First day of third test between England and South Africa washed out

England won the toss and put South Africa in to bat on a damp, overcast morning at The Oval in south London on Thursday in the third and deciding test.

"It is a bit of strategy and a bit the pitch. We've done well bowling first this summer and with the weather we've had it has been under cover a bit and hopefully we can utilise that," Ben Stokes said.

The series is level at 1-1, with both tests finishing inside three days. South Africa won the first by an innings and 12 runs at Lord’s only to be hammered by an innings and 85 runs in the second at Old Trafford.

England have brought in debutant batsman Harry Brook to replace Jonny Bairstow, who suffered a serious leg injury playing golf last week.

Brook has averaged 107 in first-class cricket this season and also scored 140 in the England Lions non-first class fixture against South Africa before the series began.

See the live scorecard of the match at Flashscore

South Africa, who lost Rassie van der Dussen with a fractured finger and Lungi Ngidi as a "precaution", made four changes from the second test.

Ryan Rickelton, Khaya Zondo, Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen are in, with Aiden Markram and Simon Harmer the others to make way.