SA WIN BY FIVE WICKETS Well, a Test that threatened for so long to produce a grandstand finish ended with an exhausted England side, dead on their feet after over three hours in the field in the final session, having no answer to Smith and South Africa. The series is settled in the Proteas' favour, but join us at The Oval for the final Test to see if England can at least narrow the margin to 2-1.

Over 99 Pietersen 0-0-0-0-0-4 283-5 - Smith misses out on a half-tracker with no men out on the legside boundary. Morkel, next man in, has taken his pads off. Ever since, Smith's gone to pot. He tries a big drive and misses, but eventually heaves one over the legside to the boundary to complete the victory. Awesome knock from the skipper, but it will be interesting to hear what England have to say about the catch that never was. South Africa win a series in England for the first time since readmission, leaving only pride to play for at The Oval. South Africa tried to throw it away on days two and three, but their skipper wouldn't let it happen.

Over 98 Panesar 0-0-1-0-1lb-0 279-5 - Boucher takes a single before another massive appeal for leg-before against Smith. Well outside the line, and Dar isn't of a mind to even things up from earlier. The batsmen complete a leg-bye.

Over 97 Pietersen 1b-0-0-0-4-1 277-5 - Increasingly ragged from England in the gloom here. Pietersen comes back on, and spins one sharply. Ambrose can't gather, and a bye takes the target to single figures. Boucher whacks a boundary to extra-cover, and South Africa are within one scoring stroke of victory. Boucher takes a single to keep the strike.

Over 96 Panesar 0-0-0-0-2-1 271-5 - Smith brings up his 150 (237 balls, 16x4s) with a two through the covers and a single to square-leg. Brilliant innings, and I'm quite sure Smith doesn't give a stuff that he should have been given out long ago. Hundred partmership as well.

Over 95 Flintoff 1-1b-4-0-4-1 268-5 - Flintoff's spent here. Smith pushes down the ground for a single, and the next ball is pushed down the legside. Ambrose dives down the legside and can only parry the ball away for a bye. Smith then crunches two boundaries, one down the ground past another tired dive from Vaughan and one through square-leg where two fielders just didn't see it. Smith pinches a single from the final ball of the over, and this wonderful Test match will, ultimately, have an unfortunately tame ending.

GAME OVER South Africa have surely won this game now; the extra half-hour is claimed. So harsh on the fielding side, but hats off to Smith and Boucher: they sensed their opportunity and took it.

Over 94 Panesar 1-1-0-0-2-0 257-5 - A couple of singles and a clip into the legside for two from Boucher take the target down to 24. Just three runs an over required, so the extra half-hour looks a formality.

Over 93 Flintoff 1-1-1-0-0-2 253-5 - Flintoff's exhausted and being picked off here. Three singles are followed by a push down the ground for a couple of runs by Smith. England will look back ruefully on that missed run-out when Bell dropped the ball and the catch off the glove not given by Aleem Dar.

Over 92 Panesar 0-0-0-3-1-0 248-5 - England are gone here. Sidebottom's on the treadmill as he chases down a mistimed drive from Smith through backward-point. What initially looked like a single almost went for four. Panesar finally tries his luck round the wicket to Smith as a desperate last ploy, but it doesn't work. Boucher gets a single into the legside. South Africa need 33, and will surely get the extra half-hour if they ask for it. Quite simply, England have to take a wicket in these next two overs, or they're out of the game.

Over 91 Flintoff 0-1-0-4-0-0 244-5 - Last-chance saloon this for England. Vaughan throws the ball to Flintoff to ideally find a wicket, or at least stem the flow of runs. Smith guides the ball out to deep point, and England look a tired, beaten side now. If they have any chance left in this match, then it's tomorrow morning; if South Africa get the extra half-hour then the game is up. Boucher gets four with a drive down the ground, and the game continues to race away from England at the end of this fourth day. A thick inside edge from Boucher bounces past the stumps. Ten minutes left of scheduled play; but there could well be another eight overs to add after that. This has been a very clever assault from South Africa in the last five overs, bringing the extra half-hour into the equation.

Over 90 Panesar 0-0-0-0-4-0 239-5 - England are aware of what's going on here. Panesar is bowling over the wicket to Boucher, but it doesn't matter when you drag it halfway down. Boucher gratefully heaves the ball over midwicket for another boundary. The extra half-hour is very much on the cards here.

Over 89 Anderson 1-4-2-2-0-1 235-5 - Smith pushes to mid-off for a single, and Boucher forces the ball through the covers off the back foot for four more. A cut shot brings two more runs and it's undoubtedly South Africa's to lose now. Boucher scampers two after helping the ball to Panesar at long-leg, and judging by the way South Africa are playing they have an eye on winning this one tonight. I do think the extra half-hour is horribly unfair on the fielding side in what is already a significantly extended session, but the rules are there and South Africa, given the way they're playing, are definitely right to try and exploit them. Boucher makes it 10 off the over with a single from the final ball of the over.

Over 88 Panesar 1-0-0-0-1-1 225-5 - Panesar is back into the attack and starts with a poor short delivery that Smith pulls away to deep square-leg for a single. The light is closing in, and England would dearly love to take one of these two guys back with them tonight. At the moment it's very easy for the tourists, but one more wicket will see the tension ratchet up once again. Two singles from the final two balls of Panesar's over tick South Africa ever closer to their target.

Over 87 Anderson 0-2-4-1-0-0 222-5 - Anderson is back into the attack, and the target is under 60 as Smith whips through midwicket, drives down the ground for four and then collects a single to gully. Another 50 partnership for South Africa as they close in on a fantastic, series-clinching victory.

