Story England One-Day Tour 2007-8 (C2007)

[flintoff]

OPINION

by Adam Williamson

So, after 3 wins on the bounce it was back to normal for England in the one day format against Pakistan yesterday, getting thrashed by 5 wickets. What is it about this form of the game that England seem to struggle so much with? Is it the time pressures? Or the tactical battles? Or are the personnel not good enough? Maybe it's a combination of everything.

England seem to be getting progressively worse as the tour goes on. Their most accomplished performance so far was their opening match, when they rarely looked in trouble gaining a comfortable win. Although, it could be argued that Bangladesh aren't the greatest of cricket nations. The fact is as soon as they came up against an attack of quality, England hit the panic button and were duly humiliated.

Pietersen showed how it should be done. Respect those cricketers with genuine quality and punish the ones that don't have it. He wisely only took ones and twos against Akhtar, before laying into Razzaq. A sensible strategy.

This England side has genuine quality. Most teams would kill for Vaughan, Pietersen and Flintoff in their side. However it has so far been England's middle to lower order batsmen that have been putting the pressure on the team. Collingwood, Wagg, Jones and co need to find some consistency with the bat, and fast.

The bowling attack is also looking increasingly uninspiring, with Gough and Flintoff in particular not troubling too many batsmen at present, and Batty taking just 1 wicket since the opening game. Don't get me wrong, bowling in 20 over games is tough, especially on dry, dusty wickets like these in the sub-continent. However, I still think England need more variety in their armoury.

I've particularly liked Wagg so far on the tour, with his left arm seam bowling picking up plenty of wickets, at relatively low economy rate. He mixes up his deliveries well, always keeping the batsmen guessing. England's more experienced bowlers should be taking a leaf or two out of the youngster's book.

 

[flintoff]

KALLIS MASTERCLASS GIVES SOUTH AFRICA VICTORY

SOUTH AFRICA 169/4 (17.5 OVERS) beat ENGLAND 168/9 (20 OVERS) by 6 wickets

A majestic performance with both bat and ball from South African veteran Jacques Kallis helped shoot down England in Faisalabad last night. The defeat means even an England win against Sri Lanka tomorrow night might not be enough to see them through to the Pakistan tournament final next week.

Kallis first took 3-40 before scoring a scintillating 85 off just 44 balls to fire South Africa to the target of 169 with more than 2 overs and 6 wickets remaining.

Kallis celebrates his half century

Captain Paul Collingwood had words of sympathy for his losing team saying, "We batted much better than we've been doing recently, but our bowlers weren't ruthless enough tonight. Kallis was in great form, but we maybe needed a slightly higher total to defend on a decent pitch like that."

England's total of 169/9 off their 20 overs was their best effort since the opening game of the tour, and included a welcome return of form with the bat for Andrew Flintoff, who scored 79. In truth however, England's score probably should have been higher given a slow run rate in the middle section of the innings and also the fact that it was a belter of a track.

Their innings got of to an inauspicious start like so many others on this tour, with Trescothick departing for 7 off Ntini in just the second over of the match. Although soon after, Struass and Vaughan were playing nicely together, Strauss in particular looking in decent touch hitting two sixes over mid wicket off the bowling of Pollock. The Middlesex man then went for one too many however, and got caught at mid on for 33.

Pietersen came in and started playing shots, including a beautiful 4 with a back foot square drive, and another with a late cut down to third man off Pollock. The South African seamer had a disappointing day, finishing with 1-49, and after 8 overs, England were in a healthy position at 71/2. As with so many England innings of late however, it all started to go wrong soon after. Vaughan was caught out trying to go long over the cover boundary, and Pietersen mistimed a lofted shot straight to mid off. Andrew Flintoff came in and signaled his intentions straight away with a six over mid on off his 2nd ball faced. At the other end Collingwood was slow and patient, but arguably too slow, as England lost momentum, Collingwood eventually departing for 5 off 17 balls, caught behind off an out swinger from Kallis.

Flintoff smashed England through the 100 barrier with a six over square leg, one of seven in his innings, before running out Graham Wagg with an attempted quick single. Wagg went back to the dressing room without facing a ball. When Jones was bowled for a duck off Kallis, it was all up to Flintoff to get England to a competitive score.

