By Richard Sydenham
LONDON, July 23 (Reuters) – Dale Steyn claimed five for 56
to help bowl South Africa to a comprehensive innings and 12-run
victory over England before tea on the fifth day of the first
cricket test at The Oval on Monday.
South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series,
fuelling their hopes of winning the series and leapfrogging
England as the number one team in the world rankings.
Steyn wrapped up England’s second innings with a fiery burst
with the second new ball of three for eight in his four-over
spell as England were bowled out for 240, replying to the
Proteas’ only innings of 637 for two declared.
In bright, sunny conditions, Ian Bell tried to salvage a
draw with his painstaking innings of 55 in 220 balls, his
slowest test 50, but, like his team mates, he could not stay in.
It was a crushing win for South Africa, especially after
England closed day one on 267 for three but then failed to
capitalise.
Hashim Amla plundered a national record 311 not out in more
than 13 hours at the crease in his team’s huge total. Jacques
Kallis also made 182 not out and skipper Graeme Smith 131 in his
hundredth test.
South Africa were a little nervy having managed just the
wicket of Ravi Bopara (22) in the morning session as Bell and
then Matt Prior (40) dug in. Prior’s dismissal, however, started
off a flurry of wickets.
Fast bowler Steyn, ranked number one in the world, had
started the demolition job in the first hour of the day by
removing Bopara, who deflected a bottom edge on to his stumps
while trying to cut a short and wide delivery.
Continued…
