On a generally slow Chester-le-Street pitch taking turn – the kind of surface that may well confront them in the global tournament – South Africa restricted England to 118 for seven. Spinners Johan Botha and Robin Peterson took four wickets between them, as South Africa provided the latest evidence they are no longer solely reliant on pace bowling. But Dale Steyn, arguably the world’s best fast bowler, was named man-of-the-match for a return of one for 13 in four overs.
An unbroken stand of 90 in 91 deliveries between veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy saw the Proteas home with an over to spare.
“It’s very similar to what we are expecting in Sri Lanka,” said the South Africa captain. “It was really good preparation. The bowlers had really clear plans and I’m proud of the way they came out. They made my job really easy out there.
“The ideal situation would be to give every batter a bat and all the bowlers a bowl. It doesn’t always happen that way but I believe this squad is mature and experienced enough to know what they are capable of going into the World Twenty20. All the guys seem to be confident and if we keep winning, obviously everyone feeds off that and that’s the most important thing.”
Pietersen reveals Twitter suspects
Meanwhile, axed batsman Kevin Pietersen has urged England to conduct a thorough investigation to find out the culprits behind his parody Twitter account, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Pietersen revealed his suspicion that teammates Graeme Swann and James Anderson were providing information to the KP Genius parody account. The profile has been trying to dog attempts to reinstate him into the England team.
The Twitter account had sent posts citing Pietersen as arrogant and obsessive for money. It was also followed by several members of the England team. At times, the posts directed at Pietersen elicited good-humoured responses from him but his attitude abruptly changed as his relationship with the England management and his team-mates deteriorated.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2012.
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