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Smith praises team effort

Image: Smith: satisfied after comprehensive win

Graeme Smith was delighted with all aspects of South Africa's 10-wicket victory in the second Test against England at Headingley.

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South Africa skipper cannot fault his troops after Headingley win

Graeme Smith was delighted with all aspects of South Africa's 10-wicket victory in the second Test against England at Headingley. The Proteas totally outplayed their hosts to move 1-0 up in the four-match series. Captain Smith won the toss and opted to insert England for the second time in a row, although this time with a rather better outcome than in the drawn first Test at Lord's, when the hosts piled up 593-8 declared. Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn each claimed four wickets as England were skittled for 203 and the tourists replied with 522 to claim a first-innings lead of 319. And that was turned into a 10-wicket success with a day to spare, Smith and opening partner Neil McKenzie making light work of a target of just nine. "We bowled nicely to restrict England and I think the batting performance after that was a credit to the guys," Smith told Sky Sports. "It was fantastic to be 319 ahead and I think the guys today bowled really well. "I think it was a good exciting Test match but I think the key moments we played a lot better.

Stepped up

"A lot of our guys stepped up when they needed to and that was great to see." The outstanding individual performances came from first-innings centurions Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers, and fast bowling duo Morkel and Steyn, who each finished with seven wickets in the match. It was Prince who earned man-of-the-match honours after following up his century in the first-Test draw at Lord's last week with 149. "I am striking it quite nicely at the moment," noted the left-hander, who is Smith's vice-captain. "A hundred at Lord's and a hundred here, and building up to the Test series was batting nicely too. "I would say at the moment I am batting as well as ever."

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