Anderson took two early wickets that pegged back the South Africans who were then reduced to 80 for eight and in danger of being shot out for under 100, Miller and Kleinveldt managed a repair job.
Hosts England cruised into the Champions Trophy final with a seven-wicket win after South Africa once again underlined their reputation as cricket’s ‘chokers’.
Alastair Cook’s men outplayed the Proteas after electing to bowl on an overcast day at the Oval where England had lost to the West Indies in the final of the same event in 2004.
South Africa were reduced to 80 for eight by the 23rd over, before a record ninth-wicket partnership of 95 between David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt gave the total some respectability. They were eventually bundled out for 175.
But Jonathan Trott hit 82 not out and Joe Root made 48 during a 105-run stand to help England surpass the modest target in the 38th over of a disappointing semi-final.
In Sunday’s final at Edgbaston, Birmingham, which will be worth $2 million for the champions, England will meet the winners of today’s all-Asian semi-final between India and Sri Lanka in Cardiff.
South Africa, the top-ranked Test team and a formidable opponent in world cricket, have struggled to get past the semi-final stage in major one-day tournaments since winning the inaugural version of the Champions Trophy in Bangladesh in 1998.
England lost openers Cook and Ian Bell cheaply to become 41 for two, but South Africa-born Trott and Root flayed the attack on a good batting wicket to steer the hosts towards victory. Root was bowled by JP Duminy for 48 when 30 more were needed in 18 overs, leaving Trott to bring up the emphatic win.
Miller hit an unbeaten 56 and Kleinveldt chipped in with a career-best 43 in South Africa’s best one-day partnership for the ninth wicket, surpassing the 65 by Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn against India in Jaipur in 2010.
Miller, who rose to fame with a 38-ball century in the Indian Premier League this year, smashed five boundaries and two sixes. Kleinveldt, replacing the unfit Steyn, hit a six and four fours against an impressive England team for whom wicket-keeper Jos Buttler picked up six catches.
Off spinner James Tredwell, who was named man of the match, and seamer Stuart Broad claimed three wickets each, but it was pace spearhead James Anderson who did the early damage with two quick wickets.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers admitted England executed their game-plan to perfection. “The toss wasn’t that important,” said de Villiers. “It didn’t really do that much but England got their plans spot on. We were under pressure from the word go, we just weren’t good enough.
Cook was pleased with his side’s clinical show. “That’s the performance you want in a semi-final,” said Cook. “Anderson was outstanding and the other guys backed him up, especially tricky Tredders.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2013.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