Steyn Claimed 5 wickets South Africa by an innings

Dale Steyn claimed 5 for 56 to help bowl South Africa to a complete innings and 12-run victory over England before tea on the 5th day of the 1st cricket test at The Oval on Monday.

South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series, fuel their hopes of winning the series and leapfrogging England as the number one team in the world rankings.

Steyn wrapped up England's 2nd innings with a fiery burst with the 2nd new ball of three for 8 in his 4-over spell as England were bowled out for 240, replying to the Proteas' only innings of 637 for 2 declared. In bright, sunny conditions, Ian Bell tried to save a draw with his thorough innings of 55 in 220 balls, his slowest test 50, but, like his team mates, he could not stay in.

It was a crushing win for South Africa, in particular after England closed day one on 267 for 3 but then failed to capitalise. Hashim Amla plunders a national record 311 not out in more than 13 hours at the crease in his team's huge total. Jacques Kallis also made 182 not out and captain Graeme Smith 131 in his 100th test.

South Africa was a small nervy having managed just the wicket of Ravi Bopara (22) in the morning session as Bell and then Matt Prior (40) dug in. Prior's the sack, however, started off a spell of wickets. Fast bowler Steyn, ranked number one in the world, had started the destruction job in the 1st hour of the day by removing Bopara, who deflect a bottom edge on to his stump while trying to cut a short and wide delivery.

Despite a couple of let-offs for Bell, when AB de Villiers failed to hold on to a nick off leg-spinner Imran Tahir on 20 and a run out chance on 28, he batted courageously. Prior's wicket halt their promising stand of 86 as England stopped from 203 for 5. Prior gave away his wicket, trying to sweep Tahir when the shot was not on.

Instead he managed a faint edge to a leg-break from about the wicket and Kallis took his 183rd test catch at slip. Steyn then claimed the prized wicket of Bell with his 2nd delivery with the new ball, as he edged to the reliable Kallis at second slip. He added the scalps of Stuart Broad, caught at the back after a review, and Graeme Swann.The last wicket went down when Tahir trapped last man James Anderson lbw.

The 2nd test is in Leeds from August 2 and the 3rd match at Lord's starts on August 16.

ENG 1st Inn-385/10

SA 1st Inn-637/2

ENG 2nd Inn-240/10

SA win by Innings

Man of the match: Hashim Amla