Ali, Finn take wickets as England regain parity against S.Africa

Johannesburg (AFP) - Moeen Ali and Steven Finn struck shortly after the afternoon drinks break to restore parity for England on the first day of the third Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday.

South Africa were 152 for three at tea after winning the toss and batting in overcast conditions on a pitch which offered pace and bounce to the bowlers.

The home team built a solid foundation in testing conditions, reaching 117 for the loss of Stiaan van Zyl (21) before two wickets fell in quick succession.

Dean Elgar battled his way to 46 before he was caught behind by Jonny Bairstow, pushing at the off-spin of Ali, two balls after drinks.

Elgar and Hashim Amla had shared a partnership of 73. Amla did not add to his score of 40 before he edged a superb delivery from Finn to Bairstow.

New South African captain AB de Villiers, who hit two boundaries off the first three balls he faced from Ali, was on 29 not out at tea.

Van Zyl and Elgar survived some hostile bowling, notably from Finn, as they put on 44 for the first wicket before Ben Stokes came into the attack and struck with his third delivery.

Stokes sent down an innocuous-looking, short delivery which Van Zyl attempted to work to leg, only to get a leading edge which presented an easy catch for Bairstow, who had to jog to a short square leg position to take the offering.

Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was ruled out of the South African team after injuring his right knee in an accident at home on Wednesday evening.

Dane Vilas flew from Port Elizabeth on Thursday morning to replace De Kock, arriving at the ground shortly before the first drinks break.

South Africa included a new cap, fast bowler Hardus Viljoen, 26, in a four-man pace attack with part-timer Dean Elgar the only spin bowler in the side.

England named an unchanged team, with opening batsman Alex Hales having recovered from a stomach bug.

De Kock slipped and sprained his right knee at home late on Wednesday, only realising it was serious when he woke up after midnight in pain and with a swollen knee.

Vilas was due to play in a domestic four-day match for the Cape Cobras against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth. Vilas, who played in all four Tests for South Africa in India recently, made 216 not out for the Cobras against the Lions last weekend.