England beat S Africa by 241 runs

England beat S Africa by 241 runs

England claimed six wickets for just 38 runs on day five of the first Test against South Africa to seal an emphatic 241-run win in Durban, reports BBC. South Africa resumed on 136-4 in search of a distant 416 but lost four wickets for seven runs in the first nine overs. Moeen Ali removed dangerman AB de Villiers with the third ball and Steven Finn finished with 4-42 as the hosts were all out before lunch for 174. The second of the four-match series begins in Cape Town on Saturday. It was only England's second Test victory away from home since 2012 and their largest in terms of runs against South Africa since the Proteas were readmitted to international cricket in 1991. In contrast it was a fourth defeat in the past five Tests for South Africa, whose position at the top of the Test rankings is under increasing threat from India. The South Africans have gone seven matches without a Test victory, which equals their longest run without a win since their readmission. In the 138-year history of Test cricket, only three teams have avoided defeat from being four wickets down on the final day. And it soon became apparent South Africa would not alter that statistic when star batsman De Villiers missed a turning off-break from Moeen and was given out lbw and upheld on review.

South Africa vs England: AB de Villiers to keep in first two Tests

 

 AB de Villiers will keep wicket for South Africa in the first two Tests of the home series against England. The hosts have not named another keeper in their 13-man squad for the first Test in Durban on 26 December and the second in Cape Town on 2 January. De Villiers, 31, has kept in 23 of his 102 Tests, most recently against West Indies in January. Cricket South Africa said the move was to boost the side's batting depth after the recent 3-0 series defeat in India. De Villiers, who is third in the International Cricket Council Test batting rankings, has scored 7,864 runs at an average of 51.39. Wicketkeeper Dane Vilas has been dropped after his struggles with the bat and gloves in India, while Quinton de Kock also misses out. With seamer Vernon Philander still injured, Kyle Abbott retains his place in the pace attack alongside Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada. Uncapped batsman Rilee Rossouw is also included, with off-spinner Dane Piedt selected as the only specialist spinner ahead of Simon Harmer and Imran Tahir. England face the number one-ranked Test side in a four-Test series before five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals. South Africa squad for first two Tests: Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers (wk), Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl.

South Africa vs England: AB de Villiers to keep in first two Tests

 

 AB de Villiers kept wicket against England in 2012 AB de Villiers will keep wicket for South Africa in the first two Tests of the home series against England. The hosts have not named another keeper in their 13-man squad for the first Test in Durban on 26 December and the second in Cape Town on 2 January. De Villiers, 31, has kept in 23 of his 102 Tests, most recently against West Indies in January. Cricket South Africa said the move was to boost the side's batting depth after the recent 3-0 series defeat in India. De Villiers, who is third in the International Cricket Council Test batting rankings, has scored 7,864 runs at an average of 51.39. Wicketkeeper Dane Vilas has been dropped after his struggles with the bat and gloves in India, while Quinton de Kock also misses out. With seamer Vernon Philander still injured, Kyle Abbott retains his place in the pace attack alongside Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada. Uncapped batsman Rilee Rossouw is also included, with off-spinner Dane Piedt selected as the only specialist spinner ahead of Simon Harmer and Imran Tahir. England face the number one-ranked Test side in a four-Test series before five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals. South Africa squad for first two Tests: Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers (wk), Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl.