BBC Sportcricket

Graeme Smith hit a magnificent unbeaten century as South Africa won the third Test comprehensively and claimed a first series win in England since 1965.

After beginning day four at Edgbaston on 297-6, England were bowled out for 363, setting the tourists 281 to win.

Andrew Flintoff, Monty Panesar and James Anderson then all struck as South Africa collapsed from 65-0 to 111-4.

But Smith (154no) and Mark Boucher (45no) batted with great composure to hand their side a five-wicket triumph.

By Mark Mitchener

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606

1936: Having brought you a selection of reaction from both sides (players and fans), I'll let you carry on the debate - thanks for sticking with us throughout the Test, and I'll see you back here on Thursday for the fourth Test. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel. Thanks again for your e-mails and texts, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

"When we went four wickets down the pressure was really on, but we just took it step by step - I just kept halving the score and thinking 'if I get half, someone else will get the rest'. That's got to be one of my best ever innings"
South Africa captain Graeme Smith - unsurprisingly handed the man-of-the-match award

"I've already renamed the 'refresh' button the 'depress' button, but thanks for the entertaining commentary anyway"
Booker in Sandwich, Kent, in the TMS inbox

"I'm sick to death of English cricket fans trying to portray the South African side as being average. We're clearly better than average given how we've beaten you comprehensively in this series with the bat, the ball and out in the field. We've just beaten India by an innings in India. You're getting beaten by a decent side and no amount of excuses on your part can change that glaring fact"
Marc Kets in the TMS in-boks

"That's a huge blow, after we had them 93-4 - but that's the best knock I've ever seen played against us. Over the series, it's clear they've been the better team, our batting hasn't been good as a unit. We really should have got more than 231 in the first innings."
England captain Michael Vaughan on TMS

"Could be time for Vaughan to change that 'lucky' hat"
Sam in the TMS inbox

SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 5 WICKETS AND WIN SERIES (LEAD 2-0 WITH ONE TO PLAY)

1917 - SA 283-5 (80 overs)
A cheeky thought - will England take the new ball if SA don't do it this over? Smith clearly doesn't want to get out to KP, but he smashes the last ball to the mid-wicket boundary to complete a memorable victory. Well done them.

1915 - SA 279-5 (79 overs)
Boucher facing - will he go for glory or allow his captain to do so? He dabs a single to mid-on. Smith has batted magnificently today, but he's struck on the pad going for a heave-ho to the vacant leg-side boundary. Incredibly, he's hit on the pad again and Monty appeals for lbw but they run through for a leg bye. The entire SA squad are now on the boundary edge, ready to celebrate a series win.

1913 - SA 277-5 (78 overs)
With 10 needed, Vaughan appears to have thrown in the towel as he throws the ball to KP again. After a bye rotates the strike, Boucher flays some buffet bowling through the covers for four. A single concludes the over - four needed now.

1906 - SA 268-5 (76 overs)
With 24 needed (could even Jack Bauer save England now?), South Africa can easily win this tonight - should they wish to (if not hampered by bad light, which could still be a factor). But it's business as usual as the batsmen exchange singles and Vaughan at mid-on half-heartedly dives over the ball, which goes for four. Flnitoff raises his eyes to the heavens while muttering a curse or two. Aggers has seen some umbrellas being raised, but it makes no difference to Smith as he flays Freddie through mid-wicket for four and then pinches the strike.

SOUTH AFRICA CLAIM EXTRA HALF-HOUR

1901 - SA 257-5 (75 overs)
Monty is still wheeling away, but to no avail as the Proteas pair continue to milk him for easy singles. Boucher works a two to mid-wicket, and the devious Bill Frindall ponders putting the light on in the TMS box (which is quite near to that troublesome sightscreen) to see if it makes any difference to the batsmen's sightlines.

"One of the benefits of living in Canada is that we don't have to watch this sorry bunch of 'English' cricketers continue to lose to average sides. Unfortunately, occasional visits to England always seem to coincide with the latest debacle and one is forced to endure the agony of watching it unfold. Although, had Smith been given out on one of the three occasions that merited such a decision, might we be in a different position?"
Deryk (currently in Warwickshire) in the TMS inbox

1857 - SA 253-5 (74 overs)
We're getting close to the time when either side can claim the extra half-hour if they believe the game can be finished tonight - and South Africa must be nearing that stage, as Boucher and Smith continue to take singles at will, even off Flintoff. "Flintoff, something magic, please", begs Alec Stewart. But he concedes another easy two - just 28 needed now.

"I can see why people are bashing Vaughan for his batting but the wheels have always come off in the field when he hasn't been there, so he should retain his place at least for the rest of this series"
Tom, London, in the TMS inbox

1853 - SA 248-5 (73 overs)
Smith clubs Monty for a three through the covers, although the tumbling Sidey prevents a boundary. Another single from Boucher, and England look like they've had their dinner money pinched (and it's Friday, so it's fish and chip day).

1850 - SA 244-5 (72 overs)
Flintoff returns - can the magic man work the oracle for England? They desperately need a wicket here to expose the tail. But Smith steers another single, then Boucher straight-drives the big man for four.

"Don't sell yourself short Mitch. Your silvery commentary is a lot better than I remember your batting, bowling or fielding to be"
Ian Hird (a former captain of our cricket team) in the TMS inbox
[You clearly weren't around for the live text on day three of the first Test, when I mentioned how I had taken a superb catch which necessitated a precautionary X-ray on my battered fingers! MM]

1845 - SA 239-5 (71 overs)
Boucher punches a poor ball from Monty through mid-wicket for four. With the Montster bowling over the wicket, Boucher is happy to pad up to anything outside leg stump, without any fear of being out lbw.

1842 - SA 235-5 (70 overs)
Smith grinds his way to 129 with a single to mid-off, then a sparkling square-drive from Boucher brings four, then a well-run two brings the target under 50. He guides another two to the Montster at fine leg - Alec thinks Jimmy is bowling far too short. Bouch keeps the strike with a single.

