The first semi-final of the 2013 Champions Trophy buried under the expectations and what happened was the continuation of history – South Africa got a drubbing in the knockout stage of an international tournament. Now fewer eyebrows are raised when South Africa depart in a knockout round despite their up-to-the-mark performance throughout the event. The World Cups of 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 and now the 2013 Champions Trophy, all are evident of South Africa’s consistency in this regard. It was being expected that the match, played at The Oval, would be a thriller. But it turned out to be a one-sided match and England sailed through a seven-wicket win.
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English bowlers zapped the batting line-up of South Africa (Photo: Getty Images)[/caption]
Both South Africa and England had lost against India and Sri Lanka, respectively, in their group matches and an exciting semi-final was expected. But soon after England won the toss and chose to bowl, it was clear that the match was going to be one-sided.
The first attack on the Proteas was from James Anderson who sent packing Colin Ingram with an lbw. Hashim Amla lost his wicket to Steven Finn in the next over, leaving South Africa four for two. This was the time when captain AB de Villiers was needed the most, but he preferred sending Robin Peterson and Faf du Plessis to himself, and probably this marked a turning point in the game.
Soon after Peterson was lbw by Anderson, de Villiers, JP Duminy, du Plessis, Ryan McLaren and Chris Morris were also sitting in the pavilion with long faces. De Villiers lost his wicket in trying to play a sloppy shot, while Duminy was clean bowled by James Tredwell despite getting two chances in the beginning.
The most exciting runout of the day was of McLaren. He came on the front foot to play a Tredwell’s delivery but the ball dodged him and went to the first slip, touching his pad. While the bowler and the wicket-keeper were appealing for the lbw, Jonathan Trott hit the wicket as McLaren was outside the crease. It all happened in a jiffy and even England players were unaware of Trott’s intentions
South Africa, who seemed to be the strongest team on the paper, were now reeling at 80 for eight. David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt played their bit to rescue the team, making a record 95-run partnership in the ninth wicket. When South Africa reached 175 and were eyeing the 200 mark, Stuart Broad dismissed Kleinveldt and Lonwabo Tsotsobe in successive deliveries to end the show.
Broad and Tredwell clinched three wickets apiece while Anderson took two and Finn took one.
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England claimed victory with ease, thanks to Trott’s unbeaten 82 (Photo: Getty Images)[/caption]
The 176-run target was a piece of cake for the hosts in the absence of Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn from the rival team. Although South Africa claimed the wickets of Alastair Cook and Ian Bell behind 41 runs, England remained dominant throughout the game. The 105-run partnership between Trott and Joe Root in the third wicket stifled all hopes of South Africa’s already distant victory.
Trott hit a match-winning four in the 38th over. He remained unbeaten at 82.
Morris, Duminy and Kleinveldt took one wicket each for South Africa.
Tredwell was declared the man of the match.
Now England will play the final on June 23 against the winner of tomorrow’s match between India and Sri Lanka.
[caption id="attachment_1690" align="alignright" width="300"]
English bowlers zapped the batting line-up of South Africa (Photo: Getty Images)[/caption]Both South Africa and England had lost against India and Sri Lanka, respectively, in their group matches and an exciting semi-final was expected. But soon after England won the toss and chose to bowl, it was clear that the match was going to be one-sided.
The first attack on the Proteas was from James Anderson who sent packing Colin Ingram with an lbw. Hashim Amla lost his wicket to Steven Finn in the next over, leaving South Africa four for two. This was the time when captain AB de Villiers was needed the most, but he preferred sending Robin Peterson and Faf du Plessis to himself, and probably this marked a turning point in the game.
Soon after Peterson was lbw by Anderson, de Villiers, JP Duminy, du Plessis, Ryan McLaren and Chris Morris were also sitting in the pavilion with long faces. De Villiers lost his wicket in trying to play a sloppy shot, while Duminy was clean bowled by James Tredwell despite getting two chances in the beginning.
The most exciting runout of the day was of McLaren. He came on the front foot to play a Tredwell’s delivery but the ball dodged him and went to the first slip, touching his pad. While the bowler and the wicket-keeper were appealing for the lbw, Jonathan Trott hit the wicket as McLaren was outside the crease. It all happened in a jiffy and even England players were unaware of Trott’s intentions
South Africa, who seemed to be the strongest team on the paper, were now reeling at 80 for eight. David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt played their bit to rescue the team, making a record 95-run partnership in the ninth wicket. When South Africa reached 175 and were eyeing the 200 mark, Stuart Broad dismissed Kleinveldt and Lonwabo Tsotsobe in successive deliveries to end the show.
Broad and Tredwell clinched three wickets apiece while Anderson took two and Finn took one.
[caption id="attachment_1691" align="alignright" width="215"]
England claimed victory with ease, thanks to Trott’s unbeaten 82 (Photo: Getty Images)[/caption]The 176-run target was a piece of cake for the hosts in the absence of Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn from the rival team. Although South Africa claimed the wickets of Alastair Cook and Ian Bell behind 41 runs, England remained dominant throughout the game. The 105-run partnership between Trott and Joe Root in the third wicket stifled all hopes of South Africa’s already distant victory.
Trott hit a match-winning four in the 38th over. He remained unbeaten at 82.
Morris, Duminy and Kleinveldt took one wicket each for South Africa.
Tredwell was declared the man of the match.
Now England will play the final on June 23 against the winner of tomorrow’s match between India and Sri Lanka.
England vs South Africa
Champions Trophy 2013, 1st semi-final
June 19, 2013
Venue: The Oval
Result: England won by eight wickets
Man of the match: James Tredwell
 | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Ingram | lbw b Anderson | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Hashim Amla | c †Buttler b Finn | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Robin Peterson | lbw b Anderson | 30 | 41 | 4 | 0 |
| Faf du Plessis | c †Buttler b Tredwell | 26 | 39 | 3 | 0 |
| AB de Villiers | c †Buttler b Broad | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jean-Paul Duminy | b Tredwell | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| David Miller | not out | 56 | 51 | 5 | 2 |
| Ryan McLaren | run out (Trott) | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Morris | c †Buttler b Tredwell | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Rory Kleinveldt | c †Buttler b Broad | 43 | 61 | 4 | 1 |
| Lonwabo Tsotsobe | c †Buttler b Broad | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | (lb 6, w 6) | 12 | |||
| Total | (all out; 38.4 overs) | 175 | |||
| England (bowling) | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Anderson | 8 | 1 | 14 | 2 |
| Steven Finn | 8 | 1 | 45 | 1 |
| Stuart Broad | 8.4 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| James Tredwell | 7 | 1 | 19 | 3 |
| Joe Root | 3 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| Ravi Bopara | 4 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
 Target: 176 runs | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alastair Cook | c †de Villiers b Morris | 6 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Ian Bell | c †de Villiers b Kleinveldt | 20 | 30 | 2 | 0 |
| Jonathan Trott | not out | 82 | 84 | 11 | 0 |
| Joe Root | b Duminy | 48 | 71 | 7 | 0 |
| Eoin Morgan | not out | 15 | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| Extras | (lb 4, w 4) | 8 | |||
| Total | (3 wickets; 37.3 overs) | 179 | |||
| South Africa (bowling) | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Morris | 8 | 1 | 38 | 1 |
| Robin Peterson | 9.3 | 1 | 49 | 0 |
| Jean-Paul Duminy | 5 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Lonwabo Tsotsobe | 5 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| Rory Kleinveldt | 4 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Ryan McLaren | 6 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
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