A superb all-round performance by Albie Morkel helped South Africa score a 19-run victory over England in a Super Eight match of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup at Newlands on Sunday.
Morkel swung his bat to slam a 20-ball 43 and then scalped two wickets as the hosts successfully defended their 154 for 8 to brighten their chances for a semi-final berth.
England lost wickets at regular intervals and scored only 135 runs for seven as the Proteas put up a disciplined bowling performance.
Coming late in the batting order, Morkel hit a 20-ball 43 to instill some life into the comatose South African innings, which faltered because of a disciplined bowling performance by England.
Morkel struck three fours and four spectacular sixes, including the biggest ones in the tournament so far, to bring the stadium alive before falling to Andrew Flintoff.
After England put the hosts in, Stuart Broad gave his team an early breakthrough as Jean-Paul Duminy, before opening his account, offered a thin edge to wicketkeeper Matt Prior and he accepted it gladly to send the South African opener back.
Two overs later, Broad struck again to remove South African skipper Graeme Smith (19), who top-edged a delivery while trying to pull and Dimitry Mascarenhas took a simple catch at long leg.
Sooner than later, Flintoff got rid of a dangerous looking AB de Villiers (18). Mark Boucher (29 off 29) and Justin Kemp (21 off 27) steadied the South African innings by adding 49 runs for the fourth wicket before Morkel unleashed his fireworks to see his side cross the 150 mark.
Mark Boucher (29 off 29) and Justin Kemp (21 off 27) steadied the South African innings by adding 49 runs for the fourth wicket before Morkel unleashed his fireworks to see his side cross the 150 mark.
When the home team came out to defend their total, Pollock banked on his experience to not only pick wickets, but also apply brakes on the England scoring rate.
The seasoned seamer first scalped both Luke Wright and England captain Paul Collingwood for ducks to push them to backfoot.
In between, England suffered another setback as the destructive Kevin Pietersen (15) was run-out before making any significant contribution.
When England were tottering at 27 for three, Prior (32 off 31 balls) played a useful knock and put on a 55-run partnership with Owais Shah for the fourth wicket before hitting a skier to Vernon Philander off Morkel.
Morkel tasted success again with the ball as Shah went for a wild swipe and missed the ball to find his stumps in disarray. Shah's 31-ball 36 was more flamboyant and had one four and two huge sixes.
England's star all-rounder Flintoff (17) also failed miserably to leave any impact as his side surrendered much before the last ball was bowled.
