England vs South Africa LIVE: Cricket score and third Test result as England seal series victory

An inspection of the pitch was due to take place at 3.10pm but there has been no word of a start time or whether the inspection took place.

Sky Sports are still showing highlights of previous matches between England and South Africa so it doesn’t look likely that play will start anytime soon.

No play was possible on the opening morning of the decisive third LV= Insurance Test between England and South Africa at the Kia Oval.

With the series deadlocked at 1-1 after innings wins for both sides, there was plenty of anticipation for this match, but overnight rain meant a delayed start before a shower washed out the session.

In-between, Ben Stokes elected to bowl first after winning the toss for the first time in the series, with Harry Brook making his Test debut in place of the injured Jonny Bairstow in England’s only change.

South Africa brought in middle-order batters Ryan Rickelton and Khaya Zondo for the injured Rassie van der Dussen and out-of-form Aiden Markram.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder and left-arm quick Marco Jansen – controversially omitted at Emirates Old Trafford – replaced spinner Simon Harmer and seamer Lungi Ngidi, who was ruled out with a niggle.

The rain has stopped and the covers have come off the pitch. The latest update is that there will be an inspection of the outfield at 3.10pm.

A frustrating start to his England test debut for Yorkshire’s Harry Brook. He was presented with his test cap earlier today by fellow Yorkshireman and former England captain Joe Root.

Brook becomes the 707th man to play test match cricket for England.

Alice Capsey hailed the Hundred for preparing her for the international scene and believes the second edition of the tournament eclipsed the first, as the Oval Invincibles retained their women’s title.

The 18-year-old struck 25 from 17 balls as South Africa international Marizanne Kapp steered the Invincibles to a five-wicket win against Southern Brave in a repeat of last year’s final.

Lord’s was filled with 20,840 fans and though the game itself was low-scoring, Capsey insisted the tournament has been a boost to the women’s game when compared to last year.

“I think it’s got similarities in the sense that I think it’s been amazing for the women’s game,” she told the PA news agency.

Jason Roy has been left out of England’s Twenty20 World Cup squad, paying the price for an extended run of poor form.

Roy has been an integral part of both white-ball sides since England overhauled their approach to limited-overs cricket in 2015 but runs and fluency have been in short supply this year and the 32-year-old has paid with his place.

Having struggled with England throughout the summer Roy endured a miserable time in The Hundred, averaging 8.5 over six innings for Oval Invincibles and making three ducks.

Managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key led the selection process, with head coach Matthew Mott and performance director Mo Bobat also included on the panel.

Ollie Pope is only just shy of being 14 months older than Harry Brook but he is prepared to take on a mentoring role ahead of the latter’s likely England Test debut.

Yorkshire batter Brook, 23, is all but certain to be tasked with replacing the injured Jonny Bairstow on Thursday, when England begin their deciding third Test against South Africa at the Oval.

Pope has made 28 Test appearances since facing India in his 2018 debut, and admitted the pressures of international red-ball cricket can surprise even the most prepared player.

He said: “For someone like Brooky, I know the challenges international cricket can bring.”

Ollie Pope is relishing his new role as England’s number three and believes he has done enough to make it his permanent job.

England’s new-look Test leadership team of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum promoted the 24-year-old to the third spot ahead of the series with New Zealand in June, and Pope announced his arrival with a second Test ton at Trent Bridge.

The Surrey right-hander hopes to replicate his success when the squad begin their deciding contest with South Africa on Thursday, but reckons his probationary period might already be over.

“I’d like to think so,” said Pope. “We don’t talk about those things too much, but the feedback I’ve got has been great and I think the confidence that is given from the top from McCullum and Stokes has been great as well, so hopefully that can keep helping me build into that spot and I’m going into this with a bit of a better mindset.”

In brighter news today is Jos Buttler’s birthday and the England one-day captain turns 32. He’ll be back in action later this month as England head to Pakistan for a T2 series ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia starting in October.

During this rain break, former England captains Andrew Strauss, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton have all been discussing the future of the game in England.

They’ve discussed the domestic schedule, how to adapt County Cricket to better reflect Test Cricket, the financial aspect of growing the game and of course The Hundred.

It’s been a fascinating converstion that outlines the problems the ECB are facing and how devisive some of their decisions have been.

At the very least it will give cricket fans a different viewpoint on The Hundred and why it was created in the first place.