England stun SA in massive tri-nation defeat
Bloemfontein - England led by Madras-born Nasser Hussain, having already slain one dragon in Potchefstroom, finally put South Africa to the sword to draw level in the limited-overs international series at Goodyear Park.
Under a groaning record first wicket partnership between Hussain and Nick Knight, humiliation at The Oval was avenged and for South Africa a rethink of their strategy after what was a nine wickets defeat before an often subdued crowd. Then again, hoping to defend a score 184 on a pitch of doubtful pace and with a bowling attack which lacked genuine punch, was far from easy. Little wonder England wiped it off with more than 10 overs in hand, the loss of one wicket and with Hussain talking with a degree of confidence.
It could have been the reason why the crowd of about 12 000 failed to ignite more than once into the mindless wave which go hand in hand with the slogs. Apart from being the third heaviest defeat by a South Africa side, it is the first Hansie Cronje has had to endure in his long term of captaincy. The last time South Africa were beaten by nine wickets was at the same venue during the Total Tri-Series in 1992/93, while some 10 months earlier South Africa lost by 10 wickets in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
While Darren Gough collected the man of the match award with the sort mouth-watering bowling figures he failed to collect in the Tests, England batted with care and attention to show South Africa how they failed to make the most of Cronje winning the toss.
Perhaps Jacques Kallis is to blame for the becalmed state of the South African innings at one stage when he scored only 10 runs during a period when Hussain shut off his ability to drive and find the gaps. Normally composed and full of ideas, the all-rounder seemed bereft of ideas as he watched South Africa slip to 53 for five by the 14th over of the innings.
England were always going to be tougher than Zimbabwe and the limited overs side would present a more demanding challenge for South Africa to chew over. It is a tough to try and rebuild from that point and while Pieter Strydom, a talented player with a touch of humour in his strokeplay as well as forceful aggression when required is just the sort of option which can be utilised while Dale Benkenstein could be dropped down the order to six.
There is a chance that Jonty Rhodes may be back in time for the first of the two games of the series at Newlands on Wednesday when the two sides clash again in the third of their three games in the league series. Well, that is the plan, say team insiders as Rhodes, whose effervescent style was noticeably missing from the side today.
Yet think of Gough. He has had a disappointing tour and is the sort of player who has a habit of waking up the opposition with his special character and charm and bowling abilities. It was a case of batten down the hatches South Africa. St George (alias England) has found a standard bearer while South Africa were looking for one.
Four for 29 in 10 overs was just what Mr Plod (alias Hussain) wanted and got while Big Ears, Andrew Caddick plugged away and Noddy (alias Graeme Hick) showed a few flashes of what can be done.
England's approach was thoughtful and systematically thorough. You could see the way Hussain lost his wicket to Nicky Boje that the element of risk was always there. As it is he and Nick Knight put together a partnership of 165 for the first wicket: England's best against South Africa for any wicket and 26 short of the all-time first wicket record for a slogs match.
So, what was missing from South Africa's performance? Apart from Goughie blowing away the top-order, a low-key effort from Lance Klusener and a middle-order which seemed to take stage fright, a lack of runs on the board. The total was about 70 to 80 runs shy of a defendable total and Cronje was well aware of the shortfall.
He is the sort of captain who reads the game too well, knows the opposition and takes care of the problem areas as well. He is a thoughtful leader and you can expect him to lead from the front the way he did in Nairobi when South Africa lost badly to India. There is a lot of hard work ahead and some players are going to quickly get the message.