Flintoff scores a 6 over square leg

Flintoff certainly gave it a go too, playing some delightful strokes for boundary after boundary. He also cleverly tried to farm the strike, taking as many singles late in overs as possible. It was possible that Flintoff was almost too protective of the tail, and probably didn't go for as many shots as he'd have liked to have done. Still England built up a decent, if unspectacular score, Flintoff narrowly running out Gough in the penultimate over, before whacking two maximums of Boje in the final over. He was finally caught at cover on the final ball of the innings for a well played 79.

In reply South Africa made a steady start, before Smith and Dippenaar smashed 22 off Gough's 2nd over, who was promptly taken out of the attack. Wagg was brought on and got instant results getting Smith caught down the ground for 27. Panesar, making his first start on the tour in place of Batty, took the catch at long on.

Dippenaar was looking set, until he was run out attempting a single for 26. Kallis then took control of the 3rd wicket partnership, smashing two cuts off Harmison, while Gibbs was quiet at the non-strikers end. Collingwood was brought on in the 8th over and bowled tidily, getting the bonus of Gibbs' wicket, caught on the cover boundary for 8. Jacques Rudolph came in at number 5, but again Kallis took charge of the partnership, hitting successive fours with a straight drive and a clever late cut.

South Africa, and Kallis in particular were looking in control of the run chase, as he continued to put England's bowling attack to the sword smashing Flintoff back over his head for six. Kallis reached his fifty in the 14th over taking a single off Collingwood, before the England captain grabbed the wicket of Rudolph, as he hit a mistimed shot to mid off. This left South Africa needing 50 runs off the final 6 overs, and England had every right to feel they were still in with a chance.

Panesar was brought on to try and grab a vital wicket or two, but Kallis saw this as an invitation to finish the game off hitting 2 sixes and a four from the over. Flintoff was expensive at the other end too, and England soon saw the game slip away from the them. Two massive sixes over square leg from Kallis against Panesar finished the game with 2.1 overs remaining. Monty having a bad day at the office getting hit for 37 off just 11 balls.

The defeat leaves England needing to beat Sri Lanka tomorrow, and hoping Pakistan beat South Africa in the group's final game, to have any chance of qualifying for the final.

 

[Gilly Fan]

Great stuff by Kallis. KUTGW mate.

 

[flintoff]

SORRY ENGLAND THUMPED

SRI LANKA 129/2 (14.2 OVERS) beat ENGLAND 128 ALL OUT (18.5 OVERS) by 8 wickets

England crashed out of the Pakistan one day tournament yesterday after being thoroughly outclassed by Sri Lanka. Sanath Jayasuriya finished 75 not out as his side cruised to victory by 8 wickets.

England won the toss and elected to bat on another dry wicket in Faisalabad. They got off to a decent start, the opening partnership of 48 being their highest so far on the tour. Malinga got the wicket of Strauss in the 6th over, after the opener edged to Sangakkara for 16. England had seen off the new ball attack well, 56/1 off 8 overs, with Vaughan getting off the mark well with a drive through the covers for four.

Things took a downward spiral after that though, with spinners Muralitharan and Jayasuriya doing the damage. They bowled superbly with England struggling to find the gaps in the field. Trescothick's frustration got the better of him, and he ballooned one straight to mid off, before Vaughan was bowled by Jayasuriya.

England retreated into their shells, too afraid to play the big shots, but the wickets kept on falling. Pietersen caught behind after a thin edge and Collingwood, who made a tidy 24 caught and bowled after a mistimed drive. England were 112/7 after 16 overs, with Murali and Jayasuriya both finishing with 3-28.

Sri Lanka kept up the pressure by continuing with spin for the final overs of the innings, bringing on Dilshan and Samaraweera. England's chance of a half decent total finally went with Jones caught on the square leg boundary for 14. All out for 128.

The total was always going to be tough to defend, and England's bowlers toiled, with the exception of the accurate Matthew Hoggard. The Yorkshireman forced Atapattu into mistiming his shot straight to cover for 8, before Jayawardene was caught down the ground for 12. Hoggy ended up with 2-26.