Over 86 Pietersen 1-0-1-1-1-4b 215-5 - These two experienced batsmen are just content to milk Pietersen for singles with the light closing in. A rotten delivery bunged down the legside gives Ambrose no chance and gives South Africa four freebies. Frustrating, and only 66 more runs are needed for victory now. South Africa clear favourites now.

Over 85 Sidebottom 4-1-0-0-1-0 207-5 - Just to add to the fun, there's a spot of rain in the air as well now. Sidebottom goes for the yorker, but gets it a bit wrong and is flicked away to the fine-leg boundary. Smith clips another ball to deep midwicket for a single and Boucher gets a thick inside edge into the legside for another single. South Africa are getting there.

METER READING Steve Davis has a little look at his light meter between overs. The reading comes back as 0.50. Don't know what that means, but it's another intriguing factor in this tense game of cricket.

Over 84 Pietersen 0-1-0-1-1-0 201-5 - Here's an interesting change from Vaughan, turning to the part-time offspin of Kevin Pietersen. He does give the ball a rip, shown first ball by one that spins sharply away from Smith but is too short and easily left alone. Three singles from the over, taking South Africa past 200 and the victory target down to just 80 runs.

Over 83 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-1-0 198-5 - Smith pushes a drive to mid-off for a single. Sidebottom not posing too much threat, but he is doing a tidy job.

Over 82 Panesar 0-0-3-1-0-0 197-5 - A genuine edge from Boucher flies wide of slip and looks to be heading for the boundary, but a sliding Vaughan brilliantly saves one run. Panesar gets away with a short ball, Smith only able to smack it to deep square-leg for a single, before Boucher plays out the over. England need another breakthrough here.

Over 81 Flintoff 0-4-1-1-0-0 193-5 - Beautiful shot from Smith, quite deliberately and expertly guiding the ball fine of gully for four when offered a bit of width by Flintoff. The next ball is eased out to deep point for a single, and Boucher adds another with a back-foot punch to mid-off's left. Smith, by the way, is the first player ever to score a century in the fourth innings of a Test match at Edgbaston. It really has been a special knock. South Africa need 88 runs to win.

Over 80 Panesar 1-0-0-0-0-0 187-5 - Smith pushes to mid-off and collects a single and Boucher plays out the over very securely. Not that you'd know that from all Ambrose's gor-ing and goi-ing.

Over 79 Flintoff 4-0-0-0-0-0 186-5 - Boucher pulls Flintoff and places it perfectly between the two men on the boundary to collect four. England know one more wicket exposes a long tail, but these two are going to take some shifting.

Over 78 Panesar 0nb-0-0-0nb-0-1-0-1 182-5 - Someone must have had a word in Aleem Dar's ear at drinks. Because virtually every ball Panesar has bowled from over the wicket to Smith today has been a back-foot no-ball for breaking the return crease. He does it every time he bowls, and I've long since given up mentioning it. Now, all of a sudden, Aleem Dar has started giving them - twice, quite correctly, calling Panesar in this over. Those no-balls plus a couple of leisurely singles take South Africa's target into two figures. Another major psychological barrier broken.

Over 77 Flintoff 0-0-0-0-0-0 178-5 - Flintoff back into the attack to try and create some more evening magic with this changed ball. He starts with a maiden to Boucher. Plenty of full, straight balls but Boucher seems to be picking them up fine.

BALLS England are still not happy with this cricket ball. They won't give up, and this time they might get their wish. Rob Bailey trots out with a couple of boxes of replacement balls trying to find one that looks about the same age. Of course, they've got one that's the right age, of course, but England don't like it. The umpires give Vaughan a new ball, and he chucks it to Smith for approval. He seems happy enough, as you would on 101 not out, but is less happy about his batting gloves. He changed them during the drinks break, but has now put the old ones back on.

Over 76 Panesar 0-0-2-0-0-0 178-5 - Sixteenth Test hundred for Smith (177 balls, 11x4s), guiding the ball to third-man for two. As predicted, his celebration is rightly understated with lots of work still to do. He's had some luck - most notably a clear-cut catch off the glove and a missed run-out - but has played quite beautifully in testing circumstances. Smith can think about the work still ahead over a drink.

Over 75 Sidebottom 0-1-0-0-0-2 176-5 - Smith eases Sidebottom out to the cover sweeper for a single to reach 99 not out. It'll be interesting to see Smith's reaction when he gets to 100, because his work will be far from finished. Collingwood's response yesterday was suitably understated, and I suspect Smith's will be something similar. Boucher gets off the mark with a clip through the legside that brings two runs. Smith, on 99, will have the strike against Panesar.

Over 74 Panesar 0-0-0-0-1-0 173-5 - Another ball spits and spins at Smith, bouncing and hitting him in the most amusing spot. A full-toss is squirted into the covers for a single, and Smith might feel he's missed out there.

Over 73 Sidebottom 1-0-0-0-0-0 172-5 - Smith moves to 97 with a clip into the legside. Sidebottom is round the wicket to the new batsman and immediately greets Boucher with a bouncer that's easily ducked. Boucher watchfully plays out the over.

Over 72 Panesar 1-1-0-W-0-0 171-5 WICKET! Finally, my jinxing powers do for a South African after stitching up a host of England batsmen. Monty flights one up to de Villiers, inviting the drive. De Villiers obliges and edges low to Collingwood at slip who makes no mistake. Just as the game was heading in South Africa's direction, everything changes again. The ever-combative Boucher is the new batsman, and he blocks his first two balls. "Goi!" comes the inevitable response from Ambrose each time. Can't decide whether it's more annoying than Matt Prior's "Get on that!"