1838 - SA 225-5 (69 overs)
More checking of light-meters as Monty replaces KP. Smith isn't happy about his opposite number moving the field as Monty runs in, and he pulls away. Three easy singles ensue, just 56 needed now. Alec Stewart on TMS is hoping a dark cloud can appear and get the players off.

"Whatever the outcome, this has been a wonderful Test match to 'watch' thanks to the BBC text commentary. Many thanks to all commentators! My finger's still glued to the refresh button"
Charles, Cape Town, in the TMS in-boks
[I'm sure the Dirs deserves the majority of your thanks, having done the first three days - MM]

1834 - SA 222-5 (68 overs)
More rotation as Anderson replaces Sidey. Smith on-drives and they run two to Pietersen (sent out to deep mid-wicket in disgrace after that last over of bowling?). Another punishing straight-drive brings Smith four, before he runs a single to third man.

"I can't help thinking that Boucher, with that irritating Ian Healy-style knack of being able to hang around, is the prize wicket here. I 'YouTubed' him earlier and unsurprisingly, the majority of the search results relate to video clips of his excellent sledging capabilities. Step forward, Sir Fred, with another sledging classic... would a one-liner to beat 'mind the windows, Tino' unsettle the Boucherian one and lead to victory?"
Christian Reilly in the TMS inbox

1829 - SA 215-5 (67 overs)
Davis has another shuftie at his gadget. KP to continue, but Boucher turns him to fine leg for a trotted single, while Smith paddle-sweeps him for another. Boucher tips-and-runs a single to mid-off, and Smith is taking singles at will now. KP then spins a wild one in down the leg side which disappears for four byes, and I think that'll be the last we see of him.

"I'm all for a clear-out but Moores should be the first to go. England have gone backwards fast in the last two years under his 'leadership'. Get Tom Moody in asap"
Vish (in Leeds) in the TMS inbox

1825 - SA 207-5 (66 overs)
Umpire Steve Davis has a crafty look at his light-meter between overs. Smith leg-glances Sidey for four, then turns a single to deep mid-wicket. More frustration for Sidey as Boucher gets an inside edge away for a single. This stand is now worth 36.

"This really is nail-biting stuff - not quite the same 'watching' it via text though! Smith is doing what a captain should do, standing up when it really matters and seemingly guiding his team to victory, M Vaughan please take note while you're off the field!"
TP in Carlisle in the TMS inbox

1821 - SA 201-5 (65 overs)
An interesting change of bowling - Panesar off and Pietersen on! KP gets a bit of turn against his old rival Smith, who nevertheless nurdles him away for a single. A Boucher singleton brings up SA's 200 while a number of stewards wade into the crowd to deal with a large group of people dressed as Amy Winehouse. Smith pinches the strike again.

"It's always cruel watching England. They always surprise you and you think they can snatch an unlikely victory but then they always fall short. Since the last Test is a dead rubber, I would like to see Broad back for Monty (sorry - I don't think he offers enough). Shah and Joyce should be given a chance - Vaughan has to go. Make Colly captain. Drop Bell who is infuriating"
David Brennan in the TMS inbox

1817 - SA 198-5 (64 overs)
Vaughan continues to rotate his seamers at the Pavilion End, replacing Flintoff with Sidebottom. The Barmy Army trumpeter starts up with the "Rocky" theme, but England are looking a bit punch-drunk at the moment, as if they've gone a few rounds with Apollo Creed, B.A. Baracus and that Russian bloke. Just a single to Smith from the over.

"Re: Thunderbirds. They probably don't work week-ends - they are, after all, on a shoestring budget... and a handstring budget, and a kneestring budget, and a middleofthebackstring budget"
Brian F in the TMS inbox

1812 - SA 197-5 (63 overs)
Boucher sweeps Monty, but it hits his pad and balloons it into the air. He then gets an edge which just evades Colly at slip - can Vaughan stop it reaching the boundary? He slides to flick the ball back as they run three. Smith hoists one towards mid-wicket where a smart Anderson stop restricts them to one. 84 more needed.

"Our Ashes success in 2005 was due to a bowling attack that carried a constant threat. Harmison and Flintoff were the spearhead of aggression, Hoggard provided the nagging consistency and Simon Jones was the icing on the cake with his reverse swing. A fit-again Simon Jones has to be a potential pick for the final Test if we can level the series in this one..."
Lea Holmes in the TMS inbox

1808 - SA 193-5 (62 overs)
Another fluent stroke from Smith as he opens the face and runs Flintoff down through the vacant third man area for four. Flintoff, bowling his 47th over of the match, will go round the wicket. Smith's response is the same, although this time he can only find a single to Sidey at deep backward point. Boucher punches a single to mid-off.

"The idea that Thunderbirds don't work weekends [1730] is ridiculous. They clearly rescue those in distress whenever and wherever. Although I'm not sure that being not very good [at cricket] qualifies!"
Helen, Eastbourne, in the TMS inbox

1803 - SA 187-5 (61 overs)
Smith on-drives Monty for a quick single. There may be a problem with the contrast on my telly, as I thought for a moment that Boucher was wearing eyeliner. A rapid over from Monty, just that one run yielded. 94 more needed.

"Just finishing off stitching and sobering up the night's injured drunks in a New Zealand A&E department and can settle in to read the commentary on England's great victory with any luck"
Luke Bradford, Tauranga, NZ, in the TMS inbox

1801 - SA 186-5 (60 overs)
After a brief interruption by the ground staff (armed with spade and hoe, they have a go at the bowler's footmarks I mentioned earlier), the increasingly confident Boucher pulls Flintoff to long leg for four.

