England in the driving seat

Resuming the third morning at Lord's on seven without loss in reply to England's daunting declared total of 593 for eight, South Africa needed a solid performance if they were to fight their way back into the match.

But impressive spells from James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad reduced South Africa to 78 for three at lunch, trailing by 515 and still 316 runs adrift of saving the follow-on.

Lancashire seamer Anderson continued his impressive strike rate at Lord's, where he had claimed 19 wickets in four previous Tests, by removing South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who was squared up with some extra bounce and gave a leading edge which was caught by Ian Bell.

Working to a determined plan of short bowling at Hashim Amla, England introduced Broad into the attack and he could have struck in his second over when Amla's patience was finally broken and he flashed outside off-stump over the top of the slips for four.

But England's persistence with their game plan paid off when Broad pitched the ball up to Amla and induced an edge behind to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.

However, it was another seven overs before England claimed the wicket they prize the most and dismissed all-rounder Jacques Kallis to leave South Africa reeling.

The decision to switch left-arm seamer Sidebottom to the Pavilion End paid dividends when he angled the ball across Kallis, who edged low to Andrew Strauss at first slip.