By Neil Manthorp.
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first on the first day of the third and deciding test match against England at The Oval in London on Thursday but heavy rain has delayed the start of play.
A wet outfield initially delayed the toss by an hour but further rain after the toss has meant there is little prospect of any play before lunch.
South Africa made four changes to the XI which lost by an innings and 85 runs at Old Trafford in the second test with batters Ryan Rickelton and Khaya Zondo being drafted into the middle order in place of the injured Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram and bowlers Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder replacing Simon Harmer and Lungi Ngidi.
Proteas captain Dean admitted at the toss that the visitors would have to “knuckle down” in the first session in bowler-friendly conditions while confirming that Ngidi was omitted because he has “a niggle.”
England named their starting XI yesterday with just one change – Yorkshire batter Harry Brook taking the place of fellow Yorkshireman, Jonny Bairstow, who was injured playing golf at the beginning of the week.
ENGLAND: Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson
SOUTH AFRICA: Dean Elgar (captain), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickelton, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.