England do it the hard way, Again!
England produced yet another erratic performance against South Africa in a nail biting group B encounter. Chennai was witness to yet another dramatic, close fought contest, continuing England’s topsy-turvy World Cup campaign.
England made it hard for themselves again, posting a meagre 171 on a slow, low pitch which offered little for the batters and much for the spinners. This set the stage for a fighting bowling performance. However, with the Proteas 65 for no loss, England looked dead and buried. Not this England team at this World Cup.
Swann got the breakthrough with an absolute beauty, one that turned and bounced and a review concluded that the ball had flicked the South African Skipper’s glove, well snaffled by Matt Prior.
England opened the bowling with the slow left arm of Yardy, following South Africa’s lead. Robin Peterson had got South Africa off to a flyer, dismissing Strauss, Pietersen and Bell before England could reach 15. In a dismal batting performance, fifties from the ever-reliable Trott and Man of the Match Bopara were the only highlights. Bopara showing the selectors they were right to pick him. Newly qualified leg-spinner Tahir picked up another 4 wicket hall, adding international wickets to his ever-growing county tally.
Amla attempted a late cut too many and chopped on to his stumps off the bowling of newly introduced Stuart Broad. Kallis only lasted 20 balls before he was caught behind off the same bowler, attempting a drive through the offside. A good low catch was taken by Prior who turned out to have a good game behind the stumps.
The South Africans offered up some form of resistance in the middle order, De Villiers and Du Plessis putting on 42 for the 4th wicket.
Three wickets in the space of four balls again turned the game on its head. James Anderson returned to the attack and this paid off as he bowled the in-form De Villiers, a key wicket for England. Du Plessis was run out in the very next over, clipping the ball to Bell at short leg whose opportunist flick to Prior ran out the South African batsman.
The collapse continued as Anderson removed Duminy’s off-stump and Yardy picked up his only wicket, getting Peterson caught behind as South Africa’s chase began to spiral out of control.
Momentum is a funny thing, and it appeared to change again as Steyn got going, helping himself to a Pietersen loose delivery. Pietersen showed some of his old off-spinning skill, getting through eight overs for just 30 runs; a valuable contribution.
Anderson couldn’t hold on to a tough caught and bowled attempt, hit hard by Steyn but the team bowling effort continued as Bresnan forced Van Wyk to chop onto his stumps. Steyn stubbornly refused to subside to mounting England pressure and with only 8 needed with 2 over left; victory looked in reach for the South Africans. However, Broad had other ideas, a beautiful in-swinger trapping Steyn on the crease and he was gone for a well played 20 off 31 balls. Broad was not to be denied the feat of finishing off the last man and he delivered the knockout blow, Morkel snicking off into the safe hands of Prior. Celebrations began as the whole of England breathed a sigh of relief.
England can take a lot of positives from this game, especially from the top notch bowling performance, Swann, Broad and Anderson all returning impressive figures. England have shown they can get the amount of runs needed in the first three of their World Cup games and this bowling performance proves what can stem from self-belief and drive.
England play Bangladesh next on Friday, needing a victory to ensure a quarter final place. Their campaign certainly being back on track after the pain of the defeat to Ireland. However, they will have to do without talisman Pietersen who is flying home for a hernia operation. Eoin Morgan will replace him, leaving England with the dilemma of who is to partner Strauss at the top of the order.
