Stale SA fail to fire
The Proteas’ bowling attack failed to restrict England as the visitors cruised to a seven-wicket victory in the second ODI in Centurion.
England skipper Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to field, a decision that paid off in the sixth over as the Proteas lost Graeme Smith early. The captain edged a Tim Bresnan delivery and was caught by Strauss at first slip.
AB de Villiers fell cheaply afterwards, but JP Duminy and Hashim Amla steadied the innings. Together, they produced a 73-run partnership, which ended after Duminy was caught behind. Amla was also dismissed four overs later.
The Proteas lost wickets on regular occasions which prevented the home side from building momentum. Alviro Petersen (64) and Mark Boucher (30) were the only other batsmen with significant scores as the Proteas finished on a respectable 250-9.
England were off to a slow start and their situation worsened as they lost Strauss in the eighth over and Kevin Pietersen in the twelfth with the score on 45.
The Proteas bowlers, however, couldn’t follow through and with an average fielding display, Jonathan Trott and Paul Collingwood scored a match-winning partnership of 162 runs.
Trott was dismissed on 87, but Collingwood and Eoin Morgan steered the Poms to victory with four overs remaining.
England now lead the five-match series 1-0 with three matches left. The sides will meet again on Friday in the third ODI at Newlands.
South Africa 250-9 (50 overs)
Alviro Petersen 64, Hashim Amla 57, James Anderson 3/60.
England 252-3 (46 overs)
Paul Collingwood 105*, Jonathan Trott 87, Charl Langeveldt 2/46.
England win by seven wickets
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:49 pm
We looked flat.. England are a good side but we should take them to the cleaners. Our batters did not apply themselves and our bowling seriously lacks penetration. Lets hope the so called brains trust gets it right for the next game and today was just an off day.
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I know he didnt do much today because the job was just about done but I thought this Eoin Morgan guy is something special,the shots this guy plays are amazing.. We need to work out a plan for him,Trott and was as Kp.
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Proteas are chokers…
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Problem is for as long as the Big 3,Smith,Kallis and Boucher run Sa cricket the tough selections will not be made.. Hence we continue to choke and make the same mistakes Grant..
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
#4 Winston: seems we have the same problems in the rugby…
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Yeah,but the difference we are double World Champions in rugby and have never made it past a Semi Final in the Cricket World Cup..
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
#6 Winston: true….i see Kepler Wessels son is talking of playing for SA possibly….i think he is a batsman / wicketkeeper?
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Yeah,but it looks like they are grooming Heino Kuhn to take over from the over rated Boucher when he hangs up his boots,maybe its just because I’m a Durbanite but I rate Daryn Smit,I think he is probably the best keeper in the country and his batting is getting better all the time..
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Too much cricket on…. Bring on the tests!
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Shut up Grant. We didnt choke this time.
Pitch looked as if it flattened out as the day wore on, (i.e much easier to bat in the afternoon)
Kallis, Boucher and Smith are 3 of the greatest cricketers we have ever had and they have plenty of experience and rightly should have a say in decisions in the team. Smith’s the effing captain after all!
Eoin Morgan is bloody good, but he’s not even English, he’s irish, he shouldnt be playing!
Bloody poms, stealing everyone’s players.
It’s chilled anyway, we’ll beat them 3-1…
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
#10 WP_: LOL…okay…okay….
I only watch the 5 day stuff anyway, this is all candy floss kiss and cuddle anyway…
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I’d rather have Smit taking over from Bouch than Kuhn…
Similar keeping and batting ability, BUT Smit can bowl leg spin. Love it.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
hehe Grant
It’s a touchy subject… Yeah I enjoy the 5 day stuff much more too. 5O overs is fine but T20 isnt cricket, it’s a circus…
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Glad to see the cosy gentleman’s club that is SA cricket is still floating comfortably on – Gibbs gets a recall for injured Kallis…again. If ever a player was clearly over the hill – but Mickey likes a dop with the boytjie hey…
Bosman maybe or some other youngster who hasn’t let himself and his team down like 500 times?
It’s harder for an SA cricketer to lose his job these days than for an African politician.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
@lungburner: Wow you like to exaggerate. Is hyperbole your best friend?
“let himself and his team down like 500 times.” A few times but not as often as you think. Herschelle is immensely talented and deserves another chance (after a brilliant 100 not out in a recent domestic match)
“let himself and his team down like 500 times” – I’ll let you in on a little secret Loots is 32 – hardly a youngster compared to Gibbs (35), but agree Loots should have been given a chance even though he is at his best in T20. Not as good in 50 overs stuff…
November 25th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
@WP_: Bosman maybe or some other youngster