England maintain grip on first Test

Lead hosts South Africa by 261 runs with seven wickets to spare on day three

DURBAN: England tightened their grip on the third day of the first Test at Kingsmead on Monday against a South African team weakened by an injury to fast-bowler Dale Steyn.

England built on a first innings lead of 89, reaching 172-3 in their second innings at the close of play, an overall lead of 261 runs.

With plenty of time remaining in the match, England were prepared to grind out their runs with risk-free batting in the second innings, scoring at just over two-and-a-half runs an over on a slow, dry pitch which made fluent stroke play difficult.

Dean Elgar carried his bat for South Africa, making a fighting 118 not out, but he had minimal support from his teammates as the hosts were bowled out for 214. Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali took four wickets each for England.

South Africa suffered a blow early in the second innings when Steyn, who missed most of a recent series in India with a groin injury, left the field with a right shoulder strain and was unable to bowl in the rest of the match.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.