Steve Harmison roared to England's rescue at The Oval this afternoon, just as new captain Kevin Pietersen said he would. Bowling more than 90mph on occasions, gaining steep bounce from one of his favourite pitches in the world and making the ball swing, Harmison sent back South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and No3 Hashim Amla with consecutive deliveries to bring the summer's final npower Test to life.

It was just like the Harmison of old - full of menace. And with Jimmy Anderson following up with three wickets - including his 100th at the highest level - in quick succession, the visitors were suddenly reeling at 132 for six.

Having already won the series, South Africa were hardly distraught. But it was still a come down for Smith's men, especially as they had been sitting pretty at 103 for one early this afternoon.

As for England and captain Pietersen, well - what a turnaround. With Alastair Cook dropping three catches, including one off Harmison's first delivery of the match, it looked as though more misery was heading their way. Until the big fast bowler from Durham decided to make his return to Test cricket after a fivemonth absence something special.

Harmison went into the match with a vote of confidence from Pietersen behind him. But he knew it was likely to be his last chance to resurrect an international career that has veered crazily from Ashes glory (2005) to Ashes humiliation (2006) and all points in between.

"Steve is buzzing, absolutely buzzing," said Michael Vaughan's successor. "I'm going to place some responsibility on him, and the big man will deliver for us."

Buzzing? The whole ground was crackling with excitement after Harmison's dramatic first over, never mind when he took two in two this afternoon.

Pietersen had decided to ditch the preplay huddle on the outfield - as favoured by predecessor Michael Vaughan - on the grounds he would do his talking in the dressing room. And Harmison's response was instantaneous.

His first ball saw Smith fail to get over an attempted cut and the ball flew hard and fast to gully only for Cook to spill a face-high, two handed chance.

Harmison's initial reaction was one of exasperation. But a rueful smile soon followed - and then he started dishing out pain to friend and foe alike. Smith was in agony after being hit in the 'box'.

And, by the end of that first over, England's Tim Ambrose needed treatment for a cut top lip after Harmison's rising delivery burst through the keeper's gloves.

It wasn't just Harmison causing problems with the new ball under a grey sky. Anderson beat Smith and McKenzie several times without being rewarded and both batsmen were fortunate to see edges bounce just clear of the stumps.

Perhaps Andrew Flintoff could do the trick for Pietersen, who turned to his No 1 all-rounder after less than an hour.

Already, though, Cook's dropped catch was starting to look costly. And Smith did not improve the youngster's mood when his edged drive against Flintoff flashed close to third slip which the Essex opener got a finger tip to but couldn't hold.

However, hemade no mistake a couple of overs later when McKenzie snicked Flintoff again and Cook grasped it comfortably.

A heavy shower of rain forced an early lunch and gave England the chance to reflect. But the afternoon session was only a few minutes old when Cook dropped another catch, this time from Amla off Flintoff.

Even Pietersen's optimism may have been waning at this stage, especially with Amla plundering five fours in two overs off Stuart Broad. But then he sent for Harmison. The bowler's first ball of a new spell almost did for Smith, narrowly failing to earn a leg before decision. But, next over, he really struck gold.

South Africa's captain miscued a hook to long leg for Anderson to take a well judged catch. Then, next ball - the batsman having crossed - Harmison beat Amla for pace to uproot middle stump with a full length delivery.

What a great sight for Harmison, and for English cricket. And no wonder Pietersen and Co mobbed their doublewicket hero.

There was plenty more good news to come, though - courtesy of Anderson. He trapped Jacques Kallis leg before with an inswinger before Prince obligingly drove a half volley to cover and Mark Boucher edged behind.