England made short work of taking the four South Africa wickets it needed to complete an innings and 98 run victory in the second cricket Test in Durban today.
Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad, who ripped through the host’s top order yesterday, continued to dominate. Swann took the final wicket of Dale Steyn to finish with figures of 5-54. Broad had 4-43.
England established a first-innings lead of 231 after declaring on 574-9. South Africa slumped to 76-6 when bad light stopped play on day four.
“England outplayed us in the middle section of the match,” South African captain Graeme Smith said in televised comments after the match. “We didn’t create enough pressure and allowed them to get ahead in the game. We were off the boil here, and that’s not good enough. England were far more precise in executing their plans.”
Swann took four wickets as England bowled out South Africa for 343 in the first innings. England’s reply was led by Alastair Cook and Ian Bell, who both scored centuries as South Africa’s bowlers struggled for consistency.
The worst culprit was fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, who finished with 0-114 in his 101st Test. England’s domination was underlined by the runs compiled by its lower order, as the visitors scored 209 runs for the last five wickets.
“It’s not far off the best performance I’ve seen from an England side, certainly away from home,” England captain Andrew Strauss said. “I’m delighted we’ve stuck to our plans. We’ve had some outstanding performances here that have laid the basis for the victory. Our seamers did a really good job in their first innings.”
Victory gives England a 1-0 lead in the best-of-four series. The first Test at Centurion finished in a draw after South Africa failed to take the last England wicket.
The third match begins on Jan. 3 in Cape Town.
“We’re going to have to keep our feet on the ground for Cape Town, but 1-0 up in the series with two matches to go is a good place to be,” Strauss added.
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