England vs South Africa, 1st Test at London, Jul 19 2012 - Ball by Ball Commentary

But that's all from me for now. My thanks to Gnasher and Monty and we'll all be back in a couple of weeks time for the second Test. Enjoy the Olympics...

All the usual reaction coming up here on ESPNcricinfo, Andrew McGlashan has described the action and we'll have all the analysis from The Oval from the England camp with George Dobell and the tourists with Firdose Moonda. Look out for the Two Chucks too coming later on.

Well that wraps up the first Test of this series. South Africa comprehensive and deserved winners here, the next match we're up at Headingley, starting on Thursday August 2, make sure you join us then. But before that tune in for the continuation of the Sri Lanka v India ODI series, next match on Tuesday, 14.30 local time that one getting underway.

Presentation time...umpires's medals first, good games as always really...Here's the defeated captain Andrew Strauss: "We'll have some regrets. We weren't able to go on and get a big score after day one. The odds were always against us after last evening but we're frustrated we didn't make them work harder. I think we've got an outstanding bowling attack that can take 20 wickets on most pitches. Here conditions played a part, we couldn't get the ball swinging."

And now Graeme Smith: "This is an extremely proud moment for all of us. In the context of the first innings this is a great achievement for us. We found an intensity on day two and got a few more plans right. I always felt we were ready and just needed to get into the game. We've got a batting unit that's been successful all around the world and mentally can adapt to all conditions."

Man of the Match, if you couldn't guess it, to Hashim Amla. An amazing innings. Only the second man to score a triple century at The Oval and, most importantly, the first South African batsman to achieve the mark.

In fact...With an innings victory, this was the most comprehensive Test win ever in terms of the difference between runs per wicket of the winning and losing teams - the previous biggest margin came in this match, in which England beat South Africa for the loss of two wickets in 1924.

So Dale Steyn leads South Africa off The Oval having won by an innings and 12 runs, his five wickets guiding the tourists to an absolute thrashing of England. It was such a good performance by South Africa, nearly everybody contributed in some way and they go 1-0 up in the series...who would have thought that at the end of day one? England won a crucial toss and made big runs but from day two they were pummelled...

Still only a matter of time, it only takes one ball...

"Am now having visions of the donkeys from the Disney Pinocchio - a Strauss/donkey hybrid... Your donkey comment is trending on many forums / media at the moment. Cricinfo is the best guys. Keep it up!" Haha! Glad to hear it Nicola...

"In the middle of a typhoon in Hong Kong, glued to my monitor, storm bellowing outside, hoping SA win their first at the Oval!" Keep you head down Tony!