South Africa vs England: Joe Root helps tourists press for victory

Joe Root hit 60 not out as England tightened their grip on the first Test against South Africa in Durban. The tourists are 172-3 in their second innings - a lead of 261 - and will aim to declare on Tuesday, then set about bowling the hosts out. Earlier, Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad took four wickets apiece as South Africa's batting line-up fell apart. Hashim Amla's men also dropped three catches on a disastrous third day for the number one ranked Test side. The Proteas' senior fast bowler Dale Steyn was forced off with injury, star batsman AB de Villiers failed to quash rumours of his Test retirement, and the middle order surrendered meekly. Opener Dean Elgar resisted with a superb unbeaten 118, but England remain in an excellent position to push for only a second win in 16 away Tests.

South Africa vs England: James Taylor positive after fightback

England's batsmen can build on their opening day fightback against South Africa in the first Test, according to James Taylor. After losing three early wickets, the 25-year-old helped guide the tourists to 179-4 at the close. Taylor fell late on for 70, with Nick Compton 63 not out. "That wasn't ideal, my late wicket, but that happens and we've still got plenty of batting to come, which is really exciting," Taylor told . "We're in a nice position. We've got Compo in there who's batting extremely nicely, and we all know how good a nick Ben Stokes is in at the moment, with plenty of batting to come. "So I think, as a whole, it's been a pretty solid day for ourselves." England Tests in South Africa 26-30 December: 1st Test, Durban 2-6 January: 2nd Test, Cape Town (08:30 GMT) 14-18 January: 3rd Test, Wanderers, Johannesburg (08:30 GMT) 22-26 January: 4th Test, Centurion (08:30 GMT) Taylor arrived at the crease with England struggling at 49 for three, after captain Alastair Cook fell for a duck, debutant opener Alex Hales made just 10 and Joe Root was trapped lbw for 24. South Africa paceman Dale Steyn had claimed both openers but steady half-centuries from Taylor and Compton - who both made Test debuts in 2012 before being dropped - drew the sting form the home side's attack. "We knew what the situation meant and it kind of dictated the way we played," said Taylor, whose partnership with Compton contributed 125 runs for the fourth wicket. "We kept it really simple and did exactly what we needed to do and focused on our own game rather than the situation as a whole. It was really enjoyable batting with Compo, it was good fun. "We should be pretty happy with that considering it couldn't have been better bowling conditions for them."

England batsman's 2015 in numbers

 It has been another record-breaking year for England batsman Joe Root. Across three formats, he has played a staggering 36 matches for his country this year - with one Test still to come against South Africa. Here,  Sport looks at Root's record-breaking year in numbers. Produced by Marc Higginson, Ashleigh Jackson and Andrew Samson.

England opener Alex Hales fails again in South Africa warm-up

England opener Alex Hales made another low score on day two of their three-day tour match against a South Africa Invitation XI in Potchefstroom. Having made eight in the first innings, Hales took 42 balls to make the same score when England batted again. England declared on their overnight 470-5 and bowled the home side out for 188, with Stuart Broad taking 3-18 and uncapped left-armer Mark Footitt 2-51. Alastair Cook made 37 and Joe Root an unbeaten 26 as England closed on 99-3. Hales, who made his maiden one-day international century in the series with Pakistan last month, is expected to become the eighth man tried at the top of the Test order since Andrew Strauss retired in 2012 when the first of four Tests against South Africa begins in Durban on 26 December. But the 26-year-old Nottinghamshire batsman, uncapped at Test level, was again dismissed by paceman Junior Dala as his backward defensive shot cannoned into his stumps.