South Africa Level T20 Series

South Africa levelled the two-match Twenty20 International series after a record T20I partnership of 170 runs (79 balls) between Graeme Smith (88, 44b) and Loots Bosman (94, 45b) rocketed the home side to a colossal 241 for six, easily their highest ever T20I score.

South Africa won the match by 84 runs to revenge the frustration of losing by only one run via the Duckworth / Lewis method in Friday the thirteenth’s rain affected match at the Wanderers.

The opening pair entertained the Centurion crowd with 13 fours and 15 sixes as the hapless English bowling attack was carted all over the place. Only James Anderson (1/28, 4ov) returned figures worthy of even scant respectability. Sarge Mahmood (1/61, 4 ov) and Tim Bresnan (0/48, 4 ov) did not look the part. The young leggie, Adil Rashid, was smacked for 25 runs in his only over.

Man of the match Bosman had struck 58 runs from 31 deliveries on Friday and may be rewarded with a chance in the ODI series.

Former South Africans Kevin Petersen (29, 19b) and Jonathan Trott (51, 40b) enjoyed a smart partnership of 62 runs from 34 deliveries but once the asking rate grew to over 17 rpo only ten overs into the innings, England had only the opportunity of some good middle practise to play for. The visitors finished with 157 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Smith’s election to bat first at a match where rain was forecast came as a surprise but the decision paid off handsomely as the rain stayed away and the Proteas made merry on a fine batting wicket. The ODI series begins on Friday at the Wanderers.