Rain helps England to squeeze a 1-run win

England just managed to win the first T20I at the Wanderers in Johannesburg by a narrow margin of one run. South Africa needed to be at 128 for 3 in 13 overs when rain stopped any further action. The Proteas despite knowing the target of 8 from the over of James Anderson could manage only six runs to lose the match.

Earlier Graeme Smith put England in and his bowlers were at the receiving end from a sparkling knock of 85 from 45 balls (with 7 fours and 5 sixes) from left hander Eoin Morgan. The Irish man got the Man of the Match award. Skipper Paul Collingwood batted superbly as well to get 57 from 32 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes while one down bat Jonatthan Trott struck 5 fours in a crisp knock of 33 from 25 balls.

England smashed their way to 202 for 6 in 20 overs but the target looked under threat when Loots Bossman showed his true potential. Along with Graeme Smith, Bossman sent shivers in the English bowlers with some outstanding shots. Both Smith and Bossman were dismissed in quick succession in the space of 5 balls to reduce SA to 101 for 2 in the 10th over. Bossman smacked 58 from 31 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes and Smith was equally effective with his 41 from 23 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes.

South Africa finished at 127 for 3 in 13 overs when rain had the last laugh. For the visitors, Graeme Swann did the turn around giving 15 runs off his last two overs at a time when the Proteas were looking at plenty of runs for a win. Anderson was also another crucial bowler as he could keep the pair of AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel down to just the singles in what turned out to be the last over.

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