Over 71 Sidebottom 0-0-0-1-1-0 169-4 - Sidebottom's pace is well down here, but he does get one to jag nicely past the outside edge of Smith's bat. South Africa's captain moves to 95 with a single to deep point, and de Villiers again plays nicely into the legside. Looks well-organised and in control of his game at the moment does AB. Sidebottom now tries the full delivery and sends it just past Smith's leg stump. That must have been desperately close.

LOAD OF BALLS This ball isn't doing much for England, so they try and get it changed. The umpires aren't having any of that, though, and throw it back dismissively to England's captain. Full marks for effort. Sidebottom is back into the attack for only his sixth over of the innings.

Over 70 Panesar 0-0-0-1-2-0 167-4 - Smith gets a leading edge, but it goes straight to ground. A push down the ground gets a single and de Villiers then gets two for an edge past slip. He has to dive to get home for the second run but he's there.

Over 69 Anderson 0-1-1-0-1-1 164-4 - Gentle swing for Anderson, and de Villiers uses it to work the ball into the legside for a single. Smith bounces a drive over the short-cover fielder for another single before de Villiers again uses the angle to pick up an easy run on the legside. Smith pulls hard to deep midwicket for another single, and things look pretty easy against the seamers now.

Over 68 Panesar 1-0-1-1-1-0 160-4 - Smith plays a risky cut shot behind point but gets it away for a single. De Villiers drives to deep point for a single. Both men collect another legside single, and the victory target is now just 121 for South Africa.

Over 67 Anderson 1-0-0-0-0-0 156-4 - Vaughan brings Anderson back into the attack now in place of Flintoff. Smith gets a single with a firm cut to deep point. Almost another mix-up as de Villiers defends into the legside. Smith wants a single, and de Villiers doesn't. Smith gets halfway down and has to turn and sprint back, but gets home safely. He really is keen to get away from Monty's end.

Over 66 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-1 155-4 - Smtih having real problems with Panesar getting the ball to spit out of the rough outside the left-hander's off stump. But he survives, and collects a single from the final ball of the over to keep the strike. Now just 126 more runs needed for victory. Where's your money?

Over 65 Flintoff 0-0-0-1-0-0 154-4 - We're definitely in the middle of another crucial passage of play here. Smith plays a loose cut shot at Flintoff and misses before regaining his composure and easing the ball out to long-off for a single. That's drinks, and a chance to take stock. Smith will know he's got away with one against Panesar and, while only the England players will know why they didn't appeal properly, I do think fear of over-appealing might be a factor. There are still 31 overs to go here, and every chance of a finish tonight. Either side could claim an extra half-hour, remember.

Over 64 Panesar 0-0-1-0-1-0 153-4 - Another massive, massive moment in this match. The ball loops up off Smith's glove and is caught by Ambrose running round. Panesar's convinced, but the appeal from the rest of the players is muted. Aleem Dar gives it not out, but why was the appeal so half-hearted? I wonder whether England's players have been warned about their excessive appealing and are now reluctant to really go up. That was clearly off the glove, and Smith should have gone. He almost goes again very next ball, sweeping the ball hard into the legside but in the air. Strauss runs in from the boundary but can't quite get there. He picks the ball up on the half-volley and Smith gets a single. Excellent piece of fielding. De Villiers swipes the ball out to midwicket for a couple as another eventful Panesar over goes by. Smith lucky to still be there.

Over 63 Flintoff 4-0-0-0-1-0 150-4 - Glorious cover-drive from Smith as Flintoff overpitches. He's not particularly noted for that stroke, but Smith's played it beautifully in this innings. A controlled pull gets a single to bring up South Africa's 150 and they now need another 131 for a famous victory to clinch the series. England still need six wickets. A high full-toss from Flintoff to end the over flies down the legside and is well taken by Ambrose. Just about under waist height, so not a no-ball. De Villiers didn't seem to pick it up that well.

Over 62 Panesar 1-0-0-0-1-0 145-4 - Massive moment in this game. De Villiers blocks the ball into the legside, and the players go through for a suicidal single. Ambrose gathers the ball and throws to Bell but, with Smith well short of his ground, the fielder drops the ball before taking off the bails. Smith would have been way out, and England have just missed a wonderful opportunity. Remember that moment at the end of this match. A nudge into the legside gets Smith a single.

Over 61 Flintoff 0-0-0-0-0-0 143-4 - Big appeal for caught behind, but Smith hit the ground not the ball. Another maiden over for Flintoff.

Over 60 Panesar 4-0-0-1-0-4 143-4 - Smith drives a full-toss from Panesar through mid-off for four, and then gets a single with a powerful sweep shot. Panesar ends an iffy over with a shocking delivery, short and wide outside off stump and smacked through point by de Villiers. Momentum shifting again thanks to this lively partnership, now worth 50.

Over 59 Flintoff 0-0-0-0-0-0 134-4 - No fireworks from Flintoff yet in this spell, but he completes a maiden over to a watchful de Villiers.

Over 58 Panesar 0-1-0-0-0-0 134-4 - No great surprise to see Panesar back into the attack for England, and it means we get treated to the delights of Ambrose screeching "Goi!" after each and every ball. Anyone got any idea what he's trying to say? Anyway, de Villiers skips down the track to smother the spin and works the ball into the legside for a single. Panesar then gets one to spin an absolute mile from about two-and-a-half feet outside off stump. Smith plays no shot and gets hit on the pads. Monty goes mad, but Aleem Dar says no. Hawk-eye has it hitting middle, but there's just so much guesswork for an umpire when the ball spins that sharply. Astonishing delivery from Panesar, and sympathy for the umpire.