Jayasuriya, on his way to 75 not out

However, once that man Jayasuriya gets going he's very difficult to stop, playing some fantastic shots to all corners of the ground. England had the chance to run him out after he attempted a quick single when on 18, but Jones failed to collect Collingwood's throw, and the opportunity was missed.

It was the final chance for England as Jayasuriya and Arnold played themselves in, with Sri Lanka never looking back. Flintoff and Batty slowed up the run rate in the middle overs, but the pressure never really mounted, with Jayasuriya reaching his fifty in 34 balls. Both he and Arnold cracked on after Sri Lanka were 80/2 off 11 overs, Arnold reaching his fifty just before Jayasuriya hit the winning runs off Wagg with nearly 6 overs to spare.

Captain Collingwood was downhearted at the defeat saying, "We were completely outclassed. The trouble is we know we're capable of better than this. We've got to believe in ourselves more and show it on the field."

Marcus Trescothick, who made his highest score of the series with 31, blamed the spinner friendly pitches in Faisalabad. He said, "There's no grass on them, and it's doing nothing for our seamers. The bounce is also pretty irregular, and considering they've got 4 spinners to our 1, it's no surprise they're getting better results. Hopefully the pitches in Sharjah will be a little better."

Lets hope England's performance's are a little better in future too. Sri Lanka qualify for the final, while England's next game will be against India in the Sharjah tournament starting next week.

 

[surendar]

Jayasuriya killed the bowlers.. Fantastic win by Lankans.

There's no grass on them, and it's doing nothing for our seamers. The bounce is also pretty irregular, and considering they've got 4 spinners to our 1

No excuses by blaming on the pitches Keep up the great works mate

 

[flintoff]

11th Dec 2007

ENGLAND GEAR UP FOR INDIA

England are going through final preparations for the opening game of the Sharjah one day tournanment against India today. Collingwood's side will be aiming to bounce back after a disappointing performance in last months Pakistan one day competition. The England captain is hoping for a much improved effort from his side. Collingwood said, "We've worked out a few strategies for these games and providing we play to the level we know we can, we're confident of winning the tournament."

The bookmakers don't agree with Collingwood's optimism however, putting England as rank outsiders for the event. The team will be hungry for revenge after recent defeats against Pakistan and South Africa. The Proteas are favourites for the competition despite their defeat to Sri Lanka in the Pakistan tournament final.

On a good cricketing pitch in Sharjah, England have dispensed with their spinner for the game against India. Instead they've opted for a five bowler seam attack, with wicketkeeper Jones expected to come in at number 9 in the batting order.

David Graveney

Chairman of selectors David Graveney defended the decision saying, "The spinners haven't performed as well as we've liked on the tour so far, and with a pitch that has some grass on it here in Sharjah, we felt it would be best to strengthen the batting line-up further, and leave the bowling to the quick guys."

Sharjah Tournament
South Africa 6/4
Pakistan 5/2
India 3/1
England 5/1

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Awesome stuff! So much writing! It took me a while to get to the second page and then down here.

Good work.

 

[flintoff]

INDIA GET HOGG-TIED

HOGGARD BLASTS THROUGH TOP ORDER TO SETUP VICTORY

ENGLAND 195/8 (20 OVERS) beat INDIA 123 ALL OUT (15.0 OVERS) by 72 runs

Matthew Hoggard had India in a right tangle last night, taking 3-31, with Graham Wagg also taking 5 wickets, as England thrashed their opponents in the first game of the Sharjah tournament.

This after England had produced some of their best batting so far on the tour to set India a daunting target of 196 to chase. Andrew Flintoff in the process scoring his 2nd fifty in 3 matches.

Captain Paul Collingwood was understandably delighted with his side's efforts. Collingwood beamed, "That's what this team's capable of. A nice batting performance and then our seamers ripped through them. Now we can't wait for Pakistan tomorrow night!"

It was a much improved performance from England after their shambolic efforts in the Pakistan tournament. As expected Bell came into the side for Batty to further strengthen their batting line-up on a good wicket in Sharjah. England won the toss and batted first, but didn't have it all their own way early on.

Trescothick was ran out attempting a 2nd run in the 1st over of the game, and Vaughan was caught off the bowling of Agarkar trying to slog in the very next over. Khan then got Pietersen caught at slip for 6, and when Agarkar nabbed the wicket of Strauss, who was unlucky to pick out the fielder on the cover boundary, England were in a very precarious position at 33/4.

