Clinical S Africa thrash Eng in Karachi

KARACHI:

South Africa, firing on all cylinders, outclassed England in a one-sided affair at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Saturday to book their place in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal.

They were clinical with the ball, athletic in the field and dominant with the bat as they topped Group B in the tournament.

First Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder ripped through England batting after losing the toss, then Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen proved flawless with the bat in a 127-run stand, to convincingly chase down the 180-run target with seven wickets in hand off 29.1 overs.

Despite two early wickets, the duo was relentless with the bat. Klassen smashed 11 boundaries in his 56-ball 64, while van der Dussen struck six fours and three maximums for his 72 not out.

David Miller sealed the game by hitting Liam Livingston down the ground for a six.

Defending a low total, Archer struck in his second over when he bowled Tristan Stubbs, who went without scoring. Rassie van der Dussen and Rayan Rickelton then put up a 36-run stand for the second wicket. But just when Rickelton started to cut loose, Archer cleaned him up with a length delivery which didn't bounce much. He departed after scoring 27 off 25 balls.

At that stage South Africa were 47-2 in 8.3 overs.

Red-hot Klassen and van der Dussen then took the game completely away from Jos Buttler's men. The duo scored brisk half-centuries and put on a 127-run stand to see South Africa through to the semifinal.

For his impressive bowling, Marco Janson was awarded player of the match.

Jansen show

Earlier, Marco Jansen ripped through England top order as he removed Phil Salt (8), Jamie Smith (0) and an in-form Ben Duckett (24) to reduce South Africa to 37-3 in 6.4 overs after losing the toss.

Both Salt and Smith had no answer to his pace and bounce as they went back to the hut in a similar fashion. Duckett was looking good in the middle as he smashed four boundaries before getting a leading edge straight at Jansen.

Joe Root and Harry Brooks showed some resistance against the South African bowling attack, putting on a 62-run stand for the fourth wicket. However, when England reached 99, Brook lost his wicket trying to clear Keshav Maharaj over the mid-wicket. He struck three boundaries for his 19.

Wiaan Mulder cleaned Joe Root up with a full-length delivery, to reduce England to 103-5. He scored 37 off 44 deliveries with a help of four boundaries and maximum. Mahraj then removed Liam Livingston (9) to push England on the back foot.

Jamie Overton was the next batter who walked back to the hut after scoring just 11. At that stage England were 129-7 in 25.3 overs.

Captain Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer helped England recover a bit with a 42-runs stand to help their team go past 170. However, Mulder broke their stand by removing Archer, who scored 25 with the help of four boundaries.

Buttler, who was playing his last game as England captain, was dismissed by Ngidi. He scored 21 as England were bowled out for just 179 in 38.2 overs.

For the Proteas, Jansen and Mulder claimed three wickets each, while Mahrajb bagged two scalps in the game.