Colly laments batting as sad England crash
CAPTAIN Paul Collingwood berated England’s poor batting performance as South Africa waltzed to a comfortable victory in their Super Eights opener at Trent Bridge.
England slumped to their lowest Twenty20 international total of 111, leaving the Proteas with the simple task of picking off a seven-wicket win.
Collingwood hit 19 off as many balls to become only the third England batsmen to reach double figures, but even though Owais Shah impressed with a classy 38, the hosts were left to explain another embarrassing display. “It was a combination of some bad shots and some excellent fielding by them,” a realistic Collingwood said.
“Some of the catches they took, and their energy in the field, shows where we need to be in the next two games. They created so much pressure.”
Following their shocking defeat to the Netherlands a week ago, many believed England had discovered their form with a resounding victory over Pakistan. But Collingwood’s men were back to their old frustrating ways as Jacques Kallis’ 57 not out helped the Proteas waltz to victory with ten balls to spare amid a chorus of boos.
“Credit to them, they kept us to a total which — if we were to defend it – everything was going to have to go right,” the England captain added.
“All their fielders put us under pressure. It’s amazing how much pressure diving stops and one-handed catches can create. There were one or two positives – the way Dimi Mascarenhas bowled again and the way we took them down to the 19th over.”
England now need victory over defending champions India at Lord’s on Sunday to keep alive their hopes of a semi-final place, with the West Indies to come the following day.
In the other game, New Zealand thrashed struggling Ireland by 83 runs – easily defending their commanding total of 198-5.