Over 57 Flintoff 0-0-1-1-0-0 133-4 - These two batsmen seem to have no problems sighting Flintoff's full deliveries. Both men get the ball into the legside for singles as Fred goes for the delivery that has served him so well in this match.

Over 56 Sidebottom 0-1-1-0-1-3 131-4 - A nudge into the legside gets de Villiers a single, and Ambrose is again up to the stumps with Smith on strike. He picks up a single to third-man to move into the 70s, and a thick inside edge gets de Villiers another single, before Smith gets three with another controlled glide through gully. This partnership is developing nicely for South Africa with runs coming at a decent rate now. Can't be long before we see Monty from this City End. In other news, Mark Ramprakash has finally got through to that elusive 100th first-class hundred. Well done him - no-one else will ever get there now.

Over 55 Flintoff 0-0-0-0-4-2 125-4 - Three bowlers in three overs after tea as Flintoff returns in place of Anderson at the Pavilion End. But Smith looks an increasingly assured and determined presence at crease and pulls a short ball off the front foot over midwicket for four. Top shot, and he's definitely the man England need to see the back of. A clip through midwicket earns two runs, and South Africa now need another 156 for a series-clinching victory.

Over 54 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-1-0 119-4 - Sidebottom has so far bowled just three overs in this innings, but he's back into the attack straight after tea. Interesting change from Vaughan, because Panesar was certainly posing problems. Sidebottom looked a little laboured in his run-up earlier and his pace was way down. Still no great pace for Sidebottom in this first comeback over, and Ambrose actually comes and stands up to the stumps. Not sure if Smith was batting out of his crease, but he's obviously come right back now. A thick outside edge through point gets Smtih a single, and Ambrose is standing back again now de Villiers is on strike.

Over 53 Anderson 0-2-0-0-4-1 118-4 - Anderson starts the evening session, and he's got 99 Test wickets to his name after dismissing Prince before tea. Smith gets two for a controlled cut shot behind point and latches on to a short ball in good style, pulling it hard through midwicket and beating the man on the fence. Not. The. Right. Length. He keeps the strike with a single to mid-on from the final ball of the over.

TEA Brilliant session for England, picking up four wickets to move into a fantastic position in this enthralling Test match. There were some fabulous shots in between the dismissals and controversy - South Africa scored 100 runs in those two hours - and while Smith is there they are still very much in the game. But it's advantage England at the tea interval with batting only likely to get trickier. Monty's getting some big turn and bigger appeals, and might just need to calm down a touch.

Over 52 Panesar 0-1-0-4-0-0 111-4 - Smith works the ball out to deep midwicket for a single, before a short ball is easily cut away to cover for four by de Villiers. No value in the short ball, and Monty well knows it. He's cross with himself there, but he's right back on length for the rest of the over.

Over 51 Anderson 4-1-0-0-0-0wd-0 106-4 - Smith guides the ball quite safely between slips and gully for four to bring up his half-century (86 balls, 7x4s). It's been a fine innings so far, but his side now need much, much more from him. Hard to see South Africa winning this without a century from their skipper. A push into the covers gets him a quick single, and a very short bouncer from Anderson to de Villiers is rightly called wide.

Over 50 Panesar 1-1-0-1-0-0 100-4 - "Catch it!" screams Ambrose as Smith plays the ball all along the ground through square-leg for a single. Everyone just getting a touch overexcited out there. Cool heads required. Two more singles bring up South Africa's three figures, and there will probably be time for two more overs before tea. I think we all need a break.

Over 49 Anderson 1-W-0-4-0-0 97-4 WICKET! No problems this time, as Anderson gets one to shape away and find the thinnest of edges. Prince departs, and Monty flattens Anderson in some rather over-enthusiastic celebrations. This really is quite breathtaking cricket, with every ball an event. De Villiers is the new batsman, and he's soon flashing the ball just wide of Alastair Cook in the gully and down to the boundary. South Africa need 184 more runs to win, and much now rests on these two at the crease and Mark Boucher to come.

Over 48 Panesar 0-1-0-0-0-0 92-3 - Another incident-packed over. Panesar has two huge lbw appeals turned down - one against each batsman - as he gets big spin from out of the rough. Both were probably doing too much. The final ball of the over spins sharply down the legside, flicks the glove and is superbly taken by Ambrose. Panesar is off and celebrating, but Aleem Dar is unmoved. Tensions running high out there, and Monty needs to be careful: appealing is one thing, but celebrating like that before a decision is given tends to get umpires annoyed. Dar certainly doesn't look too impressed, and nor does Smith. Don't take your eyes off this.

Over 47 Anderson 1-0-0-0-0-0 91-3 - Anderson back into the attack after Flintoff's memorable spell - one that's sure to spark plenty of debate over the coming days whatever the result here. Smith pulls to the legside sweeper for a single that brings up his 5,000th Test run as captain. Smith closing on Allan Border's record for runs as skipper, and he's got plenty of time to get there you'd imagine. Anderson gets a ball to spit from a length and Prince does well to play the ball down to gully off the glove. Could easily have ballooned in the air that one, and the batsman needs a bit of treatment on that hand. A chance for the rest of us to catch some breath. Prince ducks under a bounce and plays out the over in watchful, solid defence. Flintoff, by the way, is off the field at the moment.

