Geraint Jones - back in the runs © Getty Images Enlarge

Geraint Jones admitted that England would be sleeping easily after all but securing their first series win in South Africa for 40 years. But, he added, they would be going flat out on the final day of the series, in a bid to secure a 3-1 scoreline.

"We are fairly safe," said Jones, whose hard-hitting 50 helped secure a first-innings lead of 112. "We have a good lead, they are a couple down already, and so we can have a good sleep and go at them hard in the morning. The first hour tomorrow will be crucial to how the match pans out.

"We've gone a heck of a way towards securing the series," said Jones. "It's going to take a heck of a knock from one of their players, because realistically there are going to want a lead of 250 and two sessions to bowl us out. That'll take some special batting.

"To say you have won three Tests out of a five-match series is much better than two," reflected Jones. "We came into this Test looking to do that and now we are in a position to do that. All it will take is just one more big effort from all the boys."

There was never any prospect of an England declaration, according to Jones. "Vaughany just said to us `keep batting'. We were looking for as many runs as possible, so we were able to keep playing naturally. From the runs side of things I have not got as many as I would have liked, so it was good to respond. It was the best I've batted for a while."

England had been in some slight peril at 114 for 4 overnight, but Graham Thorpe and Andrew Flintoff soon allayed those fears with a 141-run stand for the fifth wicket. "Getting through that first session was vital," admitted Jones, "so for Freddie and Thorpey to go through undefeated was a great boost for us. That helped me a little bit, too, because I knew I had to score some runs. But I played positively under some personal pressure, which is something I enjoy."

"They are going to be mindful that we bowled them out in two sessions at the Wanderers," added Jones. "And they are still not past our total yet, so that is their first target - to get past with as few wickets down as possible. We didn't really know what happened when Andrew Hall came out [at No. 3]. We thought he was going to throw the bat at everything, but he played quite a reserved innings."

Another ace up England's sleeve is Steve Harmison, who has yet to make his appearance in the attack in this innings. "He's obviously struggling a bit with his calf," said Jones, "and Freddie probably put his hand up to bowl because Harmy's been sitting around all day and it's hard to go out there. But it's a good option. Freddie's batted well and is on a high, so to knock over a couple tonight was a good start."

Andrew Miller is assistant editor of Cricinfo. He has been following England's tour of South Africa.