South Africa close in on victory

South Africa captured two vital England wickets before the close to take them within eight wickets of clinching the top spot in the Reliance ICC Test Rankings.

Vernon Philander removed both openers as England finished on 16-2, chasing an unlikely 346 to defeat South Africa, after Hashim Amla hit a brilliant 121 in South Africa?s 351 all out.

Earlier fast bowler Steven Finn produced an inspired three-wicket burst to revive England's fading hopes of a series-equalling victory.

Finn, on his home ground, took three for 14 in 29 balls to breathe fresh life into England's victory bid when Amla and de Villiers had seemingly ended their hopes.

Amla was bowled by Finn after a typically solid innings spanning 205 deliveries. The ball held its line up the famous Lord's slope and clipped his off stump. England will no doubt rue dropping him on two, when wicketkeeper Matt Prior spilled a leg-side opportunity the previous evening.

De Villiers, also dropped - on eight by James Anderson off Graeme Swann, edged Finn to Andrew Strauss at first slip to give the England captain his 121st test catch and the record for an England fielder, ahead of Ian Botham and Colin Cowdrey. Finn then had Rudolph caught by Prior to make the score 282 for seven.

There was only one wicket to fall in the morning session as night-watchman Dale Steyn departed for nine after courageously battling for 44 minutes in the day against a short-pitched barrage. He spooned a catch up to James Taylor at short leg off the bowling of Stuart Broad.

Only West Indies have successfully chased a total of 300 or more at Lord's to win a test, when Gordon Greenidge scored an exhilarating 214 not out in 1984.

But that looked unlikely when both openers, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, fell before the close.