ENG vs SA 3rd Test: Preview, Match Details, Spotlight, Key Players, Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

England Celebrating (PC: Twitter)

In all likelihood, when two of the world's giants compete, it turns out to be more than just a battle. The talks never stop, neither the determination to conquer deteriorates. The words hurt more than the deliveries. It is England vs South Africa. Two nations that do not understand the meaning of giving up.

All the pre-series talks have now subsided, and it is now down to the final Test, with the series being levelled after the Three Lions crushed the Proteas in the previous game. Dean Elgar's men defeated the Britishers at the home of cricket, Lord's, in the First Test to prove why the theory of 'Bazball' is irrelevant to them. 

Now, with a break longer than anyone wanted, both sides are back refreshed and will now want to earn the bragging rights to this endless debate. The Oval will witness a historic battle when both these sides clash, looking for final redemption in the third Test.

Match Details

Venue: Kennington Oval, London
Date and Time: September 8, 3.30 PM IST
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV 

Pitch Report

Going back in history, the pitch here has been in favour of the batters, with the first innings score being 361. It has usually been a batting paradise in the first half compared to the second half when things start to shift towards the bowlers a little bit more.

Spotlight: Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes (PC: Twitter)

Four wickets with the ball and 103 runs with the bat, the star performer for England, skipper Ben Stokes was the difference between the two sides in the previous Test. He is the reason for the English team's upliftment in the past four months, not just with his all-round skills but his captaincy decisions as well.

When no one on the side finds it easy, Stokes will put his hand up and conquer the challenge as he always does.

Key Players

• Anrich Nortje has taken nine wickets in the series so far, that too bowling at an uncomfortable pace for the batters.
• Ben Foakes' century knock of 113 not out in the previous match was the key reason for his side's victory.
• Kagiso Rabada, just like his countrymen, has taken nine wickets and is an essential factor for Proteas domination.
• James Anderson took 3/30 in the first and 3/32 in the second innings of the previous Test to prove his worth once again.

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicket-Keeper: Ben Foakes
Batters: Sarel Erwee, Ollie Pope, Keegan Petersen
All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Keshav Maharaj
Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Captain: Ben Stokes
Vice Captain: Anrich Nortje

Also Read: PCA decides to rename Mohali stands after Harbhajan and Yuvraj