England beat South Africa by six runs
CHENNAI: On Sunday in Group B match of World cup 2011, England played with South Africa on a slow pitch on a hot Chennai day and beat South Africa by six runs. England won the toss and chose to bat. A decision the Andrew Strauss himself negated when he threw his wicket away in the first over. Robin Peterson opened the bowling for South Africa and he struck a second body blow in the opening over itself when he had Kevin Pietersen caught at slip for just 2. England was reeling at 3 for 2 after just one over. It got worse in the fifth over when Ian Bell fell to a fine catch by Peterson off his own bowling and England was in trouble at 15 for 3.
Ravi Bopara (60) walked in to bat in this crisis and joined Jonathan Trott (52). The two put on a 99-run partnership that seemed to have got England out of jail. A total of 240-250 was on the cards but South Africa clawed their way back in thanks to Imran Tahir who wreaked havoc on the middle and lower order batsmen and finished with 4 for 38 off his 8.4 overs. On the evidence of England’s innings, South Africa was going to have a tough chase, but it was expected that with the likes of Amla, Kallis and the in-form de Villiers in their line up, they would win.
South Africa’s chase began in fine style. An opening stand of 63 in 14 overs put them well on course. With just 109 needed off 36 overs and with 9 wickets in hand, it was South Africa’s game to lose. And they did so! Graeme Smith (22) fell to Graeme Swann and Hashim Amla (42) and Jacques Kallis (15) followed suit. A mini revival was led by AB de Villiers (25) and Faf du Plessis (17) but once they fell in the space of three balls, the cat was among the pigeons!
Dale Steyn and Morne van Wyk took South Africa to within 12 runs of the target, but the return of Tim Bresnan saw van Wyk bowled off an inside edge to put South Africa on the brink of defeat. Stuart Broad returned to bowl his 7th over and needed just four balls to pick up the two remaining South African wickets and complete an improbable 6-run win for England.
South Africa has worked hard at shedding the tag of chokers in big tournaments. They have romped home against the West Indies and Netherlands, but have failed in their first big test of the tournament. They still have India to play and a couple of other minnow teams so a passage to the quarter final should not be an issue. But what most teams will have seen is their weakness against spin and the lack experience and ability to handle pressure.
England team moves to the top of Group B and could be joined there by India if they beat Ireland. South Africa is now in danger of running into Australia or Pakistan in the quarter final should they lose to India as well next week.
England now should be considered the best team of this World Cup. They have been involved in and perhaps responsible for three of the most exciting matches yet! After finishing tied against India in a game they should have won, they lost to Ireland a game they had won at the halfway mark. Now England won a game they should have lost! South Africa must be more careful now.
England 171 (Bopara 60, Trott 52, Tahir 4-38) beat South Africa 165 (Amla 42, Broad 4-15) by six runs