Over 46 Panesar 0-4-1lb-0-0-0 90-3 - Panesar drops short to Smith, who rocks back and slams the ball through midwicket for four. Poor ball from Monty, and he knows it. The next ball trickles to long-leg off the pads for a leg-bye, and Monty gets very excited as the final ball of the over balloons into the offside off Prince's pads. Might have been some inside edge there, but it didn't go to hand.

Over 45 Flintoff 0-0-0-4-W-2 85-3 - Flintoff's first ball to Kallis shapes back in and is squeezed out to mid-off via bat and pad. Impossible to tell what that hit first, so no way an umpire can give that out. Kallis whips his first boundary through midwicket as Flintoff goes for the yorker again. WICKET! This is going to be the big talking point. Kallis completely fails to pick up a full-toss from Flintoff and ducks. The ball smacks into his back thigh and would undoubtedly have gone on to hit middle stump. Almost apologetically, Steve Davis raises his finger and a furious Kallis has to go. He's livid, as are the South Africans on the balcony. Ashwell Prince, meanwhile, doesn't seem to have any such problem - none of the left-handers have. He plays his first ball into the covers for a couple of runs, but the crowd are right behind England now.

Over 44 Panesar 0-1-0-0-0-0 79-2 - Kallis gets off the mark with a thick inside edge into the legside. Smith plays out the over, making a real effort to get right across his stumps and outside the line when defending Panesar out of the rough. Now we will have Flintoff v Kallis.

Over 43 Flintoff 0-0-0-0-0-0 78-2 - England will be quite keen to get Kallis down to Flintoff's end, but we'll have to wait for the renewal of that epic battle between the great all-rounders as Smith plays out a maiden.

Over 42 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-W 78-2 WICKET! Monty strikes as Amla plays right back to a ball that straightens and hits the top of the pads. Hawk-eye reckons that ball's just going over the bails, but Aleem Dar is happy that it was going to hit the top of the stumps and Amla departs for just six to end a disappointing match with the bat. Two big wickets for England, but now South Africa's two best and most experienced batsmen are together in the middle

Over 41 Flintoff 0-0-0-0-0-4 78-1 - Smith drives at and misses an inviting floated full delivery from Flintoff. He gets a second chance from the final ball of the over, and this time finds the middle of the bat. Not a half-volley, but driven beautifully on the up through extra-cover. Bit of Marcus Trescothick in that; not much forward movement but beautiful transfer of weight.

Over 40 Panesar 0-0-1-1-0-2 74-1 - South Africa's batsmen starting to get the measure of Panesar. Each batsman collects a single before a wristy flick from Amla into the legside earns a couple of runs.

Over 39 Flintoff 0-0-0-0-0-0 70-1 - Flintoff back round the wicket to Smith, who plays out a maiden over before the drinks break. The game remains tantalisingly poised thanks to the unfortunate McKenzie's demise. The South Africans are having real trouble picking Flintoff up - and this time it's in bright sunshine.

Over 38 Panesar 0-1-0-0-0-0 70-1 - Smith cuts Panesar away for a single. Too quick from Monty, but with the new batsman on strike he slows the pace right down again. Lovely flight, bit of grip and the ball beats Amla's loose drive. He's a much better bowler at that pace, but once Amla gets him away for a couple of boundaries Panesar will be back up at 58mph.

Over 37 Flintoff 0-4-W-0-3-1 69-1 WICKET! England needed a breakthrough, so you know what's happened. McKenzie gets four with a sweet drive down the ground, but is then pinned on the toe by a yorker he quite simply didn't see. McKenzie's half-ducking when the ball thuds into his boot, and up goes Steve Davis' finger. It looked absolutely plumb, but replays suggest it might actually have hit McKenzie just outside the line. But I suppose standing there looking confused and half-ducking doesn't count as playing a shot. Hashim Amla is the new batsman, and he gets off the mark with a good-looking punch through the offside for three. Smith keeps the strike with a quick single to mid-on. Runs flowing, wickets falling, more controversy. Marvellous stuff, this.

Over 36 Panesar 1-0-4-3-4-0 61-0 - Smith works to leg for a single to bring up the 50 partnership. McKenzie's been all at sea against Panesar, but better signs for him here. A glorious cover-drive is perfectly placed between two two fielders for four, and the next ball is clipped through midwicket for three. Long chase for Flintoff. Smith whips the next ball through midwicket for four, and if South Africa get on top of Panesar, then England are in big trouble. Panesar bowling quicker and quicker as the over progresses. England need a wicket.

Over 35 Flintoff 0-0-0-1-0-0 49-0 - Flintoff is back over the wicket to Smtih, but the South Africa captain looks to be lining it up pretty well at the moment. He works into the legside and wants two, but has to settle for a single as Bell comes round to do the fielding.

Over 34 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-0 48-0 - Wonderful over from Panesar. One ball spins sharply past the outside edge and just misses the off stump. Ambrose takes the bails off as McKenzie threatens to over-balance. It goes to the third umpire, but the back foot is safely grounded throughout.

Over 33 Flintoff 0-0-0-2-4-0 48-0 - Flintoff comes round the wicket to Smith and is immediately worked into the legside for a couple before being driven sweetly down the ground for four. Smith fancies this.

Over 32 Panesar 1-0-0-0-0-0 42-0 - Smith gets a single from the first ball of the over, before Panesar gives McKenzie a bit of a working over. The right-hander tries to sweep but misses. The ball loops to Bell at silly-point and there's a huge appeal for a catch. There was a flurry of bat, glove and arm - plus a noise when bat hit ground - for Aleem Dar to pick apart, but he gets it dead right: the ball came off arm and pad.

