When England won the toss and chose to field on the muggiest day of the year; and then to find out that Dale Steyn had failed a fitness test for South Africa, you thought this just might be England's day. The ever-reliable James Anderson got the ball to swing from the first ball. He got it swinging both ways to brilliantly set up Colin Ingram to be trapped lbw fifth ball of the innings.
Some inspired captaincy from Alistair Cook meant Steven Finn (in for Tim Bresnan who was awaiting the birth of his child) bowled the second over of the day instead of Stuart Broad. It worked a treat as danger man Hashim Amla was caught behind to a good low catch by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler to leave South Africa reeling at 4 for 2. Buttler went to have a great match behind the stumps and ended up with six catches. He is only the 7th ever cricketer to take six catches in an ODI.
South Africa never recovered as poor shot selection from key batsman coupled with tight bowling from England left South Africa reduced to 80 for 8. The middle order had no idea how to read James Tredwell's spin bowling. It was his lack of spin that caused the batsmen a problem, they kept expecting turn but the straight ball was catching them out. Tredwell took 3 for 19 off 7 overs to receive the man of the match award.
Nothing summed up South Africa's dire situation like Ryan McLaren's "run out". The ball deflected off McLaren's pad to Jonathan Trott at first slip. McLaren had come so far down the wicket attempting a shot, that when Trott threw the ball at the stumps, McLaren was run out. Had it gone the keeper it would have been a stumping because McLaren was not actually attempting a run.
The one positive for South Africa was the 95 run 9th wicket partnership between David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt. They more than doubled the score from the 80 for 8 when they came together and made the highest scores of the innings - Miller with 56 runs and Kleinveldt with 43. Stuart Broad broke the partnership and took two wickets in consecutive balls to wrap up the innings at 175 runs.
South Africa still have the tag of chokers, having never won a knockout match since 1998. Today was slightly different as this was a South African side missing pivotal players such as Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn. Nevertheless, the manner in which South Africa collapsed was criminal. It didn't look like they knew it was a 50 over match at times.
With no pressure in terms of run rate, England steadily started their run chase. Cook made only 6 and became the first wicket to fall with the score on 22. South Africa might have had a glimmer of hope when Bell was caught behind having made 20 making it 41 for 2.
The Trott masterclass dashed any hopes South Africa had. Trott has received some, in my opinion very unfair, criticism for his supposedly slow strike rate. This is a man who today made 82 not out from 84 balls. Trott's strike rate in this tournament is nearly 90 and he averages nearly 70. For years England have been crying out for someone to anchor the innings to make full use of the 50 overs. The longer Trott stays in, the better his strike rate. Having a new ball from each end in ODIs now means you need someone to play almost a Test innings rather than the pinch hitters we have become used to seeing.
Joe Root continued to impress making 48 runs. He got out playing an innovative shot you could sense he just wanted to practice. Eoin Morgan will be pleased to have finished unbeaten on 15 as he has struggled for runs this tournament. Trott scored the winning runs by hitting a four in the 38th over.
England will now face either the form team, India, or the only team to have defeated England in the tournament, Sri Lanka, at Edgbaston in the final on Sunday. England shouldn't worry too much who they will face, but instead focus on themselves. Finn still doesn't seem at his best, and the middle order might become exposed against spin. Even if Bresnan or Swann are available for the final, I wouldn't want to change a semi-final winning side. Tredwell performed brilliantly and Finn gives a better balance to the bowling attack if the ball doesn't swing. A very professional performance by England today and we're now one match away from our first ever 50 over trophy.
Nothing summed up South Africa's dire situation like Ryan McLaren's "run out". The ball deflected off McLaren's pad to Jonathan Trott at first slip. McLaren had come so far down the wicket attempting a shot, that when Trott threw the ball at the stumps, McLaren was run out. Had it gone the keeper it would have been a stumping because McLaren was not actually attempting a run.
The one positive for South Africa was the 95 run 9th wicket partnership between David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt. They more than doubled the score from the 80 for 8 when they came together and made the highest scores of the innings - Miller with 56 runs and Kleinveldt with 43. Stuart Broad broke the partnership and took two wickets in consecutive balls to wrap up the innings at 175 runs.
South Africa still have the tag of chokers, having never won a knockout match since 1998. Today was slightly different as this was a South African side missing pivotal players such as Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn. Nevertheless, the manner in which South Africa collapsed was criminal. It didn't look like they knew it was a 50 over match at times.
With no pressure in terms of run rate, England steadily started their run chase. Cook made only 6 and became the first wicket to fall with the score on 22. South Africa might have had a glimmer of hope when Bell was caught behind having made 20 making it 41 for 2.
The Trott masterclass dashed any hopes South Africa had. Trott has received some, in my opinion very unfair, criticism for his supposedly slow strike rate. This is a man who today made 82 not out from 84 balls. Trott's strike rate in this tournament is nearly 90 and he averages nearly 70. For years England have been crying out for someone to anchor the innings to make full use of the 50 overs. The longer Trott stays in, the better his strike rate. Having a new ball from each end in ODIs now means you need someone to play almost a Test innings rather than the pinch hitters we have become used to seeing.
Joe Root continued to impress making 48 runs. He got out playing an innovative shot you could sense he just wanted to practice. Eoin Morgan will be pleased to have finished unbeaten on 15 as he has struggled for runs this tournament. Trott scored the winning runs by hitting a four in the 38th over.
England will now face either the form team, India, or the only team to have defeated England in the tournament, Sri Lanka, at Edgbaston in the final on Sunday. England shouldn't worry too much who they will face, but instead focus on themselves. Finn still doesn't seem at his best, and the middle order might become exposed against spin. Even if Bresnan or Swann are available for the final, I wouldn't want to change a semi-final winning side. Tredwell performed brilliantly and Finn gives a better balance to the bowling attack if the ball doesn't swing. A very professional performance by England today and we're now one match away from our first ever 50 over trophy.
I truly like to reading your post. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a nice information.
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Thanks for your comments Sachin. England v India final on Sunday should be a good match
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