Bell and Flintoff shared a stand of 56

Bell's recall to the side was justified, as himself and Flintoff built a solid 5th wicket stand. Both men hit over the infield for plenty of boundaries and established a high run rate. Bell was caught at mid on going for a back foot drive off the bowling of Agarkar for 24, but it failed to quell England's momentum as Flintoff powered another six over mid wicket. Agarkar finished with credible figures of 3-44, Khan was less impressive with 1-53.

'Freddie' has found his form with the bat after a slow start to the tour, but even he couldn't keep out a vicious turning delivery from Harbhajan Singh in the 11th over which clipped the top of off stump. Flintoff gone for 51.

At the other end Collingwood was playing well, and still going for his shots despite England being 6 wickets down. Wagg was pleased to get off the mark after 3 ducks so far on the trip, and continued to be positive, hitting a six straight down the ground. Harbhajan produced another fantastic delivery to bowl Collingwood for 28, but luckily England had Jones to come in at number 9. He and Wagg set about getting England up to a large total, which was by no means guaranteed at the time with the score 142/7.

Intelligent play from the pair, knocking the ball into gaps and pushing for as many 2's as possible yielded a decent 39 partnership, before Jones was bowled coming down the pitch for 18 by Yuvraj Singh in the penultimate over. Wagg hit 12 runs off the last to take his score to 39 not out and set India a tough total just four runs shy of 200.

England focussed a lot of their batting on the leg side and displayed a lot more control with their batting strokes. It could have been a massive total but for the early wickets, and they'll be hoping for more of the same tomorrow. All the Indian bowlers took a hammering, the exception being Harbhajan who took 2-23 off his 4 overs.

Hoggard opened the bowling with a tight 1st over. Harmison vice versa, conceding 18 off his. Hoggard bowled a beauty in the 3rd over, Sehwag getting an outside edge to Jones for 13. Unlucky for him. Gambhir struck 5 fours in his innings before getting a rising ball from Hoggard, and he could only poke it to Bell at cover, gone for 23.

Tendulkar and Dravid started to play their shots, and with batsmen as dangerous as these two, and the run rate high, England had every right to be concerned. They needn't have as Hoggard produced a peach of an inswinger to trap Dravid LBW without playing a stroke. The finger went straight up and England were jubilant.

Flintoff bowls Tendulkar

Then the key wicket of Tendulkar was secured. Flintoff bowled a beauty of a slower ball, which Tendulkar attempted to slog, but it only succeeded in knocking out the off stump. Ganguly came and went as he was run out attempting a quick single, and with him gone, so too was India's spirit. 80/5 off 10 overs.

Collingwood and Wagg came on for the middle overs and both kept the runs down well. Dhoni started to hit out getting a four over cover and a big six over mid wicket. It was one shot too many however, when caught square on the off side boundary for 20. Wagg's first wicket, but it wasn't to be his last.

The youngster bowled with maturity beyond his years as neither batsmen could get him away cleanly. Both Yuvraj and Harbhajan Singh were caught out cheaply, before Agarkar got away with one that he skied, the ball landing between fielders. Wagg got him eventually though, out for 10 ,caught at mid on.

His first five wicket hall was complete when he took the final wicket of Nehra caught at backward point, as India collapsed to 123 all out, with 5 overs unused. The Derbyshire all-rounder finished with 5-22 off 3 overs

Wagg picked up man-of-the-match but played down his 5 wicket haul. Wagg said, "Hoggy did most of the hard work getting rid of their top batsmen, I just put the ball in the right places and got lucky really. To be honest, I was probably happier with my 39 while batting, which helped us to a decent score."

A well-timed performance of quality by England. One more win from their remaining two group games, should see them through to the final.

 

[flintoff]

AFRIDI CRUSHES ENGLAND

PAKISTAN 267/3 (20 OVERS) beat ENGLAND 139 ALL OUT (20 OVERS) by 128 runs

Shahid Afridi smashed all kinds of twenty over world records last night as he hit 171 not out off just 82 balls against England in Sharjah.

