Going into the final 5 day test of the 4 test series against England the Proteas were trailing by 1 test in the series. England were ahead 1-0 in the series. 2 of the 5 day tests in the series ended in draws. From the get-go the South African cricket team seemed determined not to loose the series. On the first day of the final test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, South Africa Dale Steyn was the star of the show, taking 5 wickets in 13.5 overs. England were dismissed for 180. South Africa came in to bat and achieved a total 29 without loss at the end of play. On the 2nd day South African captain Graeme Smith scored a century and in the process helped South Africa to gain a total of 215 for the loss of only 2 wickets. Graeme Smith did have a little bit of luck on his side though. He was clearly caught behind when he had only 15 runs behind his name. A distinct sound could be heard. Even though the appeal was referred to the television umpire (who clearly did not have his sound on) and he survived. On day 3 South Africa added more runs to their total (thanks to contributions by AB De Villiers and Mark Boucher) and declared with their total at 423 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. England were sent in to bat. The English team suffered a top order collapse and the day ended with England at 48 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. The 4th day of the test match belonged to the Proteas. The South African team managed to bowl out England just before lunch for only 169 runs. All credit to Morne Morkel who took 4 wickets for 59 runs in 16 overs against the visitors. All credit to the Proteas for fighting back. This win means that South Africa retains the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy. It also means that the series against the visitors ends in a draw. Definately a better performance by the South African cricket team.

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This past weekend the South African cricket team played in 2 different T20 Internationals against England. England were victorious in the first match played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday night. The Proteas won the 2nd match played at Supersport Park in Centurion yesterday.

On Friday night Graeme Smith sent England in to bat first after winning the toss at the Wanderers. England managed to score 202 for the loss of 6 wickets. Contributions of 33 by Trott, 57 by Collingwood and 85 by Morgan helped to power the English innings. Mclaren (fairly new to the South African side) manage to take 3 wickets for 33 runs in 4 overs (the best South African bowler in the match). Langeveldt managed to take 1 wicket for 39 runs in 4 overs. The other 2 dismissals in the English innings were run-outs. Batsmen Loots Bosman and Graeme Smit opened the South African innings and put up an impressive opening partnership for the Proteas in 8.3 overs. They scored 97 runs between the two of them before Graeme Smith was dismissed for 41 runs. Loots Bosman joined him shortly after this on the pavillion and England were back in the game (dismissed for 58 runs). A small contribution by JP Duminy did not help the Proteas (managing to score only 6 runs from 5 balls). A thunderstorm was brewing in Johannesburg. South Africa needed to progress from 121/3 to 129/3 in 1 over to clinch the match for South Africa (according to the Duckworth / Lewis system). The batsmen, AB De Villiers and Albie Morkel only managed to score 6 runs (instead of before rain came pouring down at the Wanderers. South Africa lost by a single run (again). South Africa were a bit unlucky, but would have won this match if the batsmen were not so cautious in the last over.

On Sunday, South Africa batted first in the 2nd T20 International match against England at Supersport Park in Centurion. The Proteas scored the second highest total ever in T20 Internationals, 241 runs for 6 wickets. Loots Bosman and Graeme Smith opened the South African batting innings and managed to put the highest ever opening partnership total in T20 cricket. South Africa only lost the first wicket of their innings with their total on a 170. Graeme Smith scored 88 runs from 44 balls. Loots Bosman scored 94 runs from only 45 balls. Minor contributions by AB De Villiers (24) and Albie Morkel (14) helped the home side to reach 241 runs from 20 overs. England came in to bat but could only manage a total of 157 runs for 8 wickets. South Africa won the match by 84 runs. Loots Bosman was awarded the Man of the Match award for his contribution. The Proteas have proved once again that they are a force to aware of in International cricket. Only time will tell if they manage to keep up this reputation.

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The Proteas have been knocked out of the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, so there’s almost no need to report on what’s happening in that tournament, since South Africa is not in it anymore (even though we’re hosting it). England is facing Australia today in the 1st semi final of the ICC Champions Trophy at Supersport Park in Centurion. Hopefully the Proteas have learned something from this year’s ICC Champions Trophy tournament. I’m sure that Graeme Smith and the boys are turning their sights and focus towards the upcoming England Cricket tour to South Africa later in 2009. England and South Africa will be facing each other in 2 T20 Internationals, 5 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 4 five day tests. This promises to be a very exciting series. It’s always exciting to see the Proteas take on England with home ground advantage.

Here is a list of the matches that will be played between the 2 nations:

• 13 November 2009 – SA vs England, 1st T20 International – The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
• 15 November 2009 – SA vs England, 2nd T20 International – Supersport Park, Centurion
• 20 November 2009 – SA vs England – 1st One Day International – The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
• 22 November 2009 – SA vs England – 2nd One Day International – Supersport Park, Centurion
• 27 November 2009 – SA vs England – 3rd One Day International – Newlands, Cape Town
• 29 November 2009 – SA vs England – 4th One Day International – St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
• 4 December 2009 – SA v England – 5th One Day International – Kingsmead, Durban
• 16 December – 20 December 2009 – SA vs England – 1st Test – Supersport Park, Centurion
• 26 December – 30 December 2009 – SA vs England – 2nd Test – Kingsmead, Durban
• 3 January – 7 January 2010 – SA vs England – 3rd Test – Newlands, Cape Town
• 14 January – 18 January 2010 – SA vs England – 4th Test – The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Hopefully the Proteas will brush off the bad experience which was the South African Campaign in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy and perform much better in this series against England. I’m sure that Graeme Smith and the boys will be giving their best, are at least be trying to.

Related Posts

• January 18, 2010 -- Proteas pull one back against England (0)
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• September 28, 2009 -- South Africa knocked out of ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• December 7, 2009 -- World Cup 2010: Groups (0)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
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