England vs South Africa: No play at the Oval on Friday as cricket remembers the Queen

ECB chair Richard Thompson has confirmed there will be no play on Friday in the rain-impacted deciding Test match

The Queen made several trips to see England play (Anthony Devlin/PA) (PA Archive)

England have announced the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa will not take place as scheduled on Friday following the death of the Queen.

An announcement on whether the LV= Insurance series decider at the Kia Oval will get under way on Saturday or be postponed is set to be made by the England and Wales Cricket Board “in due course”.

ECB chair Richard Thompson said on the governing body’s website: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in the game when I say how truly sad I am to hear of the Queen’s passing.

“Her Majesty has been such a great supporter of the game and was always so vocal of her and her late husband’s enjoyment around the sport.

“Her dedication to her country will never be forgotten. For her service and her selflessness over her extraordinary reign, we owe her a debt that can never be repaid.”

There was plenty of anticipation for the England-South Africa rubber match, with the Proteas winning the Lord’s opener by an innings before the hosts returned the favour at Emirates Old Trafford.

But persistent rain on Thursday led to a washout and even though there was enough of a dry interlude for a toss to take place in the morning, with Ben Stokes electing to bowl first, any prospect of play was officially abandoned at 4.45pm.

There was no play on the opening day of the third Test between England and South Africa (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)

Debutant Harry Brook, who was presented with his maiden Test cap by Yorkshire team-mate Joe Root, must therefore wait to take the field having been named 24 hours earlier as the replacement for the injured Jonny Bairstow in England’s only change from their victory at Emirates Old Trafford last time out.

James Anderson, meanwhile, was presented with a special cap by former England batter Marcus Trescothick to commemorate his 175th Test appearance.

South Africa made a raft of changes, bringing in batters Ryan Rickelton and Khaya Zondo for the injured Rassie van der Dussen and out-of-form Aiden Markram, while all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and left-arm quick Marco Jansen replaced spinner Simon Harmer and seamer Lungi Ngidi, who was ruled out with a niggle.