CT 2013 first semifinal : SA vs Eng : England enter final with emphatic win over South Africa
London : England entered their second Champions Trophy final steam-rolling South Africa in the tournament’s first semifinal match at the Kennington Oval here Wednesday.
Jonathan Trott (82 not out) and Joe Root (48) guided England past South Africa’s 175 in 37.3 overs after their bowlers put up an all-round show with Stuart Broad and James Tredwell striking thrice.
Earlier, the Proteas were 80 for eight at one stage before David Miller (56 not out) and Rory Kleinveldt (43) saved them the embarrassment through a 95-run stand for the ninth wicket.
While 1998 champions South Africa will find it harder than ever to shed their ‘chokers’ tag after the resounding defeat, England are one step away from their maiden Champions Trophy triumph after reaching the final in 2004.
India and Sri Lanka play in the second semifinal of the tournament’s last edition at Cardiff Thursday.
England bowlers delivered yet again after their captain Alastair Cook put the opposition in.
James Anderson (2/14) made the ball talk upfront and got good support from the lanky Steve Finn, who replaced Tim Bresnan in the eleven.
Anderson trapped Colin Ingram plumb in front in the fifth ball of the match while Finn removed the consistent Hashim Amla, putting South Africa on the mat with four for two in 1.4 overs.
Robin Peterson and Faf du Plessis shared 41 runs for the third wicket but once Anderson had Peterson leg before, South Africa kept on losing wickets.
Tredwell and Broad were able to maintain the pressure created by the new ball bowlers.
Defending the modest target was always going to be tough for South Africa, who took the field without their premier bowler Dale Steyn.
The lack of a quality spinner made things worse for them as England got home with ease.
Trott played a busy knock, collecting 10 fours in the process. Root impressed again in his 71-ball innings and deserved a half century.
Teams :
South Africa: Colin Ingram, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (captain), JP Duminy, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Robin Peterson, Chris Morris, Rory Kleinveldt, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
England: Alastair Cook (captain), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, James Tredwell, Steve Finn.
Photo : AFP
