ENGLAND'S cricketers made history yesterday with a remarkable nine-wicket win over South Africa.

Against all the odds England bounced back from a disastrous first day to clinch victory at The Oval, and square the Test series.

Never before had an England team conceded so many runs in the first innings of a Test on home soil and gone on to win.

Durham pace bowler Steve Harmison grabbed South Africa's last two wickets, then man-of-the-match Marcus Trescothick added an unbeaten half-century to his first innings double century to clinch victory.

The win ensured Alec Stewart, played in his last Test match, ended his 13-year international career on a high note.