South Africa vs. England, 1st Test, Day 4: Victory Looms for Dominant England

South Africa will head into the fifth and final day of the first Test against England with a mountain to climb.

They need to survive a whole day with just six wickets in hand. The good news is that AB de Villiers is still at the crease, but the remaining batsmen are woefully out of form and inexperienced.

Add to that the fact that Steven Finn has found some form and is extracting some bounce out of the pitch, and the Proteas have their work cut out for them.

They only have themselves to blame, though. A batting collapse in the first innings saw them fall to 214 all out in reply to England’s 303. England notched up 326 with a lead of more than 400 in the bag, making the task ahead close to impossible.

Here are some of the key points from Day 4.

Alastair Cook and the Lack of Declaration

England ground South Africa into the dust on Day 4.

They batted for what seemed like an eternity and the declaration from Alastair Cook just never came. Despite the fact that South Africa last went past 250 in an innings against the West Indies at the start of the year, England went on and on.

Time wasn’t exactly an issue, but it did seem quite conservative from Cook. One theory might be that Cook was hoping to eliminate all blame should South Africa manage the most unlikely feat of batting it out to save the Test.

The Proteas will probably still lose, but this conservatism in Alastair Cook is something they should look to exploit going forward.

The Debate over the New Ball

Despite having the opportunity to do so, South Africa did not take the new ball when England were still batting. While their bowlers were doing well with the old ball, it was a strange decision.

Some of that might have been down to the fact that they were a bowler down—with Dale Steyn off the field through injury. However, there is no reason a spinner cannot take the new ball and partner one of the quicks. It just seemed as if South Africa were happy to let the game drift on and wait for England’s declaration instead of forcing it.

Dane Piedt actually told SuperSport at the close of play that he "preferred to bowl with the harder new ball," which makes the decision even more curious.

The Joy of Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow didn't get his hundred, but his 79 off 76 was exactly what England needed. It was well-timed and aggressive, and while South Africa's bowlers were toiling hard, he ensured they remained under pressure.

It was a foolish way to get out but encouraging that he felt confident enough to approach his innings in such a positive way. England's "brand of cricket," from a batting perspective at least, certainly is more positive these days. Players seem willing to play in their own way without fear of getting the chop.

Captain Amla's Batting Woes Continue

Hashim Amla is horribly out of form and his woes continued on Day 4. Amla lasted just 23 deliveries and played a loose shot off Steven Finn and ended up being caught behind.

"

Amla has made 251 Test runs in 2015 and India's spearhead @ashwinravi99 has made 248 runs, England's @StuartBroad8 has made 353 runs #SAvENG

— HoldingWilleyCricket (@holdingwilley) December 29, 2015"

Not since the start of his career has Amla endured such a slump. He averages just 22.81 this year and has scored the fewest runs since a dry spell in 2006.

Steven Finn is Firing for England

Steve Finn wasn’t even supposed to be part of this Test, but England will be pleased as punch he is. He’s bowled well, exploited the bounce in the pitch and picked up crucial wickets.

The delivery to dismiss Faf du Plessis late in the day was a peach, and if he can keep this up on the fifth day, things could be all over by lunch.