Make 50 overs special again

Mark Nicholas: Instead of the current cramming of fixtures, short one-day series should be played before the Tests

South Africa set for long spell at No. 1

Harsha Bhogle: But they have to find de Villiers' best position and prepare for life after Kallis

South Africa's bookends rank them up with the best

Ed Smith: They aren't just a decent side who managed to make it to No. 1

South Africa scale the summit

Switch Hit: Can South Africa take their momentum into the World T20? And what next for England?

History done two ways

Diaries: The past smacks you in the face when you're in England; and South Africa make their own history too. By Firdose Moonda

The case for flexibility in the KP saga

Sambit Bal: Unity and stability are overrated, great teams are built around great players

The Philander puzzle

He found overwhelming success in his first seven Tests but is now struggling in England. It's all to do with the nuts and bolts of how he bowls. By Aakash Chopra

Jonny earns his place in folklore

Mark Nicholas: The 95 runs of epic character scored by Jonny Bairstow at Lord's were of immense importance to English cricket

The making of Bairstow?

Two Chucks: Jonny Bairstow does well on a day that is oddly similar to the day before it

England sport a broad grin

Two Chucks: South Africa stumble, then England stumble, and both teams survive the day with only one Petersen

Petersen's rise, and the Lord's jinx

Numbers Game: A look at the rise of a young South African batsman, and the fall of many batting legends at Lord's

'Resolving KP issue more important than Lord's result'

Bowl at Boycs: Geoff Boycott on the decision to drop Pietersen, Strauss' 100th Test, and why Steyn's better than Anderson

'I learned pretty quickly to mix it up'

Ahead of Stuart Broad's 50th Test appearance, and 100th first-class game, he reflects on his career to date

The master of being himself

Andrew Strauss doesn't pose, shout, or try to shove all his players into one mould. Being his own man may just be his greatest virtue. By Ed Smith

KP divisions deepen

Switch Hit: Despite attempts to settle the rift, Pietersen and the ECB have never looked further apart. Will the flawed genius ever play for England again?

KP issue resolved but what about the schedule?

Ian Chappell: England have got their star batsman back for all three formats, but the problem of the overloaded itinerary remains

Once flawless, England now oddly insecure

Mark Nicholas: How hard will it be for them to get the wheels back on, Pietersen and all?

The end for KP?

Switch Hit: Though he has played one of the finest innings of his career, it is Kevin Pietersen's comments that have stolen the limelight

Cakes and ale

There's plenty of both on offer when one is touring England, says Firdose Moonda

Time to end Pietersen standoff

George Dobell: England can live without Pietersen, but there should be no doubt that they will be much diminished if they lose him

More rain on Strauss' parade

Two Chucks: The continued excellence of Aviro Petersen can't be stopped by a dodgy hammy. England have some work to do. Rod Tucker is not mentioned much

'If England bat so poorly again, they'll need eight batsmen'

Geoff Boycott on the home team's Headingley challenge, Kemar Roach, and pitches worldwide

How did England go from great to godawful?

Ed Smith: It's a disease that afflicts all teams these days - of too much cricket and too much travel

Taylor made for England?

Switch Hit: More headaches for Andy Flower as Ravi Bopara pulls out. Plus, is it time for Steven Finn?

Schools give South Africa edge

Higher standards in grassroots cricket, and weather, are vital advantages over England. By Will Hawkes

Strauss needs to get aggressive

Ian Chappell: He cannot wait for South Africa to make mistakes; which is why he should pick the attacking Steven Finn for the next Test

The bearded wonder

Numbers Game: Hashim Amla's Oval heroics took his average beyond 50 for the first time - a club he deserves to be in

James Kirtley's ecstasy and agony

For one Test against South Africa in 2003, he was golden. Then everything went pear-shaped. By Tanya Aldred

The wristy joy of Amla

Mark Nicholas: His batting is cause for celebration and his achievements reflect the cultural richness in South Africa

Why the X-factor matters

Rob Steen: As events at The Oval showed, greatness is the ability to bend and shape events by will, to dictate history rather than be dictated to by it

Supreme South Africa

Switch Hit: We praise a record-breaking South African side headed for the top. Plus, Mark Nicholas' take on the match and our regular county round-up

Speaking gibberish, haunting cathedrals

For a South African journalist in England, there's a lot to see and do that she hasn't before. By Firdose Moonda

Amla prettier than the picture

Two Chucks: South Africa stomp on England, we ask who'll play Ian Bell in a Hollywood movie, and the trials of watching Graeme Smith bat

England v SA, 1st Investec Test, The Oval, 2nd day

South Africa awake to their task

Mark Nicholas: The difference in South Africa's fast bowling Thursday to Friday was startling

A day lost...to Cook and Trott

The Two Chucks: England keep on keeping on, Dale Steyn is NOT injured, and some people want five Tests