DURBAN, South Africa (AP) England assumed control of the first test against South Africa on Monday, reaching 58-2 in its second innings for a 147-run lead.
Nick Compton was 15 not out and although England's batsmen weren't completely convincing, the tourists were well ahead at tea on the third day on a wearing pitch at Kingsmead after bowling South Africa out for just 214.
That had given England an 89-run first-innings advantage, with seamer Stuart Broad's 4-25 and offspinner Moeen Ali's 4-69 doing the damage to South Africa's batting lineup.
Broad was especially impressive to put England on top against the No. 1-ranked test team.
Struggling South Africa was hampered further by the loss of its best bowler to injury, with Dale Steyn leaving the field twice because of a right shoulder strain, the second time seemingly for good for the day.
At the start of England's second innings, captain Alastair Cook fell to spinner Dane Piedt for 7, and Alex Hales had a rush of blood to send a catch to long-off, also off Piedt, to be out for 26.
But England was still moving steadily toward a winning position in the opening match of the four-test series. Under pressure, South Africa dropped chances from Compton and then Joe Root in quick succession.
Steyn had slumped over clutching his right shoulder and bowling arm in the third over of England's second innings, and left for treatment without completing the over. He returned some time later, tried to bowl again, and again trudged off mid-way through the over.
The quick bowler was due to have a scan on the problem later Monday, South African team management said.
At the start of the day, Broad dismissed Temba Bavuma second ball to again set the tone for the England bowling attack after his three vital wickets on Sunday.
With South Africa continuing its first innings on 137-4, England's bowlers conceded just 77 more runs in taking the last six wickets, enhancing the pre-series suggestions that South Africa's position as the No. 1 team in test cricket could be vulnerable in this contest.
Broad ably led the England bowling lineup, which was missing the injured James Anderson, England's leading wicket-taker, while Ali was becoming an important factor in Durban, with the pitch deteriorating and becoming more and more helpful for the spinners.
Opener Dean Elgar made 118 not out for South Africa, but that didn't disguise the current struggles of the South Africa lineup. It was the first century by a South African in seven tests.
