England clinched an inevitable innings 85-run victory over South Africa in Manchester on Saturday to level the Test series 1-1.

The Proteas were plucky for large parts of the third day, courtesy of some elongated batting from Rassie van der Dussen and Keegan Petersen, but their demise came to an expected end near the close-of-play, about 15 overs shy of stumps.

The experienced James Anderson cracked the Proteas order first-up, reverse-swinging and bowling Dean Elgar for 11 in the 13^th over. Other opener, Sarel Erwee, snicked a ball from Ollie Robinson that just found his edge down off-stump for the keeper, Ben Foakes, to claim. He departed for 25 in the 18^th over.

In the 19^th over Petersen was given out for a nick-behind, but he immediately reviewed it. No bat was involved; instead, the ball had brushed his pad so he kept his place at the crease.

Aiden Markram’s dwindling form continued when, in the 23^rd over, he unnecessarily thick-edged a Stuart Broad delivery down the 5^th stump line to be caught at second slip for 6.

SA were 88-3 at lunch after 36 overs. The session after lunch was a patient one for the Proteas, who hadn’t lost a wicket as Petersen and Van der Dussen remained in the middle. 

Van der Dussen was fortunate; however, having feathered a ball right before tea, but there was no appeal from England so he got the chance to soldier on. The visitors were on 141-3 (65 overs) at the break. 

The South African batter’s luck was extinguished, however, when, straight after tea, he edged an audible nick to Foakes from a Ben Stokes out-swinger. He was picked off for a slow and patient 41 (132), ending an 87-run partnership between him and Petersen.

Then, Petersen’s long 42-run stand from 159 balls came to end from a corker of a delivery from Stokes, catching the ball from an unexpected turn and a well-placed bounce to nick it to Foakes.

Simon Harmer was bowled on the top of off-stump by Anderson in the 81^st over for 16, before Keshav Maharaj fenced a Robinson delivery to fourth slip the next over and got caught for 2. Kagiso Rabada, new to the crease, got caught at first slip for 2 from an Anderson seamer.

England sniffed victory in the 84^th over when Anrich Nortje too snicked a Robinson beamer to be sent walking for a duck. Robinson was also the assailant to bowl Lungi Ngidi to put SA out of their misery.

Anderson (6/62) and Robinson (5/91) were the pick of the bowlers for England during the match, but were backed up strongly by Broad (4/61) and Stokes (4/47). 

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Proteas batter Rassie van der Dussen has been ruled out for the remainder of the Test series against England due to a fracture of his left index finger.

Van der Dussen sustained the injury while fielding on the opening day of the second Test against England at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday.

He will return to South Africa to consult a finger specialist, who will then guide him on further medical management.

Imperial Lions all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been added to the squad.