MICHAEL VAUGHAN’S captaincy is under the most intense scrutiny of his five years in charge after England lost their first home Test series to South Africa since 1965 last night.

On a day of high drama and controversy, England were unable to defend 281 in the fourth innings of the third npower Test, South Africa getting home by five wickets thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 154 by Vaughan's opposite number and old adversary Graeme Smith.

Asked if he was still the man to lead England, Vaughan said: “Let the dust settle.

Emotions always run high after defeats like this one. It is the first time I’ve lost back-to-back games and I’m more gutted than anyone. I thought we’d bowl them out for 200 and win quite comfortably. We’ve just witnessed a special innings from Graeme Smith.

“I have no doubts about my captaincy ability but I am not scoring runs as a number three batsman. I set myself high standards and in this series I’ve not got anywhere near those standards.” Vaughan said he would be prepared to consider dropping down the batting order “but if I don’t play well, it is irrelevant where I bat”.

The squad for The Oval Test is named this morning. Andrew Strauss, who led England briefly yesterday, is tipped to succeed Vaughan should the selectors feel his time is up.

When South Africa slid to 93 for four yesterday afternoon, England appeared in command, but their four-man attack depended too much on Andrew Flintoff. He claimed the wickets of Neil McKenzie and Jacques Kallis - in disputed fashion as they failed to pick up balls against the dark backdrop above the sightscreen - but was unable to make further inroads. England last lost a Test at Edgbaston in 2001.

Smith saw his side home in an unbroken partnership of 112 with wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. The match finished in near darkness at 7.15pm. The series has seen a remarkable turnaround in South Africa’s favour since England dominated the first three days of the first Test at Lord’s, only for South Africa to escape easily with a draw. Since then England have been overwhelmed.

The story might have been different had Smith been adjudged caught off Monty Panesar while he was in the seventies. Replays showed he had gloved the ball but the contact was not detected by umpire Aleem Dar. England are expected to recall Steve Harmison for The Oval in place of Ryan Sidebottom.

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