31st July, 2017 | Moeen Ali's Hat-trick Sets Up England's 239-run Win Over South Africa

When it comes to all-rounders, everyone acknowledges Ben Stokes' contribution to the England side, but Moeen Ali's achievements somehow manage to get overshadowed. Talking purely in terms of numbers, Ali has been at par with Stokes, if not better. He has a batting average of 29 as compared to Stokes' 38, while in bowling Ali fares a bit better than his teammate.

It was on this day, back in 2017, and it was the 100th Test at the Oval. Ali bagged a hat-trick against South Africa -- the first hat-trick in a Test at the venue and the first by an England spinner in 79 years.

Having said that, the groundwork for England's 239-run win was laid by Stokes' brilliant 112 in the first innings. That propelled their score to 353. Toby Roland-Jones rattled the South African side and bagged five wickets, that restricted them to just 175.

Come the second innings, England were guided by few substantial contributions -- from the likes of Joe Root, Tom Westley, Jonny Bairstow and Keaton Jennings.

South Africa were finally set a target of 492. There wasn't much on offer from the Proteas in the chase, except for Dean Elgar who smashed an excellent 136. But he too fell prey to Ali's magic. The latter ended up with figures of 4/45, helping England win.

As far as the series is concerned, England won 3-1. They won the first match at Lord's by 211 runs, lost at Trent Bridge by 340 runs, won at the Oval by 239 runs, and won at the Old Trafford by 177 runs to win the series.