England in command of first Test against South Africa

England continued to hold the upper hand in the first Test against South Africa by taking a first innings lead of 97 and extending it to 216 by the close on the third day at Lord's on Saturday with nine wickets in hand. They finished at 119 for one with former captain Alastair Cook unbeaten on 59. The tourist had been dismissed for 361 with spinners taking six of the wickets, four of them to Moeen Ali for 59. Resuming at 214 for five, South Africa fought hard to stay in contention, especially through Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander, who made half-centuries and added 66 for the eighth wicket. De Kock ended Stuart Broad's involvement in England's bowling attack, striking 10 fours in his 51, which at 36 balls was the second fastest half-century in a Lord's Test. A fine low catch by Ben Stokes ended his innings but Philander stuck around long enough to make 52 despite having been hit on the hand by Jimmy Anderson.

Rabada's suspension confirmed - he swore at Stokes, who will never have heard such language in his life.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) July 7, 2017

He went to hospital for an x-ray which showed no break. It was though a further blow to South Africa, who will have fellow paceman Kagiso Rabada suspended for the second Test next week for using "inappropriate language" on the opening day. Nightwatchman Rabada and fellow overnight batsman Temba Bavuma went in successive overs to spinners Liam Dawson and Moeen after playing out the first 10 overs of the day.

A DYING global Test game & the @ICC suspend a player for a naughty word! Rabada is a STAR! More stars OUT the game damages the game! ? — KP (@KP24) July 8, 2017

Rabada edged the ball to wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow to give Dawson his first Test wicket in England. Bavuma, having made 59 off 130 balls, was taken at slip by Stokes and in his disappointment headed off in the wrong direction for the pavilion before realising his error. Broad wasted the new ball and lasted only four overs, which cost 35 runs, most of them in boundaries by De Kock. Philander was last out after reducing the lead to under 100 but was unable to bowl when England batted again.Morne Morkel and Rabada kept the openers quiet early on and Cook twice survived a review for leg before. Either side of tea, however, South Africa's depleted attack found the going tougher and it took them until the 35th over of the innings to break England's opening stand of 80. Keaton Jennings edged Morkel to wicket-keeper De Kock, having made 33 but Garry Ballance, 22 not out at the close, helped Cook push the lead beyond 200.BRIEF SCOREEngland 119/1 in 51 overs (Cook 59*, Jennings 33) & 458 lead South Africa 361 in 105 overs (Bavuma 59, Moeen 4/59) by 216 runs