And so to the Oval for a decider that will cap off an already memorable summer of Test cricket. England, reborn under Ben Stokes, could register their best home season for 18 years with a sixth win, while South Africa hope to reclaim the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy with what would be their third series win on these shores since readmission.
So far we have witnessed the two sides register a thumping innings victory apiece, the pendulum swinging from South Africa’s storming of Lord’s to Stokes powering his side to parity in Manchester. There have been just six days of cricket – just under, in fact – and so while the forecast is iffy, the draw still feels like an outside bet.
