22 Dec 2015 | Cricket
Moeen Ali took 6-77 to ensure England concluded their preparations for the Boxing Day Test with a resounding innings-and-91-run triumph over South Africa A in Pietermaritzburg.
Resuming 243 runs behind on 35 for two, the hosts were skittled for 187 as the tourists' bowlers took centre stage on the final morning.
Moeen proved his worth with a sixth first-class five-wicket haul while Mark Footitt and Steven Finn also struck.
Victory represented a brilliant three-day workout for England after their batsmen racked up the runs and the bowlers excelled against a strong South Africa A side.
Four of the top six have centuries to their name on this tour, with Alex Hales and Nick Compton both scoring fifties, and all of their attack on duty here were among the wickets.
Finn also strengthened his claims for the third-seamer spot with six scalps in 19 overs on his return to the side following a foot injury.
Footitt kicked things off this morning by having nightwatchman Marchant de Lange caught at short-leg with the first delivery of play.
The tourists ran into resistance in the form of Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw, two full internationals, as the fourth wicket pair added 67 in 15 overs.
But de Kock and Rossouw, having made 53 and 32 respectively, both fell lbw to Moeen in successive overs to spark a collapse that saw South Africa A slip from 102 for three to 129 for eight.
Omphile Ramela was the next leg-before victim, this time Finn with the dismissal, before the paceman had Khaya Zondo caught by Ben Stokes at fourth slip four balls later.
After Moeen also trapped Chris Morris lbw, his quest for a five-for was delayed as Hales dropped a dolly in the deep.
That prompted Keshav Maharaj to hit out, finding the rope six times in a 19-ball 31, but Moeen got his revenge by bowling the sweeping tailender.
The off-spinner then wrapped up the innings, having Dane Paterson this time caught by Hales after the number 11 had smacked a four and six, leaving Dane Vilas stranded on 30.