England lose first Test against South Africa inside three days as Anrich Nortje stars for Proteas | Cricket News

Anrich Nortje took three wickets as South Africa hammered England by an innings at Lord’s

England tumbled to a first defeat under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as South Africa shredded the hosts for 149 to win the first LV= Insurance Test by an innings and 12 runs inside three days at Lord’s.

England fell victim to South Africa’s potent bowling attack for the second time in the match, rolled over in 37.4 overs as the speedy Anrich Nortje (3-47) starred, after being skittled for 165 first time around following Kagiso Rabada’s 5-52.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-35) started the slide on Friday after the hosts began their second innings trailing by 161, pinning the struggling Zak Crawley (13) and then Ollie Pope (5) lbw before lunch.

Then, after Joe Root (6) edged Lungi Nigidi to slip, Nortje had Jonny Bairstow (18), Alex Lees (35) and Ben Foakes (0) pouched by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne in the space of nine searing deliveries to leave the home side reeling at 81-6 on a sun-kissed afternoon in the capital.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Nortje takes the wickets of Johnny Bairstow, Alex Lees and Ben Foakes

The freewheeling Stuart Broad – who had earlier wowed the crowd with a stunning one-handed catch – then dominated a 55-run stand from 45 balls with captain Stokes (20 off 28) before chipping a Rabada slower ball to mid-off.

Marco Jansen and Rabada then accounted for Potts and Stokes respectively – the former castled and the latter pouched excellently by Maharaj at mid-wicket – before Jansen cleaned up James Anderson (1) to clinch the most emphatic of results.

England’s four-match winning streak since Stokes and coach McCullum took up their roles earlier this summer – a 3-0 sweep of New Zealand followed by a record-breaking victory over India – was snapped in dramatic style.

South Africa will now head to the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford from Wednesday knowing another triumph will earn them a first series victory over England, home or away, since they won 2-0 on these shores in 2012.

More to follow.