Transcript of the Commentary - South African Innings

Prem: *GONE*

Prem: Okay, guys, let's call it quits, still have a match report to write and it's late here. See you all tomorrow and thanks for the company, it is Lanka versus Kiwis next, that should be fun and games time. Bye all, have a nice evening.

Your analysis about NZ/Zim was pretty close except for the heroics of Harris. This match prediction seems to be dot on. Lets see how it goes moving along. Ashok Mittal Prem: Very professional performance by the South AFricans, here, England in contrast very untidy in the bowling and not really "up" in the field, so off they go, home, while SA rests up for its next battle. Jonty seeing the side home on 61 off 63, Benkenstein keeping him company on 13 off 11, and with this, we are shutting down and will be back, live, at 1.30 IST.

Prem: Dhirendra>> Okay, we'll try, but in any case, the guys have been wearing their regular uniforms thus far. And there we go, Blenkenstein off the back foot smashes through cover, four for it and SA have won, with two balls left in the 47th and eight wickets in hand.

Prem >> If Rediff can post some pictures of current teams playing in Wills Cup that would be wonderful. Because we want to see what kind of dress these teams are wearing. Dhirendra Prem: Hollioake to Blenkenstein and a wide. 279/4.

Prem: 5 needed off 22 and Blenkenstein cuts, ball too high on the bounce, hits it into the ground.

Prem: Not quite the best, a lot of the guys are in Aus already. Not sure why because the first Test is on November 20, so they could have gone there after this one. Rhodes meanwhile gets one more behind point, 273/4 and now nine more needed. Hollioake to Blenkenstein, outside off, the slash, gets four to the vacant third man, again a bad line when there is no fielder there.

Is it the best English ODI team or some players are unavailable due to Ashes? Arvind Looks like SA will have a good one TIU Prem: Rhodes now batting 60 off 62. Last ball of the 46th, Martin to Blenkenstein, played to cover, no run.

Prem: Ashok>> Got it but been rushed off my feet, havent really looked at it, friend. Meanwhile, Rhodes tries tonudge to third man and misses. Martin again, two balls left in the over, Rhodes on drives, single. 10 needed.

Prem - Did you receive my email about the statistics regarding India and low scoring matches ? If yes, what do you think ? - ashok Prem: Martin to Blenkenstien, pushed behind point, single. 11 more needed.

Prem: Martin to Blenkenstein, onto the front foot and puushes to point, no run.

Prem: SA now needs 12 off 30 with six in hand. England readying for the next flight back, really, Martin to Blenkenstein, sends one through the batsman as he tries to run it down to third man.

Prem: Hollioake, last ball of the 45th, to Jonty, who waits for this, places past point, two more, 270/4 in 45. Jonty batting 58

Prem: Ball five, gentle push, finds mid on, no run.

Prem: Third ball, outside off and played quietly to point. Ball four of the 45th, the cover drives brings in the sweeper, easy two.

Prem: Another leg break but bad line, down the leg side again -- in fcat, outside leg stump, and Jonty sweeps, empty space there and four allthe way.

Prem: A leg break from the medium pacer -- that one actually came out of the back off the hand.

Prem: Venky:: Well, Hick has good analysis but you should have seen him bowl, completely unsure of what he was doing, drifting all over the place really -- at this stage, bringing him on could give the game completely away, not that there is anything left ot give away though. Hollioake to cotninue, with the changed ball. Rhodses on strikes

AH should try hick to see, if he can induce an error.. the, meduim pacer seems to have no effect.. Venky Prem: And here we go, the ritual examination of th4 ball, Venkat calling for a change. Sa needs 20 more, off 36 balls, and even cricket with its "glorious uncertainities" cant produce any result here other than a SA win.

Prem: Martin to Jonty, who pushes to cover, single, one ball left in the 44th and newbie Blenkenstein on strike. nice footwork, towards off, and flicking from off stump, through midwicket and four more. That's really rubbing it in and SA 262/4 in 44.

Prem: Arvind>> hey, can we keep the india questions for the India game, got enough to do here with this one, friend.

Prem: Martin, to Rhodes, ball two, of the 44th, gently played to midwicket, no pressure here for Rhodes with the target within sight, he seems to be settling to see the team home. Nothing flashy needed. And Martin helps the SA cause by putting the next one outside leg, Jonty flicks and misses, four leg byes to the vacant fine leg. Losing track of the number of tiems the England bowlers have bowled down leg with no fine leg in place, you cant defend 400 if you do that let alone 282.

Prem: Martin continuing, bowling to Jonty, who flicks at the first ball but gets it on his pad, no damage.

Prem: PC:: Well, another way of looking at that is if Cullinan hadn't done the trick in the beginning, Cronje and company wouldn't have been able to play this cool. 29 more needed off 42 and that's a cakewalk with six in hand.

I think Cronje's innings was better than cullinans PC Prem: Arvind:: not sure that will be such a good idea, really -- Dravid, anywhere below three, is out of place. Meanwhile, Hollioake continues, to Blenkenstien, no run, 253/4 in 43.

Prem, Azhar has expressed desire to bat at number 3. Where does it leave Dravid in Indian batting lineup. Arvind Prem: 30 runs needed, 7.3 overs to go and Dale Benkenstein comes in to the wicket. Making his debut here, but it is Rhodes on strike having crossed over, swings one around for a single, gets his 50 off 49 balls with four fours.

Prem: 67 off 56 from Cronje, yet another captain's knock, making that four in four innings so far. Cronje kept control in the cahse and in the last couple of overs, his bit hitting brought the ask right down, SA should, barring miracles, cruise from here thanks to Cullinan early on and the Cronje-Rhodes pair now.

