South Africa rise to summit by leap-frogging beaten England

The Proteas’ 51-run win at Lord’s allowed them to take the three-match series 2-0 and with it whip the No 1 ranking from under their hosts’ feet.

Their superior batting has 
allowed them to take top spot and, short of a late rally led by Matt Prior (73), they always looked in control.

“This was an outstanding Test and there was some good, first-class cricket on show,” Strauss said.

“We were never the favourites (yesterday) but the guys showed spirit and the attitude they showed was of great credit to the players.

“South Africa were the better side over the course of the series and thoroughly deserved their victory.”

Chasing what would have been a record 346 to win, Strauss’s men occasionally flirted with pulling off a great escape act with Prior, Jonathan Trott (63), Jonny Bairstow (54) and Graeme Swann (41) all swinging the bat to great effect.

The accuracy of Vernon Philander (5-30) tore them apart, though, and left Strauss planning a route back to the summit.

“You can’t fault the commitment, we gave it everything and this was how I expected it to pan out,” he said.

“Small, tight margins. They were just better than us. I don’t look back on our time as No 1 with a great deal of fondness, as we had some tough times.

“That can be a good thing, though, as Test cricket tests you when you’re No 1.

“We’ve learned a lot and it’s a shame to hand it over, but they deserve to be No 1 and we will come back.”

Strauss’s opposite number Graeme Smith was quick to dedicate the win to former wicket-keeper Mark Boucher.

Previously a stalwart of the side, Boucher was forced into international retirement on the eve of the series when he suffered a serious eye injury in a warm-up match.

He was watching on television, though, and Smith, wearing a shirt which read ‘we miss you Bouch’ said: “This is a message from all of us.

“He’s been part of us for 147 games and this was meant to be his 150th. This victory was for him and for everything he has done for us.”

On the game, Smith added: “It was a top Test, both teams played well; England played with freedom and we had to work hard.

“There was some great batting from Swann and Prior but it was wonderful to come through.

“We stayed with the belief. You do have nervous moments but you have to stay focused and make sure if they do something, it’s something spectacular.

“We were able to post totals and build partnerships and get scores that allowed us to bowl with freedom.”

Prior was named England’s man of the series, not just for his knock yesterday but for consistent contributions throughout the summer.

He almost led England to a memorable victory but eventually ran out of luck.

“It was set up to have a go and it almost hurts more to get that close and lose,” he said.

“It’s very disappointing. You never think it’s over as the wicket usually stays good for the five days at Lord’s.

“It wasn’t to be. Congratulations to South Africa, they were brilliant all series.”

Prior is also hoping his form will have earned him a place in the World Twenty20 squad when it is announced today.

“I’d love to be in that team,” he added.

After some wobbly moments, it was Philander who eventually dragged South Africa over the line.

He returned with the second new ball to snare the key wicket of Prior and said: “I tried to stay calm and contribute towards the team.”

It was Hashim Amla who was named as their man of the series, though, with a triple hundred at The Oval standing alongside a 121 in this match.

“It was a close game and fortunately we had the runs on the board and Vernon bowled well,” he said.

“Moments like this make cricket what it is. It was a great advert for Test cricket and a fantastic day for us.”

Prior, with 73, had produced the most exhilarating of three England 50s but, even after his reprieve on 67 when he was called back from almost the pavilion steps after holing out off a no-ball from Morne Morkel, he could not get the hosts over the line.

It was nonetheless not until he was ninth out, caught at first slip off Philander with the second new ball, that England were finally done – bowled out for 294, when last man Steven Finn went to the very next delivery, in pursuit of an improbable 346.

It was testament to the never-say-die spirit in Strauss’s team – minus Kevin Pietersen after he was controversially dropped here over the well-chronicled breakdown in his relationship with his employers and captain – that they should dispute the outcome well into the final session, and narrow the margin so admirably against superior opponents.

There is, however, no hiding the fact that since famously going to the top of the International Cricket Council rankings for the first time a year ago they have lost six out of 11 Tests – and won just three.

Prior, Yorkshire’s Jonathan Trott (63) and Jonny Bairstow (54) – following up his first-innings 95 and playing here only because of Pietersen’s absence – kept England hopes alive of pulling off a ground and team record fourth-innings chase.

But even with a calculated yet frenetic assault from Prior and Swann before the second new ball – which brought 60 runs in seven overs, in their partnership of 74 – it was not to be for the home side.

Scoreboard: Page 18.