Amla century puts Proteas in charge

Updated January 12, 2013 08:05:52

Hashim Amla ground out a patient century to give South Africa the advantage on the first day of the second and final Test against New Zealand at St George's Park on Saturday (AEDT).

Amla made 106 not out as South Africa reached 4 for 325 by the close of play.

The host nation were made to work for their runs against a determined New Zealand team on a slow pitch on which the batsmen seldom looked completely in control.

But an unbeaten century partnership between Amla and Faf du Plessis (69 not out), with some free scoring after tea, put South Africa well ahead.

"They bowled really well up front and asked a lot of questions," said AB de Villiers, who made 51 in one of three significant partnerships involving Amla.

"The ball was swinging nicely and we felt we were under a bit of pressure. But Hashim and Faf had a really good partnership and put us in a strong position."

De Villiers said South Africa would be looking to pile on the runs on Sunday (AEDT).

"If we get another partnership going I think New Zealand are in trouble. If we can bat them out of the game they will be under a lot of pressure."

New Zealand left-arm bowler Neil Wagner, who was born in South Africa, admitted: "It was a very tough day. The wicket was a bit slow. After lunch we bowled really well and got a couple of wickets that put us back in the game.

"But we let it slip towards the end. Against a good side like South Africa you have to be patient and create more opportunities by stringing a lot of good balls together for longer periods of time."

Amla survived on 48 when he cut hard at Trent Boult and Kane Williamson could not hold a sharp chance at gully.

Amla reached his half-century in the same over off 92 deliveries with his seventh four.

The only boundary in his second half-century was the cut off Boult which raised his 19th Test century after another 95 balls.

Amla was involved in partnerships of 92 for the second wicket with captain Graeme Smith and 86 for the fourth wicket with de Villiers.

Du Plessis took the majority of the strike in his partnership with Amla, facing 112 of the 173 balls the pair needed to add 102 runs, with Amla content to push the ball into gaps, taking ones and twos as he ensured he did not take risks on a day when lapses of concentration contributed to all four wickets.

Du Plessis had an escape in the first over of the second new ball with his score on 42 when a ball from Boult flicked his thigh pad and went through to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

An appeal for caught behind was turned down by umpire Ian Gould and the New Zealanders did not seek a review.

A "hot spot" replay showed the ball had brushed his bottom glove before deflecting off his thigh pad.

It was a pitch on which both batsmen and bowlers needed to exercise patience and for much of the day there was a spirited performance by New Zealand, who lost the first Test in Cape Town by an innings and 27 runs inside three days.

Their bowlers responded to a call by captain Brendon McCullum to show aggression and there were numerous short-pitched deliveries when the ball was still relatively new.

Smith was struck on the helmet by Doug Bracewell in the fourth over.

Bracewell was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, taking 2 for 70 in 21 overs.

He took the first wicket when Alviro Petersen (21) top-edged a pull to fine leg and had South African king-pin Jacques Kallis caught behind for 8.

Smith, who won the toss and decided to bat, made 54 before he was caught down the leg side by Watling off the bowling of Wagner.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, south-africa, new-zealand

First posted January 12, 2013 08:05:52

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Last gasp Guptill denies Proteas

Updated December 24, 2012 10:18:12

Martin Guptill hit a thrilling century to clinch a last-ball, eight-wicket victory for New Zealand in the second Twenty20 international against South Africa at Buffalo Park on Monday morning (AEDT).

Guptill finished with 101 not out off 69 balls, hitting the last ball of the match from Rory Kleinveldt over cover for four to enable New Zealand to reach a target of 169 in a match reduced to 19 overs a side because of a floodlight failure.

The result enabled New Zealand to level the three-match series with the decider to be played in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Guptill missed his side's eight-wicket defeat in the first match in Durban on Friday because of a stomach ailment.

But the opening batsman showed his value to the team by slamming six sixes and eight fours.

He became the second New Zealander - after captain Brendon McCullum - to hit a century in a Twenty20 international.

He had some good fortune in a frantic finish. He was caught off Ryan McLaren when he was on 87 but gained a reprieve when the delivery was no-balled because it was too high.

Two runs later he hit a ball from Morne Morkel high in the air towards point but Robin Peterson put down the chance.

South Africa scored 5 for 165 after a floodlight failure caused a 50-minute delay.

The home side was 2 for 128 after 16.1 overs when the lights on one of four floodlight towers went out.

Henry Davids hit 55 and captain Faf du Plessis made 63 for South Africa.

New Zealand seam bowler Doug Bracewell took three wickets in four balls in the final over, all from catches in the deep, to finish with 3 for 33.

Du Plessis, who made his runs off 43 balls, shared partnerships of 68 for the second wicket with Davids and 79 for the third wicket with David Miller, who hit 33 off 18 deliveries.

Davids, playing in only his second international match, made a maiden fifty before falling to a sensational catch by Jimmy Neesham, running back and diving full length to hold a lofted drive just inside the long-off boundary.

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, south-africa, new-zealand

First posted December 24, 2012 07:17:30

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Proteas thump NZ in first T20

Updated December 22, 2012 13:37:29

South Africa sent New Zealand crashing to an eight-wicket defeat with 47 balls to spare in the first Twenty20 international at Kingsmead on Friday.

Fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt took two early wickets to start a slide from which New Zealand never recovered.

The Black Caps were bowled out for 86 after winning the toss.

Kleinveldt took the key wickets of Rob Nicol and captain Brendon McCullum and finished with 3 for 18 to capture the man-of-the-match award.

South Africa romped home in 12.1 overs with new captain Faf du Plessis making 38 not out, while Quinton de Kock, making his debut four days after his 20th birthday, slammed a quick 28 not out.

