SA v Eng 1st Test Day 3 Review: England gain upper hand with a vital lead

The opening Test of the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy is now fascinatingly poised between the two teams. England and Stuart Broad continued just, in the same manner, they did yesterday, taking 6 wickets for 77 runs during the morning session of day 3.

Stuart Broad continued his outstanding display and struck early, removing Temba Bavuma off the second delivery of the morning session. The rest of the morning session belonged to Moeen Ali who picked 4/25 and did the whole damage to the Proteas.

Ali struck in his first over to dismiss JP Duminy and soon got Kyle Abbott as well. Dale Steyn (17) showed his batting skills and contributed 54 runs for the eighth wicket with Dean Elgar. But, Ali came back into the game after he induced Steyn to drive and got him caught at mid-off. Alastair Cook brought Steve Finn as soon as the new ball was available. The tall fast bowler did not take much time to wipe out the tail-enders, Dane Piedt and Morne Morkel leaving Dean Elgar stranded.

Elgar, who came out to bat at the overnight score of 67, batted through and carried his bat. He became the only sixth South African to do so in Tests. He batted defensively and looked fluent in his unbeaten innings of 118. However, his efforts could not stop England from gaining an 89-run lead.

England had a healthy lead to capitalize with two more days to go in the Test match. But, nothing happened as expected by English fans as Alastair Cook was again dismissed cheaply at the score of 7 by off-spinner Dane Piedt in his first over.

The off-spinner struck again as the innings progressed further with the wicket of Alex Hales. Compton and Root batted brilliantly thereafter to take England to a strong position. South Africa had the opportunity to gain the upper hand in the match before tea. Morne Morkel was left frustrated after two catches were dropped off his bowling. Nick Compton and Joe Root luckily survived off the bowling of Morkel. Compton nicked the ball to Elgar at second slip but he could not get hold of it. And, in the final over before tea, AB de Villiers could not grab a one-handed catch above his head after Root could not connect a hook shot.

England went to tea with a 162-run lead. Soon after tea, Morne was able to dismiss Compton when he was just one run short of his half-century. Root and James Taylor stood firm and played out the last session with ease. Both batsmen did not offer even the slightest chance to the South Africans to make any comeback late in the day. Joe Root completed his half-century during the last session and was at 60 at the close of play.

South Africa’s list of worries got added up after lunch when Dale Steyn was troubled with a shoulder strain and had to leave the field for a scan but returned immediately to create a close chance of dismissing Nick Compton with an appeal for caught behind. The umpire gave not out but South Africa reviewed it in vain as the Ultra Edge showed nothing. Steyn walked back out of the field immediately after the decision as the shoulder discomfort aggravated and Morkel had to complete the remaining balls.

Brief Scores:

England – 303