England crumble to lose by innings to South Africa

England were blown away to lose the first Test against South Africa by an innings and 12 runs inside three days.

Needing 161 to make the Proteas bat again, the home side spectacularly and swiftly unravelled to 149 all out at a stunned Lord's.

The first defeat of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era was not caused by the swashbuckling approach that brought four wins at the beginning of the summer, but a timid surrender to some magnificent Proteas bowling.

Anrich Nortje was sensational, bowling at rapid pace to take three wickets for no runs in 10 balls.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj began the collapse with two wickets, including under-pressure opener Zak Crawley for 13.

England earlier took the last three South African wickets for 39 to bowl the Proteas out for 326, despite bizarrely persisting with short-ball tactics.

Though the South Africa lead was sizable, England should have made better use of the best batting conditions of the match to at least drag the contest into the weekend.

Instead they go one behind in the three-match series, with the second Test at Old Trafford starting on Thursday.

Source: BBC