ENG vs SA 3rd Test: What to expect, Key Players, Injury Updates

England thrashed South Africa in the second test to level the series 1-1 (PC: Twitter)

England and South Africa will vie for the series triumph when they take on each other in the third and final Test at the Kennington Oval on Thursday, September 8. 

The visitors furnished a spectacular bowling performance in the opening Test, skittling England out for a mere 149 to win it by an innings and 12 runs inside three days at Lord's to go 1-0 up in the series. 

The three Lions, however after being corralled into a corner, roared back in a style and avenged the Lord's Test loss by finishing up the second match inside three days to level the series 1-1.

The Ben Stokes-led England turned the table with an exceptional all-around effort at Old Trafford and swatted aside South Africa by an innings and 85 runs.

The age-defying pacer James Anderson and seamer Ollie Robinson took the Proteas batting unit down to their knees and bundled them out for 179 to stay in the competition alive.   

All in all, the England vs South Africa cricketing action is all set for a thrilling climax as both teams will step into the Kennington Oval aiming for the series win.  

Injury Update

• England's star wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow has been ruled out of the final Test after sustaining a lower limb injury in a freak accident whilst playing golf.
• South Africa's middle-order batter Rassie van der Dussen was also ruled out of the third and final Test with a fracture to his left index finger.  

Key Players 

• Ben Stokes: The English skipper currently leads the batting chart in the series with 144 runs from three innings. He also has got seven wickets under his belt. He will hold the key to England's success in the final Test.
• Kagiso Rabada: He was at his lethal best in the Lord's Test where he ran through the English batting lineup, picking up a total of seven wickets in two innings, including a five-wicket haul. He could only pick up two wickets in the second Test and must be looking to make an impact in the third and final Test. 
• Anrich Nortje: He is currently the joint second highest wicket-taker in the series alongside his partner-in-crime Kagiso Rabada. He has picked up nine wickets in two matches. 
• James Anderson: England's evergreen fast bowler has scalped seven wickets so far in the series and he will once again be the man to have an eye on in the final Test. 

ALSO READ: Mohammed Shami backs Arshdeep Singh amidst online trolling