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LONDON Aug 16 (Reuters) – South Africa won the toss and
opted to bat first against England in the decisive third and
final test at Lord’s on Thursday.
England must win the match to not only draw the series but
also to remain as the world’s number one ranked team and captain
Andrew Strauss was upbeat despite losing the toss.
“It’s not a bad toss to lose actually as there’s a tinge of
green and there should be something in it for our seamers,”
Strauss said at the toss.
“It’s a massive game for us and one we desperately want to
win. It’s time for everyone to show what they are capable of,”
added the captain, who is making his 100th test appearance and
his 50th in charge of England.
England made two changes from the drawn second test at
Headingley, omitting the explosive batsman Kevin Pietersen
because of a fall-out with the team and management.
He was replaced by Jonny Bairstow, while off-spinner Graeme
Swann was recalled at the expense of Tim Bresnan having been
dropped for the second test.
South Africa named an unchanged team for the third
consecutive match following their win in the first test at The
Oval by an innings and 12 runs and the Leeds draw.
Opener Alviro Petersen, who made 182 in the last match
before sustaining a hamstring injury, has fully recovered.
Continued…