Prem: Venky:: The sun is baking the pitches into pretty hard ones now after all that rain, and the bowling is club class at best, so a bit of both here. Hollioake now back into the attack, and Rhodes works a full toss behind point, single. That one slipped from the bowler, went waist high. Next ball, Cronje just stands there, sets himself on both feet and clubs powerfully through midwicket, four more and these big hits are finishing off the game now. 117partnership off 97 balls here and Cronje goes for the big one again, but mistimes, hits it straight in the air and down square leg's throat, SA 252/4.

Prem, is the pitch a belter or is it plain innocuous bowling, thatz making SA life easier.. Venky Prem: Ramesh>> yeah, right, dangerous in the middle these two, great runners, cool heads, and perfect planning and execution when they are chasing.

Prem: Typical Cronje that, went down on his knee and climbed into one on middle and leg, swung it high over long on for yet another six and the game is as good as over now. Ball four, blazed through extra cover, two more with some fast running. 247/3 in 42.

Rhodes and Cronje seem to be one of the best pairs in the end overs in one-day cricket, complement each other very well- Ramesh Prem: Single to Jonty, single to Cronje, single to Jonty, a kind of monotony creeping in to the game here, as England and SA go through the motions.

Prem: 47 needed off 54 as Giles comes in for his last over and Cronje milks the single through extra cover.

Prem: Having got the six, Cronje ends with a gentle push to mid wicket, one more.

England needs a copule of quick wickets now to open up this game! Shenoy Prem: Austin to Cronje and this time, he gets under it, stepping to leg, getting under it and up, and over wide extra cover for a lovely hit, six.

Prem: Austin, full toss and driven through cover, single to the sweeper.

Prem: Austin to Cronje, cut, finds point, no run.

Prem: Next ball, now that's innovation for you, Cronje steps away, Austin bowls the yorker, CRonje dabs it down with his bat and gets two through coverpoint.

Prem: Austin continues, bwoling to Cronje, worked off his pads to midwickt, no run.

Prem: Last ball of the 40th, Giles to Cronje, driven to mid on, great fielding, single, 225/3 in 40, England at this point were 198/5 so the difference showing between the teams, as they head into the slog. England with those quick wickets were checked in the middle overs, SA havent had that problem, and Cullinan got them off to a dream start.

Prem: Next ball, Giles pitches it up, Cronje bends at the knee and heaves it through midwciekt, splitting the field there and four more, Cronje onto 44 and keeping up the tradition of captains performing here. 224/3 in 39.5.

Prem: Giles, two overs including this one to go, bowling to Rhodes, down leg stump, sweep fetches him one more. 218/3. Rhodes on 45 off 43, just four fours but lovely working of the ball around. Giles to Cronje who drives inside out, wide of the fielder at long on, Rhodes like lightning between wciekts, gets two more.

hope the Indians are watching and learning on how to chase :) ADi Khindaria Prem: Singles coming drip drip fashion here, neither batsmen looking rushed, they have the task well under control and an awesome batting line up backing them. To answer Dhirendra, 500 aint big enough if you dont have bowlers -- England dont have a penetrative opening bowler, only one spinner in Giles, cant expect to do much with that.

Prem >> ENG can not defend a score of 282 then what would be ideal score here to defend?? I remember Pak was not able to defend a score of 300 odd runs here against Ind Dhirendra Prem: Austin, and Rhodes off drives, running with thes hot, one more.

AH should try a couple of overs from giles or hick and see if they can pick a wicket or two. Venky Prem: 68 off 72 needed, Austin to Rhodes.

I agrre about Bhajju..Chauhan action was doubtful but I did not see anything wrong with Bhajju's action Digesh I agrre about Bhajju..Chauhan action was doubtful but I did not see anything wrong with Bhajju's action Digesh Prem: 7 in the over, one ball to go for the end of the 38th, to Cronje, yorker length and played back, 213/3 in 38 SA.

Prem: Giles again to Rhodes, the pressure off the batsman with that four, flightes on leg and the sweep gets one more to him.

Prem: Down the leg side this time, bad line from Giles and Rhodes sweeps, gets it right and four to the vacant fine leg region, that was bad bowling to go down to leg with no fine leg for cover.

SA performence is truely proffesional Digesh Prem: Giles has three overs including this one, and Cronje finds the slower ball just right for the reverse sweep, gets it away over point, single.

Prem: 75 still needed, seven wickets in hand, 13 overs to go, looks like SA is coasting here, as they have been ever since Cullinan smashed the bowling in the first 15. Giles comes back into the attack, bowling now to Jonty. Been accurate, Giles. Here, he will need to be penetrative as well. Single to mid on.

I also doubt the ICC ruling on Harvinder singh...I thought that he was shaping into a good one-day spinner. Guru Prem: Neither of these guys looks under pressure, mainly because they are getting four, five singles per over. Austin, last ball of the 37th, short and pushed to sweeper cover, one more. 207/3 in 37

Prem: Austin to Jonty, a push back to the bowler, no run.

Prem: 78 from 81 with 7 in hand, looks easy. Austin to Rhodes, taken on the full and off driven, fetches Rhodes two more.

Prem: Austin contineus, so dowes Cronje with the single through midwicket, Egnland really failing to check the signles with a tight field and really giving it away here. Steady singles nad the odd big hit when the frustrated bowler errs in line was what the SA needed, and England making it easier for them here. Austin to Rhodes, keeps him quiet with two balls on middle and just short of driving length.

