England have now beaten South Africa in their last six completed One Day International meetings. This is quite a statistic considering each team’s differing reputation in this form of the game, I’m sure you will agree.
The latest victory for England was largely down to one man – Paul Collingwood. The all-rounder put in a superb display with bat and ball in his record breaking 171st One Day International appearance for his country. In the aftermath, everyone was questioning who writes his scripts.
First of all, Collingwood chipped in with two wickets as Andrew Strauss’ men restricted South Africa to 250-9 in their 50 overs, including the crucial wicket of opener Hashim Amla for 57. The other men to chip in with the ball were James Anderson (3-60), Tim Bresnan (2-46), Saj Mahmood (1-41) and Luke Wright (1-28).
In all fairness though, it wasn’t the best fielding display from England. Other than a superb catch from Collingwood (who else?) to dismiss Graeme Smith, there were plenty of drop catches with Strauss the main culprit. The England captain put down three chances.
It meant that South Africa probably got a bigger total than they should have done, having been 165-6 at one stage. It was all about how England performed with the bat though. The total was very achievable and if their top six performed well, they would have a great chance of going 1-0 up.
In fairness, it didn’t start too well as Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen were dismissed before the score reached 50. Then, with South Africa sensing their chance to get into the England middle order, Jonathan Trott and Collingwood were brought together and England never looked back.
Trott – who was opening the batting after Joe Denly lost his place in the side – looked assured in the country of his birth as he and Collingwood built a solid partnership. It was steady going in the early parts, but the man making his 171st ODI appearance took the game to South Africa at the right time.
Collingwood played some excellent shots to move England into the ascendency and by the time the 150 partnership came up between the pair, the game was all but over as a contest. The only remaining questions were about whether either or both of them could reach three figures.
Trott unfortunately fell for 87, almost ensuring that it was Collingwood who grabbed all of the headlines as the Durham man reached three figures. He ended up with 105 from 110 balls, with Eoin Morgan hitting the winning runs as England won by 7 wickets.
It was a fantastic effort from Collingwood and one that he will put down as a highlight of his career. Speaking in the aftermath, he said that it had been a ‘very special day’ for him and understandably so.
Two factors other than Collingwood must be remembered though. First of all the performance of Trott. He is only in the early stages of his international career, but he has taken to it well and really looks the part.
Secondly, the fact that England are 1-0 up with three to play has to be mentioned. They now have a very realistic chance of winning an ODI series in South Africa. How good a start to the tour would this be?
by Thomas Rooney
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