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England vs South Africa, 3rd Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: South Africa tour of England, 2017 Venue: Kennington Oval, London Date & Time: Jul 27-Jul 3111:00 AM LOCAL
Dean Elgar completed his 8th Test century even as Bavuma and Philander fell.
Dean Elgar completed his 8th Test century even as Bavuma and Philander fell. © Getty

A debut to remember for Roland-Jones and Tom Westley. The former got a five-fer on debut - cleaning up the top four of South Africa to trigger a dramatic collapse. Westley, in the second innings, completed the job and notched up a maiden fifty to add to England's dominance.

Ben Stokes is the Man of the Match for his century in first innings and a total of three wickets.


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Build-up: South Africa fight for survival

Hello and welcome to our Live Coverage of the fifth and final day's play of the third Test between England and South Africa at The Oval.

South Africa finished the fourth day on 117 for four, and will need to bat out 98 overs on Day 5 if they are to avoid defeat and head to the final Test in Manchester with the series still level at one apiece. While their prospects of holding out would appear to be slim - particularly given their batting in the Test match so far - their previous accomplishments serve as a reason to be hopeful.

In 2012 South Africa went into the final day of a Test match against Australia with six wickets in hand and saved the game. They went on to repeat the feat against India at the Wanderers the next year, when they had eight wickets in hand after day four, and Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2014, when they had nine. Can they pull off something similar against England?

With the weather forecast not predicting any rain, South Africa have their work cut out to prevent England from taking a 2-1 lead in the four-match series. We'll wait and see how they go about that task, especially with the last-remaining front-line batsmen - Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma - at the crease. They have managed to bat for more than 20 overs for their half-century stand and South Africa will be hoping that their defiance continues.

England, meanwhile, will be hoping to extend their dominance. While debutant Toby-Ronald Jones was the wrecker-in-chief in the first innings, Ben Stokes's all-round show, which included two key wickets of Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis off consecutive deliveries, has evoked memories of another all-rounder who hailed from the north of England. "When Stokesy gets that momentum it's great to see. He's a player who goes with the momentum of the game," said Stuart Broad at the end of Day 4.

The momentum definitely is with England despite the fighting fifth-wicket partnership. For them, it's only a matter of time before they hammer the nails in the coffin. But South Africa will look to fight till their last breath, with their previous survival acts testimony to the fact that they are capable of miracles.

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