Afridi cracked a massive 16 sixes in his innings as England's bowling attack were put to the sword. England fell well short of the target in reply, losing by 128 runs.

Paul Collingwood had words of praise for Afridi saying, "Unbelievable hitting really. Not matter what we did he kept smacking us out of the park. I've never seen anything like it, he even hit myself for 6 on the first three balls of my over, and I just thought please let me have a dot ball!"

Afridi was in scintillating form

England won the toss and bowled first, a decision which by the end of 20 overs had backfired horribly. Hoggard was economical if not particularly threatening conceding only 19 runs off his 4 overs. Afridi signaled his intentions early, hitting Harmison for six down the ground twice in his first over.

Umar was a lot more reserved at the other end, collecting lots of singles, with the occasion smash for 4. Flintoff was wayward when he replaced Harmison in the 5th over, but then, every England bowler was guilty of a beating from Afridi.

Wagg replaced Hoggard in the 9th over and got Umar caught on the cover boundary for 19. His 14th wicket of the tour. By the end of the over Pakistan were 78/1, a run rate at less than 9 an over. Then however, the fireworks began.

It seemed any ball, at any time would be smashed over the rope. Both Inzamam and Afridi opening their shoulders, with Collingwood getting hit for 24 runs off his first over. Inzamam was caught down the ground after mistiming a good slower ball from Collingwood, but the runs kept on flowing. Yousef picking up where Inzamam had left off.

Michael Vaughan was brought on to try and take the pace off the ball, and it worked for 3 balls, until Afridi swiped another six over mid wicket. He reached his century with, you guessed it, another six off Wagg, the three figures coming in 47 balls.

Afridi was having most of the strike, but Yousef was also playing well planting a six deep into the cover boundary stand off Vaughan. That blow brought up the hundred partnership, but his innings came to an end when he was bowled trying to reverse sweep the spinner, out for 24.

Harmison was brought back on, and only conceded 2 runs from the 18th over. Afridi passed his 150 in the 19th over, and hit 21 off the last to finish a whopping 171 not out.

England were always going to struggle to get near Pakistan's total, and the signs weren't good as Strauss edged behind for a duck in the first over off Akhtar. Trescothick hit Sami over mid on for six in the 2nd over to try and rouse the crowd, but when Vaughan nicked behind attempting a cover drive in England fans were quiet again. Pietersen's poor form continued when he too edged to Akmal in the 3rd over to leave England 15/3 and in a very embarrassing situation.

Bell came in a started a good partnership with Trescothick, who was still playing his shots, hitting a four through the covers, and playing a deft cut down to third man for another boundary. Bell skied a full ball from Akhtar to mid wicket and England's 4th wicket went in the 7th over. Bell gone for 14.

Trescothick hits out of the rough against Kaneria

Kaneria and ul Hasan were expensive in the middle overs, as England tried to salvage what pride they had left. Some superb shots from Flintoff and plenty of two's from Trescothick soon brought up a well needed fifty partnership. Flintoff was unlucky to find the fielder on the square leg boundary in the 14th over as he fell for 23, and England were then 106/5.

Collingwood stuck around as Trescothick picked up a well deserved half century, his first of the tour. Before the England captain was also unlucky to find a fielder on boundary to perish for 17. Unfortunately the tail didn't wag too much for England, as Jones was bowled by Afridi, and then Graham Wagg trapped LBW by the hero of the hour.

Trescothick lasted until the final over before he was caught on the cover boundary for 76. A fine effort from the Somerset man, who'll be eager to continue in the same vain against South Africa tomorrow. Hoggard was bowled by Afridi with the final delivery of the innings, and England had been well and truly thumped. Man of the match Afridi finshed with 3-12.

 

[Super Baz]

171 off 82 OMG , thats some going that

 

[flintoff]

PAKISTAN DEFEAT SENDS ENGLAND INTO FINAL

Due to India beating Pakistan by 7 wickets in Sharjah tonight, England have qualified for the final, regardless of the result of tomorrow's game against South Africa.

Paul Collingwood confirmed that the game will now be used to give a chance to a number of fringe players, with Alastair Cook, James Anderson and Darren Maddy all starting.

England:- Trescothick, Maddy, Cook, Pietersen, Vaughan, Flintoff, Collingwood (c), Wagg, Read (wk), Hoggard, Anderson.

