Summary

  • Moeen hits 67 off 59 balls to swing momentum

  • Root made 49 but failures for out-of-form Jennings & Malan

  • SA 226: Bavuma 46, Anderson 4-38

  • England 362: Bairstow 99, Stokes 58

Live Reporting

Amy Lofthouse

  1. That's us done for the day. We'll be back at 10:30 BST sharp for the fourth day's play.

    I'll leave you with what was, undoubtedly, the best moment of the day. In a bit!

  2. 'We believe we can do it'

    Duanne Olivier speaking to Sky Sports: "If we can bowl them out for 380, 390 to chase, I still believe it's possible. The wicket is difficult and the conditions are suited to bowling but we still believe we can do it. We've done it in the past - why can't we do it now?

    "I'm very happy with my bowling and contributing towards the team. Our goal is to level the series. I started pretty well but I feel like I let ti slip, and maybe got a bit greedy, when Moeen and Roland-Jones were batting."

  3. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    I think Liam Dawson has had his time now. Adil Rashid doesn't like bowling with the red ball, he's not comfortable. His card has been marked by someone in the coaching team. Mason Crane is worth a punt for the Ashes.

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    Ben Dunbar: Looking at the weather forecast for Tuesday, South Africa have one day to get the runs to draw the series. Not happening.

  5. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Calls for Ian Bell to return? I don't think he will. His big chance was the first few games of the season and to score runs then. You've got to look at why players aren't picked, because someone at the top doesn't rate them. Personally, I think he is one of the best players ever, but by the end he just wasn't scoring heavily enough. I just can't see it.

  6. Woakes takes two on return

    Elsewhere, Chris Woakes made his return to county cricket today after a lengthy lay-off with a side injury.

    After Warwickshire were bowled out for 126 against Middlesex, Woakes has taken 2-46, including dismissing opener Sam Robson, with Middlesex on 125-6.

    You can follow that game, and the rest of today's county matches, over on our live page.

    .Reuters

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    I can't help but think that when Woakes is back, just drop Malan and move Stokes, Bairstow and Ali up one. Still bat to nine (not including Broad) and then we can stop experimenting with new batsmen, at least at five anyway.

    Alex in Coventry

  8. Phil Tufnell
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    You have two schools of thought as a batsman when you're looking at the rough out there. Either you just poke it, and get out, or you have to take the onus to the left-arm spinner. And Moeen did that beautifully.

  9. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    I think if the rain hadn't come then England would have got bowled out. In all honesty, they should have been bowled out half an hour ago. In my opinion, they've put themselves in a position where they can't lose this match. Even 250 is enough on this wicket.

  10. Close of play

    And that, folks, is that. Play has been called off for the day. England will begin tomorrow with a 360-run lead and two wickets in hand.

  11. If you're looking for some rain delay entertainment, you can get your questions in to Tuffers and Swanny, using the hashtag #askspintwins.

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    Professor Dingo: The Old Trafford crowd know that Moeen just secured the series win for England.

    George Causer: Few things more enjoyable than watching Moeen Ali playing cricket, such an elegant batsman.

  13. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    I love it when you have an aggressive man coming down the order who is capable of playing such shots. We used to have Andy Caddick playing in that position back in the day, now we have Moeen Ali.

  14. rain stops play

    It's still raining...

    Hmm. The big covers are out on the wicket, along with the hover cover, and the majority have left the stands to find some more shelter. It's murky up above, too.

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    Lewis Meagor: Having Ali at 8 in this team is a god send. Such valuable runs, don't move him. Unsung hero.

    Tom Scarborough: Opening requires specific skills and Moeen does not possess them. Leave him to score runs late down the order. Gorgeous batsman!

  16. We all want to watch some more Moeen, don't we? Here's a choice selection of shots.

  17. Phil Tufnell
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Moeen is becoming very good at a floating seven or eight, coming in at times when England are in under a little bit of pressure.

  18. Moeen is applauded off the field by the crowd and his team-mates as the first spots of rain start to hit the camera lens. He gets a pat on the back from Paul Farbrace and Trevor Bayliss as he enters the dressing room.

  19. rain stops play

    Rain stops play - Eng 224-8

    Lead by 360

    There's a collective sigh of delight around Old Trafford as Moeen crashes Kagiso Rabada back over his head for four. Rabada leapt in an attempt to get a hand to it but it went so quickly, and so powerfully, that he ended up groping at fresh air. Oh, suddenly everyone's marching off - the rain has arrived. Boo!

  20. Here is the shot that took Moeen to 50 - and the sterling catch from Jonny Bairstow up on the England balcony.