It was a disappointing start for New Zealand, which arrived as the underdog but was expected to put up a reasonable fight in the Twenty20 internationals.

The tourists were missing several key players, including former captain Ross Taylor, who was unavailable for the tour, and suffered another blow when experienced batsman Martin Guptill could not play at Kingsmead because of a stomach ailment.

Fast bowler Trent Boult was also unavailable because of a similar complaint.

On a pitch with pace and bounce, New Zealand lost three wickets inside the first five overs.

Nicol charged Kleinveldt and was caught behind, while McCullum top-edged a hook and was caught at fine leg. In between Peter Fulton drove Dale Steyn to mid-on.

It did not get much better for the Black Caps although left-handed newcomer Colin Munro, who was born in Durban and did his early schooling in the city before his family moved to New Zealand, made 23.

Doug Bracewell hit 21 not out.

Steyn, newcomer Chris Morris and left-arm spinner Robin Peterson all took two wickets.

New Zealand newcomer Mitchell McClenaghan had Richard Levi caught at slip for a duck, bowling a wicket maiden at the start of the South African innings.

But Henry Davids and Du Plessis put on 45 before Du Plessis and De Kock finished the match.

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, south-africa, new-zealand

First posted December 22, 2012 13:08:50

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Bolter Doolan dominates Proteas attack

Updated November 03, 2012 23:21:24

Alex Doolan outshone his more-fancied team-mates and rivals on day two of Australia A's tour match with South Africa on Saturday, but still nominated Phil Hughes as the man closest to Test call-up this summer.

On a day in which just two wickets fell, Doolan stood tall scoring a career-best 161 not out as Australia A posted 7 for 480 declared, to which the visitors responded with 2 for 128 by stumps, still 352 in arrears.

Doolan has started the domestic season in fine fashion, scoring 330 runs at 82.5 in Sheffield Shield cricket for Tasmania, and carried that form into the SCG clash against a Proteas' attack boasting the top two-ranked bowlers in Test cricket, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

It was the unheralded right-hander's fifth first-class century and, while he hoped selectors were taking notice, the 26-year-old still conceded Hughes remained the favourite to get the call if either Ricky Ponting (hamstring) or Shane Watson (calf) are not fit for Friday's Gabba Test.

"I certainly hope (my innings) is talked about. But there's plenty of quality players in that dressing room," Doolan said.

"Phil Hughes who has got 19 first-class centuries, three Test centuries and two against South Africa.

"I think he'd be right in the firing line as far as next man in.

"Who knows? Hopefully, it puts my name up there and maybe people are starting to talk."

Doolan was presumably the talk of the South African sheds after he belted 20 boundaries and one six in his 275-ball stay at the crease.

He also combined for a 162-run partnership with Tim Paine (60 not out) on a day in which 283 runs were scored but just two wickets fell - one of which was Graeme Smith retiring on 60.

South Africa's unflappable number three Hashim Amla (27 not out) was impressed with the composure of Doolan.

"He batted really well," he said.

"Obviously, we had our spinners bowling the majority of the time, but he batted well.

"He played sensibly and I guess that's what you want any batter to do."

Amla said it was another productive day for the South Africans in the build-up to the Gabba Test, saying the four-and-a-half sessions spent in the field would prove valuable during their three-Test series in Australia.

"We've managed to field for quite a while, and I think a lot of us have been off from cricket and we needed the time in our legs," he said.

"I think this is going to work really well for us. During the Test games, you might field for a whole day. It would've been pointless if we'd bowled them out cheaply.

"You don't get that match leg intensity - the fatigue on the legs that you do need for the Test matches."

Getting the most out of the three-day fixture was the logic behind Smith retiring early - he wanted his team-mates to spend some time in the middle.

Unfortunately, fellow opener Alviro Petersen appears the most in need of time in the middle and he was dismissed for 38 when caught slog-sweeping part-time spinner Glenn Maxwell.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, south-africa

First posted November 03, 2012 18:52:27

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Proteas prevail in final-round knock-out

Adrian Crawford

Updated December 03, 2012 22:56:36

A lot can be said after 14 days of cricket between two world heavyweights but one word was a common theme from both the Australian and South African corners in Perth on Monday - "fight".

The Proteas took the final 10 wickets they needed for victory in under three sessions as they dismissed the hosts for 322 on day four of the third Test, securing the world number one ranking with a fitting 309-run win.

As it happened: Third Test, Day Four

David Warner fell on the second ball of the day for 29 and two more cheap wickets, that of Shane Watson (25) and Ricky Ponting (8), in the morning session made a steep challenge all but vertical.

Going into lunch needing more than 500 for victory with seven wickets in hand and five sessions left, the Aussies looked less and less likely to pull out a win no matter how hard they tried.

A typically patient 50 from Ed Cowan, a start of 44 to skipper Michael Clarke and the 14th-fastest Test 50 by Mitchell Starc (68 not out) were gutsy if not ultimately unsuccessful as South Africa held onto the mace.

"It was obviously nice to retain it," Proteas captain Graeme Smith told Grandstand about the world number one Test ranking.

"It's a very tough assignment to beat England away from home to get it and then come to Australia and have to defend it here in Australia was even tougher.

"[It's an] incredibly proud day today. We fought hard for this one, it hasn't been a perfect tour.

"We've had injuries, Australia has put us up against a lot of pressure, but we've come through when it counted and I'm extremely proud of the guys."

His Australian counterpart Clarke could not hide his disappointment at the end result, but was not backwards in praising the heart his team-mates showed throughout the series.

"I thought we fought really hard throughout the first two Test matches," he told Grandstand.

"We certainly didn't perform anywhere near as good as we had to in this Test but I don't think I can fault the guys for the first two Test matches.

