Zak Crawley shines at last to leave England on brink of Test series victory

Opener scores quick-fire half-century to leave England needing only 33 more to beat South Africa

England's Zak Crawley, right, celebrates reaching his half century with Alex Lees on the fourth day of the Third Test against South Africa at The Kia Oval on September 11, 2022. Getty

England's Zak Crawley on his way to a half century. PA

Alex Lees of England hits out during his side's second innings. Getty

Zak Crawley during England's second innings. Getty

England's Alex Lees plays a shot. AFP

Keshav Maharaj of South Africa just fails to take a catch off Alex Lees of England. Getty

Alex Lees of England drives. Getty

England's Ollie Robinson celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Khaya Zondo. PA

Stuart Broad of England celebrates after dismissing Ryan Rickelton of South Africa lbw. Getty

England bowler Ollie Robinson celebrates after dismissing Wiaan Mulder of South Africa. Getty

James Anderson of England bowls. Getty

Keshav Maharaj of South Africa is bowled out by Stuart Broad. Getty

England's Ben Stokes juggles the ball. Reuters

Khaya Zondo of South Africa bats. Getty

England's Ben Stokes. PA

England's Ollie Robinson celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Khaya Zondo. Reuters

South Africa's captain Dean Elgar of South Africa reacts after being dismissed lbw by Stuart Broad of England. Getty

South Africa's Wiaan Mulder looks back after playing a delivery from Ollie Robinson on to his wicket. AFP

England's James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of Keegan Petersen of South Africa. Getty

Keegan Petersen of South Africa watches as England's Ollie Pope of England takes a fine slip catch to dismiss him. Getty

England's Stuart Broad celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of South Africa's Ryan Rickelton. AFP

South Africa's Keegan Petersen walks back after his dismissal by James Anderson. AFP

England's Stuart Broad celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of South Africa's Dean Elgar. AFP

South Africa's Keegan Petersen plays a cut shot. AFP

England's James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of Keegan Petersen. Reuters

South Africa's Sarel Erwee stretches to make his ground. AFP

England's captain Ben Stokes celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of South Africa's Sarel Erwee. AFP

Dean Elgar of South Africa in action. Getty

South Africa's Sarel Erwee reacts after losing his wicket. Reuters

South Africa's Dean Elgar plays a shot at The Oval. AFP

South Africa's Dean Elgar plays a shot through the slip cordon. PA

South Africa's Dean Elgar on day four of the third LV= Insurance Test match at the Kia Oval, London. Picture date: Sunday September 11, 2022.

Zak Crawley ended a disappointing summer with a flourish as England moved to the brink of a Test series victory over South Africa at the Oval on Sunday.

After 16 innings without a half-century, Crawley’s 57 not out means what might have been a potentially tricky fourth-innings target of 130 in a low-scoring third Test should be safely negotiated on Monday.

England reached 97 without loss – they need just 33 more runs for a 2-1 series win – before bad light brought an early finish 23 minutes before the scheduled close, prompting some boos in the crowd.

After South Africa collapsed from 83 for one to 169 all out, with three wickets apiece for Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes, Alex Lees was dropped from the first ball of England’s chase by Marco Jansen.

While Lees grew in fluency and ended the day on 32 not out, the out-of-form Crawley helped get England off to a flyer, riding the bounce in Kagiso Rabada’s second over, dispatching him for back-to-back fours.

He needed just 36 balls to reach his fifty and there was a sense he could get England over the line on Sunday night – and bring about effectively a two-day Test after Thursday’s washout and Friday’s play being called off in memory of the Queen – but England, to their frustration, were kept waiting.

"It's been a great day. We bowled really well," said England pace bowler James Anderson. "Maybe we didn't get our rewards in the first session but they grafted really hard to get through a tricky period. But we stuck at it really well and kept picking up wickets to get us in a great position.

"And then Alex and Zak came out and played exactly how the captain and coach want them to, and got us to a great position by the end of the day."

As for the bad light decision, Anderson added: "The rate we were scoring at, we may have only needed 5-6 overs, they were seeing the ball well and with a good crowd in tonight it would've been good to win it tonight.

"But I can understand why it had to happen, the umpires take that reading on the first day and it sets a precedent for the rest of the game and for example, if it rained all day tomorrow, it would be unfair on South Africa if we ignored that and carried on to get it done tonight.

"It's frustrating but it's the rules. Sometimes though, you think common sense would prevail."