Smith paid tribute to Boucher's resolute batting Match report England reaction

Smith had described the Trent Bridge wicket as unacceptable for Test cricket after his side struggled with variable bounce in the first innings.

And England's bowlers exploited even worse conditions on the final day to bowl the tourists out for 131.

But Smith said after his side's 70-run defeat: "A lot has been said about the pitch and I don't need to say any more.

"England batted well on day one and that's where they won the game.

"It was a great Test match, the game ebbed and flowed a lot and congratulations to England."

We've got a great opportunity to go 2-1 up at Headingley and we've got to believe that Graeme Smith

Smith insisted the series was far from over, even though the tourists have just three days to regroup before the fourth Test at Headingley.

"We're obviously disappointed to lose this Test but we're hungry to do well in the next one," he added.

"Under stressful conditions we showed a lot of character and I'm really proud of the way we performed.

"We haven't lost heart; we've got a great opportunity to go 2-1 up at Headingley and we've got to believe that."

Shaun Pollock took eight wickets and scored a half-century at Trent Bridge but will miss the fourth Test to be at the birth of his first child.

"Shaun's excited to see his new baby daughter and we wish him luck," Smith added.

"He's a world-class cricketer but there are a lot of guys who can perform those roles and they've got to step up."

Smith paid particular tribute to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, whose battling half-century almost snatched the match back for the tourists.

"He's a special man who goes unnoticed until he's needed," said the captain.

"But it a crunch situation he stands up to be counted.