Eng keep hopes alive

Rory Burns and Dom Sibley raised English hopes with a solid opening partnership after England were set a challenging 376 to win on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

England were 121 for one wicket at the close of play, needing another 255 runs to win.

The left-handed Burns and right-handed Sibley put on 92 for the first wicket before Sibley pushed back a return catch to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj after making a patient 29.

Burns made 77 not out and saw out the day with first innings top-scorer Joe Denly, who was on 10.

It was an impressive innings by Burns, who made his runs off 117 balls and hit 11 fours. He was particularly strong on the leg side.

Burns was given out leg before wicket to Kagiso Rabada with his score on six in the first over but survived on review. On 20, he was dropped by Rassie van der Dussen at first slip off Vernon Philander.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 284 and second innings 272 all out (Elgar 22, Van der Dussen 51, Nortje 40, De Kock 34, Philander 46; Archer 5-102, Stokes 2-22)

ENGLAND: First innings 181 and second innings 121 for 1 (Burns 77 not out 77, Sibley 29; Maharaj 1-16)