"Credit needs to go to South Africa. They held onto the momentum, they got out of Adelaide by not losing that Test match and brought it to Perth and outplayed us here."

It was a blow-for-blow series that bore witness to the continuation of Clarke's golden form with the bat as well as the runscoring prowess of South African star Hashim Amla and the impressive arrival of boom Proteas right-hander Faf du Plessis.

The latter was the reason South Africa was still alive as the series went west, having batted his country to a gritty draw and making 110 not out off 376 balls in the second innings in Adelaide.

Smith gave last week's marathon second Test draw as much reverence as the series-clinching match he had just guided his side to victory in.

"We just never got it together [in Adelaide]," he said.

"Brisbane was an even draw but Australia put us under the pump in Adelaide and we had to fight hard on day one and we managed to do that.

"I think the character to put away your pride and fight for a draw and to keep it even coming here to Perth was just as important as this victory."

The Proteas will now return home to face Pakistan in a five-Test series while Australia has 10 days' break before heading to Hobart to take on Sri Lanka in the first of three Tests.

"[We'll take] a few days to reflect and look at how this series has gone," Clarke said of Australia's movements going to Bellerive Oval.

"Then we'll be 100 per cent ready to go for the first Test against Sri Lanka."

He said injury-prone vice-captain Shane Watson was in good shape and while squad announcements are not on the table yet, Matthew Wade is likely to retain his place in the side.

"Watto is fine, he's 100 per cent," Clarke said.

"He would've liked some more runs, like all of us, but I thought it was certainly worth a crack with the new ball.

"He bowls quite straight at the stumps - if there was any seam movement, I think Watto was going to get it, but unfortunately it didn't work."

As for Wade, he said: "I think he batted beautifully in the first innings and, as I've said before, Wadey continues to improve and I certainly think you'll be seeing Matthew Wade in Hobart."

The three-Test series against Sri Lanka begins on December 13 at Bellerive Oval.

Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia, south-africa

First posted December 03, 2012 22:56:36

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Proteas deny they baited Pietersen

Updated October 09, 2012 07:44:58

South Africa has rubbished claims its players provoked the text message row that led to England axing batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Pietersen was dropped for the final Test and a one-day international series against South Africa and the World Twenty20 tournament after allegedly criticising England captain Andrew Strauss in texts to South African players.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive David Collier claimed Sunday in a radio interview that the Pietersen texts were a response to messages from the opposition.

But Cricket South Africa (CSA) acting chief executive Jacques Faul poured scorn on the claims by Collier, labelling them "absolute rubbish" in a statement.

"This is absolute rubbish. What is particularly disappointing is that I had a face-to-face meeting with Collier when in London for the Lord's Test and he did not raise this allegation with me then.

"I would have thought, as a matter of courtesy and decency, that he would have spoken to me about it before going public in the media," said the South African official.

"It is not the way CSA goes about its business and it is not the way the ECB has done business with us in the past. It is very disappointing because our relationships have always been cordial and constructive.

"This is an internal ECB matter in which we do not wish to be involved. It served as a distraction to our players that we did not need during the Test series."

South Africa-born Pietersen will be in the country this month as part of the Delhi Daredevils squad competing in the fourth edition of the Champions League Twenty20 competition.

Pietersen apologised last week for sending the messages and signed a new central contract with the ECB after the two sides agreed "a process for his re-integration into the England team".

Collier said Pietersen, a 32-year-old native of KwaZulu Natal capital city Pietermaritzburg, was only replying to Blackberry Messenger messages sent by the opposition.

"That is our understanding," Collier told the BBC Radio Five Live Sportsweek programme during an interview. "I have not seen those messages and no one has kept those messages.

"These were responses to messages from certain members of the South Africa team and I would not condone an England player doing it if it was the other way round. I certainly think they (South Africa) provoked the situation."

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, south-africa

First posted October 09, 2012 07:44:58

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Ponting perfectly placed for Proteas

Updated October 11, 2012 14:49:06

Australia's greatest Test run-scorer says he is refreshed mentally and physically primed for the Test series against world number one South Africa starting next month.

Ricky Ponting did not pick up a bat for almost four months following his last Test, in the West Indies last April.

The 37-year-old then underwent a gruelling training regime to prepare for the three-Test series against the Proteas.

"You're not in the gym at 6am every morning in the middle of winter without a big clear picture in mind.

"And that to me was to be in the best physical shape and mental shape for the start of the season," said Ponting on Thursday, a day after hammering seven sixes in an unbeaten 85 in Tasmania's first innings against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

"I have got myself in a good state now, and feeling good about everything, so I am right where I want to be."

Ponting said it was "weird" having a winter off, given he's not in the national one-day or Twenty20 outfits.

"I made the most of the break for the first couple of months," he said.

"I gave my body and mind a bit of a rest because I bashed myself up pretty much during the summer last year.

"I trained incredibly hard to get my game back and finished off the season really well.

"So after the West Indies I had a couple of months off with nothing and then about 12 weeks where I just trained myself into the ground really, physically.

"I got myself in good physical shape. I'm a few kilos down again at the start of the season and feeling really good and feel like I'm moving really good."

Ponting said he knew what would be coming from the South Africans.

"They're the number one team in the world and they are that for a reason," he said.

"They have got probably the best fast bowling attack going around ... they bat really low as well ... they're an exceptionally well-balanced side.

"But saying that, we have had some great contests against them since I have been playing for Australia.

"They have never really dominated us and the series have been great contests.

"We know that if we do everything as well as we can in Australia this year, they will find it hard to beat us."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia, south-africa

First posted October 11, 2012 14:36:28

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Proteas call up uncapped Kleinveldt for Australia tour

Updated October 11, 2012 09:41:32

Uncapped all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt has been called up to the South Africa squad for the three-Test series in Australia, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Thursday morning.

