England chip away at Proteas

England’s bowlers were rewarded for their perseverance to peg South Africa back after AB de Villiers won his first toss as skipper on the opening day of the third Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

The unchanged tourists, knowing a win here would secure the series, had initially struggled to take advantage of favourable seam-bowling conditions as a second-wicket partnership of 73 between Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla took the Proteas’ score to 117 for one.

But England tightened up their lines and lengths after lunch and were rewarded with seven wickets, five of which arrived in the over after skipper Alastair Cook made an inspirational bowling change.

Steven Finn and Ben Stokes claimed two scalps apiece, removing former skipper Hashim Amla and his successor AB de Villiers, while Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad also struck.

England were also given a helping hand by their hosts with four batsmen producing poor shots and Temba Bavuma superbly run out by Jonny Bairstow, who also claimed four catches in an impressive display behind the stumps.

They struggled to take wickets with the new ball at both ends of the day, though, Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada playing and missing several times against the second fresh cherry to help their side close on 267 for seven.

More to follow

Steven Finn gives a thumbs up to the Barmy Army after producing a beauty of a delivery to dismiss Hashim Amla


Source: ECB

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