Zak Crawley helped steer England to victory against South Africa in the third Test at The Oval on Monday morning.

The Kent opener made 69 not out in the second innings, hitting the winning runs with a boundary, as England won by nine wickets to clinch the series 2-1.

Crawley resumed overnight unbeaten on 57, having hit the eighth-fastest Test half-century for England, coming up in just 36 balls.

On Sunday evening, Crawley quickly progressed through the forties with three boundaries in four Kagiso Rabada deliveries.

He was dropped on 51 by Ryan Rickelton at mid-wicket, a difficult chance off Anrich Nortje as Crawley hit the ball so hard. In the same over, Crawley had another escape when he edged Nortje, only for the ball to go between wicketkeeper and first slip, who both stood motionless.

The 24-year-old's half-century represented a personal highlight during a tough summer for Crawley, who had passed fifty for the first time since the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua when he scored 121 in early March.

Since then Crawley has been out for single figures 10 times in 16 innings for England.

With selection for the forthcoming tour to Pakistan imminent, Crawley's innings is perfectly timed as his place in the team has been the subject of much debate throughout the summer.