Player of the Match
Player of the Match

12.04pm And with that, England line up to receive the series trophy, and the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy, and so ends a remarkable summer of cricket. The Union Flag is at half mast, and the champagne is off the agenda, but it's been - if not vintage Test cricket, then outstandingly sparkling from the first ball against New Zealand at Lord's to the last cover-drive from Zak Crawley. Thanks for joining us, and don't stray too far... the white-ball boys will be popping up in Pakistan before we know it. From Miller, Ashish, Alan, Matt, Valkerie, Vish, Firdose, Binoy, Thilak and the team, thanks and see you next time!

11.55pm England's player of the series is the captain, Ben Stokes

"It's been a great series for us as a team, no real individual stand-out performances, but different people at different times have broken the game open at different times. The conditions we've found on day one, the toss is one you want to win, but you have to execute your plans, and counteract the team that does win it.

On his bowling: "When you've got the bowlers like Jimmy, Broady and Robbo with the skills they possess, it's about managing them, and bringing myself in at an appropriate time when the big lads have done their spells. They've been phenomenal."

On his batting: "You can keep criticising me if we are going to keep winning six out of seven games. For me it's about the clarity of messaging, me and Brendon are delivering the message, we can do only so much. The team and backroom have really bought into this. It's really rare, this game with it being shortened, our main aim was to create a result, and to play in a way that entertains people."

On Crawley, and the young guys: "Important to allow them enough time. The way Popey's come out and played, he's shown what he's capable of playing, and Zak and Leesy, opening the batting in England is very hard. Don't underestimate how they set the tone.

And the old boys: "Phenomenal to have two of the great seam bowlers in your team, two sporting greats, very blessed. They are a huge credit to themselves and this game, and a lot of young players who want to be fast bowlers look up to them."

And on his captaincy: "You mention Joe, he's got to take credit for captaining the side for six years then buying into something different. Everyone has bought into it, I'm really thankful they see the bigger picture of what we want to achieve. A different challenge in Pakistan, more spin to face, but we will go in with a positive mindset, just might have to think differently about the conditions."

11.51pm Here's Dean Elgar: "It's not been great for me in Test matches, but a lot of fond memories (from playing for Surrey) at The Oval. A good first innings helped us at Lord's, first-innings runs are so big in the UK, and we've failed in that department. Tough decision [re selection], it didn't work this game, but lots of eye-opening experiences for those guys. I've got to give our bowlers credit, they ran in and did all that was asked of them, but it all boils down to our batting."

11.43am Here we go with the post-match then. A mention first to the extraordinary circumstances in which the game was played, and now, after medallions for the umpires, the Player of the Summer is confirmed as the absent Jonny Bairstow.

The Player of the Match is Ollie Robinson, for match figures of 7 for 89, including a first (third)-day five-for.

"It's been a really enjoyable comeback for myself and the team. It's nice to get to where I am but I don't feel like the finished article. A tough winter ahead, so I'll keep pushing on. The environment is a great place to thrive under Stokesy and Baz. We're all having a great time out there.

"With Stokesy, you always get complete honesty. This was a helpful surface and the Oval always has a bit of carry."

The South Africa Player of the Series is Kagiso Rabada: "It seemed like every game was decided from the toss. In hindsight, we'll take a lot of learnings out of this, we are a young team, including myself. We'll look to get better. I injured myself in the first T20, but the medical staff were outstanding, and grateful to be able to play some cricket. We have a lot of talented players and the world is our oyster." 11.40am Indeed I will. Hello again, that was short and to the point. The players are making their way down the pavilion steps now, signing autographs along the way, and generally soaking up the plaudits from the free-entry crowd.

Andrew will be back for the presentation.

