England were 4-120, needing a further 226 runs to reach their victory target of 346, at lunch on the fifth day of the third Test against South Africa at Lord’s on Monday.
Jonathan Trott was 57 not out and Jonathan Bairstow 43 not out.
The most England have ever made in the fourth innings to win a Test is the 7-332 they posted against Australia at Melbourne back in 1928/29.
South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 and only need to avoid defeat to replace England as the world’s top-ranked Test side.