Mark Nicholas presents highlights from England’s one-day international series against South Africa, with commentary from Geoffrey Boycott, Simon Hughes and Barry Richards. This week, the teams meet for the fourth and fifth ODIs – from Lord’s and Cardiff respectively.

To say the last two weeks of English cricket have been dramatic would be something of an understatement. After losing the third Test against the Proteas and with it the series, Michael Vaughan stood down as Test captain and Paul Collingwood resigned as ODI skipper. England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen was then announced as the successor to both men and promptly went on to lead his side to a convincing win in the fourth Test.

Though the victory came too late to save the series, the result has a great deal of significance for English cricket. The appointment of the South African-born Pietersen came as a surprise to many owing to his lack of experience and his occasional recklessness at the crease. But his first-innings century proved to his doubters that the extra pressure of captaincy would not affect his batting.

More important than Pietersen’s ton, however, was his decision to recall Steve Harmison to the team after a year away from international cricket. The Durham paceman claimed two for 49 on day one at the Oval – including wickets with successive balls – prompting a South African collapse.

Buoyed by his 100 per cent Test record, Pietersen now has his sights set on next summer’s Ashes series. However, in order to defeat the Aussies, the new skipper will need to establish the structure of his side and develop a more consistent level of performance. One thing that is likely to stay is the five-man bowling attack that proved so successful at the Oval.

South Africa, meanwhile, will be keen to continue their Test success by showing the English crowds what they can do in the one-day form of the game. Where the English have looked unsettled in the past, South Africa look solid, experienced and organised.

Highlights of the fifth and final ODI will be shown at midnight on Wednesday.