Root asserts England dominance

28 Dec 2015 | Cricket
England hold an imposing 261-run lead in the first Test against South Africa after an impressive third-day showing at Kingsmead.
Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad took four-wicket hauls as the Proteas were bundled out for 214 in reply to England's 303 this morning.

An unbeaten half-century from Joe Root and 49 from Nick Compton then carried England to 172 for three at stumps, with the hosts further troubled by the loss of Dale Steyn to a shoulder injury.

The tourists made a perfect start, with South Africa failing to add to their overnight total of 137 for four before Temba Bavuma was bowled by Broad with the second ball of the day.

Joe Root hits out during an impressive unbeaten 60 on day three in Durban

Moeen then took centre stage, catching JP Duminy's outside edge with a classic off-spinner's delivery that pitched on leg stump and turned sharply before carrying to Ben Stokes at slip.

Kyle Abbott fell for a duck to Moeen as James Taylor held a tumbling bat-pad chance at short-leg.

Opener Dean Elgar was providing impressive resistance at the other end, and he completed a composed century with a glance off Root.

The left-hander was able to conduct a meaningful partnership with Steyn, as the two battled gamely to add 54 for the eighth wicket.

Steyn's patience eventually ran out on 17 as he lifted Moeen to mid-off, where Chris Woakes held on at the third attempt.

The Proteas' innings was brought to a swift conclusion with the new ball, as Steven Finn had Dane Piedt caught behind for one and Morne Morkel held in the slips by Root three balls later, leaving Elgar - who made 118 - to become only the sixth South African to carry his bat in Test cricket.

Moeen Ali celebrates picking up the wicket of JP Duminy with a classic off-spinner's dismissal

That gave England a precious 89-run advantage after the first innings, but they had added only 13 more when Alastair Cook was trapped lbw by an arm ball from off-spinner Piedt.

Alex Hales swept Piedt for six, but fell for 26 after hoisting the same bowler to Abbott at long-on.

However, South Africa were hampered by the world's top-ranked Test bowler Steyn twice failing to finish an over due to a shoulder strain, bowling only 3.5 overs before leaving the field for a second time.

The home side did not help themselves as Elgar shelled Compton on 11 at second slip and wicketkeeper AB de Villiers spilled Root on six.

Compton was fumbled again by de Villiers on 45, but the 31-year-old made amends four runs later when the Middlesex batsman tickled Morkel down the leg-side to depart for 49.

Root was less forgiving - he played with increasing authority to finish the day unbeaten on 60.

Taylor was alongside him on 24 not out, with England well placed to set their hosts a daunting fourth-innings chase on a track offering plenty of turn and variable bounce.