Looks like SA is cruising along without any difficulty despite a brilliant effort by cap'n. Hollioke Guru Prem: Dhirendra>> I really think that comment forgets recent successes, friend. KL, frankly, was understandable given the games the BCCI played. Cant think of anything else they "threw" to the Aussies, though I would think Aus has the better chance this time, barring another miraculous innings form Sachin.

Arvind >> you are right!! IND-AUS match can go either way. Either AUS wins or IND throws the match, which happened so often. Dhirendra Prem: Drinks being brought out onto the field, taking a breather here myself.

Prem: Jonty looks to be trying to hit a few big ones and put the issue beyond doubt, he doesnt need to really, singles will do it for them between now and say the 40th over. rhodes gets one to mid off, Cronje sweeps one more to midwicekt, 203/3 in 36 SA.

Prem: 201/3 SA, Rhodes sweeps from outside off and misses.

Prem: This is proving to be a very professional batting performance. Ally Brown being brought on, to do his part time stuff, Cronje got one first ball, Jonty off the second takes it on the full and swings it off, lucky to mistime, gets one off the mishit that drops before long on. Cronje, ball three, on drives, one more.

Prem: SA are 198/3 in 35 -- England got to that score in 40, so the batting side nicely ahead here, and the target well within range.

Prem, I think SA, PAK, Srilanka will easily win their matches and enter semis. Only match which can go both way is "IND-AUS' tie. Arvind Prem: Austin to Cronje, down the wicket, inside out drive over extra cover and one bounce, into the ropes -- the same shot Hollioake was playing to perfection earlier, this was hit just as well, so Austin's gone for two fours here and Sa doing their run rate a bit of all right. Last ball of the 35th, pushed to long on, one more, 198/3 SA in 35, contrasted with 169/5 England at this point.

Prem: Rhodes 30 off 24 and next ball, just waits and pushes to long on, single, intelligent batting this, despatching the bad ones and taking singles off the good ones, not looking in any trouble. Rhodes has been a bugbear for the Brits all through, even during SA's tour of England. Cronje meanwhile pushes to mid wicket, finds the fielder.

Prem: This steady drip drip drip of singles taking the game away from the Englishmen here, 95 now needed off 96 and these guys are not too prone to panic. Austin comes back to the crease, Hollioake rotating his bowlers around, hoping that one of them will either produce a few tight overs or better still, take out a wicket or two. For now, a push through midwicket gets the single off the first ball. Ball two, Austin to Rhodes, short, and pulled, perfectly placed between sweeper square leg and deep midwicekt, four, bad ball and great shot.

Cronje is the biggest of them all, he can clobber that ball PC Couple of tight overs and couple of wickets, that's exactly what ENG need now. Dhirendra Prem: Single to Jonty, to mid off, Cronje drives to mid on but fails to get the run as that shot was hit too hard, Ealham the bowler, last ball of the 34th, to Cronje, cut from close to off gts one more, 187/3 in 34.

Prem: Cronje gets the edge down to point, single, 50 now up between these two, off 43 which is ver good going here. Prem: Cronje on strike to Ealham, driven to mid on, no run

Prem: Ealham to Cronje, pushed off the pads and great running gets two more. 184/3

Prem: SA now 100 short, and yes, Digesh, that's there but dont forget Boje is a handy hitter and Symcox swings a mean club. 100 now needed off 102 balls.

SA might miss Pollock,if it comes down to big hits at end! Digesh Prem: Cronje on 21 off 23, on strike to the last ball of the 33rd, outside off, lovely late cut, gets one more to third man, 182/3 in 33

Prem: Rhodes on strike going at 24 off the same number of balls, pushes to short third man and Cronje calls well and gets the single.

Prem: bALL four of 33, Martin to Cronje, pushed past the bowler on the on, single, 180/3 SA and now 102 short of the target with seven in hand and 17 overs to go after this one.

Prem: 33rd over, Martin to Cronje, punched to mid on, midwicket runs round and cuts off the single.

Prem: Digesh>> I would think Jonty has, but off hand, cant recall when he was run out last. Guy's a short chap, short legs but covers the length in something like five steps, or so it looks when you watch him. Meanwhile, SA keeping it around the 5.4 mark, which keeps them in sight of the target, Martin continues. Cronje just stand there and clubs him for four, through wide mid on, lots of vacant space there and Cronje takes toll of a ball just short.

Prem: Jonty cover drives, finds the fielder, again no run, though that ball was wide and needed hitting. Jonty overeager there, reached for it instead of waiting on the shot. Last ball, short, and pulled through midwicekt, four more, 175/3 in 32.

Prem: ME to JR, pushed back to the bowler, Ealham much better in his second spell after going for 42 off his first 5.

Prem: Ealham again, to Rhodes, 32nd over in progress, pushes to mid on but the fielder in qucik, no run.

Prem: Ealham, and Rhodes gets this one on the pad as he tries to push to the on.

Prem: Ealham to continue, cronje pushes the single to mid on to start things off.

Prem: This time, Cronje down the track, blazes it through cover, gets one to the sweeper, 170/3 in 31 SA.

AH does not have bowling variety. AH should use Giles during final slog overs, given that his Medium pacers left any impression so far Dhirendra Prem: Fifth ball of the 31st, Martin to Cronje, outsdie off, Cronje cuts, inner edge down to fine leg, and four -- fortuitous, but Cronje wouldn't worry about that.

