Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis steered the Proteas to a 366-run lead at tea on day three at Trent Bridge. JON CARDINELLI reports.
England haven’t had a great deal to celebrate on day three. The Proteas started the first session well, with Dean Elgar and Amla extending their second-wicket partnership to 135 runs. Even after Elgar and Quinton de Kock fell on the stroke of lunch, it was fair to say the first session well and truly belonged to the visitors.
Amla and Du Plessis began the second session in circumspect fashion. South Africa scored 28 runs during the first hour of play. More importantly, the batsmen kept their wickets intact.
The pair took 135 balls to bring up a 50 partnership. Towards the end of the session, however, Amla played some expansive strokes against the spinner Liam Dawson.
A change in approach led to the veteran’s demise. Amla attempted to use his feet and hit the bowler back over his head. The ball struck the player on the pad, and England successfully reviewed to send Amla packing for 87. For the second time in the game, Amla was denied a richly deserved and well-paced century.
The Proteas may look to up the scoring rate in the third session and set England a target in the region of 450. The hosts, meanwhile, will look to end South Africa’s innings as soon as possible. The second new ball will be available four overs into the third session.
SA 335 (1st innings) – Hashim Amla 78, Quinton de Kock 68, Vernon Philander 54, James Anderson 5-72
England 205 (1st innings) – Joe Root 78, Jonny Bairstow 45, Keshav Maharaj 3-21, Chris Morris 3-38
SA 236–4 (2nd innings) – Dean Elgar 80, Hashim Amla 87, Faf du Plessis 42 not out, James Anderson 2-41
South Africa lead by 366 runs
