England completed a record eighth successive Test win when they beat South Africa by seven wickets on the fifth day of the first Test at St George’s Park here today. Andrew Strauss raced to 94 not out as England took only 36 minutes and 9.4 overs to complete their victory. Strauss, who made 106 in the first innings, hit 43 of the 52 runs scored by England today as he and Graham Thorpe (31 not out) took their fourth wicket stand to an unbeaten 95. England’s win beat a record (see box) that had stood for 116 years. England won seven Tests between 1884/85 and 1887/88, a record that was equalled between 1928 and 1928 The current England team moved into joint fifth on an all-time list that is headed by Australia, who won 16 times in a row between 1999/2000 and 2000 England, needing 142 to win, resumed at 93 for three under a heavily overcast sky, with showers predicted. Any hopes South Africa might have had of making England struggle for the 49 runs needed were quickly blown away by Strauss, who hit 19 runs off the first three overs of the day, including a pulled six off fast bowler Dale Steyn. Strauss continued to play aggressively and finished the match in style with two boundaries off Makhaya Ntini. Although Strauss was the outstanding individual performer in the match, the foundation for the win was laid by England’s bowlers, who bowled with discipline and accuracy to restrict South Africa to 337 in the first innings. Brief scoresSouth Africa: 337 and 229 vs England: 425 and 145/3 (A Strauss 94 not out, G Thorpe 31 not out) THE SEQUENCE
