South Africa tour of England and Ireland, 2003 /

England v South Africa, 5th Test, The Oval, Day 2

Bowling for run-outs

Sep 5, 2003: When Nasser Hussain was captain and his players had an off-day in the field (contrary to rose-tinted opinion, this tended to happen once every other innings), his great lament was that English bowlers lack "mystery"

Tubes, touts and tenements

Sep 5, 2003: It's not often that a glorious summer's day dawns as gloomy as this

England v South Africa, 5th Test, The Oval, Day 2

England fight back

Sep 5, 2003: Regular bulletins from the second day's play in the 5th and final Test at The Oval

Gibbs's power lights up the day

Sep 4, 2003: For the third time in the series, the South Africans spotted a good batting pitch - and for the third time in the series they took full advantage

England v South Africa, 5th Test, The Oval

Gibbs's boundary spree

Sep 4, 2003: Herschelle Gibbs is a rare gem among international openers

A tour book with a difference

Sep 4, 2003: As South Africa got off to a flyer at The Oval thoughts in the press box turned to absent friends

England v South Africa, 5th Test, The Oval, Day 1

Glorious Gibbs gives South Africa control

Sep 3, 2003: An astonishing display of non-stop shotmaking from Herschelle Gibbs blazed South Africa into command against England, on the first day of the fifth npower Test match at The Oval

The Gaffer to the bitter end

Sep 2, 2003: Starched collar to the fore, and never a grass stain in sight, Alec Stewart is not the type of cricketer who wears his heart on his sleeve

'South Africa will win 3-1'

Sep 2, 2003: Allan Donald might no longer be an active Test cricketer, but he will always be a passionate South African

Kirsten postpones retirement

Sep 2, 2003: Gary Kirsten has gone back on his plan to retire from international cricket, and now insists that Thursday's fifth Test against England at The Oval will not be his swansong

Derbyshire v South Africans, Day 3, Derby

Double-century for Kallis

Aug 30, 2003: South Africa warmed up nicely for the series decider against England at The Oval on Thursday, by enjoying much the better of their rain-affected tour match at Derby

England v South Africa, 5th Test, The Oval

Thorpe back at last

Aug 30, 2003: Graham Thorpe has been recalled to the England squad for the fifth npower Test against South Africa, which starts at The Oval on Thursday (Sept 4)

South Africans v Derbyshire, Derby, Day 2

Kallis in control as Havell unsettles South Africa

Aug 29, 2003: A day to remember, an innings to forget: Paul Havell traps Graeme Smith lbw for 9, his first first-class wicket © AFP What should have been a gentle workout for South Africa's top-order batsmen was scuppered by a bowler with just one

England delay squad announcement

Aug 29, 2003: England have delayed naming their squad for the fifth and final npower Test against South Africa at The Oval, after their preparations were hampered by a number of fitness concerns

England v South Africa, 5th Test, The Oval

Expediency is the order of the day

Aug 27, 2003: Marcus Trescothick: time to reassess his opener's role

Vaughan slammed by county chairman

Aug 27, 2003: Michael Vaughan's comments in the aftermath of the Headingley defeat, that the county system was largely to blame for the national side's weaknesses, have been criticised by John Elliott, the chairman of Worcestershire

Vaughan under the cosh

Aug 26, 2003: Needlessly coming off for bad light, their failure to finish off South Africa when they were down, their woeful bowling and careless batting ... the list of England's disasters in the Headingley Test goes on and on

Vaughan hits out at lack of 'mental toughness' in domestic game

Aug 25, 2003: Michael Vaughan has slammed England's domestic structure for consistently failing to produce players "mentally tough enough" for international cricket

Kirsten urged to rethink retirement decision

Aug 25, 2003: Gary Kirsten is being urged to rethink his decision to retire from Test cricket following his Man of the Match-winning performance at Headingley

Vaughan: 'We have to regroup'

Aug 25, 2003: Michael Vaughan : "Over the five days, South Africa were more disciplined and played smarter cricket than we did