Smith wins series for South Africa

At one stage on Saturday afternoon, England looked favourites to win the third Test and get themselves back on terms in the series. But Graeme Smith's superb unbeaten century ensured that South Africa moved 2-0 up with just one match to play, leaving England with plenty of questions and a few decisions to make.

At 111-4, chasing 281 on a ground where no side had reached more than 208 to win a Test before, South Africa looked there for the taking.

But Smith and AB De Villiers steadied the ship and then Mark Boucher joined in the fun to see the tourists home and clinch their first series triumph over England in this country.

The home side will now have to look at the make-up of their side while Michael Vaughan stepped down from the captaincy on Sunday and will not play at the Oval as he takes a couple of weeks away from the game. He was a decent captain and was respected by his players, but he is not making runs and his place in the side was under serious threat so perhaps this will allow England to start afresh.

First, England will hope to salvage some pride by winning the fourth Test, starting at the Oval on Thursday. On a ground where results are hard to come by, the draw is favourite at 5/4, with South Africa 6/4 and bet365 making England as big as 3/1.