Superb England Put the Frighteners on Proteas

England produced one of their finest one-day performances to hammer South Africa at Port Elizabeth today, and Jimmy Anderson provided the star turn once again.

Anderson had his finest hour in the blue of England as the tourists rolled Graeme Smith’s men over 119, their lowest ever total in ODIs in South Africa, before Jonathan Trott’s unbeaten half century saw England home by seven wickets.

The spearhead of England’s attack, Anderson has emerged as a world-beater over the past two years and must now be considered as one of the finest fast bowlers in the game. His efforts today, bowling a full length and extracting uneven bounce from a pitch with a St John’s pitch with a grassy top, were as good as anything Brett Lee or Dale Steyn have produced.

The defeat leaves South Africa with no chance of victory in the one-day series and puts them firmly on the back foot heading into the Test leg of the tour.

England, awful against Australia at the end of the summer, now look like a real force in ODI cricket. Trott has brought assurance to the top of the order and the return of Kevin Pietersen brings quality to the top order.

In Collingwood and Morgan, England have players in extraordinary form who bring balance to the side. And, in Tim Bresnan, they seem to have found a bowler who compliments the qualities of Anderson, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad.

Most importantly they have the edge in the series and have installed in South Africa something which is not easy to shake – fear.

Collingwood Enjoys Day in the Sun

Paul Collingwood played the innings of his England career as England eased to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the second ODI at Centurion yesterday.

Playing in a record 171st ODI, Collingwood stole the show for a well-drilled England side - who delivered a near-perfect performance to take a 1-0 lead in the series – hitting his fifth one-day hundred. He also picking-up two key wickets and claimed a magnificent catch in a true man-of-the-match effort.

Elsewhere, Jonathan Trott impressed once again, hitting 87 as opener and bowling seven overs of tight medium-pace. James Anderson, while a little expensive, picked-up three wickets and Eoin Morgan delivered another example of his prowess as a finisher with a brisk, unbeaten 27.

The only negatives for England were three uncharacteristic dropped catched from skipper Andrew Strauss and some unconvincing bowling from Adil Rashid and Sajid Mahmood.

Next up, the third ODI at Cape Town on Friday.

 

Twenty20 Betting: South Africa Hot Favourites for Opening T20

England start today’s Twenty20 against South Africa as firm underdogs.
Coral and Ladbrokes both have England at 6/4 to win the match, with South Africa the clear favourites at 1/2.
In terms of batting, Jonathan Trott looks a good bet to be England’s top batsman at a best-priced 9/2 with Coral and Eoin Morgan’s form at the Champion’s Trophy makes him a decent shout at 13/2.
JP Duminy, a master in this form of the game, represents value as South Africa’s top batsman at 4/1 with Ladbrokes.
With rain predicted for the weekend in Centurion – where the two teams meet for the 2nd Twenty20 on Sunday – an England series victory could represent value with Ladbrokes at 9/2. Sneaking a win tonight for the tourists and a weather-ruined weekend would spell a good start to the tour.