The eagerly anticipated third and final Test between England and South Africa finally got underway at Lord's, on 16 August, with the hosts bowling first and dominating proceedings early on.

Pacers James Anderson and Steven Finn took three wickets each, as England had the better of the first day against the Proteas. South Africa, who chose to bat first, were 262/7 at stumps after the visitors' lower order dug in to avoid a disastrous start that left them struggling at 54/4.

England are fighting for the series-levelling win needed to prevent South Africa from seizing their position as the No 1 Test side in the world. Graeme Smith's team have a 1-0 lead in the series, after having dominated the first Test and forcing a draw in the second.

Steven Finn
Finn dismissed three South Africa batsmen in the morning session Reuters

Day 1 Round-up:

After Smith (14) was dismissed by Anderson, Finn took charge and tore into the tourists' top order as Alviro Petersen (22), Hashim Amla (13) and Jacques Kallis (3) all fell to the 23 year old. Anderson then struck with the new ball to send AB de Villers (27) back and Graeme Swann got his first wicket of the game when he bowled Jacques Rudolph for 42, with the score at 163/6.

JP Duminy (61) and Vernon Philander (46 not out) were able to lead the fight back as batting became easier later on the day but Anderson returned to remove Duminy. The South Africa lower order continued to frustrate the hosts and they ended the day with Philander and Dale Steyn (19) at the crease.

England
England will be keen to pick up the three remaining wickets early on Friday Reuters

Day Two:

England are well in control of the game at this point but Test cricket is a five-day spectacle and there will surely be a few twists and turns as the match progress. Andrew Strauss, who became only the ninth Englishman to play 100 Tests, will be keen to pick up the three remaining wickets early on Friday to avoid South Africa getting back into the game. The hosts, who lost the first Test after registering a strong opening day, will be desperate not repeat the mistake. The Proteas are a strong side and they will capitalise if England show any lapse.

Teams:

England: A Strauss (c), A Cook, J Trott, I Bell, J Taylor, J Bairstow, M Prior (wk), S Broad, G Swann, J Anderson, S Finn

South Africa: G Smith (c), A Petersen, H Amla, J Kallis, AB de Villiers (wk), J Rudolph, JP Duminy, V Philander, D Steyn, M Morkel, I Tahir

Umpires: Kumara Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Simon Taufel (Australia)

Where to Watch Live:

You can follow the game live from 10.30 am to 7 pm on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD 1. Special commentary will be available on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 LW and via the BBC Sport Web site.