The 29-year-old Kleinveldt has played two Twenty20 internationals but has yet to make a Test appearance for South Africa.

Kleinveldt, who has taken 208 first-class wickets at an average of 28.57, replaces left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe who was part of the squad that toured England earlier this year but did not play in any of the tests.

"We have given a fully deserved vote of confidence to our Test XI that did so well on the recent tour of England and we have just tweaked our reserve strength slightly to suit expected conditions and the tactical situation," CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson said in a statement.

"It is tough luck for Lopsy (Tsotsobe) to miss out but we just feel that Rory's ability to hit the deck hard will give us a valuable option, particularly at Brisbane and Perth. He also adds batting depth to the lower order."

Wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile has also been included in the 15-man squad with AB de Villiers, who kept wicket during the England series, battling with an ankle and back injury that forced him to withdraw from the Champions League Twenty20.

"Thami Tsolekile will again be our back-up wicketkeeper and provide cover for AB in the event of injury or if the tour selectors decide to lighten his workload," said Hudson.

Tsolekile made his Test debut in 2004 but has played in just three Tests.

South Africa, the world's top-ranked Test nation, plays the first Test against Australia on November 9 in Brisbane before moving on to Adelaide and Perth.

Proteas squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robbie Peterson, Vernon Philander, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, south-africa, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 09:34:56

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Watson leads the way as Aussies thrash Proteas

Updated October 01, 2012 11:13:46

India crushed arch-rivals Pakistan and Australia put on another Shane Watson show as the race to the World Twenty20 semi-finals heated up on Monday (AEST).

Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 78 off 61 balls as India, which would have been knocked out had it lost, bowled out Pakistan for 128 and then surpassed the modest target in 17 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Australia also defeated South Africa by the same margin in the first match of the double-header, after Watson claimed 2 for 29 and smashed 70 off 47 balls to win his fourth successive man-of-the match award.

Australia restricted the Proteas to 5 for 146 and won by the 18th over to record their second win in a row in group two, but will still need to beat Pakistan on Tuesday to make the semi-finals.

Australia leads the group with four points, India and Pakistan have two each, while South Africa has lost both matches so far.

India will also have to beat South Africa in Tuesday's second match to remain in the hunt.

Watson, the star player of the tournament so far, hit 10 boundaries including two sixes to cap another brilliant all-round display.

"It's nice to be able to continue playing well because I know how important my role is," Watson said.

"We are doing well but it's still hell of a long way to go in the tournament.

"Facing (Dale) Steyn and (Morne) Morkel was going to be a very big challenge. I knew if we got through the first four overs, the momentum would be with us for the rest of the innings."

South African captain AB de Villiers said he was frustrated by the second defeat after losing to Pakistan on Friday.

"We are very disappointed," he said.

"It is just so frustrating when we don't click. I just can't put my finger on one thing, because it went wrong everywhere.

"They did not allow us to get off to a flier and we lost quite a few wickets and that did not give us the momentum. Hopefully it is not all doom and gloom for us."

A sell-out crowd of 35,000 at the Premadasa stadium, including Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, also saw India continue its stranglehold on Pakistan in major world tournaments.

Pakistan has never beaten India in either the 50-over World Cup or the World Twenty20, in which the two rivals contested a thrilling final in 2007.

India lost Gautam Gambhir off the second ball of the innings, offering a tame return catch to 20-year-old left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, but Kohli and Virender Sehwag denied Pakistan another immediate break.

Kohli put on 74 for the second wicket with Sehwag and 54 for the unbroken third with cancer survivor Yuvraj Singh, who followed his two wickets and a run out in Pakistan's innings with 19 not out.

The impressive win was set up by the bowlers as seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji claimed three wickets and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took two to leave Pakistan in tatters after it elected to bat.

Shoaib Malik top-scored with 28, but only one other batsman managed to touch 20 in the face of steady bowling by the Indians.

"We did not think too far ahead," said Indian captain MS Dhoni.

"I always felt that if you are desperate for a win you put more pressure on yourself.

"But I was glad to see the players were relaxed and I knew that something good will come out of it."

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez praised Kohli's match-winning innings on what he said was a difficult pitch to bat on.

"It was not easy to bat out there and we just did not get the partnerships," said Hafeez.

"Kohli was excellent. We were hoping to get him out and put pressure on the rest but we could not do that.

"We also need to improve our fielding but it is a relief that we still have a chance to qualify for the semis."

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka

First posted September 30, 2012 23:13:43

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Gul's rescue act guides Pakistan past Proteas

Updated September 28, 2012 23:53:22

Umar Gul turned an unlikely hero with the bat as Pakistan survived a middle-order collapse to beat South Africa by two wickets in the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 on Friday night.

Pakistan, chasing South Africa's modest 6 for 133, crashed to 7 for 76 in the 15th over before Gul and Umar Akmal combined to share a match-winning partnership of 49 in 27 balls.

Gul smashed two fours and three sixes in his 32 off 17 balls before he was dismissed off the last ball of the 19th over by fast bowler Dale Steyn with nine more needed.

But Akmal, who remained unbeaten on 43, and Saeed Ajmal steered Pakistan home with two balls to spare; Ajmal edging the winning boundary off Morne Morkel.

Pakistan's openers raced to 24 in 2.5 overs before the innings fell apart after Imran Nazir (14) was caught behind off Steyn.

Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who came to bowl the fourth over, removed skipper Mohammad Hafeez with his second delivery and Nasir Jamshed with the sixth to leave Pakistan reeling at 3 for 31.

