Summary

  • Sibley nears maiden Test century

  • Sibley 85* - adds 116 with Root (61)

  • Root 61, Denly 31, Crawley 25

  • Nightwatchman Bess falls to final ball

  • Two wickets for Nortje

  • SA 223 - deficit of 46: Anderson 5-40

  • Stokes five catches - England record

  • SA lead 1-0 in four-Test series

  • Second Test, day three, Cape Town

Live Reporting

Stephan Shemilt

  1. We'll back bright and early to see if they can ram home the advantage.

    Join us. It will help you through the first day back at work/school. See you then.

  2. We started this day with the Test hanging in the balance, we end it with England firmly on top.

    Tomorrow, they'll look to surge towards leveling this series.

  3. More from James Anderson: "I'm so grateful for the help I've had getting fit. I've worked hard to get back and I feel in really good shape. I have missed Test cricket. It gives you a buzz when you get out there.

    "Dom Sibley has all the makings of a Test opener. His technique is unusual but it works for him. You need that solidity at the top and he's worked very hard today.

    "The bowling group we have keeps you on your toes. It makes for healthy competition and a good bowling attack."

  4. To be fair, by falling to the last ball of the day, you can say that Bess did his job.

  5. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    livebytheriver: I wonder what the percentage of innings England use a nightwatchman in is? They seem to lose a wicket near the close of play more often than not.

  6. More from James Anderson: "It was proper Test cricket yesterday, with a bit in the pitch, but still hard toil. They had two guys who stuck in and made it tough for us.

    "The biggest thing for me at Centurion was getting through it. What happened at Birmingham I didn't want to happen again. I was desperate to prove my place in the team. I was a bit rusty, but I feel up to speed in this game."

  7. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    David Beckett: Dominic Sibley is very appropriately named for an opening batsman because you can't spell stability without Sibley.

  8. 'We've had a really good day'

    England bowler James Anderson on Sky Sports: "We've had a really good day. We wanted to be ruthless with the ball and we were. With the bat, we made a point of people getting starts in the first innings and not going on.

    "The two wickets were unfortunate, but it was a really good day."

  9. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent in Cape Town

    England should get another 100 runs. They should not bat on past lunch. Sibley should get his hundred and they've got Stokes and Buttler to come.

  10. Steven Finn
    England bowler on The Cricket Social

    South Africa are going to have to hope for a bit of Philander or Rabada magic tomorrow morning.

  11. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent in Cape Town

    Led by that bowling performance by James Anderson and some terrific catching by Stokes, England have got themselves back in this game and should go on to win it.

  12. The two late wickets may detract from the headlines, which are England leading by 264 and Dom Sibley on 85 not out. He'll return tomorrow, looking for a maiden ton.

  13. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent in Cape Town

    A terrific day for England. It was one of those days where they just had to do it. Sibley has come out and done what he had to do. Bess will be disappointed but it shouldn't make any difference.

  14. Mark Ramprakash
    Ex-England batsman on The Cricket Social

    It was an awkward delivery - 92mph, short, into the ribs. It was a very quick, hostile delivery which anyone would have struggled with.

  15. wicket

    WICKET

    Bess c De Kock b Nortje 0 (Eng 218-4)

    The nightwatchman does not make it to the night. There was a brush on the gloves as it went through, sealing Dom Bess' fate.

    That turns out to be the last action of the day. A good end to the day for South Africa, but England have taken control of this match.

  16. Steven Finn
    England bowler on The Cricket Social

    Bess looked sheepish - I'm pretty sure that has hit his glove.

  17. Alex Hartley
    England women's spinner on The Cricket Social

    The bowler doesn't seem keen - he was shaking his head straightaway.

  18. South Africa review

    Eng 218-3

    Not out on the field, but Faf du Plessis isn't convinced. has hit the glove?

    Bess looks guilty...

  19. Eng 218-3

    Nortje has new man Bess in his sights, round the wicket with plenty of catchers in place. Bess won't need many further clues to know that this is going to be short. Down the leg side. Huge appeal....

  20. Steven Finn
    England bowler on The Cricket Social

    Joe Root will be slightly frustrated that he got out, but he will be pleased that he provided the innings with that impetus.