England stretch their lead past the 200-run mark

ENGLAND, having taken a lead of 97 runs on the first innings, had stretched that lead to 216 by the close of the third day of the first Test match against the Standard Bank Proteas at Lord’s in London on Saturday. With 9 wickets still in hand, including Alastair Cook currently unbeaten on 59, they hold a very strong hand with the spinners becoming increasingly dominant in the game and the pitch getting lower and slower. Considering the position they were in at one stage the Proteas did well to add 257 runs to their total for the last six wickets with Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander all get half-centuries but none going on to the big hundred that the Proteas needed to match England first innings total. Philander suffered a badly bruised finger while batting and was not able to bowl during the England second innings. He did take the field for the last 40 minutes and hopefully he will bowl tomorrow.