Jacques Attack for Proteas

Jacques Kallis continued his incredible run with the bat, hitting 82*, supported by namesake Rudolph (71*) in a comfortable win in the NatWest Series day/night match at Old Trafford.

South Africa brought in Charl Langeveldt for the unimpressive Allan Dawson, and England recalled left-arm spinner Ashley Giles for the unlucky Kabir Ali. Winning the toss, England chose to bat first and maximise the advantage of the day/night format.

However, South Africa soon grabbed the initiative with Vikram Solanki (4) and Michael Vaughan (3) both going cheaply. Only a century stand between Marcus Trescothick (60) and Anthony McGrath (52) saved England from complete implosion, but when McGrath was stumped off a wide, Andrew Flintoff (12) and Jamie Troughton (5)fell quickly, 162/6 after 42.1 overs looked very poorly indeed, in spite of Graeme Smith's bizarre decision not to bring Kallis on until the 40th over, whilst Andy Hall (0/43) and Langeveldt (0/25) were being hit around.

A late-order festival of hitting from Richard Johnson (10), Chris Read (30*) and Ashley Giles (20*) helped 61 come off the last 8 overs, and at least 223/7 looked vaguely defendable under the lights.

When Vikram Solanki ran out Herschelle Gibbs (1), England had a chance, and when first James Anderson and then Flintoff bowled Graeme Smith (22) and Andy Hall (29), England had carved themselves an opportunity. The two Jacques - Rudolph and Kallis - saw otherwise, and that was the end of the England wicket-taking as an unbroken partnership of 145, Kallis hitting 82* and Rudolph 71*, saw the Proteas cruised home with two and a half overs to spare to ease onto the top of the ground.

South Africa take on Zimbabwe at Cardiff on Saturday, and a day after Zimbabwe play England in a must-win game for both sides at Bristol.

England 223/7 (ME Trescothick 60, A McGrath 52, M Ntini 3/38)

South Africa 227/3 (JH Kallis 82*, JA Rudolph 71*)

South Africa won by 7 wickets

Points: South Africa 5, England 1

CricketWeb Player of the Match: Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 82* and 1/18

Posted by Neil