Prem: Martin to Jonty, and this is a clean hit, over mid on, they had brougth the fielder in and Jonty chips above the portly Austin, great running fetches three.

Prem: Martin to Jonty, who swings him around from outside off, ball flying off the thick inner edge, two more to Jonty, batting 17 off 15.

England needs some steady stump to stump stuff, like what they did Sharjah Venky Prem: Martin again, correction, Rhodes batting. On middle and played to midwicket, fielder in quickly, no run.

Prem: England were 130/5 in 30, SA on 160/3 in 30 and in comes Martin, after going for 31 in his first four. Cronje off the back foot, punching, great stop by Knight at point.

AH should change bowler,bring in Austin Digesh Prem: England giving too many singles here, with fielders outside the circle, they need to stop this or SA will simply bat itself into striking range of the target. Rhodes gets one more, with the push to long on. Both fielders in the V too deep, and these two are taking full advantage.

Prem: Ealham to Cronje, on middle and leg and off the pads, one to midwicket.

Prem: Correction, it is Ealham bowling, Rhodes off ball four turns it off his pads, one behind square.

Prem: Hollioake now to Cronje, these two looking for singles all the time, good strategy, this one goes down leg, rapped on the pad, leg bye before point can tidy up.

Prem: Hollioake again to Jonty, a gentle push to mid on and this guy is so quick on his feet, he's at the other end before the fielder has picked up.

Prem: AH now to JR, second ball of the 30th, Wa down the leg side and called, Hollioake under pressure with Rhodes dancing around in his crease, one more extra.

Prem: Cronje on strike, SA going at 5.27 and needing 129 off 126 balls here on. Hollioake and Cronje steps back and plays to point, single.

England is hort of effective bowler for this match..e.g.Spinner Digesh Prem: Rhodes onto the back foot punching to mid on, one more, 152/3. One ball left in the 30th, to Cronje from Hick, the on drive and another single, milking them in this over, 153/3 in 29 repeat 29.

Prem: 14/12 balls the partnership, Rhodes pushes to mid on and runs with the shot, one more. You cant keep this guy quiet, England have to take him out quick to keep themselves in the game. Cronje meanwhile works the next to midwicekt, single. 151/3.

Prem: Hick now to Jonty, down the track, single to long off, both these players rate as the best players of spin in the SA ranks. Cronje, next ball, leaning forward to play through midwicket, one more.

Prem: AH to JR, the off drive brings in the boundary rider at long off, one more, 147/3 in 28.

Prem: Down the leg this time and Cronje works it away square for one more. 146/3 and one ball left in the 28th.

Prem: This one came in, Jonty surrpirsed but puts bat to ball, pushes to mid on and races the signle.

Prem: AH to JR, open bat face runs it down to third man for four, Hollioake off successive balls bowling too wide of off, bad line, he needs to be on the stumps here. Jonty playing that one very late.

Prem: Outside off, Cronje cuts, good stop at point but one nonetheless.

For SA to win Cronje should stay till they win - DIGESH Prem: Hollioake to continue, and Rhodes off drives, one more.

Prem: Jonty sweeps, finds the man backwad of square but one more, 138/3\ in 26.5. Last bal, Cronje plays back to the bowler, no run, 138/3 in 27 SA

Prem: Hick to Cronje, another on drive gets one more.

Prem: 135/3 and the game wide open again after SA seemed tobe running away with it. Hick to Jonty, onto the front foot and an on drive fetches one more.

Prem: England got what they needed, the wickets against the run of play, first Cullinan, now Kallis, it will be up to the bowlers to keep the pressure up from here on in.

Prem: Kallis gone for 15 off 21, should bring in the bustling Jonty Rhodes and that means some frantic running between wickets here on in.

Prem: Uh oh, that was stupid wock from SA, lots of yes, no, maybe stuff and in the end, Kallis short of his ground. Needless run out at a crucial moment.

Prem: Short, outside off and cut away, single, 133/2 in 26 SA.

Prem: 150 now needed off 148 with eight wickets, which is doable for a batting-rich side like this.Cronje straight drives, Hollioake gets a hand to it, no run. Ball four, AH to HC, slower ball, leading edge as Cronje misreads the pace, but short of mid on.

Prem: Kallis, ball two, checking a push and getting the one to point. 132/2.

First Gile and Hick tied down SA and now both got one wk each. This could be turning point for ENG. Does not matter how much batting dept SA has. Once SA comes under pressure and commit one or tow mistakes and match is gone !! Dhirendra Prem: Adam Hollioake takes over from Giles now, bowling to Kallis,outside off and slammed through point for four, brilliant shot.

Prem: England after 25 were 117/5, Sa at the same point, now, has lost its openers and are 127/2.

Prem: Cronje, first ball he' getting, plays to midwicket, no run. Ball five of the over, driven through midwicekt, single. Cronje plays spin very well, so he should do well here if he stays cool and focussed. Last ball, outside leg and Kallis on drives, single.

Prem: Hansie Cronje, SA's highest run getter in ODIs, now to thewicket. Bit Kallis on strike, having crossed, on drives for a single.

Prem: That ball in fact didnt deserve the wicket, Cullinan missing out on the footwork there, didnt get right to the pitch, went through with the lift over midwicekt, got elevation but no distance on that one and paid the price.

Prem: Hick now to Cullinan, down the track and that's the wicket, he tried to chip over midwicket, Fairbrother raced in off the fence and dived forward to hold a great one. Cullinan holing out after getting his side off to a flier in his stop gap role of opener. Great catc ends a great innings of 69 off 70.

