England vs South Africa, 4th Test at Manchester, , Aug 04 2017 - Ball by Ball Commentary

6.15pm: Right, this one is biltong. England have the Basil D'Oliveira trophy and some champagne bottles to spray around. We've typed our last for the series - I'll leave you with Andrew Miller's report on another England win, and the thanks of myself, Miller, Gnasher and the scorers for your contributions (and patience). We'll see some of you again, hopefully, for the Windies series in a week or so. It's been emotional...Cheerio!

5.55pm: Okay, it's time for the presentations. Buckle up... We'll kick off with the Man of the Match, Moeen Ali. Or maybe not (though I suspect he has another award to come). Morne Morkel is South Africa's Man of the Series for, in the words of Trevor Bayliss (the opposition coach nominates the award), "not always getting the rewards he deserved": "I'm definitely going to enjoy this [champagne] tonight, it's been hard work. I'm happy with the way I went with the ball. [More wickets?] The more important thing is to keep asking questions, I've committed to trying to hit that sort of length and I've got that right consistently. Especially over here, it's crucial, to hit that fuller length. I feel it's the start of something new now. [Cook mastery?] It's been quality, his record speaks for itself. I enjoy bowling to left-handers, I've got two brothers at home, bowled many a ball in the back yard, so it's been good."

Now here is Moeen, who is also named England's Man of the Series: [Good crowd] "It helps a lot when you're out there. [Faf and Amla stand] They played very well, two world-class players, I was trying to be patient, we knew one wicket would be crucial. Great pitch to bowl on, especially today, landing it in a good area you get the reward. In general they've been good wickets. [Innings last night?] I just felt like we needed that, so I went out and played a few shots. [Batting at No. 8?] Yeah, you have that licence and to contribute with your bowling. [No2 spinner?] It's taken the pressure off me, I've done a lot of work with Saqi and Gibbo."

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis: "First of all, congratulations to Joe and the England team, they were deserved winners, consistently the better team. It's been a tough few months in England. We came over for the one-day series, ahead of the Champions Trophy, which was disappointing. In the Tests, at times we showed really good fight but England were consistently coming up with answers. It's a combination of things, the quality of the England attack was superb, they were relentless and we couldn't get on top them. From a runs point of view we didn't so ourselves justice. And then we dropped some catches, particularly in this match. You have to take those half-chances to compete. The great thing about England is they almost have an extra player they can call on, they've got balance with the allrounders. The way Mo and Jonny [Bairstow] played, they just take the game away from you. [Injuries and selection] Most frustrating, Vernon Philander is probably the most important bowler in these conditions, and then with balance, it is always about playing either seven batters or four seamers. It's a great place to tour, we love coming here, we were very proud coming over. The last team became No. 1 in the world here, we knew it would be tough but the consistency wasn't there."

England captain Joe Root: "I'm really pleased with the way the series has gone. They put us under pressure a number of times but the way the guys responded was exceptional. [Nervous moments?] We knew it was a lot of runs, the partnership with Faf and Hash put us under pressure but, as we have all series, we bounced back strong, made opportunities and tried to take them. [Broad and Anderson] They are fabulous, they've been doing that for a number of years and are still going strong. Throughout we've had to overcome a number of difficult challenges, but the way we've done so has been brilliant. Hard work to do in the future but it's looking good. [Balance of side?] Important top look at conditions and assess, the way we've played in the last two games we've looked really dangerous. Great to have guys who can contribute with bat and ball. [Beating SA for first time at home since 1998] Very proud moment, throughout we've put in the performances and that's what it takes the win series like this."

5.50pm: This is also South Africa's first series defeat under Faf du Plessis - he missed Lord's but I think 3-1 means it still has to go against his name - not to mention only their second loss on the road since 2006. They hold on to the No. 2 Test ranking for now, with England heading up to No. 3 (above Australia) ahead of their home series with West Indies, which starts in ten days' time with a day-night Test at Edgbaston. Speaking of which, here's a bit of fitness news, from George Dobell.

5.35pm: A fitting end, Moeen Ali completing his five-for to seal the Test and the series for England; he finishes with 25 wickets, to go with more than 250 runs, a fine personal return for him. South Africa gave it a go, notably when Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis were adding 123 for the fourth wicket - but once that bulwark was removed, they succumbed pretty quickly. England didn't quite have to go to the bare-knuckle extremes required in 1998 but they have finally put South Africa on the canvas again, winning a home Test series against them for the first time in 19 years. It's also their first series win since beating Sri Lanka at home last year, getting the Joe Root era off to a positive start.

Here's James Anderson, who didn't get his wished-for five-for but still marked the inauguration of the James Anderson End with a seven-wicket haul: "Yeah, it's amazing, a slip-up at Trent Bridge but generally we've played some really good cricket. Shows how far we've come, but also where we can still improve. [Root captaincy?] Yeah, he's been brilliant, taking to like a duck to water, so really positive signs."

Duanne Olivier is in, the ship almost sunk...

And with that blow, SA pass 200. Small victories

"SA need break after this tough and hectic English tour. This has been challenging 2 and half months for them." Looks like they'll be packing their bags pretty soon, Samraat

"Moeen must be most underrated player in this team. I think he is the best England spinner since Swann," says srini of England's No2. Isn't he pretty much their only spinner since Swann (barring back-ups)?

"Hameed now batting with Shiv, I see. One for the purists (and Fred Boycott)." Dig in forevermore, James

"Anderson's average dips below 28 -- for the first time since ... ever? Stats people?" First time since his fifth Test - coincidentally against SA - in 2003, laurence. He might need one more for it to stay there, though