England embarrassed by Proteas

The hosts card their lowest ever Twenty20 total as South Africa ease to a seven-wicket victory at Trent Bridge.

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NOTTINGHAM // England recorded their lowest total in a Twenty20 international as South Africa bowled them out for just 111 before easing to a seven-wicket win in the Super Eight stage of the competition. Although England did well to contain South Africa in reply, ultimately they were never able to defend their paltry score as the Proteas reached 114 for three with 10 balls to spare. Jacques Kallis batted patiently for his 57 not out.

England, who crashed to an embarrassing loss to the Netherlands in the tournament opener on Friday before thrashing Pakistan, again showed inconsistency in their 19th Twenty20 match. Paul Collingwood's team were on only 47 for three at the halfway stage and did not register 100 until the 18th over. Earlier, on the same ground, New Zealand were 94 for two after ten overs against Ireland. Left-arm seam bowler Wayne Parnell, 19, claimed three for 14 from his allotted overs and bowled the tailenders Stuart Broad and James Anderson with the last two balls of England's innings.

Owais Shah top-scored with 38 from 33 balls, but his innings lacked intensity. He scored almost half his runs in one over. Shah took 15 from the 12th over bowled by Roelof van der Merwe, including a six over long off. But just as England looked to increase their run rate they slumped from 78 for three to 92 for eight. Graeme Smith dropped Broad in the 20th over and allowed a boundary in the process but this was a rare lapse by an efficient and energetic South Africa.

The South Africa seamer Albie Morkel earlier bowled the first maiden, which included a wicket, of the tournament. *Reuters