Prem: SA 95/0 in 15 and 113/1 in 20. Hick to Kallis, way down leg, nudged around and one more. 124/1.

Prem >> What was the SA's score after 15 and 20th over? Dhirendra Prem: That was the wrong line, outside leg, Kallis connects with the sweep, one more. SA batsmen overhitting the sweep which explains the high percentage of hit and miss, instead of guiding the ball they are clubbing at it. 123/1 in 24.

Prem: Giles continues, bowling to DC who keeps trying to run it down behind point and finding the fielder instead.Ball four, played in front and getting the single, 122/1 SA.

Prem: Giri> Well, Giles is holding a fair line, but Hick's spraying all over the place. Suspect Cullinan has throttled back a bit once the field restrictions went off, and Kallis is yet to get his eye in. Also, too many attempted sweeps, not enough play in front of the wicket to the spinners. Singles here meanwhile to both batsmen, this time both of them driving in front, in the V, which is much better against the spinners, SA 120/1 in 23.

Prem: a question.. is it that the bowlers bowling too good or the age old symptom of SA not able to handle the spinners? GIRI Prem: Hick continues, Cullinan plays square but no run, to point. Ball two, SA now at 5.19 needing to go at 6 per over here on, on drive gets one more.

Prem: Giles to Kallis, pitching leg, some turn, coming to middle and off, beats the sweep. Last ball of the 22nd, Giles to Kallis, straight, punched off the back foot, finds point, no run, 116/1 in 22.

Prem: Giles to Cullinan, an on drive fetches one. 116/1. SA can now just milk the singles, whittle down the target, knowing they have the batsmen for a late assault. Kallis plays to point, wants the run, Cullinan says no.

Prem: Pratik>> Get my fielders inside the circle, keep singles down, get the bowlers to bowl wicket to wicket, push the run rate up and hope the frustration will produce mistakes. These guys gave too much room to Cullinan in the first 15 and are paying for it. Leg bye meanwhile as Giles continues, 115/1 in the 22nd over.

What would you do Prem, if in Adam's shoes? Pratik Prem: Hick to Cullinan, this one is the straight drive but Hick fields well to his own bowling, 114/1 in 21.

Prem: Pratik>> not really, good choice by Cronje to stick to his regular order. Kallis meanwhile sweeps and gets one, Cullinan on drives an overpitched one but finds short midwicket. Hick, ball five, floats it outside leg, swept but finds backward square.

Is the ground small enough for a post 15 overs pinch hitting? Pratik Prem: Pratik>> yeah, in the sense, Sachin is more innovative and more dominant in mindset -- if he cant get runs clean, he innovates, Waugh is more classical but less of an innovator. 5.63 needed per over from here on, Hick to Kallis, played round off his pads but Russell quick to cover it. No run. Hick again, and Kallis missing the flick, rapped on the pad.

Prem: Last ball of the 20th, Cullinan on strike, to Giles, plays defensively, 113/1 in 20 SA, England were 97/5 at this stage.

I am glad you said that Mark-sachin comparison that is. sach gets adapted better I guess! Pratik Prem: With the field spread, pinch hitting may not work but on the credit side of that ploy, a few fours here and it knocks the stuffing out of the target. Meanwhile, it is Kallis out there but Cullinan on strike having crossed over.

Prem: Be interesting to see if Kallis comes in, or they send in Symcox or someone else to have a few good hits in.

Prem: Rindell kept Cullinan company in that blitz, though not quite an impressive knock, too many edgy strokes in his 41 off 61.

Prem: Giles to continue, bowling to Rindell, down the pitch and lifting, not getting to the pitch, hits it straight to Brown coming in off the line at long off, 113/1 SA.

Prem: Way wide of leg and Cullinan sweeps and misses, wide called quite rightly and two run by the batsmen. Next ball, Cullinan drives to long off, single. 112/0. Hick now to Rindell, floats one on off, taken on the full, driven to mid off, single. 113/0 in 18.5. Cullinan on strike, flicks the last ball but finds square leg, no run, 113/0 in 19.

Prem: Pratik>> Sachin is more Mark Waugh, actually, very fluent and classical strokeplay though Warne would disagree. Siingle to Cullinan, next ball Rindell drives to cover, no run. Ball three, down the track, takes it on the full and one to sweeper midwicket

Cullinan is a compact batsman who seems to be scoring Tendulkarlike today!How much of a Sachin this guy Cullinan, Prem? Pratik Prem: Hick with his off breaks, to Cullinan, ball one is way wide of leg, and called.

Prem: Giles now to Cullinan, last ball of the 18th, lovely inside out push, to mid off, single, 108/0 in 18

Prem: Ball three, swept but finds short and wide third man, no run. Giles concentrating on leg stump line here and bowling pretty flat. Short ball, pulled, single, 105/0.

Prem: Giles now to Rindell batting 38, over the wicket, outside off, cut to backward point but no run. Ball three, an attempt to sweep, misses.

Prem: At drinks, SA going at 6.00 needing 5.42 here on, which should be gettable with this batting lineup. Cullinan on strike. Giles with the ball and down the track, lovely cover drive, single to the sweeper.

Prem: Pratique>> Way Cullinan is batting, Cronje may ave to sit this one out. England need a wicket or three, right now.

Prem: Pratik: Sure. Boje, at 10, is a fair bat and word is Dawson at 11 is no slouch either, so they bat right down the order.