"Viewers in South Africa will be puzzled by ABDV's disappearance. The whole over was blacked out by advertising! Wish I still paid the BBC licence fee!"
James Fern in the TMS in-boks

1756 - SA 182-5 (59 overs)
Panesar curiously sends down a couple of no-balls - bowling wide of the crease (over the wicket) to Smith, his back foot cuts the return crease a couple of times. The batsmen plunder a single apiece, and now need fewer than 100 runs to win. And if you want to learn more about Mark Ramprakash, his hundred hundreds (and whether he will be the last man to reach the landmark), I can recommend a feature and photo gallery on the BBC Sport website.
FEATURE: Mark Ramprakash - the last centurion?
Mark Ramprakash's career in pictures

1751 - SA 178-5 (58 overs)
Fourth umpire Rob Bailey comes out with a selection of replacement balls. The current one looks very battered ("like the tennis ball you throw to the dog in the garden", says Aggers on TMS) and umpire Dar writes something on it with a ballpoint pen. Bailey returns with some more balls, Dar finds one he likes and gives it to Vaughan (who is back on). He bowls it to Smith (so he can have a look, as he's entitled to), who lobs it back. The ball is then given to Anderson to shine and to Flintoff to bowl with - but the delay continues (Blowers calls it "ballsmanship") as Smith then calls for a replacement glove. After a seven-minute delay, Flintoff indeed takes the "new" (old) ball, replacing Sidey at the Pavilion End. Not much sign of swing (reverse or orthodox) as Boucher shoulders arms, while Fred and Jimmy both have a go at scuffing the bowler's footmarks. Lips pursed, Boucher sees off the rest of the over as he digs out a yorker. And after all that fuss, we have a maiden over!

1738 - SA 176-5 (56 overs)
This has been a real captain's innings from Smith, who steers another single past point to take him to 99. Boucher tries to reach at a wide one but doesn't make contact. The Tinkerman shuffles his field for the umpteenth time today, and Boucher is finally off the mark when he forces a two to leg.

1733 - SA 173-5 (55 overs)
Will Monty's tail be up after that wicket? Blowers on TMS sounds like he's in need of some Lemsip. Smith, on 97, steers him through the covers but they can only run one. A better over from the Montster.

1730 - SA 172-5 (54 overs)
Smith steers Sidey for a single to the mid-wicket boundary. He has two slips and a gully in for Boucher, and Sidey will come around the wicket. But Boucher looks secure at this early stage.

"Mitchener. Riddle me this. Why do we always seem to lack that killer instinct to finish off teams? Are we just being too politely British? Also, is it too late to ask International Rescue to intervene?
Sadie, Kingston, in the TMS inbox
[If you mean Thunderbirds, I don't know if they work weekends - MM]

1725 - SA 171-5 (53 overs)
Four men around the bat for new batsman Mark Boucher - who, with respect to Messrs Morkel, Harris, Nel and Ntini, is the last of the recognised batsmen. He sees off the rest of the over.

1720 - SA 169-4 (52 overs)
The umps examine the ball at length, but eventually give it back to Vaughan - who makes a bowling change and brings Sidey back in place of Jimmy. A single takes Smith to 95 - no "trying to hit a six while on 94" tactics like KP and Colly did yesterday. ABDV continues his good supporting role with another single, and Sidey really seems to be down on his usual pace.

"Watching in Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg is more than a little frustrating as the South Africans keep checking the Kaiser Chiefs football score"
James Fern in the TMS inbox

1715 - SA 167-4 (51 overs)
Suddenly, SA seem to be inexorably heading towards their target. The ones and twos continue to flow off Monty, and Vaughan seems to be running out of ideas - he now tries to get the ball changed.

1711 - SA 164-4 (50 overs)
ABDV turns Anderson to the mid-wicket boundary, sees the fielder is Colly and only takes a single. The two batsmen continue to milk the bowling for singles at will, with a selection of thumping pulls and delicate nudges.

1707 - SA 160-4 (49 overs)
Smith chops Panesar for a single to third man, ABDV cover-drives a single to the sweeper. A diving stop by Colly at mid-wicket saves four but concedes one, then ABDV prods another single.

1704 - SA 156-4 (48 overs)
After a wicketless six-over spell from Flintoff, can Jimmy Anderson break the South African stranglehold from the Pavilion End? After yet another Smith single which takes him to 89, ABDV prods forward, Smith goes for a single which is never there, ABDV sends him back and he just manages to make it back to the bowler's end in time.

"To accuse the SA side of making the sidescreen issue up [see 1636 entry] as they are too 'arrogant' to acknowledge good bowling is a serious and unnecessary accusation. Is a knee-high full toss good bowling? If the situation was reversed and KP had got out in that way there would be howls of anguish from the England fans. All I want is to see a fair contest. Let's enjoy the rest of the Test and hope that this issue does not come into play again"
Ryan G in the TMS inbox

1659 - SA 155-4 (47 overs)
A half-hearted appeal as Smith tries to sweep Panesar but misses. He eventually steers a single to third man to nick the strike again.

"Re: Hubert Doggart [1631 entry], how's this for trivia... his son is now headmaster of the Bucks prep school where Andrew Strauss was a pupil"
Alex in Rutland in the TMS inbox

1653 - SA 154-4 (46 overs)
Still Flintoff, and Vaughan sticks a third man out on the hook - one at long leg, one at square leg and one at a wideish mid-wicket. Smith fences at one outside off stump but just fails to get an edge. Aggers and Shaun Pollock on TMS applaud the sportsmanship between the sides, despite it being such a closely-fought series. Smith steers a single to long-off to steal the strike. Drinks break.

1649 - SA 153-4 (45 overs)
Another big shout, and Smith continues to lead a slightly charmed life as the ball flicks his glove on the way through to Tiny Tim down the leg side but umpire Dar says no. Smith tries to launch Monty to mid-wicket and it looks for a microsecond as if Strauss has taken a superb diving catch, but his reaction shows the ball bounced just in front of him and he throws it back in. They run one. ABDV then forces him away for two to leg.

1645 - SA 150-4 (44 overs)
Flintoff, still looking for that magic yorker, is straight-driven by Smith for another four. The Proteas captain singles again to bring up the 150. The Barmy Army find their voice again, and an attempted low full-toss to ABDV is in borderline beamer territory - though not above waist height - as ABDV takes evasive action.

"Seeing Stuart Broad's got four wickets today, I wish he was playing for England not Nottinghamshire"
Polly Martin in the TMS inbox

1640 - SA 145-4 (43 overs)
ABDV nudges Monty away for a cheeky leg bye, Tiny Tim gives chase and tries to throw down the stumps but misses - and Ian Bell fails to gather the ball cleanly when either a direct hit or a clean-gather-and-knock-the-bails-off by Bell would have seen the dawdling Smith run out. Instead, he misses the ball and breaks the wicket with his bare hands. Not good. Smith turns a single to fine leg.

