27/07Result
3rd Test, South Africa tour of England at London, Jul 27-31 2017
England won by 239 runs
Player of the Match
Ben Stokes
Ben StokesEngland
27/07Result
3rd Test, South Africa tour of England at London, Jul 27-31 2017
England won by 239 runs
Player of the Match
Ben Stokes
Ben StokesEngland

Day 5

Report
1864dThe Report by David Hopps

Moeen hat-trick seals crushing England win

The 100th Test match at The Oval concluded with a wonderful piece of theatre when Moeen Ali completed England's victory in the third Test against South Africa with a hat-trick

2454dJarrod Kimber at The Oval

South Africa's catalogue of errors

Faf du Plessis' deja vu dismissal padding up was the lowlight of a mistake-riddled performance from South Africa

1864dFirdose Moonda at The Oval

'You have to take the blows' - Elgar

Dean Elgar said he enjoyed the challenge of being under attack and playing in front of a hostile crowd after his hundred in defeat at The Oval

Day 4

Report
1864dThe Report by David Hopps

Elgar shows resolves as England eye series lead

Dean Elgar's unbeaten 72 helped lift South Africa from 52 for 4 but they had plenty of work to do to save the game on the final day after England set them 492 or four sessions to bat

1864dFirdose Moonda at The Oval

SA need to scratch their opener itch

Stephen Cook was discarded and Heino Kuhn has struggled to make the step up, while a younger option in Aiden Markram awaits his chance

Day 3

1864dFirdose Moonda

Being Temba Bavuma

He has become adept at rescue acts but Temba Bavuma is still looking to solidify his place in South Africa's Test side

Day 2

1864dFirdose Moonda at The Oval

Philander to remain in hospital overnight

Philander was only able to bowl five overs on the second day at The Oval and was later sent for tests which revealed a possible viral infection

Day 1

1864dFirdose Moonda at The Oval

Philander leaves England feeling queasy

Vernon Philander became ill shortly before the start of the Test but it did not stop him producing three high-class spells of seam bowling

1864dGeorge Dobell at Kia Oval

Cook's openness a lesson for England

Alastair Cook has benefited greatly from the advice of Gary Palmer - is it time for the ECB to change its stance on using him as a batting coach?

Others

1864dGeorge Dobell

England sending out confused messages

Despite the ability to pull off impressive victories, England have made little overall progress as a Test side in the last two years

1864dGeorge Dobell

Meet England's new boys

England will certainly have two debutants at The Oval and could play a third in Dawid Malan. Where have they come from and why have they been selected?

1864dESPNcricinfo staff

Wood out, Roland-Jones to make Test debut

Toby Roland-Jones, the Middlesex seamer, will make his Test debut against South Africa at The Oval after Mark Wood was ruled out with the heel soreness he picked up at Trent Bridge

Mr Consistent

5

Test centuries in the last six series that Elgar has played. He scored centuries against Eng and SL at home and against Aus, NZ and Eng away.

Opening failure

12.91

South Africa's average first-wicket stand in the last 12 Test innings, since the start of the series in New Zealand. Their highest opening stand during this period is 21

Uphill for South Africa

1947

The only time South Africa have batted 100+ overs in the fourth innings in England - they faced 141 overs and drew the game at The Oval in 1947

Root's run-fest continues

9

Consecutive Tests in which Root has made a 50-plus score. Only seven batsmen have had a longer stretch: Tendulkar, Edrich (10 each), Mominul, Sehwag, Gambhir, Richards (11 each), and de Villiers (12)

Debut half-century at No. 3

10

England batsmen who've made 50+ on Test debut at No. 3, like Tom Westley has in this Test. The previous one was Owais Shah (88 & 38) v India in 2006

Morkel's Bunny

11

Number of times Morne Morkel has dismissed Alastair Cook in Tests - Most he has been dismissed by any bowler. This was also the first time Cook got bowled by Morkel.

Dream Debut

2009

Last instance of a fast bowler from Eng to take a 5 wicket haul on debut.Graham Onions took 5 for 38 against WI at Lords.Toby Roland Jones took 5 for 57.

Stokes vs SA

2

Number of centuries for Ben Stokes against South Africa. He has an average of 49.83 from 12 innings against them.

New Ball delivers

23

Runs made by England in 11 overs since the new ball was taken.England lost 2 wickets in this period. They made 44 runs for no wicket in the 10 overs prior to the new ball

Time for a change?

6

Number of single digit scores from 8 innings for Keaton Jennings since his century on debut. He averages 12.37 and has three ducks.

Three Debutants

2014

Last instance of England playing 3 debutants in a Test. Sam Robson, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan played their first game against SL at Lords.