be tempted.
“Americans want to watch the best and I think we can attract them,” he told the Daily Mail. “I think they will definitely jump on board when they see how big it is. With how many people love cricket here and the way Americans put on a show, you will get packed-out crowds.”
England stars tipped to join USA’s new ‘go big or go home’ cricket competition
The first competition is slated to start next June
The rain has started again
The momentary delight about a possible start to the game has taken a hit as the rain starts again and the covers are back on. It’s not as heavy as earlier and the inspection is still due to take place at half past.
The rain has stopped
Good news! The rain has stopped at The Oval and the covers are being taken off.
There will be an inspection at 1.30pm to see if play can start. If the ground is dry enough play could get underway around 1.45pm.
Start delayed
It’s been a while since we checked in at The Oval so here goes. It’s dark, it’s wet, it’s gloomy.
There’ll be no play for a while yet.
Ben Stokes and recalled Alex Hales share ‘same goal’ with England
England Test captain Ben Stokes insisted he and the recalled Alex Hales share a dream of winning the T20 World Cup as he dodged a question about their personal relationship.
Hales’ lengthy international exile is over after he replaced the injured Jonny Bairstow in Matthew Mott’s squad for next month’s tournament in Australia.
The Nottinghamshire batter has not represented his country for three and a half years, having been dumped on the eve of the 2019 World Cup following two failed recreational drug tests.
All-rounder Stokes was once close with Hales before that bond deteriorated in the aftermath of a late-night incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017, which led to the former being charged with, and ultimately acquitted of, affray.
Ben Stokes and recalled Alex Hales share ‘same goal’ with England
Hales has been recalled to the England set-up for the first time since 2019
Alex Hales back in England squad for T20 World Cup as Jonny Bairstow replacement
Alex Hales’ long international exile is over after he was called up to replace the injured Jonny Bairstow for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
The 33-year-old Nottinghamshire batter has not represented his country for three-and-a-half years, having been dumped on the eve of the 2019 World Cup in the aftermath of two failed recreational drug tests.
While his official ban only totalled 21 days, in line with England and Wales Cricket Board policy, he was cast out more permanently for what one-day captain Eoin Morgan described as a “complete breakdown in trust”.
Now, with Morgan retired, Bairstow sidelined by a freak leg injury and fellow opener Jason Roy dropped due to lack of form, circumstances have contrived to hand Hales a second chance.
Alex Hales back in England squad for T20 World Cup as Jonny Bairstow replacement
The 33-year-old Nottinghamshire batter has not played for his country since 2019
Early lunch taken
The players are taking an early lunch at 12:30pm. That means as soon as the rain stops and the outfield is cleared of surface water they’ll be ready to start.
The forecast is brighter this afternoon into the evening so we should get some play today.
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