11.28am It took all of 5.3 overs and 28 minutes for England to wrap up the match and series on the final day. They were given three days to a force a result - as it turns out they needed just two days and a bit. All of 151.3 overs bowled in the Test. The win was set up by the bowlers on the opening day with Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad combining to pick up nine wickets as South Africa were rolled over for 118. England started off their reply well with Ollie Pope recording a classy fifty on home turf. But a lower order collapse meant their lead was restricted to a mere 40. The bowlers then, like they have all summer, put on another solid show with all of James Anderson, Broad, Robinson and Ben Stokes chipping in to bundle South Africa out for 169. Crawley and Lees then went about the 130-run chase with some intent. Crawley, in particular, was quick to latch on to anything mildly loose. England did lose Lees in the morning but Crawley and Pope provided the finishing touches. Crawley finishes on 69 off 57 balls. Enough to keep his place at the top of the order? The jury is still out on that.

David: "Looks like Crawley has booked a tour spot. A cheap dismissal yesterday might have been curtains for him. "

Mike O: "150 odd overs in a Test. A 5 session game basically. Doesn't point toward a high quality pitch or good batting. Actually, it was just the batting in the main."

Tim: "Aussie fan here, but credit to England today and this summer. Pakistan will be a different challenge tho. Whenever England's batters have had to knuckle down, they've been blown away instead. They'll have to moderate or lose 3-0 to Pakistan away from home. Those Tests will defining to see if the Bazball method really can keep working"

22.3
4
Jansen to Crawley, FOUR, That's all folks! England end a truly memorable Test summer with a 2-1 series win. Back of a length outside off, he punches it through the covers, a fist pump follows and then embraces Pope. Root is all smiles in the dressing room, so is Stokes. England win by nine wickets.
22.2
0
Jansen to Crawley, no run, Back of a length but sliding down leg. The keeper goes to his right to collect

Just four away now, England

22.1
1
Jansen to Pope, 1 run, Banged in short, he gets across and pulls it down to fine leg
22.1
1nb
Jansen to Pope, 1 no ball, Oh, dear, he goes for the reverse scoop now and is pinned on the helmet. Stokes sees the funny side of it in the dressing room. Not sure Jansen does. Length on off, he brings out the reverse, but the extra bounce does him in. Hits him around the wrist with the ball thudding into the helmet. The physio comes out and concussion protocols will follow. He's okay to continue.

END OF OVER:
22 | 9 Runs | ENG: 124/1

  • Zak Crawley65 (55b)
  • Ollie Pope10 (8b)
  • Kagiso Rabada11-1-57-1
  • Marco Jansen7-0-34-0
21.6
0
Rabada to Crawley, no run, On a length outside off, he shoulders arms
21.6
5nb
Rabada to Crawley, (no ball) FOUR, Thrashed away by Crawley! Width outside off, Crawley is all over as he throws his hands at it and sends it soaring to the vacant deep point fence. Rabada has over-stepped too
21.5
0
Rabada to Crawley, no run, Just a hint of shape away from Crawly, who opens the face of his bat but finds point
21.4
0
Rabada to Crawley, no run, Length on off, defended solidly with a straight bat
21.3
3
Rabada to Pope, 3 runs, Banged in short around off, and Pope once again gets on the pull quickly and sends it to the square leg fence. The fielder running from fine leg does well though with a dive to save a run
21.2
1
Rabada to Crawley, 1 run, Length on off, he clips it wide of mid-on
21.1
0
Rabada to Crawley, no run, Ah, gets some good bounce there. Short of a length outside off, leaves Crawley at the last moment, who to his credit, gets his bat out of the line.

END OF OVER:
21 | 6 Runs | ENG: 115/1

  • Ollie Pope7 (7b)
  • Zak Crawley60 (49b)
  • Marco Jansen7-0-34-0
  • Kagiso Rabada10-1-48-1
20.6
0
Jansen to Pope, no run, On a length on off, he shuffles across and whips but straight to square leg
20.5
4
Jansen to Pope, FOUR, Tries the bouncer now, but Pope is upto the task as he gets into position and pulls it effortlessly to the backward square leg fence
20.4
0
Jansen to Pope, no run, On a good length now outside off, he gets back and across and taps to point
20.3
0
Jansen to Pope, no run, Length outside off, defended watchfully back to the bowler