Sports » England v South Africa Fourth Test
The fourth and final test match of the Npower series takes place at The Brit Oval in the heart of London. South Africa have already won the series courtesy of their wins at Headingley and Edgbaston but they'll be wanting to gain another win over England heading into the forthcoming one day international series. This match will launch the start of a new era for English cricket as Kevin Pietersen will captain England's test team for the very first time, after Michael Vaughan quit last weekend.
The Oval is traditionally a ground on which plenty of runs are scored. It's usually a good wicket and the outfield is often lightening quick.. It's for that reason that the majority of matches at this famous ground have been drawn. In fact of the 90 test matches England have been involved in here, 37 of them have been drawn. England have won 35 matches here and lost 17. England's last win on this ground was in 2004 when they beat the West Indies. England also beat South Africa here in 2003. Of the 12 matches between these two sides at The Oval, England have won 5 while the other 7 have been draws. South Africa will be looking for their first test win here this week.
England have recalled Stephen Harmison and Stuart Broad to their side after the losses in the last two matches. Ex-skipper Michael Vaughan and Ryan Sidebottom make way. Dale Steyn still isn't fit for the tourists so South Africa are set to be unchanged. The weather doesn't look good but when the players are on the field I'd expect another high scoring match here but with the likelihood of plenty of rain delays, the draw looks the most likely outcome.
