Cricket: England win - Hoggard takes 7 wickets!

Seamer Matthew Hoggard took seven wickets for the first time in his career as England beat South Africa by 77 runs in a dramatic finale to the fourth Test at The Wanderers overnight. Fired by Marcus Trescothick's second-innings 180, they set South Africa 325 to win and then carved through their much-vaunted batting before sealing victory late in the final session to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Herschelle Gibbs provided the stiffest resistance with 98, while the in-form Jacques Kallis was dismissed first ball by Hoggard, who ended with 7-61. South Africa captain Graeme Smith tried to salvage the game, coming in at No.8 after being advised by doctors not to bat following a blow on the head during fielding practice.

He made 67 not out but was left stranded as the wickets fell at the other end. Dale Steyn was the last man out, caught behind off Hoggard with barely half-an-hour of light left. The innings lasted 59.3 overs. An England victory looked unlikely when Michael Vaughan, knowing that several of his bowlers were carrying injuries, delayed his declaration.

Hoggard, though, quickly trapped AB de Villiers in front for three in the fifth over of South Africa's second innings and the home side was soon 3-18. Hoggard bowled Jacques Rudolph with an inswinger and had Kallis caught by Trescothick at first slip with the next ball. Boeta Dippenaar survived Hoggard's hat-trick ball, and he and Gibbs added 62 runs for the fourth wicket. They were parted just before tea when Dippenaar edged a drive off Hoggard to Giles in the gully and Boucher quickly followed for a duck, feathering behind.

Hoggard then accounted for Nicky Boje in the final session, catching a return catch to make it 6-118. Gibbs, though, who had continued to go for his shots, was the key wicket. Pushing forward, he given out lbw on his front foot to Giles to make it 7-163. Flintoff then bullied Pollock back to the pavilion, hitting him on the helmet, having him dropped at silly point by Vaughan on four and then inducing an edge behind. Flintoff got Makhaya Ntini lbw before the dramatic finale.

Earler England had resumed on 5-195, still looking vulnerable, but the tourists threw caution to the wind as they hammered 135 more runs before declaring just before lunch. Trescothick faced 248 balls in all and hit 24 fours and four sixes, putting on half-century stands with Ashley Giles and Steve Harmison, who contributed just three.

Reuters