England remain on top

Replying to England's mammoth 593 for eight declared, South Africa lost Graeme Smith in only the sixth over of their innings - on the way to 126 for four.

It was James Anderson who compounded Smith's frustration - the tourists' captain having invited England to bat first two days ago and then watched them pile up their huge total on an apparently flat pitch.

Smith departed to a delivery which kicked from a good a length and looped off the shoulder of the bat for an easy catch for Ian Bell in the gully.

Working to a determined plan of short bowling at Hashim Amla, England introduced Stuart 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.

Opener Neil McKenzie looked comfortable for his 40 before Monty Panesar bowled him with a delivery which spun back sharply behind his pads to clip leg stump.

Meanwhile, Ashwell Prince (40no) responded to the sticky situation with some compact strokeplay.