England v South Africa: Joe Root's side complete 3-1 series win
Fourth Investec Test, Old Trafford, day four |
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England 362 & 243 (69.1 overs): Moeen 75*, Morkel 4-41 |
South Africa 226 & 202 (62.5 overs): Amla 83, Moeen 5-69 |
England won by 177 runs; win series 3-1 |
Scorecard |
Moeen Ali claimed five wickets as England completed a 177-run win over South Africa in the fourth Test at Old Trafford to seal a 3-1 series victory.
The Proteas, chasing an unlikely 380, were bowled out for 202, with James Anderson also picking up 3-16.
England were held up by Hashim Amla, who made 83, but after he was dismissed they lost their last seven wickets for 39 runs.
It is England's first home Test series win against South Africa since 1998.
It also ends a run of three series without a win and gives Joe Root success in his first as captain.
England climb to third in the International Cricket Council's Test rankings, above Australia, who they meet in defence of the Ashes this winter.
Their next assignment is a three-Test series against West Indies, which begins with the first day-night match in this country at Edgbaston on 17 August.
More Moeen magic
Moeen had blasted a thrilling 67 on the third evening and was left unbeaten on 75 as England lost their final two wickets to be bowled out in their second innings for 243.
After Anderson, Stuart Broad and Toby Roland-Jones took a wicket apiece, Moeen was asked to wheel away with his off-spin, only to be thwarted by the imperious Amla.
But, when he switched ends, he trapped Amla leg before and worked through the rest of the South Africa line-up.
Quinton de Kock played a loose drive to slash to gully and Theinus de Bruyn tamely edged to slip.
Moeen ended the third Test at The Oval with a hat-trick and closed this match with two wickets in two balls - Morne Morkel holed out to mid-off and Duanne Olivier nicked to slip.
Moeen is the first man to take 25 wickets and score more than 250 runs in a four-match Test series.
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