OTD | Moeen Ali’s hat-trick sealed England’s win over South Africa in The Oval’s 100th Test

On this day in the third Test at The Oval in 2017, England defeated South Africa by a resounding 239-run margin in what was the 100th Test at the Oval ground in London. Moeen Ali finished the match in style with a stunning hat trick to round off the victory. One of the main causes of South Africa’s loss was their batting problems. 

Ben Stokes hammered a fluent 112 off 153 balls, while Alastair Cook steadied the top order with a patient 88 as England chose to bat first and amassed 353 in their opening innings. Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada took three wickets each.

South Africa replied with 175 runs, as Temba Bavuma was the only one to reach fifty. Toby Roland-Jones shone with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul while James Anderson took three wickets.

With a lead of 178 runs, England made the most of the second innings as well. Tom Westley made 59, Joe Root slammed 50, Jonny Bairstow hammered 63, and Ben Stokes and Roland-Jones hit some big shots to take England to 313/8d in the second innings. Keshav Maharaj took three wickets while Chris Morris took two wickets as South Africa was asked to chase 492 runs.

Dean Elgar held up one end with a classic 136 with 20 fours but saw wickets falling in rapid succession at the other. Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and Vernon Philander all fell for single-digit scores. Temba Bavuma made 32, while Chris Morris and Keshav Maharaj made 24 runs each, with Maharaj remaining unbeaten.

Roland-Jones picked three wickets in the second innings for 72 runs, and Ben Stokes took two, but the star of the England bowling proved to be Moeen, who dismissed Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, and Morne Morkel in three consecutive deliveries to complete a 239-run victory for his side.

It was the first hat-trick in a Test at The Oval and, even more remarkably, the first by an England spinner in 79 years.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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