Ali spins England to mighty 241-run win over Proteas

England took a 1-0 lead in the four-match series after comprehensively defeating South Africa by massive 241 runs on the fifth day of the opening Test in Durban on Wednesday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 136 for four, South Africa failed to exhibit any resistance as they could only add 38 more runs on the final day before being bowled out at Kingsmead, Sport24 reported.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali, who was adjudged as the Player of the Match, grabbed three quick wickets to add to his four-wicket haul of the first innings.

Earlier on Tuesday, paceman Steven Finn had put the tourists on brink of massive victory after claiming three crucial wickets of Dean Elgar, captain Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis.

Elgar (40) and AB de Villiers (37) were the only batsmen to provide some resistance in the second innings, with JP Duminy left stranded on unbeaten 26.

South Africa continued to struggle with their batting woes after suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat in the recent four-match series in India.

The second Test will be played at Newlands beginning on January 2.