England vs South Africa 2017: 3rd Test, 5 talking points

England were made to leather hunt by a defiant Dean Elgar but lost Bavuma and Philander off consecutive balls to Toby Roland-Jones before Moeen Ali finished things off with a hat-trick, the first by an England spinner since 1938-39 when Tom Goddard took a hat-trick, yet again against South Africa.

South Africa had little hope going into day 5 but with Elgar and Bavuma almost playing through a session, the hopes were raised. All of that closed out in two balls, when both Bavuma and Philander departed to Roland-Jones. Morris hung around long enough for Elgar to notch up his eighth Test ton, but he departed at the stroke of tea to Ali before the final melodrama unfolded post tea.

Brief Scores: England 353 (Stokes 112, Cook 88) & 313/8 decl (Bairstow 63, Maharaj 3/50) beat South Africa 175 (Bavuma 52, Roland-Jones 5/57) & 252 (Elgar 136, Ali 4/45)

Here are the talking points from the Test match.

#5 Philander's stomach bug upsets South Africa

Proteas missed his deadly consistency as he was hospitalised due to a stomach bug

This South African bowling attack has been heavily reliant on Vernon Philander's accuracy and scrooge lines. But when Philander walked off with a stomach bug it upset South Africa's plans to exploit the overhead skies. England survived and battled and even though they weren't cruising, they had done enough to eke out an advantage in a difficult track.

Extra cover: England be prepared, the Ashes is coming

Philander's absence was evident as the other South African pacers failed to contain the run flow and in spite of grabbing wickets at frequent intervals, there was little control the Proteas could exert over the proceedings. They particularly missed Big Vern when Ben Stokes went berserk in the first innings.

#4 Ben Stokes' stunning all-round show

Stokes produced a beauty to get rid of Quinton de Kock

Is there a better hero for England than Ben Stokes at the moment? He provides balance to this England Test side and picks the right moment to up his game and deliver. A spectacular century in difficult conditions in the first innings underlined the value Stokes provides with his belligerent stroke making.

But this was a different Stokes on display. He was composed, calm and left more balls than you would expect him to. It was a more matured display from the all-rounder.

He returned with the ball in the second innings to scalp Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis off consecutive deliveries to seal South Africa's fate. De Kock was undone by a cracking yorker from around the stumps while du Plessis left an inswinger to be trapped in front.

#3 Toby Roland-Jones cements his spot as third seamer

Roland-Jones was outstanding for the hosts grabbing a fifer on debut

When Chris Woakes makes a return to this English Test side, he would be met with the host's newfound seam talent, Toby Roland-Jones. He enjoyed some favourable conditions to nip out all four of South Africa's top order batsmen in the first innings to oversee a collapse that saw the visitors plunge to 47/5.

His nippy pace and seam movement troubled the Proteas batsmen who were unsure with their footwork and defence against the debutant. Having been on the fringes of selection for a long time, Roland-Jones grabbed his chance with both hands and effected a stunning script for the hosts to redeem themselves after a 340-run drubbing at Trent Bridge.

#2 Westley puts no.3 spot debate to rest

England's debutant, Tom Westley played some pleasing strokes as he made a maiden half-century

Tom Westley doesn't boast of a great average in First-class cricket but England had tried far too many options in the past few weeks that anyone who could make 20 seemed surplus to requirements. Westley looked assured with his footwork and adept with timing and made a half-century in the second innings to nail down his spot.

His favouritism for the leg side was evident from his tall stance and across the line nudges but even outside the off-stump, the newbie showcased sound judgement and immaculate decision making. If anything, Westley's half-century should seal his spot for the upcoming Ashes later this year.

#1 Dean Elgar fights and fights

England v South Africa - 3rd Investec Test: Day Four

There is a certain shadow of Graeme Smith around Dean Elgar. Ugly in stance and uglier in strokes, Elgar isn't a free flowing, flamboyant stroke maker that openers are these days. He isn't a David Warner or a Shikhar Dhawan neither is he an Alastair Cook, yet he has a technique that works well for him and despite all the ugliness, he manages to stay afloat and fight more often than not.

It is this quality that possibly promoted the selectors to hand over the captaincy to him when du Plessis was unavailable. He might have come apart in that task, but opening is his forte as is defiance and resilience. With all odds against the Proteas heading into day 5, Elgar fought and bled through England's strong attack to stay alive and make a spectacular hundred.

Fourth innings hundreds are a rarity in these days and Graeme Smith, who once held the record for most fourth innings Test hundreds (he has four and jointly held the record until Younis Khan broke it), would have been proud of this knock from Dean Elgar.