CRICKET : An incisive batting display from South Africa helped them bounce back from defeat in the opening Twenty20 international against England to seal an emphatic 84-run victory at Centurion.
An incisive batting display from South Africa helped them bounce back from defeat in the opening Twenty20 international against England to seal an emphatic 84-run victory at Centurion.
A world-record 170-run opening partnership from Graeme Smith (88) and Loots Bosman (94) helped the hosts reach a massive 241 for six – the second highest 20-over total ever – before disciplined bowling helped restrict the tourists to 157 for eight.
There were some reasons for encouragement for England though, in particular the return of Kevin Pietersen who made 29 in his first innings since his return from an Achilles injury.
Jonathan Trott also hit a half-century, but the writing seemed to be on the wall early on after a monumental batting display by Smith and Bosman, who surpassed the previous 145 mark set by West Indies batsmen Chris Gayle and Devon Smith in 2007.