Off-spinner Johan Botha also struck in his first over by bowling Kamran Akmal for 1, Jacques Kallis dismissed Shoaib Malik (12) and JP Duminy had danger man Shahid Afridi caught in the deep for a first-ball duck.

But Gul and Umar Akmal launched a blistering attack on the Proteas to earn Pakistan full points in the opening match of group two.

Earlier, Pakistan's spinners revelled on a slow wicket to restrict mighty South Africa to 6 for 133.

Hafeez claimed 2 for 23 and 20-year-old left-arm spinner Raza Hasan conceded just 12 runs in three overs after South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.

Seamers Yasir Arafat and Gul shared three wickets as the batsmen tried to hit out against them after failing to play the slow bowlers.

South Africa, the top-ranked side in the Twenty20 format, was reduced to 3 for 28 in 6.1 overs before recovering through skipper AB de Villiers and JP Duminy.

Left-handed Duminy top-scored with 48 off 38 balls, while de Villiers made 25, but no other batsman reached 20.

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, sri-lanka, south-africa, pakistan

First posted September 28, 2012 23:53:22

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Proteas bowlers may struggle in Tests: Cowan

Updated September 23, 2012 14:09:59

Ed Cowan sees South Africa as clearly the best Test team in the world but is not convinced its bowlers will be as potent in Australia as they were in England.

Cowan led an Australia A side in two rain-affected, drawn Tests against the England Lions last month, top-scoring for his side in both matches to consolidate his place alongside David Warner in the Test lineup.

The Proteas defeated England's first XI 2-0 at the same time and, though impressed with what he saw, Cowan feels their form in the northern hemisphere gives little indication as to how they will fare in the upcoming three-Test series in Australia.

"They're obviously the best team in the world," Cowan told Grandstand. "I've thought that for a while.

"It was nice to get close hand experience of watching them closely.

"But the conditions are very, very different in Australia than they are in England.

"Their bowlers bowled well in English conditions. The challenge for them is to come here and do the same."

Though the Gabba and WACA pitches would appear suited to Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, Cowan said there is also a high-risk factor, as well as potential great reward, on these tracks.

"They're both wickets that you need to bowl in the right areas," Cowan said. "The margin for error is smaller.

"If you get it right it can be very dangerous for the batsmen but if you get it wrong the ball can go all round the park.

"There's more margin for length error in England than there is on those two wickets.

"The ball spun for (Imran) Tahir which might not happen here - he cleaned up the (English) tail because of it.

"It's a new tour, they haven't seen a lot of our Test cricketers before and I think they're going to be really pushed by an Australian team that's been playing some strong cricket."

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, tas

First posted September 23, 2012 13:09:09

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Proteas send Zimbabwe out of World Cup

Updated September 21, 2012 06:23:43

Jacques Kallis recorded the best Twenty20 figures for his country to inspire South Africa to a convincing 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a Group C match at Hambantota on Thursday.

The 36-year-old all-rounder grabbed 4 for 15 and was well supported by Morne Morkel's 2 for 16 as Zimbabwe were kept down to 8 for 93 - their second lowest total in all Twenty20 internationals - after they were put into bat.

Openers Richard Levi then notched 50 not out and Hashim Amla an unbeaten 32 to knock off the low target in the 12.4 overs to cap a comfortable victory for one of the title favourites in this 12-team competition.

The defeat meant Zimbabwe becomes the first team to go out of the tournament after a one-sided match watched by just 1,000 fans in Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium.

Levi hit six boundaries off 43 balls, while Amla hit three off 33 deliveries.

"I am very happy with the start," South Africa skipper AB de Villiers said.

"I back my pace bowlers to do well on this kind of deck and hopefully it's the same for the next game.

"We've improved a lot facing spin in these conditions, so can't wait to take on what's coming our way."

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said his team was disappointed, but promised to come back strongly in future events.

"It's definitely disappointing and the end of the road," said Taylor. "South Africa showed what a classy bowling line-up they are. We are a team that is going to bounce back sharply."

Zimbabwe failed against a ruthless South African pace quartet, led by Kallis and Morne Morkel.

Craig Ervine top-scored with 37, and added 35 for the fourth wicket with Stuart Matsikenyeri (11), to help Zimbabwe just avoid their lowest total of 84 in all Twenty20 internationals, made against New Zealand in 2010.

Morne Morkel dismissed Vusi Sibanda (nought) and Brendan Taylor (four) in his first two overs before Kallis polished off the middle-order with the wickets of Matsikenyeri and Elton Chigumbura off successive deliveries in his first over.

He then dismissed Graeme Cremer (six) and Ervine to improve on Morne Morkel's 4 for 17 against New Zealand in 2007 which was the previous best bowling by a South African in a Twenty20 match.

Hosts Sri Lanka, who beat Zimbabwe by 82 runs, play South Africa in the final Group C match on Saturday.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super Eights round.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, south-africa

First posted September 21, 2012 06:23:43

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England belts Proteas in final T20

Updated September 13, 2012 08:33:45

England will depart for its Twenty20 World Cup defence in Sri Lanka in good spirits after squaring the three-match series against South Africa with an emphatic 28-run win at Edgbaston.

In a match reduced to 11 overs a side after heavy rain left parts of the outfield soggy, England piled up 5 for 118, a total that proved more than enough as it restricted South Africa to 5 for 90 in reply.

Opener Craig Kieswetter top-scored with 50 and big-hitting Jos Buttler weighed in with an inventive cameo of 32 from just 10 balls.

Buttler smashed the ball to all parts, hitting three sixes in the penultimate over bowled by Wayne Parnell from which England took a massive 32 runs.

It was the second most expensive over in Twenty20 international history after Yuvraj Singh struck England captain Stuart Broad for 36 runs made up of six sixes in Durban during the inaugural 2007 World Twenty20.

Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann took two wickets apiece as South Africa's challenge fizzled out once Hashim Amla was caught in the deep for 36.

"It's nice it came off, it was one of those days," said Buttler, whose previous England best was 13.

"International cricket hasn't gone quite as I'd hoped so far, so it's nice to contribute to a winning side," explained the Somerset batsman, who celebrated his 22nd birthday last week.

Broad added: "Jos's was a game-changing innings. We know how good he is, he's shown on the county circuit that he does that, he's done it on the international scene now.

"It's always nice when you've got a guy who can hit it into the top tier and that was highly impressive. Jos was promoted up the order and those ten balls changed that game.

"We've got a squad that can do well in Sri Lanka but we don't want to look too far ahead."

South Africa captain AB de Villiers, involved in the Proteas preceding Test series win over England and the shared one-day campaign, admitted his team were second best in the final match.

"I thought we were completely outplayed today. We didn't start well and I made a few tactical errors," he said.

"We made mistakes in the field but there are lots of positives for the World T20, we've played some good cricket all summer and we're looking forward to Sri Lanka."

England begins its Twenty20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on September 21 in Pallekele.

South Africa start the previous day against Zimbabwe in Hambantota.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, england, united-kingdom, south-africa

First posted September 13, 2012 08:33:45

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Kallis guides Proteas to T20 victory over England

Updated September 09, 2012 06:20:36

Jacques Kallis guided South Africa to a seven-wicket win over World Twenty20 champions England in the first Twenty20 international at Chester-le-Street.

The Proteas were in trouble at 3 for 29, chasing a seemingly modest 119 for victory.

But opener Kallis, returning to international duty after being rested from the drawn one-day series between the two countries, made 48 not out off 44 balls with seven fours.

Together with left-hander JP Duminy (47 not out) he shared an unbroken stand of 90 in 91 deliveries as the Proteas, who won with an over to spare, went 1-0 up in a three-match series ahead of this month's World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

"We were 20 or 30 short, we didn't adapt to the condition of the pitch or bat to our average," England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad told Sky Sports.

"We got a little bit stuck with the spin. We played nicely through the first six overs, but struggled in the middle period. We are aware of that and we know where to improve."

England can expect to face plenty of spin on receptive pitches in Sri Lanka but Broad, like Kallis returning after being rested from the one-dayers, had no undue worries about his team's ability to play slow bowling.

"It's not too much of a concern, we need to adapt and learn from this game," he said ahead of Monday's second match in Manchester.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers praised his attack, with man-of-the-match Dale Steyn taking 1 for 13 in four overs and spinners Robin Peterson and Johan Botha sharing four wickets, for setting up this victory.

"The bowling was brilliant, led by Dale Steyn. He bowled with a lot of pace and looked like taking wickets throughout," said de Villiers.

"We never allowed England to get momentum."

Steyn added: "I can live with bowling one-over spells. It's a lot easier than Test matches."

South Africa saw hard-hitting opener Richard Levi caught in the slips off Jade Dernbach and Twenty20 international debutant Faf du Plessis fall leg before to fast bowler Steven Finn.

De Villiers was then caught behind by Craig Kieswetter off Dernbach for 10.

South Africa were now 3 for 29 and England, all but out of the contest after their innings, was back in the game.

But if South Africa could produce one decent partnership they would win and in world class all-rounder Kallis and left-hander Duminy they had the men for the job in the absence of the rested Hashim Amla.

Ultimately England's 7 for 118 - their third lowest total in this format - did not give their bowlers enough of a score to defend.

Spin bowling, long regarded as the Proteas' Achilles heel, accounted for four England wickets with Botha (2 for 19) and left-armer Peterson (2 for 27), striking after de Villiers won the toss.

At 7 for 85, England were in danger of posting their worst Twenty20 total before an unbroken stand of 33 in 27 balls between Broad and Graeme Swann, who both finished on 18 not out, gave them a foothold in the match.

No England batsman made more than opener Kieswetter's 25.

England's collapse started with a needless run out.

Alex Hales, who made an England Twenty20 best 99 against the West Indies in June after replacing the still exiled Kevin Pietersen, charged down the pitch for a non-existent single and, turning back, was run out by Kallis's direct hit.

Kieswetter then fell when he was plumb lbw to Botha's first ball.

And Ravi Bopara, who averaged just 5.50 with the bat during the one-dayers, fell cheaply in familiar fashion when he edged Steyn to Botha at slip.

Botha then struck again when he bowled dangerman Eoin Morgan for 10, after the former Ireland left-hander bottom edged a pull-sweep.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, england

First posted September 09, 2012 06:20:36

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England takes series lead over Proteas

Updated September 03, 2012 10:23:36

Alastair Cook was in an upbeat mood after England topped a memorable few days for its captain with a six-wicket win in the fourth one-day international against South Africa at Lord's.

A week that saw England fall 1-0 behind in this five-match series following an 80-run thrashing in Southampton on Tuesday ended with them 2-1 in front after a four-wicket victory across London at The Oval was followed by the success at Lord's.

In between going 1-0 down and levelling at 1-1, Cook, the one-day skipper for more than a year, was appointed England's Test captain after his longstanding opening partner Andrew Strauss retired from all cricket.

England, which had been knocked off top spot in all three international formats by South Africa this season is now set to regain their place at the summit of the 50-over world rankings even if the Proteas square the series in Nottingham.

Cook's bowlers backed him up after he won the toss in overcast conditions by restricting South Africa to 8 for 220.

Then, after Cook himself fell early to Dale Steyn, a stand of 141 between the Warwickshire duo of man-of-the-match Ian Bell (88) and Jonathan Trott (48) saw England chase down the bulk of its target as it won with 20 balls to spare.

