England beats South Africa by 241 runs in first Test

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Part-time off-spinner Moeen Ali took three wickets for 47 runs in the second innings.

The proteas extended their number of successive tests without a win to seven.

Moeen Ali took three wickets on Wednesday as England made quick work of securing victory in the first Test by bundling out South Africa for 174 before lunch and ensure a 241-run victory on the last day at Kingsmead.

It was only the second triumph in the opening Test of a series for England in 11 years as South Africa's status as the top-ranked test nation looked distinctly hollow, extending their number of successive tests without a win to seven.

England will take a massive morale boost into the rest of the four-Test series with a quick turnaround time before the second Test starts in Cape Town on Saturday.

South Africa already had their backs to the wall at 136 for four wickets overnight, chasing an improbable 416 for a win, and their hopes of survival rested heavily on AB de Villiers but lasted only three balls at the start of the final day and was out on his overnight score of 37.

Scores:

England 1st innings - 303 all out in 100.1 overs (Nick Compton 85, James Taylor 70; Dale Steyn 4-70, Morne Morkel 4-76).

South Africa 1st innings - 214 all out in 81.4 overs (Dean Elgar 118 not out, AB de Villiers 49; Stuart Broad 4-25, Moeen Ali 4-69).

England 2nd innings - 326 all out in 102.1 overs (Jonny Bairstow 79, Joe Root 73, Nick Compton 49; Dane Piedt 5-153).

South Africa 2nd innings (target - 416) - 174 all out in 71 overs (Dean Elgar 40, Steven Finn 4-42, Moeen Ali 3-47).