Sept 5 (Reuters) – Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers shared an
unbroken stand of 172 to steer South Africa to comfortable
seven-wicket win over England in the fifth and final one-day
international in Nottingham on Wednesday.
England were bowled out for just 182 but opening bowlers
Jimmy Anderson and Jade Dernbach gave their side hope of
defending the meagre total by ripping out the top order to leave
South Africa reeling at 14 for three in the fourth over.
However, De Villiers and Amla, the standout batsman of the
series, put together a South African record fourth-wicket
partnership against England to lead the Proteas to victory and
level the series at 2-2 after the first match in Cardiff was
abandoned.
Amla hit the winning runs to leave himself stranded on 97
off 107 balls and captain De Villiers, who has had a quiet
series, finished on 75 off 79.
It looked as if the chase would be a struggle after a strong
start by the English attack left the South Africans in trouble.
Dernbach had captain Graeme Smith caught at the second
attempt by James Tredwell at second slip for one in the second
over.
Out of form Faf du Plessis was caught behind by Craig
Kieswetter for three when Anderson found the edge of his bat
with a seaming delivery and the same pair combined to get rid of
Dean Elgar for one.
De Villiers and Amla had other ideas, however, as they went
about resurrecting the innings in positive fashion.
They consistently picked up singles and found the fence with
regularity when the England bowlers strayed off target.
Continued…
