England recovered brilliantly after a disastrous start to their innings on day two of the third Test against South Africa at Lord's, with Jonny Bairstow and Ian Bell helping their team recover from 54 for four to reach stumps on 208 for five.
Three wickets apiece from England seamers Steven Finn and James Anderson eased England to a position of comfort, with South Africa struggling on 262 for seven at the close of play on day one of the final Test at Lord's.
Geoffrey Boycott's revelation that "the issues around Kevin Pietersen are more important than beating South Africa" typified England's anxiety, while Tim Bresnan's suggestion that "it may be an even better side" without Pietersen downright exemplified their desperation.
South Africa gave their bowlers a chance to bat and bowl on the final day of their match against Derbyshire, as they prepare for next week's third test against England.
Day one of the two-day tour fixture against Derbyshire at the County Ground brought the South African batsmen plenty of valuable time at the crease on Friday.
The second Test between England and South Africa at Headingley ended in a draw on Monday, despite a final day that saw runs, wickets, declarations and a magnificent spell of bowling by Stuart Broad.
Day four of the second Test between England and South Africa was washed out before tea, with South Africa's second innings having progressed to 39 without loss, and a lead of 33 established going into the final day.
South Africa's dominance of the series so far took a backseat to the brilliance of Kevin Pietersen on Saturday, when he took the attack to his country of birth for a fine 149 not out in an England total of 351 for five.
A big century from Alviro Petersen kept England in the field for a full five sessions and carried South Africa to a solid 419 all out before Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook ensured a solid reply at Headingley.
Out for a duck in the series opener, Alviro Petersen redeemed himself with a fine 124 not out as South Africa climbed to 262 for five on day one of the second Test against England at Headingley on Thursday.
Outgunned, outlasted and largely outed at The Oval, England require a convincing reply when the middle installment of the series trilogy gets underway in Headingley.
Batsmen Alviro Petersen and JP Duminy's preparations for the second Test against England were marred by a string of failures, as South Africa's two-day tour fixture against Worcestershire ended in a draw at New Road on Saturday.
South Africa's preparation for the second Test proved solid enough on day one of their two-day tour fixture against Worcestershire, although they would have wanted more from batsman Alviro Petersen, Jacques Rudolph and JP Duminy.
Bangladesh bounced back from their humiliating T20I defeat against Scotland with an eight-wicket win over more fancied Netherlands at The Hague on Wednesday.
At last, the highlight series of the year has arrived. The battle for the number one Test nation commences at the Oval, and the build-up has been frantic.
South African fast bowler Dale Steyn reaffirmed his status as the world's best Test bowler with a second-innings five-for to resign England to an embarrassing innings and 12-run defeat on day five of the series opener at The Oval on Monday.
Hashim Amla scored his country's first ever Test triple-century to set up a hefty declaration before England lost four quick, key wickets as South Africa closed in on victory in the series opener at The Oval.
South Africa enjoyed a hugely successful day with the bat at the Oval on Saturday, ending day three on 403 for two, which saw them 18 runs ahead of England's first innings score thanks to Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith.
South Africa ended day two of the first Test against England still 299 runs behind, but with only one wicket down after Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla recovered from the early loss of Alviro Petersen.
England opener Alastair Cook typified the high standard expected of the battle for the number one Test ranking with a superb century on day one of the series opener against South Africa at The Oval on Thursday.
Bangladesh won the first Twenty20 International against Ireland in Belfast by 71 runs on Wednesday, with Shakib-al-Hasan scoring a half century and Elias Sunny taking a five-for.
Several of South Africa's leading batsmen spent some useful time in the middle ahead of next week's first Test against England as their tour match against Kent ended in a rain-affected draw on Sunday.
It was a mixed opening day for South Africa in their two-day warm-up match against Somerset at Taunton as a serious injury to Mark Boucher overshadowed proceedings.
