Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

South Africa thrash England at Centurion

November 15, 2009 21:46 IST

South Africa beat England by 84 runs in the second and final Twenty20 international at SuperSport Park on Sunday.

The hosts' emphatic triumph squared the two-match series at one win apiece after England had won the first match by one run according to the Duckworth/Lewis method, after rain stopped play in Johannesburg on Friday. 

Chasing an improbable 242 to win the visitors could only muster 157 for eight in their stipulated 20 overs.

For England, Jonathan Trott made a 40-ball 51 while Kevin Pietersen made a 19-ball 29 and stand-in captain Alastair Cook chipped in with 26 of 21 balls. 

Earlier, captain Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman went on a six-hitting spree as they battered England's bowlers in a world record opening partnership.

The home side eventually made 241 for six, the second-highest total in Twenty20 internationals, after Smith and Bosman put on 170 for the first wicket in 13 overs.

A total of 17 sixes and 19 fours were hit in the South African innings.

The South African captain hit six balls beyond the fence and eight fours to go along with them as he made 88 off 44 balls, while his opening partner cleared the boundary nine times and hit four boundaries in making 94 off 45 deliveries.