 

[flintoff]

ENGLAND TROUNCE PROTEAS

ENGLAND 88/2 (10.1 OVERS) beat SOUTH AFRICA 84 ALL OUT (13.1 OVERS) by 8 wickets

Squad players Alastair Cook and James Anderson showed the selectors what they were missing last night, as both made excellent contributions to storming win against South Africa.

Anderson finished with figures of 1-12 off his 4 overs, before Cook hit an unbeaten 37 to steer his side to victory. The final group game in Sharjah was a dead rubber as both sides had already qualified for tomorrow's final, however, England now have the psychological advantage going into the game.

South Africa won the toss and batted, starting off well, Dippenaar and Smith both hitting lofted 4's off Hoggard. Anderson got the breakthrough in his first over of the tour, getting Smith caught on the boundary for 5.

Anderson picks up a wicket in his 1st over

Hoggard was unusually expensive as Kallis hit a big 6 off him down the ground, before hitting another over cover in his next over. It was deja va for England as Kallis was looking in good form once again.

Dippenaar was also looking in fine fettle until he was run out for 26, one of 4 run out's in the innings, with the score on 51. Then Hoggard got the key wicket of Kallis, the South Africa trying to pull an inswinging delivery which kept low. The ball hit the pad and up went the finger. Out for 19.

Herschelle Gibbs then foolishly ran himself out, to put South Africa in more trouble. Graham Wagg came into the attack in the 9th over, and as so often happens with this young man, he took an early wicket. Rudolph caught straight down the ground and the Proteas were 71/5.

It only got worse for them as Wagg took two more wickets, De Villiers and Pollock both caught inside the circle. The latter straight after hooking for 6. Boje scooped to gully off Flintoff and South Africa were on their knees.

Boucher should have taken control of the situation with 7.3 overs remaining in the innings, but he asked too much of Nel, running him out when there was never a single available. The final wicket came in similar circumstances, this time Boucher attempting a foolish third run and being narrowly run out at the bowlers end.

Kallis gets trapped LBW

It was a very laboured effort from South Africa and one they'll have to forget quickly before tomorrow's final. Wagg took another excellent haul of 3-16, while Anderson was the pick of the other bowlers keeping a good line and length and conceding only 12 runs off his 4 overs.

England started slow in reply, knowing full well they had plenty of time to gets the required runs. Trescothick hit a six over square leg in the 3rd over, Maddy looking unsure at the other end being unable to time the ball. He did score a lovely 4 however, with a late cut off Ntini to get off the mark in the 4th over.

Trescothick was unfortunate to pick out the fielder at long on and he went for 13. Cook came in and looked in ominous form, hitting 4's over mid wicket and through the covers. Maddy then scooped a drive to point and was out for 7. A poor shot, and possibly his last of the tour.

Cook continued to look in good nick with a six down the ground, and a four backward of square on the off side. Kevin Pietersen blasted a huge six over mid wicket before Kallis had an excellent LBW shout turned down. Replays suggested it probably would have gone to hit leg stump.

England were cruising though, and going along at a very good rate. Pietersen came down the pitch to hit another six over mid wicket, before getting the winnings runs with a four down to fine leg, just one ball into the 11th over. A comprehensive victory. Pietersen finishing on 26 not out, Cook on 37.

Captain Collingwood was delighted with his team's efforts, saying "A good performance, the fringe players came in and playing magnificently, and it sets us up nicely for the final."

South African captain Graeme Smith was concerned following the heavy defeat. Smith said, "The way we gave away some of our wickets was appalling, hats of to England, they played really well, but we'll be ready for tomorrow night."

England tops the group with 5 points, and now have an awkward but welcome selection decision for the final.

 

[Pakistani Army]

Excellent bowling by Anderson. Great works mate.

 

[flintoff]

ENGLAND NAME TEAM FOR SHARJAH FINAL

Alastair Cook and James Anderson have retained their places for the game today after impressing last time out against South Africa. A good wicket with a tinge of green is expected on the pitch front.

