A win at Edgbaston will be coveted by both England and South Africa. A victory for Michael Vaughan's men will tie the series, giving them another chance to fight back, but a win for the Proteas will be their first series win in England since readmission. The stacks are high – who will bend to the pressure?

The first Test at Lord’s showed South Africa at their fighting best. Under pressure, they managed a draw by battling out the last two days in a brave batting performance. The English started so well thanks to Ian Bell’s 199 and Kevin Pietersen’s 152 as they set a formidable first innings total of 593. The run chase proved too much to the Proteas and they only managed 247.

Vaughan made the call and put them back in as England chased a victory, although this extended period in the field proved to be the breaking point for the English bowling unit. The all-too-similar pace attack of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom could not remove an unwavering South African top order. Even Monty Panesar, who looked so dangerous in the first innings, went 60 overs without any luck.

The second Test proved to be even less helpful for the weary bowlers. With Sidebottom out due to an injury, we were expecting a fit Steve Harmison or Matthew Hoggard to take his place, but everyone was surprised to see the unknown name of Darren Pattinson on the team sheet. However, England did have a very welcome return in the form of Andrew Fintoff.

Freddie’s comeback only caused more problems for the selectors as their middle order of Bell, Paul Collingwood and wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose didn’t sparkle against New Zealand and looked to shimmer even less against the Proteas. In the end it was poor Collingwood who got the boot as Bell had secured his place with his 199 under pressure at Lord’s.

The poor bowlers didn’t get much time to put their feet up in the dressing room as their batsmen let them down, scraping together 203, forcing them to spend even more time in the field as South Africa pilled on the runs. Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers put South Africa in the driving seat with 149 and 174 respectively. With a 552 total set by the Proteas, England did mange to make them bat again - but the nine runs needed came in 1.1 overs and South Africa cruised to a 10-wicket victory.

Now with the series 0-1 to South Africa, this third Test could put the Proteas in the history books with their first Test series win in England. Or the Poms could bring the series to the wire with an all-or-nothing show down at The Oval. Let’s see if both teams can withstand the pressure.