Elgar, Amla push Proteas into driver’s seat on Day 3
England were one for none at stumps on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge on Sunday. They need a further 473 runs to reach their victory target of 474.
Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings were both nought not out, with England’s lone run in a tricky four-over spell before the close a leg bye.
The most any side have made to win in the fourth innings of a Test is the West Indies’ 418 for seven against Australia at St John’s, Antigua, in 2003.
South Africa declared their second innings on 343 for nine.
Earlier, England finally saw the back of Hashim Amla but South Africa remained in a commanding position as they continued their bid for a series-levelling win in the second Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
At tea, the Proteas were 236 for four in their second innings -- a lead of 366 runs -- after Amla had fallen for 87.
Returning captain Faf du Plessis was 42 not out and Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 12.
South Africa’s current total was already well above the highest ever score made to win in the fourth innings in 118 years of Test cricket at Trent Bridge -England’s 284 for six against New Zealand in 2004.
South Africa started the session on 160 for three, with Amla 61 not out and du Plessis four not out. Amla and du Plessis, both renowned for their patience at the crease, were instead content to pick off the loose ball, with the captain cutting fast bowler Mark Wood and off-driving Stuart Broad for four apiece.
But closing in on what would have been his 27th Test century and seventh against England, Amla — who made 78 in the first innings — fell 13 short this time around.
Trying to whip left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, whom he’d earlier hit for a straight six to complete his fifty, Amla was struck on the pad as he went down the pitch.
Umpire Paul Reiffel rejected the lbw appeal but England reviewed his decision and Amla was out.
Brief scores: South Africa 1st Inn 335 & 236 for 4 in 76 overs (D Elgar 80, H Amla 87, F du Plessis 42 n.o.; Anderson 2/41) vs England 1st Inn 205