"To Jake (1538) - You wouldn't be a South African, by any chance, would you? I reckon it's more likely that their behaviour will be under the dark cloud, as the sight screen has been the same for everyone and the South African batsmen seem to want to blame anything for the fact that they're choking (again)"
Ray, Glastonbury, in the TMS inbox

1636 - SA 143-4 (42 overs)
Flintoff is described as "England's miracle man" by Blowers on TMS, whose signet ring impresses Shaun Pollock. Freddie spears one through to Smith, there's a big appeal for a catch behind but the replay appears to back up his claim that the "thud" was the bat hitting the ground. Another maiden.

"The whole sightscreen thing is being made a mountain out of a molehill. It is clearly just a case of an arrogant South African side refusing to accept that someone is actually bowling well. We've seen plenty of people in the past fail to pick up the length of the ball (ie Thorpey), but they've been modest enough to accept they just didn't see it. SA are making themselves look like very bad losers. How old is coach Mickey Arthur anyway? Six?"
Steve in the TMS inbox

1631 - SA 143-4 (41 overs)
Monty serves up a full toss which Smith straight-drives for four. Another single takes Smith to 79. ABDV cuts at a loose delivery which sits up well to be hit, and South Africa pass the half-way mark on the way to their target. It's also the fifty stand.

"[On run-out calls, 1412 entry] Hubert Doggart, a man who could make Brian Blessed sound as if he is whispers, was reputed to have run out five batsmen at the same time - playing in one of five games in a large park, his extremely loud call of YES, NO, YES, WAIT, YES, NO confused everybody"
Will in Tonbridge in the TMS inbox

1628 - SA 134-4 (40 overs)
Henry Blofeld has the TMS box chuckling when he mistakes Sidey for Monty in the field (he mistook Sidey's shaggy hair for Monty's patka) as ABDV tries to force Freddie through the off side. Flintoff's clearly aiming for that "stealth" yorker to ABDV, who fends off a full-bunger. A maiden over.

1625 - SA 134-4 (39 overs)
After two relatively unthreatening overs from Sidey, Monty is back in the attack from the City End. He has four men around the bat for ABDV, who turns his wrists to steer a single to backward square leg. Smith's hit on the pad, and there's a very restrained lbw appeal. There's then a much louder appeal when Smith offers no stroke at one which turns a miles and is hit just outside off stump, but umpire Aleem Dar shakes his head once again. Hawk-Eye suggests... it would have hit the middle of middle stump. Poor Monty.

1621 - SA 133-4 (38 overs)
Smith still looking in good nick, clipping Flintoff to long leg for a single. Suddenly, SA are nearly halfway there - having scored 132, they need 149 more to win. ABDV steers another through point, just those two from the over.

"I'm watching the cricket with a bird that's a Freddie fan; I have the TV in the garden and every time the crowd sing the "Super Freddie Flintoff" song, the bird answers it! Good to know even the animal kingdom are on England's side..."
James McQuaid in the TMS inbox

1616 - SA 131-4 (37 overs)
ABDV turns Sidey away for a single to KP at backward square leg. And Ramprakash has his hundredth hundred. Well done him. A couple more singles from Smith and ABDV, then a well-run three as the skipper steers Sidey to third man.

"I bet Kallis wouldn't lose sight of a doughnut if it was being bowled at him"
Nav, Harrow, in the TMS inbox

1612 - SA 125-4 (36 overs)
Flintoff back from the Pavilion End (aka the Slightly Troublesome Sightline End). Smith shoulders arms at a couple, then Fred drops one short and Smith clubs it through mid-wicket for four. Monty (at DBSL) had no chance of reaching that one. But he has more work to do in the field as Smith steers a two towards cow corner, taking his score to 69. (Ramprakash is on 96 now).

"Every time I go to the washroom, England takes a wicket. I am spending the rest of the match in the washroom"
Robin, Toronto, in the TMS inbox
[I should think so too - MM]

1607 - SA 119-4 (35 overs)
Monty's off so Ryan Sidebottom can have a little trundle after tea. Smith middles one towards mid-wicket but the alert Cook prevents a run. Ambrose then stands up to Sidebottom, to keep Smith in his crease. A nudged single is the only scoring stroke.

"Re: Carole in Maidenhead [1239 entry] We went dressed as British Empire soldiers yesterday. It was excellent fun, and the pride of being described by Blowers as 'resplendent' will stay with me forever. However, with hindsight, I would caution against anything with an obvious movie reference. As the beer flowed yesterday, we were subject to innumerable calls of 'Rourke's Drift!', several rounds of 'Men of Harlech' and a couple of Zulu spear charges..."
Peter, London, in the TMS inbox

1602 - SA 118-4 (34 overs)
Smith gets the Proteas back under way by knocking Anderson away for a couple. Smith then bloodthirstily pulls Jimmy through mid-wicket for four.

1559: Right, we could have a very long final session here - 44 more overs to be bowled, plus potentially the extra half-hour if either team think there is a possibility of the match being completed tonight. Stay with me, people.

TEA INTERVAL

1552: Some news of interest from the county scene - Mark Ramprakash, who's been chasing his hundredth hundred for several months now, is 88 not out against Yorkshire. Watch this space.
Latest county scores

1541 - SA 111-4 (33 overs)
This should be the last over before tea, so it's all the more inexplicable that Vaughan has left the field with one over left. A spotter's badge for Vic Marks on TMS, who has noticed Andrew Strauss (rather than regular unofficial vice-captain Colly) directing the field in the Tinkerman's absence. (The sub fielder is Warwickshire youngster Tim Groenwald, for those of you who note such matters). Strauss brings in a leg slip, but Smith works a single to leg and ABDV takes his score to nine with a four. Time for tea after a thrilling afternoon session.

1532 - SA 100-4 (31 overs)
Smith steers a single past short leg, to bring ABDV on strike against the rampaging Montster. A single apiece for the pair brings up three figures for the tourists.