New-ball duo Steven Finn, on his Middlesex home ground, and James Anderson both proved difficult to get away.

Finn might have had two early wickets but for spinner James Tredwell, who later took 3 for 35, dropping a couple of slip catches

"It was a really good performance again," Cook said.

"When you win a toss in those conditions you need to make the most of it and I thought we did.

"Finn and Jimmy asked plenty of questions up front. A couple of chances went down but we hung in there.

"Then with the bat we had that really good partnership between Bell and Trotty which probably got us most of the way home.

"We came here to win the series, we had a slow start but now it is 2-1 and all to play for at Trent Bridge."

Bell has been in fine form since replacing Kevin Pietersen, now in England exile following "provocative" texts he sent to South African players, at the top of the order in one-dayers earlier this season.

"It's been good, it's nice to get to the top of order," said Bell, who faced 137 balls with a six and eight fours.

Meanwhile South Africa captain AB de Villiers criticised his middle-order after they failed to score enough runs for the second match in a row.

"Unfortunately the middle-order failed again so we'll have to look at that," said de Villiers, carelessly stumped for 39 when well set.

"The guys will have to have a look at themselves, including me. It's a matter of knuckling down.

"We go to Trent Bridge 2-1 down but we could make it 2-2 which would be quite a good result."

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted September 03, 2012 10:21:30

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Proteas off to solid start

Updated March 23, 2012 18:19:50

South Africa's batsmen made a mockery of supposedly helpful bowling conditions to finish the weather-affected first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand on 2 for 136.

Alviro Petersen was on 44 and JP Duminy on a quickly-compiled 23 when umpires offered them the option of leaving the field in the murky gloom, with 21 overs remaining in the day's play at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Hashim Amla was the only wicket to fall after tea when his mistimed pull shot from a Mark Gillespie bouncer fell for wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.

Amla, who did not add to his tea score of 63, was forced to wait for several minutes as umpires reviewed Gillespie's foot placement, with television replays suggesting his back foot was touching the line on the return crease, which would have meant a no-ball and Amla being recalled.

Third umpire Billy Doctrove upheld the decision, however, the second time he was forced to make a controversial ruling in the Proteas' innings.

Prior to tea, he affirmed a decision to give Proteas captain Graeme Smith out for 5 when he was adjudged to have got an inside edge to a Doug Bracewell delivery and was caught by van Wyk.

Smith initially stood his ground, walked down the pitch to talk with Petersen then asked for the decision to be reviewed.

Television replays showed clear daylight between his bat and the ball as it passed by, though microphones indicated some sort of sound and Doctrove upheld the decision.

Smith was shaking his head as he walked off the field.

The Black Caps failed to capitalise on the help that conditions offered after the pitch was covered for almost a week due to wet weather in Wellington.

They did not put any pressure on the Proteas batsmen, bowling wide of off-stump or too short allowing them to leave too many deliveries.

Such was captain Ross Taylor's desperation to upset the Proteas' rhythm before the tea break he introduced part-time medium pacer Dean Brownlie, who was belted for 20 runs from two overs.

Overnight rain had delayed the start of the match, with umpires deeming the ground unsuitable for play until 2:00pm (local time). The match had been scheduled to start at 10:30am

The Proteas only need to draw the match to seal the three-Test series after they won the second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton by nine wickets.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted March 23, 2012 18:19:50

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Proteas soldier on despite poor weather

Updated March 24, 2012 17:08:06

South Africa made light of the grim weather as it cruised to 2 for 246 on the second day of the weather-affected third and final Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

Alviro Peterson, who struggled for runs in the first two Tests, found the Basin Reserve pitch in Wellington to his liking as he moved to 96 not out and closed in on his third Test century, while JP Duminy was on 76.

The pair had put on 140 for the third wicket when bad light stopped play for the second consecutive day with only 79 of a possible 180 overs bowled in the first two days.

South Africa, which already has an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, was clearly intent on batting its way to an imposing total with the aim of dismissing New Zealand cheaply and enforcing the follow on.

The tourists resumed the second day at 2 for 136 and put on 110 runs without loss in the 37 overs available after rain wiped out the morning session.

The New Zealand bowlers have been unable to benefit from the favourable fierce wind, overcast skies and a green-tinged wicket and the fielders were incapable of taking the few chances on offer as the batsmen dominated.

Petersen offered two edges through the vacant third slip position but Martin Guptill, diving from second slip, was unable to grasp either one.

Otherwise Petersen looked comfortable with senior bowler Chris Martin unable to generate significant swing or garner extreme pace from the tail wind.

Duminy had little trouble finding gaps in the New Zealand field, although he brought up his fourth half-century with a wayward shot that that was intended for square leg but went behind wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.

The only bad news for South Africa was the likelihood it has lost key batsman Hashim Amla for the rest of the match after undergoing emergency surgery on his groin area.

Amla was hit on the first day by an inside edge from a Martin delivery. He was able to bat on and progressed from 33 to 63 before he was dismissed and then rushed to hospital.

"Hashim underwent emergency exploratory surgery resulting from blunt trauma sustained to his groin region," team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement.

"He spent the night in hospital and was discharged this morning. The surgeon is satisfied with the outcome and expects Hashim to make a full recovery.

"However, it is unlikely that he will be able to take further part in the current Test match at the Basin Reserve."

South Africa is without star all-rounder Jacques Kallis for this Test after he was ruled out with a stiff neck.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted March 24, 2012 17:08:06

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Black Caps fend off hostile Proteas

Updated March 26, 2012 13:53:52

Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn battled hostile pace bowling to guide New Zealand to 0 for 65 loss at the close of the third day's play in the third Test against South Africa at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

The pair's opening stand was the highest of the series against South Africa and only the second time New Zealand's openers have passed 50 in the southern hemisphere summer.