Graet start by SA..rather brave.Do they have a back up.Prem? Pratik All the captains have played important innings in their respective matches in Wills Cup...Cronje in the waiting? Pratique Prem: Outside leg again, Rindell sweeps and misses, no run and that is drinks, with SA 107/0 in 17. Taking a breather here myself

Prem: Hick to Rindell, outside leg, swept, fielded at fine leg, two more, SA 103/0 in 17.

Prem: Hick now to Rindell, the offie to the leftie, 17th over, floated on line outside off, driven, fielded at cover, no run. Ball four, Hick and Rindell is back down the track, smashes it back to th bowler, no run. Prem: 100 coming off 96 balls, which is the heck of a way to start a chase like this, and now it is Culliinan, facing Hick, the off break bowler. Good off drive, fielded though at short extra cover, no run. Hick, ball two, to DC, flighted on off and middle, pushed to long on, single. Prem: Last ball, whipped by Cullinan through midwicket off te back foot, single brings up the 100/0 in 16. Prem: Gentle nudge to fine leg, actually, leg bye given so he didnt get a touch on that one but one more anyway, to cullinan Prem: Flighted ball, Rindell flicks, finds midwicekt, ball was in the air but one bounce to the fielder. Next ball, anotehr attempted flick, misses this time. Prem: Direndra:: Slow turn, but a full length on middle and leg, not much room for free swings of the bat. Giles to Rindell, way outside off this time, cover drive fetches the abtsman two more. 98/0. Prem, How Giels is bowling? He has not given runs to SA. Is he getting turn or bowling wicket to wicket? -Dhirendra Prem: Giles to Cullinan, short outside off, driven through cover, sweeper back there now, single. 96/0. Prem: 44 runs came between overs 5 and 10, this is relatively saner stuff Prem: Last ball of the 15th, Ealham to Rindell, and pushed again to short midwicket, no run, 95/0 SA in 15, England were 84/2 at this stage and 97/5 in 15. Prem: Ealham to Rindell, the flick finds short midwicket, no run. Prem: Ealham now to Rindell, three balls left of the first 15, Rindell with bat upraised in the stance, pushes back down the track. no run. Prem: Ealham to Cullinan, gentle push to cover fetches the single, Cullinan onto 58 off 46 Prem: Ealham again, to DC, ball two, outside off and punched off the back foot, no run though, finds cover. Prem: Slower ball, and Cullinan sopots it, waits for it and straight drives, his 13th four and SA 94/0. Prem: Ealham, 15th over of the SA innings coming up, SA chasig 282 to win. Hollioake meanwhile back on the field, takes back the captaincy from Hick. Prem: Giles now to Rindell, last ball of the 14th, Rindell goes back and almost gets caught LBW, brings his bat down just in time. 90/0 in 14 SA Prem: Giles to DC, down the track, up and over the bowler with the chip, single, 90/0 SA. Prem: Giles, to DC, outside leg curling in, pushed defensively.

Prem: Giles to Cullinan, over number 14 coming up, over the wicket to the right hander, on leg stump and a gentle push square on the off, no run.

Prem: Rindell seems to have figured out that all he has to do is take one and give it back to DC, does it off the first ball of Giles over.89/0.

Prem: PC:: Well, it's not like he has the best spinners in the world, I guess he wasn't being given much of a chance here by Cullinan, way he was going. Iffy, that question.

Prem, did hick mess up by not trying spi earlier? PC Prem: Ealham to Cullinan, way outside off and smashed, through cover, four more and that's his 50, 52 off 39 balls and SA 88/0 in 13.

Prem: Ealham, four dot balls, bowls short and is smashed through cover, but well fielded, no run, five dot balls now. 84/0.

Prem: Ealham to Cullinan, ball four, played to cover, no run.

Prem: EAlham, this one down leg, Cullinan misses a gimme ball, flicks but gets it on the pad.

Prem: With batting depth, SA have the advantage of not being too bothered to conserve wickets. Ealham to Cullinan, short and pulled, brilliant stop at mid on, lunging to his right, Austin, sticking his hand out and getting the abll sticking, that was headed to the fence, but no run. Ball two, played to point, no run.

Prem: Quicker one and Rindell misreads it, almost plays over it, no run, 84/0 in 12 SA.

Prem: Down the leg side again but surprisingly, not called. Prem: Giles, wide of leg this time, Rindell gets wood on it but finds fine leg, short and square.

Prem: Giles concentrating on middle and leg and Rindell twice sweeps and misses.

AB: from the heavens.. hollioake is actually deep in prayer... PC Prem: South Africa are 83/0. England were 84/2 in 15 -- so that gives a picture of SA's dominance at this point. And finallly, another bowling change, Ashley Giles, left arm slow, takes over and will bowl to Rindell. Wide outside leg and called, extra, 84/0.

Prem: Straight drive, next up, single, 83/0 SA in 10.5. 13 in the over, one ball to go, Cullinan plays that one defensively, 83/0 in 11.

I love this KNOCK-OUT format of one-day-cricket matches. Every team and every individual player is trying to play best because you do not have a second chance. And result, matches are coming up so well. Only when match is tie or not played at all then one team loose because of BOWL-OUT rule. I will have sympathy with loosing team but one has to compromise at some place. -Dhirendra Prem: Ealham to Rindell, ball three, driven but finds mid on, no run. 78/0 SA, now needing to go at 5.16. Ball four, Ealham, short, Rindell stands tall, swings that club of his, it's reputedly a very heavy bat, and it powers the ball through midwicket for the third four of the over.

Prem: Ealham, outside off, Rindell slashes, off the edge to third man for four, taking advantage ofthe fact that there is no slip or third man, strange field setting in fact.

