Heavy defeat for England in Cape Town

England suffered a huge defeat against South Africa in the third One-Day International in Cape Town – losing by more than 100 runs.

South Africa’s ruthless display, especially with the bat, levelled trhe series at 1 – 1 with just two more matches to play.

The tourists had a nightmare with the ball as the hosts blasted their way to a massive 354 - 6 from their 50 overs.

AB De Villiers (pictured) played an outstanding knock of 121 to set the hosts the joint highest ever score in 50-over cricket at the Newlands ground.

Opening batsman Hashim Amla made 86 and Alviro Petersen scored an unbeaten 51 to set England a huge task of 355 to win.

Stuart Broad’s return to the side saw him take 4 – 71 from his alotted ten overs.

Despite the awesome batting power from South Africa’s batsman, questions will be asked on the quality of England’s bowling for their opponents to make such a formiddable score.

It was always going to be a tough task for England to chase the score and they knew they had to produce something special.

But after making a decent start, England lost Luke Wright, skipper Andrew Strauss and the Jonathan Trott to leave them in trouble at 58 – 3.

It got worse for England when Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan were dismissed in quick succession to put South Africa in the driving seat at 150 – 5.

However a 64-run partnership between Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior brought England back into the game.

But when Prior was caught at deep mid-off and Collingwood’s determined innings of 84 came to an end, the contest was all over.

South Africa then blitzed away the tai to dismiss England for 242 and win the match by a strong margin of 112 runs.

England will have to regroup quickly for Sunday’s fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth.

Related Posts

• Anderson leads England to emphatic victory
• England warm-up in style but Broad is sent for scan
• Pollock issues warning to England over Broad
• Collingwood Century Sets Stage for Broad and Swann
• Kieswetter Century Stakes Claim for ODI Debut