Bess takes 5 wickets as England bullies South Africa

Spinner Dom Bess took all five wickets, and two big ones in successive overs, as England threatened to embarrass South Africa in the third test on Saturday. Bess had career-best figures of 5-41 as England piled on the misery by reducing the home team to 113-5 in its first innings on day three in Port Elizabeth.

Rain came 13 minutes before lunch to give South Africa some respite. South Africa trail England's 499-9 declared by 386 runs and need to reach 300 just to avoid the follow-on. The tourists appear well-placed to go 2-1 up in the series with one test to play. Bess removed opening batsman Dean Elgar and South Africa captain Faf du Plessis in successive overs early on the third day.

He also won a battle with Rassie van der Dussen soon before the players came off for rain. England's batsmen had been utterly dominant on the second day with centuries by Ollie Pope (135 not out) and Ben Stokes (120). Bess followed up and had South Africa down and nearly out. But it appears the weather, with rain forecast on and off for the next few days, could slow England's march to victory. South Africa began the day on 60-2.

Bess, who was used consistently by England from one end at St. George's Park, broke through in his second over of the day when Elgar, on 35, popped a catch to close fielder Pope, who dived forward to take it one-handed. Bess then dismissed du Plessis two overs later in a passage of play that underlined England's superiority. South Africa's captain is under pressure for the team's and his own personal poor form. He skipped down the pitch and hit Bess for successive fours at the start of his innings in an attempt to make a statement. But Bess responded by removing him for 8 in the same over following another close-in catch by Pope.

England erupted in celebration and du Plessis ripped off his gloves as he walked back. Bess also bowled van der Dussen for 24 and the 22-year-old spinner had his first five-wicket haul in tests. South Africa nightwatchman Anrich Nortje was 14 not out, having held out for 88 balls since late on day two. Quinton de Kock was the new batsman on 0 not out.