Eng just need a wicket or 2 to slow down SA, but the question is from who? AB Prem: Rindell on strike and playing an unabashed second fiddle to Cullinan, Ealham bowls, the flick is up in the air but over midwicket, four to start off the 11th

Prem: England were 56/1 in 10, SA with one ball left to get there are on 70/0, huge drive off the last ball but not connecting well, SA 70/0 in 10.

Prem: Austin to Cullinan, on off but rocking back and banging it to cover, well fielded this time. 66/0 in 9.4 and Cullinan 44 off 31. Ball five, short and smashed, in the air but wide of short midwicekt and four more, Cullinan 48 and SA 70/0.

Prem: We learn that Hollioake is feeling dehydrated, which is why Hick is leading. Meanwhile, Rindell forces square on the off, and gets one more, Nick Knight tries to make the stop and appears to have pulled a muscle in his leg, looks in pain, is limping now. He's holding his lower shin, so could be the tendon behind that area. Stepping around gingerly here, but seems more or less okay.

Prem: austin to rindell, ball one of the 10th, the batsman misses with the flick, no run, SA going at 7.22 now, needing 5.31 here on. Ball two, on middle, pushed to square leg with the shut bat face -- Rindell could do with opening his bat a bit, looking to play straight. No run.

Prem: Ealham's first over, 13 off it so far, last ball played to midwicket, no run, 65/0 SA.

Prem: 44 off 28 with 10 fours for Cullinan, this is amazing stuff. Ealham again, fuller length, slower ball, good ball, Cullinan checks his drive and finds cover, no run.

Prem: PC: Yeah, well, Cullinan seems committed too. :-) And there we go, outside off and Cullinan leans back, nice weight transfer, a square drive this time and four more. These guys are giving him too much width on both sides of the wicket

Prem, there was some dude talking about this guys Martins commitment and how much he would enjoy this track.... was there not :) PC Prem: Ealham to Rindell, the cover drive, pressure on the fielder and a misfield gives away one more. 61/0.

Prem: Ealham to Rindell, on middle and a superb shot, shutting the bat face on that one and slamming it through midwicket, off the front foot, four more, 60/0 and two fours in the first two from eAlham

Prem: The crowd really getting into it here, and Martin meanwhile is off, it is Mark Ealham with the ball now. Gentle medium pace, manages swing, mostly away from the right hander, but it is Rindell on strike, ball one is outside off, the batsman slashes, off the thick edge through the vacant slip region down to third man for four more.

Prem: Austin, slower ball again, on leg, the flick beaten by change of pace, Cullinan hit on the pad but on line of leg, no damage. Austin again, this one on middle, flicked, finds midwicket, no run. SA chasing 282. now 48/0 in 7.5. Last ball, Austin to Cullinan, on leg stump and that's undone all the good work, the batsman easily forward, spears it through midwicket and four more, 52/0.

Prem: Austin, ball three, to Cullinan, slower ball on off, the batsman reads it in time and pushes to midwicket, no run.

Prem: It's 32 out there, and Cullinan's on a hot trot, much discussion ensues between Hick and Austin -- they need this wicket now. Ball two of the 8th, yorker length and dug out.

Prem: Austin on middle and leg, Rindell nudges backward of square and gives it back to Cullinan with that single.

Prem: Almost 9 an over, needing 5.6, means SA has pulled the ask rate a bit back with that onslaught.

Prem: Cullinan seems to have the bit between his teeth here and in this mood, looks unstoppable. A classic cover drive but this time, finds the fielder. 47/0 in 7. Prem: Two balls left in the seventh, Martin to Cullinan, again the overpitched ball and smashed back down the track, through mid off, four more, 47/0 SA. Prem: Martin now to Rindell, on leg, played gently behind point, gives the strike back to Cullinan, 43/0 SA in 6.4. Prem: Martin to Cullinan, no slip, outside off, a classic long hop met with the classic extra cover and four more, sixth four in ten balls from the right hander, 41/0 SA. Hollioake off the field for some reason and Hick in charge and looking perplexed. Martin to Cullinan, this time on leg, flicked, single to the sweeper.

Prem: Problems here for England, Martin continues and outside off, Rindell drives, thickish edge gets one through point and gets Cullinan the strike, going now at 27 off 18.

Austin, again short and wide outside off and again, Cullinan accepts the invite, spears it through cover point, four more. 36/0 SA in 6. Prem: That's what happens when a bowler sees a batsman fire -- tries to bowl wide of him, and pays for it. Good ball next up, around the off corridor, Cullinan punches to mid off, no run.

Prem: Austin now to Cullinan, wide of off, too much width in fact and hammered through coverpoint, four more, 32/0.

Prem: Austin will have to pull it back after that expensive over the previous one, good ball first up on off seaming in, Rindell flicks, misses, rapped on the pad, no damage. Ball two, off line again and a full length, Rindell plays to midwicket, no run. Rindell shuts his bat face qite a bit, means he keeps playing off to leg and they have the field in place for him there. Ball three, flicked, from middle, gets one through square leg and gives Cullinan the strike.

Prem: Last ball of the 5th, and Cullinan smashes to cover, great stop there, single however and 27/0 SA in 5, England were 20/1 hereabouts.

Prem: Martin to Cullinan, ball four, outside off coming in, punched off the back foot, finds cover.

Prem: That's made up for the Austin overs, Martin under pressure, bowls wide of the off, Cullinan cuts and misses.

