South Africa hold nerve to take No. 1
South Africa displaced England at the top of the Test rankings with a 51-run victory in the third Test at Lord's to give them a 2-0 victory in the series
16/08Result
3rd Test, South Africa tour of England at London, Aug 16-20 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
309 & 351 -
![England]( "England")
315 & 294 (82.5 ov)
Player of the Match
16/08Result
3rd Test, South Africa tour of England at London, Aug 16-20 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
309 & 351 -
![England]( "England")
315 & 294 (82.5 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
Strauss has cause for self-reflection
As Andrew Strauss outlined the reasons England had lost the series, it was hard to avoid the conclusion that to some extent he was talking about himself
Eager Philander and lucky Prior
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the fifth day of the third Test at Lord's
Kirsten does it again
After Test and World Cup success with India, Gary Kirsten has now led his native country to No. 1
Strauss wants to map out future
Andrew Strauss has no intentions of marking his 100th Test by resigning from the captaincy after England's 2-0 Test series defeat against South Africa, their heaviest defeat in a home Test series for 11 years.
Smith savours 'wonderful' triumph
Graeme Smith was breathing a sigh of relief after South Africa secured a 51-run victory at Lord's to rise to top the world Test rankings
Smith's South Africa come of age
The growth of Graeme Smith as captain can be seen reflected in his team as South Africa finally ended their wait to be crowned No. 1
Philander stars, Steyn struggles
Stats highlights from a riveting final day at Lord's
Day 4
South Africa close in on No. 1 Test ranking
South Africa pressed for victory in the final Test at Lord's which would seal their No.1 ranking after claiming both England openers on the fourth evening
Another drop from England, another hundred from Amla
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the fourth day of the final Test at Lord's
Amla gesture to SA team ethic
Hashim Amla did a strange thing when he reached his century at Lord's. He dedicated the ton to the team's video analyst, Prassan Agoram, gesturing a TV-set towards the dressing room
England must ask tough questions
The home side can have no arguments that they have been out-played by South Africa and if they have ambitions of reviving their Test fortunes will need to be honest about their problems
Philander and SA creating their own history
On the cusp of claiming the No. 1 Test spot, South Africa have got there by creating moments for themselves
Steely Amla shows substance over style
Hashim Amla is one of the rare stylists left in the game but it was his unwavering determination that brought him a valuable hundred at Lord's
Day 3
Amla remains firm in tight contest
After an unforgiving day of Test cricket the third Test remained finely poised with Hashim Amla unbeaten with a half-century
Jury still out on England
The Lord's Test against South Africa may come to be seen as marking the end of a golden era for England - but the future remains bright
Bairstow credits Lions' part
Jonny Bairstow has credited his experience playing with England Lions as one of the contributory factors in his impressive innings of 95 at Lord's
Short of a milestone and a costly drop
Plays of the Day from the third day of the third Test between England and South Africa at Lord's
Jonny earns his place in folklore
The 95 runs of epic character scored by Jonny Bairstow at Lord's were of immense importance to English cricket
Another big moment for South Africa
Jacques Kallis missed out on a chance to finally make his mark at Lord's as the tourists' No. 1 challenge reached a critical stage
Day 2
Bairstow battles to keep England alive
Jonny Bairstow kept England alive at Lord's after South Africa's pace attack had threatened to overwhelm them
Cook's waft and Prior's dive
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the second day of the third Test at Lord's
Philander shows he can adapt to succeed
After bursting onto the Test scene with wickets galore, Vernon Philander has been made to stay patient for his successes in this series but has proven he is capable of sitting tight
Bairstow vindicates his selection
Having been picked in place of one of England's finest ever batsman, Jonny Bairstow succeeded in the most testing of circumstances
Day 1
England on top despite Duminy rally
England put the brouhaha with Kevin Pietersen behind them, temporarily at least, with the third Test initially taking shape in their favour at Lord's
Kallis' moan, Strauss' wine
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the first day of the third Test at Lord's
Finn shows his heart in full glare
It was a tight call over who would be England's third fast bowler at Lord's. The decision to stick with Steven Finn, despite his Headingley problems, was rewarded
South Africa's depth comes to the rescue
Having been put under pressure for the first time in this series, South Africa were grateful they got their selection right and JP Duminy worked them out of trouble
Fortune finally turns for England
England didn't bowl that much better than at Headingley but they enjoy the rub of the green that eluded them in the second Test
Others
The trundler who grabbed the mace
Few thought Vernon Philander could succeed in England the way he had done at home. But at Lord's, with the No. 1 ranking on the line, he did
'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
A favourite ground for England's batsmen
Kevin Pietersen's absence will be a huge blow, but the rest of England's current batsmen also have superb records at Lord's
South Africa have not set up Pietersen - Smith
Graeme Smith has called suggestions that South Africa leaked details of messages sent by Kevin Pietersen "ridiculous"
South Africa seek to finish the job
ESPNcricinfo previews the third Test between England and South Africa at Lord's