"The passing of Butch White [1354 entry] cannot erase the memories of those who saw him play in the 1960s. For those too young for that era, imagine a strongly-built, burly fast bowler, bustling in off a long run like a stampeding bull, climaxed by a leaping delivery stride; it was as if A.G. MacDonnell's blacksmith ('England, Their England') had become a county pro. Equally bucolic, his left-handed batting was in the (then) classic number 11 vein, emptying the bars as he came in - aiming for violent sixes but sadly all too often a brief prelude to another new-ball spell"
My dad, Arkansas, in the TMS inbox

1529 - SA 97-4 (30 overs)
New batsman AB de Villiers fences outside off stump and it flies just wide of Alastair Cook at gully for four. The Tinkerman brings in a second gully, but ABDV sees off the rest of the over.

1524 - SA 92-3 (29 overs)
Umpire Steve Davis is rabbiting away on his walkie-talkie, and I don't think he's getting his pie orders in for the tea interval. Smith pads up to Monty and there's a big shout, but umpire Dar is unimpressed. A single brings Prince back on strike, and there's another lbw appeal as Monty gets even more turn - possible too much. The third big shout of the over comes when Prince tries to nudge one to leg, and appears to glove it to Tiny Tim. But not only does Dar reject the appeal (when TV replays suggest it definitely brushed his glove), he gives Monty a little talking-to, probably for excessive appealing and running on the pitch while doing so.

1517 - SA 91-3 (28 overs)
Flintoff takes a breather after those two crucial wickets, and after a single from Smith, Anderson has Prince flinching at a lifting delivery which flies off his glove but falls short of Colly at gully. The South African physio then runs out to attend to Prince, whose hand is still smarting after that one which hit his glove. Smith is still chuntering about the sightscreen.

"Am outside the Church of Little Angels in Virginia, USA, complete with my CD copy of Yvonne Fair's classic 'It should have been me', and my Dustin Hoffman 'Graduate' wedding agony impression. Imagine - a woman who would actually want to 'understand my world'. She mustn't get away from me..."
Mick in the TMS inbox

1513 - SA 90-3 (27 overs)
Smith, bristling after those last two wickets, despatches Monty for a four to mid-wicket. A leg-bye brings fellow left-hander Prince on strike, and he nearly gives a bat-pad catch but the ball arcs up out of the reach of the diving Ian Bell at silly point.

1510 - SA 85-3 (26 overs)
New batsman Ashwell Prince is off the mark with two off his first ball. And match referee Ranjan Madugalle might want to have a look at Kallis's reaction to being given out.

1504 - SA 79-2 (25 overs)
After Kallis is off the mark with a single off Monty, the Tinkerman puts in an unusual field for Smith, with a short leg and a short mid-wicket. But to little effect.

"Why do batsmen get more chances than bowlers? [1405 entry] Because a batsman makes one mistake and his wicket is gone. A bowler makes a mistake and it's a wide/four/six. Bowlers have tens/hundreds of chances to prove themselves over the course of an innings, and can slip up without being written off, but a batsman could get a bad decision or just have a bit of bad luck one ball"
James Hamand in the TMS inbox

1501 - SA 78-2 (24 overs)
Vaughan sets a deep field for Smith, seemingly offering him a single so Flintoff (who's bowled six overs and may be nearing the end of his spell) can have a pop at new batsman Jacques Kallis (having bowled him in the first innings). But Smith seems to have second-guessed this, and doesn't look particularly interested in a single. A maiden over ensues, it's a bit of cat and mouse at the moment. (Message to England: make sure you're not the mouse).

"To Andrew Davidson (1348) - isn't the appeals system you describe exactly the one being trialled in the India-Sri Lanka series, and also the one offered by the ICC for this series, which South Africa were happy to adopt but England rejected?"
Kev Osman, Bridgwater, Somerset, in the TMS inbox

1453 - SA 78-1 (22 overs)
Flintoff keeps it tight against Smith. It's raining heavily now here in Shepherd's Bush, battering into the window next to me, but it's still sunny at the edge of Baston as Smith finally gets Flintoff away with a cover-driven four.

1449 - SA 74-1 (21 overs)
Amla turns Monty to leg for a single, Smith steers one to the square leg boundary, and Amla works the last ball away for a couple. Meanwhile, my colleagues here in the office collectively "diss" South Africa's claim about the "window" and the sightscreen - seeing as it's the same for both teams, and Morkel and Nel are both taller than Flintoff anyway!

1442 - SA 70-1 (20 overs)
Smith summons 12th man Monde Zondeki out to the middle (he carries a token pair of batting gloves, which are ignored), and the TMS team think Smith isn't happy with an area at the edge of the sightscreen after McKenzie's dismissal as he appeared to lose sight of that yorker - remember, Kallis complained about a window in the same area after he was bowled by a similar Flintoff delivery on Thursday evening. Shaun Pollock is clearly a fan of the other "12th man" (the Aussie comedian and impressionist) as he recommends they borrow a selection of cream, bone, white, off-white, ivory or beige jackets from Richie Benaud to cover the offending area. Aggers thinks Mark Nicholas may own one. Back on the pitch, Fred sends down a maiden to Smith, and it's time for a drinks break.

1438 - SA 70-1 (19 overs)
After another Smith single, Monty gets a big cheer as he gets one to rip past Amla's outside edge. Who will triumph in this battle of the beards? Amla is beaten again off the last ball.

1435 - SA 69-1 (18 overs)
Flintoff is straight in with some "Beardline" bowling, sending in a first-ball bouncer to the splendidly-bearded new batsman Hashim Amla. But the number three is off the mark with a square-driven three. Smith pinches the strike in his usual fashion.

1428 - SA 61-0 (17 overs)
Smith turns Monty for a single to mid-wicket to bring up the fifty stand. The spinner's line and length is not quite up to scratch in this over as McKenzie works him away for a four past mid-off and a three to leg - then ump Aleem Dar sprints to the boundary to get a TV cameraman to remove a microphone poking up and blotting out part of the sightscreen. But Smith clearly has no problems with sight lines as he carves Monty for another four, this time through mid-wicket.