Over 31 Flintoff 1-0-0-1-1-0 41-0 - Huge cheers around Edgbaston as Flintoff gets his first bowl of the innings. Quiet start to Freddie's spell - on the field at least - as the South Africa openers pick up three singles. In the stands, the chants of "Super Freddie Flintoff" are increasing in volume. Sorry to keep going on about 2005, but it was his inspired over containing the wickets of Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting that set up that victory after Australia had made a positive start.

Over 30 Panesar 2-0-0-0-0-0 38-0 - McKenzie plays a spinning ball from Panesar nicely, using soft hands to guide the ball behind point for a couple of runs. Monty will like the look of one that spits and hits McKenzie on the glove propping forward. It lands safely, but good signs there. The last ball of the over is squeezed between bat and pad, and Aleem Dar turns down a huge lbw shout. Very adjacent, but Hot-Spot suggests the ball hit the bat a fraction before the pad.

Over 29 Anderson 0-3-1-0-1lb-2 36-0 - Another nice drive from McKenzie, but not perfectly timed this time. Vaughan is able to flick it back just inside the rope and save a run, but the target is below 250 now. Anderson tries the inswinger to Smith for the first time, but it's a touch too straight and clipped away to long-leg for a single. Anderson starting to struggle with his line, and another leg-bye racks up as the ball cannons into the legside off McKenzie's pads. Smith works the last ball of the over neatly through midwicket for a couple and, now the batsmen are starting to rotate the strike, things have just got trickier for Anderson.

Over 28 Panesar 1-0-0-1-0-0 29-0 - There is a change, but Vaughan goes to his spinner rather than the big man. Smith works the first ball into the legside with the spin. "Catch it!" comes the optimistic shout from Ambrose behind the stumps. It came off the middle of the bat and well in front of Bell at short-leg. McKenzie works to leg for another single, and Smith drives the final ball of the over hard but straight to Flintoff at mid-off.

Over 27 Anderson 0-0-1-0-0wd-4-4lb 27-0 - The only fielder in front of square is a very close, straight mid-off. Smith pushes a drive to Pietersen's right in that position and collects a single to give McKenzie his first strike since lunch. Anderson struggles to make the adjustment and is called for a wide outside the right-hander's off stump. He gets the line right next ball but not the length, and McKenzie drives it gloriously through the covers. Decisive movement on to the front foot, and all the weight going into the shot. Classical batting. The last ball of the over is down the legside, and it flicks off McKenzie's pads and out of Ambrose' reach for four leg-byes. Don't get me started.

Over 26 Sidebottom 0-0-0-4-0-1 17-0 - Smith is squared up by one that shapes away and gets hit on the top of the pads. There's half an appeal from the fielders but not much interest from the bowler. Far too high. Smith gets four as a rank bad ball from Sidebottom is cut hard through point. Sidebottom shakes his hair in disappointment and stomps back to his mark. Smith keeps the strike again with a clip into the legside for a single as Sidebottom this time errs too straight. Don't think it'll be too long before we see Andrew Flintoff.

Over 25 Anderson 0-0-0-0-0-1 12-0 - Anderson giving Smith all sorts of problems early in his innings here. Another hooping outswinger passes the outside edge, before the bowler does find the edge but it bounces just short of Collingwood at the finer of two gullies. A drive is well stopped by Ian Bell at the squarer gully position, but Smith still gets a single to keep the strike.

LUNCH Another session that swung one way then the other. First South Africa made the crucial early breakthrough. Then Collingwood and Sidebottom put together a potentially vital eight-wicket partnership of 65. Then the last three wickets fell in a rush to leave South Africa chasing 281 for victory. And there were enough signs in the five overs of their run chase possible before the interval to suggest that won't be an easy task. Could go either way, this one. And it could yet get as close as 2005.

Over 24 Panesar 0-0-0-0-0-0 11-0 - Vaughan gives Monty an over before lunch, and there is a bit of turn there for England's spinner. Twice McKenzie defends towards gully with the outside half of the bat to much oohing and aahing from the close fielders. But he gets through the over, and South Africa have - just - reached lunch without losing a wicket. The first part of the job is done for South Africa, but there were some pretty nervy moments for Smith in particular.

Over 23 Anderson 4-0-0-0-4b-0 11-0 - Anderson looks for that outswinger again, but overpitches this time and is beautifully driven through mid-off for four. Smith is twice beaten by hooping outswingers from Anderson, and the second makes a monkey of Ambrose as well. He simply stands and watches the ball swing through the gap between himself and first slip for four byes. Strange. Anderson ends an excellent over with another ball that swings late and beats Smith's outside edge. Could so easily have got the wicket in that over. Anderson giving Smith a real working over there.

Over 22 Sidebottom 0-0-0-0-0-0 3-0 - The breeze is working against Sidebottom's inswinger to the right-handed McKenzie here, but his line is pretty good and he completes a maiden. The last ball is a touch legside, but McKenzie can only clip it to Pietersen in that curious square-leg position.

Over 21 Anderson 2-0-0-0-0-0 3-0 - There is some swing for Anderson, though, and he's once again looking to swing the ball away from Smith. It's an interesting tactic given Smith's lbw problems to the inswinger early in his innings. Smith pushes to cover for a couple but is then beaten by a beauty that swings fast and late past the outside edge. Excellent delivery, and plenty for the left-hander to think about. Six outswingers in the over.

