England v South Africa - South Africa tour of England - 1st Test - Day 5 - Live Score and Update
England 385 & 240 (97.0 ov) v South Africa 637/2d - South Africa won by an innings and 12 runs
July 23, 2012: South Africa made a superb start to their England tour after winning the opening match of the three-Test series against the hosts, by an innings and 12 runs, at Kennington Oval, London.
The day proceeded with England resuming their second innings from 102 runs for the loss of four wickets, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RS-Bopara-c2373 came out to help their side avert a likely defeat.
With the top four batsmen already back in the pavilion, England knew that the partnership between Bell and Bopara was most important for their survival.
While South Africa needed to bowl their hearts out in order to subdue their opposition.
Where Bell exhibited composure, Bopara failed to rise to the occasion, losing his wicket at a time when his side had amassed only 117 runs, as he was dismissed by DW Steyn on a knock of 22.
South Africa now had http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749 right where they wanted them, and were leading towards tightening the screws around the hosts to wrap-up the innings.
However, the partnership between Bell and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Prior-c1984 gave England one final chance to make it back in the game, as the two stood defiant against the raging South African bowling attack.
The duo took the score to 203 runs, after which the partnership was broken on the demise of Prior, who fell on a tally of 40 runs.
This saw the departure of Bell later in the innings with 210 runs on the board, as he was dismissed by the phenomenal DW Steyn on a knock of 55 runs.
With Bell and Prior out of the way, it was smooth sailing for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 towards victory as they dismantled England’s lower-batting line-up without hassle.
England, with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TT-Bresnan-c2711 unbeaten on 20 runs, faltered after amassing a total of 240 runs, losing the match by a big margin against the Proteas.
From South Africa, pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409 was the best bowler by taking seven wickets in the match.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HM-Amla-c1557, who belted a majestic knock of 311 runs (not out) was named the Player of the Match.
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