England grind towards big lead

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.

Joe Root made 60 not out off 109 balls, while first innings top-scorer Nick Compton survived two dropped catches before being caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers off Morne Morkel for 49.

Both Compton’s chances were off Morkel, who also had Root dropped by a leaping De Villiers on six.

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 left the field with a right shoulder strain after bowling two balls of his fourth over.

He returned soon afterwards and bowled three balls of the 21st over, almost forcing Nick Compton to play on to his stumps, before crying off again.