Over 20 Sidebottom 0-0-1-0-0-0 1-0 - Nasty little 20-minute session for South Africa here against the new ball. Graeme Smith gets the chase up and running with a block and run into the covers for a single. Interesting field set for Neil McKenzie with Kevin Pietersen stood about 15 yards from the bat at square-leg. Four slips in place, but there's a "Holding's Hole" between the second and third. McKenzie defends a couple into that cordon, and they're fielded safely. No swing for Sidebottom in that first over. Just about favouring England on the emails, but the South Africans emailing in are supremely confident. There's bullish talk of winning comfortably because the top seven are all in good nick.

PREDICTIONS Come on then, people. Who wins it from here? Another two-run win for England anyone? Perhaps Andre Nel gloving one to Tim Ambrose. Not sure I could take it. Anyway, let us know your thoughts on the state of play: hit the FEEDBACK icon or email me: Dave.Tickner@bskyb.com

Over 19 Morkel 0-W 363ao WICKET! Collingwood had to go for it, he had no choice. He nicks off to Boucher looking to cut the ball and, amazingly, England have set South Africa 281 to win. In 2005, they set Australia 282. If Steve Davis had given a wide like he should have done a couple of overs ago, the story would have been perfect. But what a magnificent innings of 135 from Collingwood; he's given England a real chance. Morkel, meanwhile, bowled beautifully in the first innings and took no wickets. In the second, he bowled like a drain and picked up four. Cricket's great, isn't it?

Over 18 Kallis 0-0-0-0-0-W 363-9 WICKET! Anderson seems to think his job is to play shots. Not sure what's given him that idea, but it eventually gets him out. After five attempts at scoring runs he gets a thick inside edge into the stumps off a ball he could have quite easily left. Pretty brainless cricket from Anderson, who has shown that he can bat quite properly. Collingwood now has to go for it: Monty Panesar is the new batsman.

Over 17 Morkel 4-1-4b-4-W-1-0 363-8 - Morkel is back into the attack, and starts with a long-hop that Collingwood thrashes through the covers for four. Another ball is laced out to deep point for a single. The next ball from Morkel is rotten, chucked miles down the legside and inexplicably given as byes not wides. Boucher didn't have a price, and I'm not sure how Sidebottom was supposed to get a bat on that. The next ball is straight and full, and Sidebottom drives it on the up with real authority back past the bowler for four. Astonishing cricket. WICKET! Morkel, like any fast bowler worth his salt responds to that drive with a good short ball that Sidebottom can only glove to Amla at short-leg. What a match this is turning out to be. James Anderson is the new batsman, and gets off the mark with a single first ball. To add to the fun and games, there's a seventh ball in the over. Why not? It's been such fun. Collingwood blocks it into the covers. Maybe that wide was given; sure the signal was byes, though. Anyway, 14 runs and a wicket off the over.

Over 16 Kallis 1-0-0-4-0-0 349-7 - Kallis gets away with a full-toss, Collingwood only able to smash it out to the cover sweeper for a single, but has no such luck with a wide half-volley. Sidebottom slaps it in the air but in the gap to pick up another boundary and take the partnership past 50. This astonishing cricket match twists and turns again.

Over 15 Nel 0-0-0-1-0-0 344-7 - Collingwood nurdles the ball into the legside for a single and Sidebottom plays out the over. But everyone still keen on looking at replays of that de Villiers catch. The more I see it, the more convinced I am that he's caught it. But those catches will simply never be given out for as long as they are referred to the third umpire. Any batsman with a brain cell is just going to stand and wait. TV pictures provide a 2D answer to a 3D problem for catches, and the time has come to leave the third umpire out of those decisions.

Over 14 Kallis 4-0-0-0-0-0 343-7 - Sidebottom's recent run flurry continues with a deliberate shot wide of the slips to tge third-man boundary. We then have another moment of controversy as an outside edge travels low to AB de Villiers at second slip. Like Andrew Strauss earlier in the game, he's not entierly sure whether he's got his fingers under the ball or not. Like that 'catch' the decision is referred to the third umpire, which means the umpires might just as well say not out. Again, my gut feeling is that he took the catch, but the pictures are - as always - inconclusive. De Villiers in the thick of things again, but he certainly doesn't deserve criticism this time, unlike for his nonsense at Headingley. Meanwhile, England's lead is up to a very handy 260 runs.

Over 13 Nel 4-4-0-1-0-0 339-7 - Short-leg came in after Sidebottom was hit in Nel's previous over, and that prompts the batsman to have a dart. He takes on the pull shot and hits it sweetly in front of square for four to take the lead past 250. The next ball is very full, and Sidebottom squeezes it nicely behind point for a second boundary. Great runs these for England, and Sidebottom shows his growing confidence by defending to cover and scampering a quick single.

Over 12 Kallis 0-0-2-2-0-0 330-7 - Collingwood bunts the ball into the covers off the back foot for a couple, and adds two more with an uppish but safe drive behind point.

Over 11 Nel 0-0-0-0-0-0 326-7 - Nel's departure was only a brief one. He's back on in time to bowl his next over, and he's got a full set at Sidebottom this time. Sidebottom takes a blow on the body and then smacks a drive hard but straight at cover. Not quite sure where that shot came from, but Sidebottom's now defied South Africa for over 45 minutes this morning against the new ball. Good effort, even if he has only scored a single from the 28 balls he's faced.

Over 10 Ntini 0-4-4-0-0-0 326-7 - Beautiful shot from Collingwood, driving a full delivery from Ntini sweetly through the covers. Ntini responds with a short ball, and Collingwood swivels and whacks it through midwicket. Back-to-back boundaries, and these are all crucial runs. The lead creeps past 240.