"Re: Andrew's wedding [1301 entry]. I am definitely within shouting distance, just the next state along in Maryland. That said, I hope the weather is better in Virginia for the big day. It has rained here for the last five hours solid. It's 8.10am and I am wondering if there is any point in me crafting some sort of rain dance to send the storm clouds towards Edgbaston? I would probably be arrested if I were to try. Imagine trying to explain cricket to a Maryland Trooper? How would one even try? Good luck Andrew."
Christian Reilly in the TMS inbox

1424 - SA 49-0 (16 overs)
The TMS team ponder Monty's positioning at deep backward square leg (DBSL) - is he there for a catch? Or to save runs? Anyhow, just a single to Smith from Flintoff's over as the Barmy Army (and their trumpeter) find their voice.

1420 - SA 48-0 (15 overs)
Monty has three close catchers on the off side for McKenzie as well as a short leg, and Tiny Tim appeals for a stumping as he whips the bails off while McKenzie plays a back-foot defensive stroke. He almost - but not quite - lifts his back foot off the ground, so it's an easy one for Gunner Gould in the third umpire's box. A maiden.

1416 - SA 48-0 (14 overs)
Smith and McKenzie are the highest and third highest Test run-scorers this year, wouldn't you know - Virender Sehwag of India is second, KP is fourth and ABDV is fifth. Smith shoulders arms to Flintoff, who is bowling round the wicket to the left-hander. But Smith turns him to square leg for two, then punches a half-tracker back past the bowler for four.

"The baby from Family Guy [see 1155 entry] is Stewie Griffin"
Daniel in the TMS inbox

1412 - SA 42-0 (13 overs)
A single takes Smith to 1,000 Test runs for the calendar year 2008, which earns him a smattering of applause from the crowd. McKenzie tries to sweep Panesar, there's a big shout for a bat-pad catch but it came off the batsman's forearm. A good over from the Montster.

"On my way to my first ever 50 on Thursday (yes, it's been two days and I'm still bragging), I hit the ball past mid-on. As you do. But I loudly screamed 'Shot!' (in that long extended tone of us cricket-watchers), instead of calling 'Yes'. It was a particularly sweetly timed on-drive, but it's fair to say I was rather embarrassed at the size of my quickly-expanding head! Must be plenty more calling stories out there...?"
Kathryn, Hampshire Women's half-century maker, Portsmouth, in the TMS inbox
[Someone from the team I play for occasionally calls "Go!" rather than "Yes!" - MM]

1409 - SA 41-0 (12 overs)
It's Freddie time (finally), to a roar from the crowd, and Smith nudges his first ball away for a single. (Meanwhile, Hawk-Eye suggests the lbw appeal from Monty's last over would have hit off stump). McKenzie and Smith exchange singles, which leaves poor old Monty trekking over from deep backward square leg each time for the left-hand/right-hand combo. And qualifying's finished for tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix - take a look at our text commentary from Sarah Holt, who has all the details...
Live text - Hungarian GP qualifying, with Sarah Holt

1405 - SA 38-0 (11 overs)
Monty gets a bit of turn against McKenzie, who guides him past slip for two. And Freddie's warming up! The Montster has a fairly loud lbw shout off the last ball, but umpire Aleem Dar shakes his head.

1401 - SA 36-0 (10 overs)
Some acrobatic fielding on the boundary by Vaughan, not known for his agility in the field, restricts McKenzie to three rather than four, then Smith dabs Anderson for another easy single. When's Freddie Flintoff coming on, skipper? McKenzie rotates the strike again, then Smith guides an easy two down to Monty on the square leg boundary.

1357 - SA 29-0 (9 overs)
Panesar is right back into the action. As Simon Mann notes on TMS, Monty's not had much of a match so far - run out off his first ball trying to turn a single into two, 0 not out without facing a ball in the second innings, and just seven wicketless overs and a dropped catch in South Africa's first innings. Smith and McKenzie help themselves to a single apiece.

1354 - SA 27-0 (8 overs)
Anderson continues to Smith, but the Tinkerman is already signalling to Monty to warm up. ("For England to win, he has to contribute, and the earlier he gets into the game, the more able he will be to contribute", says Vic on TMS). Smith steers a single through extra cover - and in trying to adjust his line to the right-handed McKenzie, Anderson sends down a wide. An increasingly expensive over ends with successive fours - one smashed through point, and four nudged leg-byes off the final ball.

And some sad news from Hampshire - their former pace bowler "Butch" White, who helped them win the County Championship in 1961, has died at the age of 73. He played two Tests for England and also had a brief spell with Glamorgan. RIP Butch.
Ex-Hampshire paceman White dies

1348 - SA 17-0 (7 overs)
After that brief over of Monty before lunch, Sidebottom unsurprisingly returns. But he drops one in short and wide that the Proteas skipper effortlessly square-cuts for four. Once more, he pinches the strike off the last ball.

"Cricket should use tennis rules when it comes to technology. Each team gets three appeals. This takes away the umpires' power of using technology, so they can go back to the old days and judge dismissals as they see it. On the Sidebottom catch, the umpire would have given it out and then Sidebottom would have appealed. If he was given not out, he gets his appeal back, if out, he loses one appeal. Batsmen usually know if they're out on catches behind so will not appeal against those unless they are wrong"
Andrew Davidson, Chester, in the TMS inbox

1343 - SA 12-0 (6 overs)
Smith shoulders arms to the first ball after lunch from Anderson. The second pings in and beats his outside edge, and the fifth is edged but lands just short of Collingwood at gully. A square-driven single ensures the skipper keeps the strike.

1339: After some entertaining calls on the TMS phone-in, we're back in action.

