Marvellous Morgan (and rain!) slays the Springboks

For those of you who joined me on the live text updates thank you, for those who missed out here is my summary of the match.

England clinched a well deserved 1 run win under the Duckworth Lewis method in the first Twenty20 of the series against South Africa. Rain curtailed the match in Johannesburg with South Africa on 127-3 after 13 overs, chasing England’s total of 202-6.

The didn’t look like making that target early on as Joe Denly was dismissed LBW first ball by Charl Langeveldt and Alastair Cook fell soon after to debutant Ryan McLaren. Jonathan Trott looked good in a fluent 33 but was run out after indecision at the wicket. This brought captain Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan together who put on a brilliant 98 stand. Both scored there 50 within a few balls of each other, the captain eventually falling for 57 off 32 balls including 3 fours and 4 sixes.

Morgan carried on the onslaught, eventually finishing on 85 not out off just 45 balls. His innings featured 7 fours and 5 sixes, one of which was like the Dilshan scoop, but in my opinion better! A superb innings from the Irishman. McLaren returned respectable figures of 3-43 on his international bow.

Seeing their bowlers plundered to the boundary, the South African openers Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman looked to do the same. They put on a great opening stand of 97 when Smith fell for 41 off the bowling of Luke Wright. His innings contained 3 fours and 4 sixes which was suprisingly overshaddowed by his lesser known partner. Bosman really took the attack to Englands bowlers hitting a brisk 58 including 5 fours and 4 huge sixes. 

England were happy to see the back of him soon after Smiths departure, Graeme Swann picking up the wicket after a good catch from Collingwood after the ball sailed high into the night sky. Another wicket soon followed, as the recalled Saj Mahmood took the in form JP Duminy LBW for just 6.

With rain falling the Duckworth Lewis sheets were brought onto the field and South Africa knew they needed 129 to win by the end of the 13th over if the match was called off. Collingwood made a key call by throwing the ball to James Anderson, who restricted AB De Villiers and Albie Morkel to just 6 runs, leaving them on 127-3. 

This proved to be the final over of the match as the rain bucketed down and thunder and lightning crept in. A sad way to see a such a thrilling match end but the England players and fans will not mind at all. Bring on the next one on Sunday!

November 13, 2009