Three-way race for SA batting honours

With just 30 runs separating the top three, there is plenty for South Africa's batsmen to play for going into the fourth and final Test against England this week, even if the series, as a contest, is already over.

There has been a new favourite after each Test so far, and now captain Graeme Smith, who stands on 323, 23 ahead of Ashwell Prince, has assumed favouritism. The skipper is 6/5 to Prince's 2/1, with Neil McKenzie, another seven runs back, a 3/1 chance.

The Oval is usually a great batting pitch, so all three have a chance, while AB De Villiers, who is on 248, is also not out of it, evidenced by bet365's quote of 8/1 on him finishing top of the pile.

Smith missed out when playing at the Oval in 2003 and I still have suspicions that he is more of a bully than a class player. But there is no question he is in form and he will take some stopping if he gets himself in.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jacques Kallis gets a big score at the Oval. He finally looks in form again, and though he has only made 93 runs in the first three Tests, he could excel this week, even if he is too far behind, almost certainly, to get in the mix.

Instead, Prince and McKenzie will push Smith all the way, but it's really anyone's guess who comes out on top. Watch and enjoy.