Prem: Martin to Cullinan, two fours off two balls putting pressure on him, he misses on the run up and goes back to do it all over again. Ball three, on leg stump and bye bye ball, the third four on the run, Cullinan loves it there and despatches it with ease through square leg, nice whippy shot. 27/0.

Prem: That was copybook -- lovely movement of the front foot, body behind the bat to give it leverage, bottom hand providing the placement and power. 23/0 SA.

Prem: Interesting sight, in the players enclosure, there are about five batsmen padded up -- Boucher, Boje, Symcox, the works. Martin, short first up and Cullinan smashes it through midwicket, gets four, gets 3000 runs in ODIs and celebrates with an outstanding cover drive off a slightly overpitched ball, next up, four more.

Prem: Rindell tries to flick, edges onto pad and almost rolls on back to the stumps, off the back of the heel of his boot, Rindell has to rush back and keep it out with the bottom of the bat. A good flick off the hips next ball, nice line by Austin, keeping it very straight, the shot finds the fielder at a very wide square leg. Last ball of the over, Rindell pushes straight, finds the bowler in the way, no run.

Prem: Austin to Cullinan, and the old heave ho here, from outside off to midwicket, just the single though, 15/0.

Prem: Austin bowling well to the left hander, be interesting to see him now to Cullinan, no slip in place, fluent off drive, but finds the fielder.

Prem: Rindell starts out over number four, Austin, with a flick to backward square, gets one more, 14/0.

Prem: Rindell flicks on middle and leg, gets the single behind square, 13/0 SA, Martin now to Cullinan, lovely cut and billiant stop at point, no run, 13/0 SA in 3.

Morning folks, First time on line today( 7 am EST Time). Reading match statistics and final score, ENG capitalized last five overs to reach 282 in 50 overs which by any yardstick is a very good score. ENG's gameplan is understandable. Score as many runs as possible in first 15 overs, then hang in there till the slog overs and DO NOT throw wickets in slog over instead take advantage of being so long at wicket and score Think tanks of other teams must be thinking on the same line. However team who bat first can follow this game plan. Team bating second will always be in pressure to score as require run rate increase. Dhirendra Prem: Martin, Rindell straight drives, the bowler very quickly down to stop, no run.

Prem: Martin, and this time Rindell drives to mid on but finds the fielder, no run

Prem: Martin now to Rindell who is onto the front foot punching, not timing it at all well, looks to be hitting at the ball rather than letting it come on, thus far. No run.

Prem: Martin, and straying to leg, Cullinan helps it down to fine leg and one more to Sa, 12/0.

Prem: Another good one from Austin, good line and length and no room for Rindell to do anything much. Last ball, Rindell in two minds, wanted to drive, then stayed back, lost sight of the ball, got the inner edge and over the stumps, to fine leg for four. 11/0 SA, but that was streaky as heck

Prem: Huge guy, Austin, but not as quick as you would want him to be, all two is outside off, Rindell cuts, known to bat with a very heavy bat, finds the fielder. Ball three, punched off the back foot, finds cover, again no run. Austin seems the kind of bowler who skids on after pitching, ball four is again on target around off and middle, pushed back down the track, no run.

Prem: Ian Austin to bowl the second over, drifts to leg, Cullinan misses te flick but gets the leg bye, 7/0.

Prem: Martin again, to Rindell, on off and middle played to square leg with the shut bat face, finds the fielder. No run. Last ball of the first, Rindell facing Martin, short outside off, cut and miss and 6/0 in 1 the score

Prem: Rindell comes on strike, two balls left in Martin's first, SA need to go at 5.64 and have five in the first over. Martin to the left handed Rindell, fires it down leg side, wide called, 6/0 SA.

Prem: Ball four is short, and Cullinan pulls. Square leg sweeper is really square, in the way of that shot so just the one run.

Prem: Martin to Cullinan, ball three of the first over and this time, off the open bat face, running it down to third man for four, taking advantage of width outside off, there is only one slip in place and third man is side. 4/0.

Prem: The game about to begin, Daryll Cullinan partnering Mike Rindell in the opening slot. Peter Martin to open for England, right arm medium pace, and starts with one on three quarter length on off, a nice line and length for starters. Cullinan plays to midwicket, no run. Ball two is up in the slot, outside off, for the drive but a good stop at short cover cuts the runs off.

Prem: South Africa coming out to chase 282 in 50 overs at 5.64. Given that the tournament has no second chances on offer, SA will have to just go in there firing -- and they will be banking on their batting lineup, where Dawson at 11 is a pretty handy fellow with the willow.

Prem: For both sides, a very crucial first 15 overs coming up -- in a chase of this kind, the batting side's best chance would be to milk that period for the maximum, making things easier during the middle phase. If England's bowlers can keep a tight length and line and deny the big hits during this stage, the pressure could produce mistakes from the SA batsmen -- SA in any event missing the hugely experienced Gary Kirsten at the top of the order, the big hitting Lance Klusener and the classy all rounder Pollock.

Prem: Still five odd minutes to go for play to resume, meanwhile, if Dendi is reading this, yes, the piece will go up, but only tomorrow, friend, since today is a Sunday, I am stuck with the cricket and there is no one else here to code and upload that story -- so if you want to update for tomorrow, go right ahead.

Prem: Pratique:: Caught that on the way out. Good batting line up for SA, this game could revolve around how they play the first 15. A nice start -- they could send Symcox out early to pinch hit, at the fall of a wicket -- could then make things easier. If England can bowl well in the first 15, then they should hold the dominant position. Okay, guys, shutting down, back in 40 minutes.

Wow!Things have changed so much. . .!!!What chance SA Prem?

Continued