Rabada, Nortje end Eng fight

Pretoria, December 29

South Africa broke down a stubborn England resistance to win the first Test of their World Test Championship series by 107 runs.

England needed 376 to win but despite some committed batting, were bowled out for 268 on the fourth day of the five-day encounter.

An enthralling contest swung South Africa’s way when left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj bowled Ben Stokes to halt a brief flurry of strokes as Stokes and captain Joe Root tried to lift the scoring rate before the second new ball was due.

The new ball then had an immediate impact with Kagiso Rabada having Jonny Bairstow caught at gully before Anrich Nortje claimed the crucial wicket of Root, who made a fighting 48 before he was caught-behind. It was the second time in the day Nortje claimed a wicket with the second ball of a new spell after he made the first breakthrough of the day by dismissing top-scorer Rory Burns for 84.

Quick end

The remaining wickets fell quickly, with Rabada finishing with four for 103 and fellow fast bowler Anrich Nortje claiming three for 56. Maharaj, who broke England’s first wicket stand of 92 yesterday, when he dismissed Dom Sibley, took two for 37.

South Africa produced a disciplined bowling performance, making scoring difficult on a pitch which always offered something to the bowlers with some sideways movement and uneven bounce. England added only 50 runs in 25 overs while losing two wickets during the morning. — AFP

Brief Scores: SA: 284 and 272 (van der Dussen 51; Archer 5/102); Eng: 181 and 268 (Burns 84; Rabada 4/103)

1 South Africa claimed their first Test win following five consecutive defeats

6 Consecutive wins for South Africa at Centurion

1ST Time South Africa have defeated England in a Boxing Day Test