James Anderson strikes late as England frustrated by South Africa following Dom Sibleys maiden century

JAMES ANDERSON made a crucial late strike that could swing the Second Test decisively in Englands direction.

Just 11 balls remained when Anderson had South Africas No.3 Zubayr Hamza caught behind by Jos Buttler for 18.

Until then, Englands bowlers had huffed and puffed through 54.1 overs with the only wicket coming from Joe Denly.

Yes, Joe Denly, the No.3 batsman and part-time spinner who had never previously taken a wicket in his Test career.

But Anderson – who bowled superbly to return 5-40 in the first innings – found the edge of Hamzas bat, Buttler held a tumbling catch and South Africas second-wicket stand of 52 came to an end.

It is going to be difficult for Joe Root and his men to force victory and level the series because the pitch at Newlands has gone frustratingly flat.

They have another 90 overs on Tuesday to take eight wickets.

England must also remove debutant opener Pieter Malan, who batted with skill and determination and has so far survived 192 balls for his 62 not out.

England tried seven bowlers after Ben Stokes produced a magnificently aggressive innings in the morning and Dom Sibley translated his overnight 85 not out into a maiden Test century.

England scored 160 runs in 27 overs in the morning session and that allowed Root to declare shortly after lunch and set South Africa 438 in 146 overs.

Denly had Test career figures of 0-169 at the moment he snared his wicket.

He was brought into the attack to aim at the dirty, dodgy patches of rough outside the left-handers off stump.

Instantly, opener Dean Elgar looked uncomfortable whenever Denly landed the ball in the muck from around the wicket.

After several near misses, umpire Paul Reiffel answered Englands appeal for a catch behind and, even though Elgar reviewed, Snicko showed the tiniest tremor and the batsman was on his way.

It was a key moment because Elgar is a patient, obdurate chap who can bat for very long periods.

But Malan batted with skill and some bravery as he negotiated a high-velocity spell from Stokes.

So far in this match, the Durham all-rounder has scored 47, held five catches and made 72 from just 47 balls.

Stokes was kept out of Englands attack – he was the seventh bowler used – but then sent down a late spell of short stuff.

Stokes appeared to be holding his back and side at times but he regularly cranked up his pace to around 90mph.

England were missing Jofra Archers speed through the air but Stokes was doing his best to provide some hostility and make the batsmen duck and dive around. But it was Anderson who took the wicket in the penultimate over.

Locals warned the pitch could flatten in the second half of the game – especially if the sun did not shine strongly. Thats pretty much the opposite of what happens in England.

But, sure enough, with cloud above, the surface offered few demons. The sun is due out on day five so perhaps the cracks could open and provide more assistance for the bowlers.

In the morning, Stokes signalled his intentions almost immediately by hoisting medium-pacer Dwaine Pretorius for a straight six and then switch-hitting a four.

England were going for quick runs, upping the tempo from the previous day.

Stokes pull-drove Keshav Maharaj into the crowd at wide long-on and was in full-on assault mode.

Altogether, he struck three sixes and seven fours. Stokes loves this ground, of course, and his epic 258 in the Test match here four years ago was the most sustained onslaught ever produced by an England batsman in Test cricket.

Stokes eventually holed out to long-on and the remaining players all adopted his selfless strategy, although not with quite such spectacular results.

Ollie Pope dragged onto his stumps and Buttler, after a couple of sixes, tried a ramp shot and succeeded only in edging to the keeper.

All the time, Sibley was going about his business with more intent than on the previous day but still being watchful and patient.

He reached three figures with a sweep for four off Maharaj and multiple fist pumps followed plus a hug from Stokes, a raise of the bat and a kissing of the badge.

He was enjoying the moment, no doubt, and lets hope it is the first hundred of many for his country. Sibleys innings of 133 not out lasted more than eight hours.