WORCESTERSHIRE star Moeen Ali produced a stunning spell of bowling to help England win the first Test against South Africa.
The all-rounder wrecked any hopes the Proteas had of saving the game by taking two vital wickets on the final day at Durban before the tourists wrapped up a huge 241-run victory.
Ali, who was awarded the Man of the Match award, got the prize wicket of the host’s star batsman AB De Villiers on just the third ball of what proved to be the match’s final session this morning.
The 28-year-old opened the bowling after South Africa resumed on 136-4 and went around the wicket to De Villiers who played back and was trapped lbw without addition to his overnight 37.
De Villiers reviewed the decision but the ball was shown to be clipping his leg stump and he had to leave the middle.
Ali then got the wicket of Temba Bavuma (0) soon afterwards as England closed in on victory.
South Africa were eventually bowled out for 174 after losing their last six wickets for 38 runs.
Moeen finished with figures of 3-47 from 26 overs in the second innings and a match analysis of 51-12-116-7 – and that after conceding 39 runs in his first seven overs of the game.
The second Test takes place at Newlands, Cape Town on Saturday (January 2).