Over 9 Nel 0-0-0-0-1-0 318-7 - Everything Nel does seems to amuse. He aborts a delivery in his delivery stride, prompting huge cheers. Collingwood again manages to pick up a single from the fifth ball of the over. Nel does manage to make Sidebottom play this time, beating the left-hander. Kept low that one, bouncing before it reached Boucher. Nel leaves the field at the end of that over, and Morkel trots back on. Robin Peterson stays on as sub fielder.

Over 8 Ntini 0-0-0-0-1-0 317-7 - Collingwood survives another huge leg-before shout. Once again he gets right across his stumps and looks to play into the legside, but this time the ball is going over the top. Good decision from Aleem Dar on that occasion. Collingwood is across again to the next ball, but this time gets bat on ball and collects a single. Again that leaves Sidebottom just one ball to survive, and again the bowler doesn't make him play.

Over 7 Nel 0-0-0-0-1-0 316-7 - Graeme Smith loses patience with the threatening but mercurial Morkel, and turns to the equally unpredictable Andre Nel. It's a decent start for the entertaining paceman but, not for the first time, he ends up on the deck after bowling a delivery. The crowd display their concern by cheering and whistling. Morkel, meanwhile, has left the field for treatment. After that beauty from the second ball of the day, he really did struggle. Collingwood clips to leg for a single to leave Sidebottom just one ball to survive, which he does by letting the ball through to Boucher.

Over 6 Ntini 0-4-0-1-0-0 315-7 - Too short again from Ntini, and Collingwood rocks back to hit a pull over midwicket and away for four. South Africa really have bowled poorly to England's number six in this innings. A clip wide of mid-on gets a single, Paul Harris doing well to save a run with a half-stop. Ntini is back round the wicket to Sidebottom - that's how he got him in the first innings - and immediately beats the left-hander. Sidebottom solidly blocks the final ball of the over.

Over 5 Morkel 0-0-0wd-4-0-0-1 310-7 - Lucky escape for Collingwood. He gets a long way across, looking to work the ball into the legside, and is hit on the knee roll in front of middle. Would have hit middle-and-leg about three parts of the way up, but Steve Davis shakes his head. Another pretty ordinary piece of umpiring, it must be said. Morkel, meanwhile, is still bowling a real mixed bag this morning. He follows up that excellent inswinger with another wide followed by a short ball that Collingwood pulls behind square for the first boundary of the day. After another ball fired down the legside, Morkel ends the over with a good one that squares Collingwood up and comes off a leading edge through point. Collingwood won't mind, though, because it gets him a single to keep the strike.

Over 4 Ntini 0-0-0-0-0-0 304-7 - Sidebottom plays out a maiden over from Ntini, beaten once by one that threatened to come in on the angle from round the wicket but just held its line. Good ball, but needed to be a fraction fuller to find the outside edge.

Over 3 Morkel 1-0-0-0-1-2nb-0 304-7 - The 300 comes up for England thanks to a trademark clip into the legside from Collingwood. They think about a second, but can't get it. That leaves Sidebottom exposed for five deliveries. Morkel goes round the wicket to the left-hander but is still struggling for line. Sidebottom leaves three balls before finally having to play. He gets a thick inside edge to long-leg for a single. A wild no-ball from Morkel fired down the legside is only palmed away by Mark Boucher, allowing England to collect another two extras. The final ball is another wild one down the legside, but it least achieves the target of keeping Collingwood down at that end. Boucher, diving to his left to gather, doesn't look particularly impressed.

Over 2 Ntini 0-0-1-0-0-0 299-7 - Makhaya Ntini shares the new ball, and cuts Collingwood in half with one that comes in with the angle and goes further off the pitch. Collingwood bunts the next one into the legside for the first run off the bat, greeted with huge cheers. Collingwood, by the way, is still wearing the same dirty shirt he wore yesterday; it's got a big old grass stain on it from running three early in his innings yesterday. Lucky shirt, clearly. Sidebottom plays out the last three balls of the over.

Over 1 Morkel 0-W-0-0wd-0-0-0 298-7 WICKET! Morne Morkel had a shocker yesterday, but he's made the dream start after being entrusted with the new ball this morning. His second ball is full, straight and knocks back off stump as Tim Ambrose props hesitantly forward. No footwork from the batsman, who was aiming through mid-on. This astonishing match takes another dramatic twist. England lead by 214, and they have just three tailenders to come. Ryan Sidebottom is the new batsman for England, and he's simply got to hang around with Paul Collingwood here. Morkel reverts to yesterday's type with a big wide outside the off stump. Morkel certainly ends the over far worse than he started it. Far too many balls easily left alone by Sidebottom, but it's still a wonderful start for South Africa on this fourth morning. Now, how will Collingwood play with the tail?

PITCH REPORT Sir Ian reckons it still looks good, but it's drying out and there are plenty of footmarks to interest Monty Panesar later in the day. If England get another 70, he's backing the hosts to level the series. Meanwhile, there are queues snaking round the car park. Nothing like a good close game to bring the punters in.

WELCOME It's day four here at Edgbaston, and this match is quite beautifully poised after England's fightback yesterday. Everything is perfect: England lead by 214 with Paul Collingwood and Tim Ambrose at the crease. They have four wickets in hand, but three of them are tailenders, and South Africa have a brand new ball available first thing. If England can wangle another 50 or 60 runs today, this will be perfectly set. Of course, in an ideal world England would set South Africa 282...