Temperature :- 80-90F............ Humidity :- 55%

England:- Trescothick, Strauss, Vaughan, Pietersen, Cook, Flintoff, Collingwood (c), Wagg, Jones (wk), Hoggard, Anderson

Sharjah Final
England - 8/11
S. Africa - Evs

 

[flintoff]

18th Dec 2007

PIPPED AT THE POST

AGONY FOR ENGLAND AS SOUTH AFRICA SQUEEZE HOME

SOUTH AFRICA 134/8 (18.5 OVERS) beat ENGLAND 133 ALL OUT (19.5 OVERS) by 2 wickets

A roller coaster night of emotions ended in disappointment for England last night, as they narrowly lost to a spirited South Africa side.

England defended their mediocre total of 133 gallantly, before tailender Ntini top-edged the winning runs with just 2 wickets and 7 balls remaining.

Captain Paul Collingwood was angry at the defeat but delighted with his team's efforts. Collingwood said, "Our batting collapse cost us dearly, because our bowlers were excellent again tonight. 133 was a poor effort, it's so frustrating in a final like this."

Hero Ntini celebrates the win

An evening of so many if's and but's for England. The middle order, which had played so well in recent weeks disappointed, as Collingwood's men failed to reach a decent total. The side will now fly back home for Christmas, before returning for the South Africa tournament, which also includes Zimbabwe, in January.

Trescothick got England off to a blistering start, hitting 14 off the first over. The momentum changed in the 3rd over, when Trescothick was caught by Boje for 14, and Vaughan only made 4 before being bowled by Pollock attempting a cover drive.

Pietersen came and went, hitting 2 sixes in his 7 ball cameo, before he was caught on the square leg boundary. Cook and Strauss played intelligently, if maybe a little too slow together, forging a partnership of 42 before Cook was caught on the boundary off the bowling of Boje for 31. Strauss soon followed him to the dressing room skying to backward square leg for 32. England 100/5 off 12 overs.

Flintoff and Collingwood started working on repairing the damage, but both perished early in their innings, Collingwood ran out foolishly attempting a second run against the bullet arm of Gibbs, and Flintoff's slog down the ground didn't quite make it as he was caught for 10.

Geraint Jones was out for a duck, playing a poor shot when his team needed him to be patient, which meant Wagg was armed with the responsibility of getting England to a good score. He made 12 until a mix up meant he too was run out. All hope had gone for England, with just Anderson and Hoggard left at the crease. Anderson scored 8 before being bowled with the penultimate ball of the innings from Rudolph. The pick of the bowlers were Boje, who collected 2-23, as well as Pollock 3-49.

Vaughan's poor form continues

England's bowlers got off to a bright start, Dippenaar caught on the cover boundary for 5 off Anderson. Smith and Kallis took it easy for the next few overs, before Smith miscued to cover for 14. When Kallis was ran out for 12, England sensed an upset with the score 32/3.

Gibbs and Rudolph were slow and steady, while England's bowlers were in control. Flintoff even bowled a maiden for the 9th over. Wagg's introduction again yielded a wicket with Gibbs looping one to Cook at backward point. De Villiers didn't last long either, as he was caught at long on off Wagg, and then it was advantage England, with the Proteas 54/5 off 12 overs, still needing 80 to win.

Boucher and Rudolph knew it was up to them and started to play their shots. 3 four's and a six off Collingwood's first over settled them down, before Wagg then put the pressure back on by getting Rudolph caught at deep square leg for 9. A couple more big sixes of Collingwood from Boucher meant the ball was back in South Africa's court, before the momentum changed again with Boucher out for 30 caught at cover, Wagg collecting his 4th wicket. A bitter blow for South Africa, the score 104/7.

Number 9 Boje came in and proceeded to smash his first ball into the stands. Unbelievably he then hit his next ball way over square leg for another six! A late cut from Pollock forced another 4, and by the end of the 18th over South Africa were tantalisingly close needing just 4 to win.

Cue more drama as Pollock top edged to gully off Anderson leaving 2 wickets remaining. Ntini's first ball was a short one, which he looped towards mid off, the ball falling agonisingly short of the dive from Strauss. Then Ntini crazily tried a lofted on drive which he top edged. It hung for an eternity before landing just over Vaughan at mid on, before having enough momentum to roll to the rope. South Africa had clinched victory by the skin of their teeth.