CRICKET : England fell 112 runs short in an unlikely run chase under lights at Newlands as AB de Villiers’ fourth one-day international hundred helped South Africa level the series at 1-1.
England fell 112 runs short in an unlikely run chase under lights at Newlands as AB de Villiers’ fourth one-day international hundred helped South Africa level the series at 1-1.
Responding to a ground record-equalling 354 for six, even in-form Paul Collingwood’s battling 86 from 82 balls could not save the day for England this time.
De Villiers’ 121 dominated a home innings which included three other half-centuries at a venue where batting first is often the key to success in day-night cricket.
After an encouraging start to their reply, England lost openers Andrew Strauss and Luke Wright – pushed up from the middle order – in quick succession as three wickets went for only 17 runs.
Following a fourth-wicket stand of 84, Kevin Pietersen fell five short of his 50 – swiftly followed by Eoin Morgan – and when Collingwood was gone too in the 37th over, only the margin of defeat remained in doubt.
Wright plundered early boundaries, including a six over long-on off Dale Steyn, only to get a pull at Wayne Parnell (five for 48) high on the bat to be caught at deep square-leg.
Strauss then edged behind some full-length swing from first change Morne Morkel (three for 38) – and on what used to be his home ground, Jonathan Trott followed in the next over without addition. In the end, England subsided quickly – losing their last five wickets for 38 runs, with more than eight overs unused.
South Africa openers Hashim Amla (86) and Graeme Smith (54) had earlier provided the platform – but it was De Villiers who was the enforcer with some increasingly inventive strokeplay.
Among some audacious and other superbly-executed orthodox shots was an innovative ‘ramp’ off Stuart Broad (four for 71) over fine third-man, which was the signal for him and Alviro Petersen (51no) to up the ante in the batting powerplay.
The number three reached the crease in the 19th over, after a 107-run stand, and by the 44th was into three figures with 10 fours from only 75 balls. Broad picked up two cheap wickets in the final over, but 109 were still added in the last 10.