LUNCH INTERVAL

"It's 7am here in Virginia, and I'm getting married at 3pm. Not able to get back to sleep, so following the cricket. I just wanted to invite everyone to the ceremony. Unfortunately, I can't be more specific about the location for logistical reasons, but if you Google churches in Virginia and phone them all up and tell them the groom is called Andrew, then you should find it eventually. My beautiful American bride watched the entire Ashes 2005 DVD with me a few months ago just so she could 'understand my world'. Too excited to type any more..."
Andrew in the TMS inbox

1258 - SA 11-0 (4 overs)
Smith, who has scored all his country's runs in this innings, straight-drives Anderson for four. The Tinkerman then brings KP in at a very straight, short mid-off (standing in the corridor down which the no-striker would normally run, so McKenzie has to stand wider) - waiting for another low drive. There's a half-hearted appeal for a catch behind, but it wasn't even close - although there would have been an audible "thump" from when Smith's bat hit the ground. Another pearler has Smith fencing at thin air, and it sails between the keeper and first slip for four byes! Wake up, Tiny Tim! A great over, which had everything except a wicket.

1254 - SA 3-0 (3 overs)
After a man in a beige shirt and a camouflage cap sat near the edge of the sightscreen briefly holds up play, McKenzie (who "knows exactly the width of his stumps", according to Blowers on TMS) shoulders arms to Sidey. McKenzie isn't happy with Mr Beige, and the stewards eventually instruct him to move. McKenzie tries to nudge one off his legs but it goes straight to Kevin Pietersen who's in a short square leg position, for exactly that stroke. A maiden.

"Having just read that Andre Nel interview, is it not possible this guy should get together with Britney Spears, they are as loopy as each other. At least Britney can get away with it as she's a looker, Nel however..."
Neil Egerton in the TMS inbox

1248 - SA 3-0 (2 overs)
A roar of expectation around Edgbaston as Andrew Flintoff seizes the ball between overs, but it's Anderson to share the new ball. Smith squeezes his first ball off his legs for a couple, but he's then beaten by a beauty from Jimmy which swings just away from the left-hander.

"If you want a good outside batsman with proven captaincy experience I suggest (humbly) Mr Ed Joyce of Middlesex. He's great!"
Matt Hague (from Ireland, obviously), in the TMS inbox

1243 - SA 1-0 (1 over)
South Africa captain Graeme Smith nudges Ryan Sidebottom for an early single, and Sidey then finds Neil McKenzie's edge but Colly, fresh from his marathon innings, makes a smart stop at gully. Michael "Tinkerman" Vaughan responds by adjusting the field from three-slips-and-a-gully to two-slips-and-two-gullies.

1239: Here we go - my "gaffer" Oliver Brett informs me that the highest successful run chase in Test cricket at Edgbaston was 211 - while the highest fourth-innings score of all is 279, by Australia in 2005 when they lost that thrilling Ashes Test by two runs.

"Morning Mark. If you were to attend a cricket match in costume, what would you go as? I fancy going with some mates as a group of Hilda Ogdens"
Carole in Maidenhead in the TMS inbox
[I've never attended a sports event in fancy dress, though I do own a gorilla suit from a charity sponsored run I did once. I also dressed as a highwayman for a party once, and had to wear said costume on a long Tube journey, which was interesting - MM]
INTERNET LINK: The Gorilla Organization (formerly known as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund)

ENGLAND SECOND INNINGS

"Re: Jack (1119) - someone like Rob Key of Kent?"
James in the TMS inbox

1222 - Eng 363-8 (97 overs)
New batsman James Anderson is immediately off the mark with a single to square leg. That should be over, but the umpires allow a seven-ball over and Colly sees off the final delivery.

1214 - Eng 348-7 (96 overs)
Colly steers Kallis away for a single, then the effervescent Sidey despatches a loose ball through point for four to take his score to 18 and the partnership to 52.

1210 - Eng 344-7 (95 overs)
With the players having calmed down a little, Colly takes a single from Nel.

"Are Spinal Tap's roadies now the techie guys for TMS? I ask because the volume control on the web video scorecard goes up to 11"
Ian Hopping, Aylesbury, in the TMS inbox
Live video scorecard (turned up to 11)

1205 - Eng 343-7 (94 overs)
Sidey is on fire here, guiding Kallis past the slips for another four to take England's lead to 260. He then appears to edge one towards De Villiers at second slip, who claims a low one-handed catch. (Remember, De Villiers has "previous" here, having outrageously claimed a "catch" in the last Test that he clearly grassed). It's referred to the third umpire, Ian "Gunner" Gould - who says "not out". Boos ring out around the ground for De Villiers, who shakes his head. Time for a drinks break - and time for a few heads to cool off.

1159 - Eng 339-7 (93 overs)
After some sawdust is brought on by the Edgbaston ground staff, Sidey opens up against Nel, crashing a four through mid-wicket and then steering an attempted slower ball through point for another four! A cheeky single brings the grinning Notts swinger into double figures - is he protecting Colly from the strike now?

1155 - Eng 330-7 (92 overs)
Another bowling change as Kallis replaces Ntini, but he provides easy pickings for Colly, who dabs a couple of twos through the covers. Batman, Robin, Bananaman and the smallest child from "Family Guy" (dunno his name, the one who played Darth Vader in the Star Wars episode) are all cheering on England from the crowd, while Vic Marks on TMS bemoans the absence of any fans dressed as Henry Blofeld (or even his namesake Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the Bond villain who was named after Blowers' father by Ian Fleming).

1150 - Eng 326-7 (91 overs)
Nel bowls around the wicket to Sidey, who's proving difficult to dislodge. He's been taking lessons from South Africa opener Neil McKenzie on "how to leave anything you don't have to play", although when he tries to move out of the way of a bouncer, he's hit on the gloves. Nel/Gunther licks his lips in anticipation. A fluent off-drive by Sidey... but it goes straight to mid-off. Colly then appears to admonish his partner for playing such an attacking stroke...

1146 - Eng 326-7 (90 overs)
Henry Blofeld takes the mike on TMS as Colly gloriously cover-drives for four. To confound Graeme Smith's field-setting, he smacks the next one through mid-wicket for four. But he can't manage his usual single, so Sidey will face the next over.

1142 - Eng 318-7 (89 overs)
AB de Villiers has obviously been designated as South Africa's "chief polisher", and indeed he polishes the ball for so long that Nel's already back to his mark while ABDV is still shining the new ball. Nel then pulls out of his run in mid-delivery, looking as though he was going to slide over like Bambi on ice. When he eventually bowls, Colly takes his regulation single (for the fifth successive over) through the covers - leaving Sidey to survive one ball. Which he does. Morkel returns to the field and Peterson's off. The lead is now 235.

