London: South Africa replaced England as the world’s number one Test side after a 51-run win in the third Test at Lord’s gave them the series 2-0.
England, set a daunting target of 346 for victory, were dismissed for 294 on the final day with seamer Vernon Philander, who finished the innings with two wickets in two balls, taking five for 30. He was also named Man-of-the-Match. Hashim Amla picked up the Man-of-the-Series award.
South Africa, who won the first Test at The Oval by an innings and 12 runs before the second match of the series at Headingley was drawn, only needed to avoid defeat at Lord’s to replace England at the top of the International Cricket Council’s world Test rankings.
History was against England as the most they had ever made in the fourth innings to win a Test was the 332 for seven they posted against Australia at Melbourne back in 1928/29.
Seam bowler Philander reduced England to 34 for three. But another fifty from Bairstow and one from Jonathan Trott, kept the Proteas at bay.
Matt Prior led a late victory charge with a dashing 73 before he was caught off Philander by South Africa captain Graeme Smith at first slip.
The next ball Finn was taken by second slip Jacques Kallis and England’s time at the top was over. (AFP)