ENGLAND collapsed inside 40 overs as they slumped to a crushing innings-and-12-run defeat before the end of the third day of the first Test of the series against South Africa at Lord’s.

Ben Stokes’s men started their second innings 161 runs behind, but were unable to even take the game into the evening session following a spectacular batting implosion as they were bowled out for 149.

It was the first defeat suffered by England since the appointments of Brendon McCullum as head coach and Stokes as captain after they had guided England to four successive Test victories, seemingly banishing the side’s propensity for a collapse in the process.

Having previously chased down high totals, including 378 to beat India earlier in the summer, England’s batters floundered at Lord’s, with Stuart Broad posting the highest individual score (35) in the second innings as England were bowled out for under 150.

There were a few signs of the “Bazball” aggressive batting approach during a partnership between Stokes and Broad, who played dangerously at times when hitting over the top.

The duo put on the only significant partnership of the innings in an entertaining spell during the afternoon — hitting 55 runs — but were unable to steer England out of a dismal position.

Their partnership was brought to a halt when Broad hit a slower ball straight to Dean Elgar for 35, with Stokes following shortly after for 20 when he was caught on the deep midwicket boundary.

Anrich Nortje’s blistering pace proved too much for the home side’s batting line up as he claimed three wickets in just 10 deliveries as England fell back into familiar patterns which embodied their dismal winter of cricket.