"I am going to hell. Just told the missus that I can't attend the in-laws' party because I have to work... just so I can sit in front of my laptop and press F5 repeatedly as that's the only way I can 'watch' the match out here in deepest darkest Asia!"
Mark McGurran in the TMS inbox

1137 - Eng 317-7 (88 overs)
Colly, now on 114, is watchful against Ntini but knocks a wideish one off his legs down to substitute fielder Robin Peterson at fine leg, who's on for Morkel. Sidey offers no stroke to the final delivery.

"What's the chances of getting some comment from Tuffers on here today? Can't believe it's the same bloke they sent to the jungle when he talks about cricket... Be interesting to see what he thinks about the selection, potential England new boys and Peter Moores..."
David, Co. Durham, in the TMS inbox
[No Tuffers in this Test, I'm afraid - the TMS summarisers are Alec Stewart, Vic Marks and Shaun Pollock - MM]

1133 - Eng 316-7 (87 overs)
Andre Nel is indeed introduced into the attack as South Africa won't want to waste the new ball with Morkel spraying it everywhere. Just one single from Colly boosts the score. If you haven't heard about Nel and his German alter ego "Gunther", I can recommend an interview he did with Tom Fordyce earlier this summer...
Andre Nel: Cricket's craziest man

1127 - Eng 315-7 (86 overs)
Another brutal pull from Colly, and Ntini is spanked to the mid-wicket boundary for four. South Africa appear to be preparing Nel to replace Morkel at the other end. Colly, farming most of the strike, clips a single to the diving Paul Harris at mid-on. Sidey plays and misses.

"I have a subscription through my work to a very accurate and reliable weather forecasting website. I've just checked it and it too confirms showers on and off all day, but it says Sunday's looking good for Edgbaston. Less showers, if any. Probably the worst news is for the rest of August across the UK, though... let's just say it's gonna be a cool one. Very cool"
Tim Marshall in the TMS inbox

1123 - Eng 310-7 (85 overs)
Morkel raps Colly on the pad as he comes a long way across his stumps, but umpire Steve Davis (peering through dark sunglasses, despite overcast conditions) shakes his head. A close shout that (Hawk-Eye reckons it was out), but Colly survives. Morkel takes out his frustration by sending down another wide, then Colly fluently pulls him for four. Morkel's banging it in all over the place at the moment, but Colly is again fortunate when an attempted prod through mid-wicket earns him a single through the covers.

"Funny old day yesterday, 'Past it' Collingwood and 'Selfish showman' Pietersen manage a paltry 195 runs between them. Lets hope Monty 'rabbit' Panesar shows us how bad he is as well!"
James, Isle of Man, in the TMS inbox

1119 - Eng 304-7 (84 overs)
Judging by the size of the queue of people still trying to get into the ground, I guess a few of you in the queue might be following the game on your phones! Just through the turnstile is a two-man pantomime horse, ridden by a yellow-daubed jockey. That's gotta hurt. Back on the pitch, Ntini isn't making Sidey play at all, and Sidey is happy to see off a maiden over.

"MV won't be dropped from captaincy because there's no-one to replace him, says Aggers and many likeminded. But why should his successor be taken from the ranks of the present team members? Why not call in a good outside batsman with proven captaincy experience? The 'no-one to replace him' argument is simply a weak excuse on the part of the establishment to hang on to MV"
Jack in the TMS inbox

1115 - Eng 304-7 (83 overs)
Colly brings up the 300 with another single off Morkel. Sidey is then off the mark with a slightly fortunate inside edge past the stumps for one. Morkel's a bit loose at the moment, and they run two from a wild no-ball, while the last delivery is also down the leg side (and would have been a wide in one-day cricket). And in response to an e-mailed request, don't forget that if you're off on your travels (or even out to play cricket yourself), you can keep track of all the action via your mobile, PDA, electronic device or stick of rhubarb. (One of the above may not be true).
How to get cricket scores on your mobile from BBC Sport

1110 - Eng 299-7 (82 overs)
First run off the bat as Colly dabs Makhaya Ntini to mid-wicket for a single - the Proteas are keeping snarling pantomime villain Andre Nel up their sleeve for now. Ntini bowls round the wicket to Sidey, who shoulders arms professionally to anything outside off stump.

1104 - Eng 298-7 (81 overs)
Morkel slings in a wide to new batsman Ryan Sidebottom - England's first run of the day. The left-handed Sidey does have the capability to hang around at the crease, as seen when he batted with Graeme Swann in an ODI over the winter, and an obdurate partnership nearly brought the entire game to a halt. But obduracy is needed now from Sidey, as he sees off the rest of the over safely.

1058: Players are walking out - Paul Collingwood and Tim Ambrose ready to resume for England.

"What is it with the BBC and weather forecasts? You stated that it's supposed to be showery today at Edgbaston and when you click on the weather link it backs that up. But when you click on the 24-hour forecast tab it changes to ideal weather with not a rain cloud in sight! What is the weather looking like at the moment?"
James in Reading in the TMS inbox
[We're going to start on time, but you can't hold me responsible for BBC Weather's output, just as you couldn't hold Michael Fish responsible for whatever I write about cricket! MM]

1041: Having "stood in" for Ben Dirs for a short spell of "sub-fielding" on the live text commentary yesterday, I didn't have time to publish an e-mail from Pete in Nottingham who feels Ben's commentating style was akin to that of David "Bumble" Lloyd, while mine was apparently more in the style of Mark Nicholas! Pete, I'm flattered.

1030: Morning, everyone. We're all set for day four of the third Test - and the match situation is looking a lot healthier from England's point of view than it did for the first couple of days. England are 297-6 in their second innings - having trailed by 83 on first innings, they are "net" 214-6.

However, the weather could play a part today. The BBC weather forecast for Edgbaston thinks today's predominant weather will be "light showers" - so it might be one of those "on, off, on, off" days while the game could even stretch into a fifth day - which was looking pretty unlikely earlier in the match.
BBC weather forecast for Edgbaston