 Once again South Africa failed to rise on expectation and knocked out of ICC events. What we can call it bad-luck or choker’s. Chasing a massive target of 324 runs for victory at Centurion, England bowlers kept their nerves in the face of a supremely gutsy 141 runs from 134 balls from their habitual nemesis, Graeme Smith to guide England to semi finals of ICC Champions Trophy 2009. South Africa chased down well despite of tough target set by England, they were in hunt till the 43rd over of the game. Needing 76 runs to win in last 9 overs with five wickets in hand and Graeme Smith and A.Morkel at the crease it was looked that something dramatic would happen at Centurion. But it was James Anderson impressive spell (10-0-42-3) that put the game in the bag of England. Margin of win was so much that now South Africa have no other option than forget to win ICC Champions trophy 2009. Needing 324 runs to win and 314 runs to stay alive in the tournament (depending on the result of England, New Zealand game) they fell short by 22 runs of winning margin. South Africa always known for loosing the crunch game and it happened once again. They always enter the tournament as firm favorite but somehow they loss the crunch game which cost them the Trophy. It happens so many times that now they carry choker’s tag with them. Earlier England captain has no hesitation in electing to bat on fresh Super Sports Park wicket. Despite of loosing two wickets for 59 runs, two English batsman Paul Collingwood (82 runs of 94 balls) and O.Shah (98 runs of 89 balls) hold their end together and put on aggressive 163 runs of 157 balls to set the launching pad for the batsman to follow. O.Shah showed more aggressiveness during his knock of 98 runs, hitting 6 huge sixes and 5 fours. He didn’t allowed South African spinners to settle down at all. E.Morgan (An Engladn Yuvraj Singh) played a superb blistering knock of 67 runs of just 34 balls with four 4’s and five huge 6’s. It was his inning which took the game away from the South Africans. England added 61 runs in the last seven overs of their inning thank to E.Morgan cracking knock. Owais Shah was declared Player of the Match for his brilliant knock of 98 runs of just 84 balls. Match Summary (England won by 22 Runs) England– 323/8 in 50 Overs O.Shah- 98 P.Collingwood– 82 W.Parnell– 10-2-60-3 J.Botha- 9-0-56-2 South Africa– 301/9 in 50 Overs G.Smith- 141 AB Devilliers– 36 James Andersen– 10-0-42-3 S.Broad- 10-0-67-3 South Africa v England Champions Trophy Highlights New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 38 runs In the other game at Johannesburg New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 38 runs to keep their hopes alive of making through to the semi finals of ICC Champions Trophy. New Zealand put into bat scored 315/7 in reply Sri Lanka manage 277/10 in 46.4 overs. England who is already through to the Semi Finals from Group B. Now the race for the second spot is between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Here is the scenario: If New Zealand win against England in their last game on 29th then New Zealand are through and Sri Lanka will be out of the tournament but if New Zealand loss that game then Sri Lanka will go through since they have better Net run Rate than South Africa and New Zealand. Tags: South Africa out of Champions Trophy, South Africa v England highlights, South Africa v England Champions Trophy 2009, South Africa v England latest match updates, England v South Africa match highlights, owais shah brillinat inning highlighst, Morgan batting highlights, cricket highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2009, England beat South Africa by 22 runs, England enter Champiosn trophy 2009 semi finals |
