NOTTINGHAM – England again made a breakthrough just before an interval when Liam Dawson removed Hashim Amla, but South Africa remain firmly in control of the second Test here on Sunday.
At tea, the visitors were on 236/4, a lead of 366, with Faf du Plessis not out 42 and Temba Bavuma on 12.
It was by no means the most memorable session of play, with Amla and Du Plessis playing for time – of which there is plenty remaining in this match.
Amla was patience personified, leaving well and defending stoically.
Ben Stokes bowled an aggressive spell immediately after the interval, with Amla absorbing the pressure from a series of short balls.
James Anderson had Du Plessis in a bit of bother initially, but the Proteas captain also kept him out.
There was no effort to increase the scoring rate until the spinners came on later, with Amla again getting after Dawson, lifting him over long-off for four.
Dawson dismissed Amla for the second time in the series, though, trapping him lbw after England had asked for a review when umpire Paul Reiffel said “not out”.
The umpire had probably factored in that Amla had advanced down the pitch, but ‘HawkEye’ showed the ball was actually tracking straight and would go on to hit middle- and leg-stump.
Amla made 87 in 11 minutes short of five hours, facing 180 balls and hitting 14 fours and one six.
He shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 72 with Du Plessis, with an emphasis being placed on grinding England into the dust.
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