Moeen Ali increases England lead over South Africa to 360 runs

Earlier, Jonny Bairstow was unlucky to be dismissed at 99 but his innings anchored England to a total of 362.

Their crushing 340-run success in the second Test at Trent Bridge to level the series was irrefutable evidence of their ability to destroy a vulnerable looking home side.

The six with which Moeen reached his fifty was caught nonchalantly by Jonny Bairstow on the England team balcony, much to his delight. On the fourth day, all South Africa will look forward to is the priced wicket of Moeen and set up a reasonable target for themselves to chase.

Du Plessis went for 60 an ominous 13 balls after tea‚ caught behind off Anderson driving at a wide one‚ to reduce South Africa to 183/7.

Jennings was out for just 18 – after being dropped on nought – and Malan perished for just six as their techniques were again brutally exposed.

Vernon Philander has looked the ideal bowler for English conditions and has tormented the home batsmen, but at all-too infrequent intervals.

As for his England future, Anderson spelled out that Ashes victory next winter is already on his mind. The Essex batsman is playing just his second Test and will be given time to prove himself at No3 given he scored a half-century on debut at The Oval last week.

Earlier, England were bowled out for 243 in their second innings after resuming on 224 for eight. “What a series he has had”, said England all-rounder Ben Stokes. Rain then came down before the visitors could begin their reply.

In the end that drop only cost South Africa four runs, Olivier getting his man when Stokes edged him to Faf Du Plessis at slip. Kagiso Rabada took four wickets. His 50 arrived off 49 balls and after England had been struggling and had gone 29 deliveries at one point without scoring.

But for the third time in as many innings he fell to Middlesex paceman Toby Roland-Jones, “strangled” down the legside Saturday as wicket-keeper Bairstow claimed his 100th Test dismissal.

South Africa’s first-innings batting had left them with an extremely hard task but their bowlers were not intent on ending the series without a fight. But their catching really was shocking. He and Morne Morkel had put on 31 to push South Africa beyond 200 but the away side face conceding a giant first innings lead and sees them hoping the weather can intervene to prevent them going down 3-1 in this series.