31 August 2008
Score:
England 137-3 (17.4 overs)
Shah 44(not out), Pietersen 40
South Africa 183-6 (32.1 overs)
Gibbs 74
Flintoff 3-21
Result : Match won by England by seven wickets.
Fourth One Day International, Lord's.
Series Update: England leads the series 4-0
England made a lead by a 4-0, in the five-match One Day series, over South Africa. That was a rain-hit game. They won it by seven wickets at Lord's cricket ground.
England confined the rival team to 183 for six from 32.1 overs. They made a good start which caused their success. They adjusted their target in seventeen overs by making 137 runs. They achieved it for the loss of three wickets with 2 overs remaining.
The start was not good. Matt Prior and Ian Bell had fallen in a dull start. Despite of that England took control. The important partnership was established between skipper Kevin Pietersen (40) and Owais Shah. They made 74 runs in nine overs. This score also includes 20 off the single over bowled by Jacques Kallis.
Owais Shah finished on 44 remaining not out. His fellow player, Andrew Flintoff scored the winning runs to end up the contest. He also remained unbeaten on 31.
After being put in, South Africa gave a brilliant start. Herschelle Gibbs and Hashim Amla contributed 66 runs in the 1st wicket partnership from 9.1 overs. Gibbs was in superior form. He hit three boundaries in a James Anderson over. Amla had a brace off Stuart Broad. Amla then moved towards Steve Harmison.
He hit three fours on his four deliveries placing towards the off-side. Pietersen sent Flintoff to bring down some pressure. His decision resulted well and paid back with a wicket from the all rounder’s first ball. Amla was run out, he was playing at 34. Direct hit was made by Shah from mid-on at the batsman's end.
Acting captain kallis couldn’t play well. In the second over of Flintoff, he was caught behind by Matt Prior. He was at one. Kallis was substituting the injured Graeme Smith. He looked angry at the decision made by Australian umpire Simon Taufel. Taufel ascertained with the third umpire to assure if the ball had carried to Prior.
AB de Villiers dropped for 14. JP Duminy lost his wicket at 20 after hitting six and four on Patel’s deliveries. Gibbs batted with responsibility and skillfully. He made 74 from 75. His score includes nine boundaries. He was bowled by Broad.
The fifth and final match is scheduled to be played in Cardiff on Wednesday.