Guptill and Brendon McCullum posted 124 against Zimbabwe in Napier in January.

Guptill was on 28, while Flynn, who was struck at least twice on the body as he tried to duck, weave and bob his way past the short-pitched bowling, was on 35 after the first full day's play in the weather-hit match.

The first two days of the Test had been badly affected by rain with more than seven hours of play lost, while both days also ended early due to bad light.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith had declared the visitors' first innings closed at 9 for 474 shortly after tea, with Mark Gillespie taking 6 for 113.

Vernon Philander (29) was the final wicket to fall when he was caught on the boundary by Flynn to give Gillespie his sixth victim, following up his 5 for 59 in the second Test in Hamilton.

Alviro Petersen top scored with 156, while JP Duminy scored 103 for the visitors, who look to have batted New Zealand out of the Test and series.

South Africa resumed the day on 2 for 246 with Petersen on 96 and Duminy on 76 with the pair wasting little time to bring up their centuries.

The 31-year-old Petersen, who had accumulated just 66 runs at an average of 16.5 in four Test innings in New Zealand, punched a Chris Martin delivery through the covers for two then cut him square for his 13th boundary.

Duminy followed him to the milestone shortly afterwards when he flicked a Gillespie delivery behind square for his second Test century.

His celebrations were short lived, however, as he went hard at a good length delivery in Gillespie's next over and was caught by Ross Taylor at first slip, just after he and Petersen had brought up their 200-run partnership.

Duminy was the only wicket to fall in the first session, before New Zealand had some success after lunch.

At one stage the hosts took four wickets for 42 runs, before Mark Boucher and Philander steadied the innings.

South Africa upped its tempo after tea with Boucher caught by Kane Williamson in the gully for 46 before Philander holed out on the boundary to force Smith to end the innings.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand

First posted March 25, 2012 18:30:42

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Smith, Kallis bat Proteas into ascendancy

Updated March 09, 2012 19:57:13

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis both scored centuries and combined for a 200-run partnership as the tourists virtually batted New Zealand out of the first Test by the close of play on the third day.

Smith (115) and Kallis (107 not out) had come together with their side at 2 for 47 and with just a 12-run lead after Doug Bracewell had taken two wickets in one over before lunch to give the hosts hopes of pushing for an upset victory.

The experienced duo, however, consolidated their innings before lunch then built on it afterwards to guide South Africa to 3 for 268 by the close of play at University Oval in Dunedin, an overall lead of 233.

Jacques Rudolph, who was given out lbw to Bracewell shortly before the close but had the decision overturned when television replays showed the ball had marginally pitched outside leg stump, was with Kallis on 13.

Smith brought up his 24th Test century from 201 balls when he flicked a Daniel Vettori delivery through a packed onside field for a single, while Kallis achieved his 42nd Test century with a quick single into the off side.

The South African captain had fallen shortly before Kallis reached his ton, becoming Bracewell's third victim of the innings when he was bowled by the seventh delivery with the second new ball.

New Zealand had been buoyed before lunch when Bracewell had dismissed Alviro Petersen (25) and Hashim Amla (2) in the same over to leave South Africa struggling.

Momentum looked to be swinging the hosts' way after Trent Boult's cameo of 33 not out gave them a 35-run first innings lead.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted March 09, 2012 19:57:13

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Sri Lanka triumphs over Proteas in thrilling climax

Updated January 23, 2012 17:39:08

Sachithra Senanayake struck a six off the penultimate ball to give Sri Lanka a two-wicket triumph over South Africa on Monday morning in the final match of a five one-day international series won 3-2 by the hosts.

Captain AB de Villiers and predecessor Graeme Smith (125 each) struck tons as South Africa made 4 for 312, but a century from Kumar Sangakkara (102) led the tourists to 8 for 314 at the Wanderers and a second win within three days.

Sri Lanka appeared to be cruising until Sangakkara became the fourth wicket to fall with 275 runs on the board and a late South Africa rally saw it grab two wickets within three balls during the final over.

It left the tourists needing five runs from two balls to succeed and Senanayake hit Robin Peterson for a six to snatch victory in a thrilling climax to the two-month tour.

Sangakkara struck 10 fours in a maiden ODI ton against South Africa and there were also valuable contributions from Lahiru Thirimanne (69), Upul Tharanga (46) and skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (41).

De Villiers and Smith excelled as South Africa recovered from a sluggish early run rate having being sent in to bat by Dilshan in a match delayed for one hour by rain early in the Sri Lankan innings.

De Villiers finished unbeaten after facing 98 deliveries while Smith received a standing ovation from the sell-out 30,000 crowd after being caught by Dinesh Chandimal at mid-wicket off the bowling of Lasith Malinga.

While the Proteas skipper confirmed his position as one of the best stroke players in the world today with 10 fours and four sixes, Smith could not contain his joy as he walked off after a timely first ODI ton in three years.

There was a media and public outcry against him just a week ago after innings of 6, 28 and 2 in the first three matches of the series before he stopped the rot with a brisk 68 in Kimberley two days ago.

Smith embroidered his innings with nine fours and four sixes off 143 balls during a 203-minute stand and the sun-drenched crowd revelled in his change of fortune.

South Africa lost opener Alviro Petersen (6) with only 10 runs on the board and were 2 for 70 when Faf du Plessis (24) departed before De Villiers and Smith took charge.

The Proteas stood at 2 for 133 after 30 overs and a run rate of 4.43 needed improvement on a good batting track, which the captains past and present duly did with 44 runs coming during a power play soon after.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, south-africa, sri-lanka

First posted January 23, 2012 07:15:16

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