Durban—England thrashed South Africa with ease on the final day of the first Test to end 2015 with a crushing 241-run victory in Durban and to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.
The tourists started day five knowing that only six wickets separated them from victory over the world’s number-one ranked Test side and they did not waste time making their way through the order in just 24 overs.
AB de Villiers was the crucial wicket to take and Moeen Ali trapped him lbw with just the third ball of the day to end his innings at 37.
Ali had another scalp in his next over as Jonny Bairstow stumped Temba Bavuma for a duck – England’s first stumping dismissal in Test cricket for three years.
Steven Finn had taken three wickets on day four and he got his fourth of the innings by ending nightwatchman Dale Steyn’s time at the crease for just two.
Ali finished as England’s top wicket-taker with seven dismissals, the last of which was removing Kyle Abbott for two lbw. He was declared Man of the Match for his match figures of 7/116.
JP Duminy (26*) provided some late resistance, but tail-enders Dane Piedt (0) and Morne Morkel (8) were soon gone to Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad respectively as England wrapped up victory before lunch on the final day.
South Africa have not beaten England in a Test at Durban since 1928. England’s last win against South Africa also came at Durban in 2009. This was the 9th consecutive Test which has seen a result at Durban. There have been no draws since South Africa played England in 2004.
South Africa, who suffer their heaviest-ever defeat at Kingsmead, will look to bounce back in the second Test, which begins in Cape Town on Saturday.
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