England vs. Proteas 1st Test: Day 5 - South Africa delivers the knock out punch

England resumed theie second innings on 102/4 on the 5th day of the 1st Test against South Africa at the Oval. Trailing by 150 England was always going to be against the ropes and only a full day of rain or a mirical could save them. Ian Bell resumed the day on 14 and Ravi Bopara on 15.

Although the South African bowlers started of with some fine bowling Bell and Bopara managed to play and miss at the good deliveries and the brilliant ones missed the stumps. A loose ball by Steyn and a wild swing from Bopara saw him drag on to be dismissed for 22. Matt Prior. Came out to join Bell and the pair frustrated the Proteas for the rest of the morning session adding 89.

Prior got undone by a Tahir delivery 11 overs after lunch and just before the new ball was taken. Steyn opened the bowling with the new ball and in a space of 4 over took the wickets of Bell for 55, Broad for 0 and Swann for 7 saw england staggering on 218/9. Jimmy anderson strolled out to join Tim Bresnan and the writing was on the wall for England.

The pair however batted well and added 22 runs with Anderson scoring 4 and Bresnan 20. Graeme Smith asked for the additional 30 minutes before tea and with only about 15 minutes left Tahir trapped Anderson lbw. Anderson referred it, but was plumb in front ending the English innings on 240.

The Proteas won their first ever test at the Oval with an innings and 12 runs. It took them 14 matches to achieve this, but they did it in style. They are also only the 5th team ever to win a test match and only losing 2 wickets. Hasim Amla with his superb innings of 311* got the man of the match award.

The 2nd Test starts on Thursday at Headingly.

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