Finch strikes put England on victory path

England ended day three on course for victory in the opening Test after Harry Finch took three of four South African wickets early in their chase of 271. England had faltered with the bat to set a target less challenging then they would have wished but left South Africa with a daunting task on the final day.

After taking a 119 first-innings lead, England were looking to bat South Africa out of sight and make smooth progress in the morning session through Dominic Sibley, the right-handed opener from Surrey. But the opening stand of 35 between Sibley and Jonathan Tattersall proved the best of the innings as Sibley was the only batsman to make more than 17.

They were sitting healthily at lunch on 79 for 2 but then crumbled to Shaylin Pillay's right-arm medium pace. He removed Kishen Velani and Callum Jackson in the same over on the way to 3 for 23. Vincent Moore then dismissed Sibley as England lost 5 for 23. A brief 17 from first-innings centurion Ed Barnard extended England's lead but momentum had swung.

Andries Gous led South Africa's chase well with 30 not out by the close but four wickets at the other end saw England regain the initiative. Finch, 17-years-old from Sussex, removed Pillay and Diego Rosier in consecutive overs, both lbw, to leave England in a good position to take the lead in the series.