Graeme Smith registered his maiden limited-overs international century to lead South Africa to a series-levelling three-wicket win over England in the third Standard Bank one-day cricket match at Sahara Oval St George’s on Friday.
After England made 267 for eight in their 50 overs, Smith struck 105 off 131 balls as South Africa replied with 270 for eight, the winning runs coming off the first ball of the final over.
It was a terrific effort by the South Africans after some poor results this summer and the result will give them confidence for the remainder of the seven-match series. The fourth match will be played in Cape Town on Sunday.
”It was terrific to get a win,” said Smith. ”I had a bit of luck in the middle but sometimes you need some luck to get home.”
The home side were in command for most of their reply, particularly when Smith and Gibbs (50 off 54 balls) added 107 in 19 overs for the fourth wicket. But when they were dismissed, as well as Justin Kemp, an awkward period loomed as the run rate rose to nearly eight an over and put pressure on the lower-order batsmen.
The experienced Mark Boucher, however, stepped into the breach to smash 33 off 21 balls in a vital seventh-wicket stand of 43 in six overs with Ashwell Prince, who then helped Pollock put the finishing touches to an excellent victory.
”They handled the pressure superbly,” said Smith.
Even though they scored at a rate of just more than five an over, England’s batting was steady rather than spectacular.
Too many batsmen — four — were dismissed in their thirties, with only Vikram Solanki, standing in for an ill skipper Michael Vaughan, pushed on to anything substantial with his top score of 66.
That effort, linked to some tight bowling by the South Africans, kept the reins on to a degree on a slightly slowish but good batting pitch.
Smith’s men came back well in the closing stages, taking four wickets in the final 10 overs to allow England to score only 58 runs in that period.
Fast-bowler Andre Nel was outstanding, ending with three for 49 after a vital second spell of 3-0-18-2. Makhaya Ntini also picked up three important wickets, including two in the penultimate over, while spinner Nicky Boje bowled tightly to claim one for 42.
Marcus Trescothick, captaining the side, admitted that his dropping of his counterpart Smith on 53 had probably been the turning point in the match. But he said England will regroup before the next match.
”We’ll be fine,” he said. ”We’ll travel down to Cape Town tomorrow, have a think about this game tomorrow night and hopefully play well on Sunday.” — Sapa