RESULT
4th ODI, Lord's, September 02, 2012, South Africa tour of England
(46.4/50 ov, T:221) 224/4

England won by 6 wickets (with 20 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
88 (137)
ian-bell
New
ENG
Full commentary

Andrew McGlashan is our man on the scene today and he's pondering his thoughts about England's fielding, bringing you the best reaction shortly and David Hopps has described today's play. But that's it from Monty and I today, join us again on Wednesday for the final match of this series, until then...



England, therefore, 2-1 up in the series and return to the top of the world rankings, which they will now hold until at least January when they take on India. Still another match to come in this series with Trent Bridge hosting the 5th ODI, a day-night affair, on Wednesday, so join us for that. Still three T20s to come on this South Africa tour. And be sure to log on for the continuation of India v New Zealand, a intriguing Test set up for tomorrow at 4am GMT.



Presentation time..."We weren't at our best today," says AB de Villiers. "We've got a lot to look out now; our middle order failed again; we keep getting in an fail to go on to big runs. We just didn't have enough runs on the board today."

"We made the most of the early conditions. Finny and Jimmy up front asked plenty of questions," says Alastair Cook. "Craig Kieswetter has been really good for us this summer, you can see how hard he can hit the ball with that six at the end."

Man of the Match, Ian Bell for his 88 from 137 balls: "I've been working at Warwickshire at hitting over the top, that's what you need to do opening the batting in one-day internationals."



So in the end Dale Steyn comes back and gets the winnings runs tonked off him as England cruise home by six wickets. A very comfortable victory with the real damage done with the ball, South Africa's 220 for 8 was never going to be enough if England batted properly, which they did with Ian Bell in nice touch again and Jonathan Trott dogging out more runs.

46.4
6
Steyn to Kieswetter, SIX runs

and that is finished in regal fashion, a straight driven six over long off, takes some doing that off Dale Steyn but what a way to confirm a huge win, marvellous timing into the pavilion

One hit will do it now...

46.3
2
Steyn to Kieswetter, 2 runs

leg stump, clipped out towards deep square leg, Amla slides and fields

46.2
4
Steyn to Kieswetter, FOUR runs

four more, this is very lucky though, a charge and a swing at a ball too quick for him, it flies straight over the keeper's head

You can't help feeling the moment was lost in taking Steyn off after taking the wicket of Bell...

46.2
1w
Steyn to Kieswetter, 1 wide

short and outside off now, a wide

46.1
4
Steyn to Kieswetter, FOUR runs

back of a length around off stump and dismissed through midwicket, whipped away, really well played, nicely timed and it races down the hill

Funny decision to take Steyn off the last over but now he's back, perhaps too little too late...

end of over 4612 runs
ENG: 207/4CRR: 4.50 RRR: 3.50
Eoin Morgan36 (36b 5x4)
Craig Kieswetter5 (8b 1x4)
Ryan McLaren 9-0-52-1
Wayne Parnell 8-0-39-0

That was the big over to put things totally beyond doubt...

45.6
4
McLaren to Morgan, FOUR runs

and this is four more, to long leg, again help on it's way to long leg, short and pulled away again

45.5
4
McLaren to Morgan, FOUR runs

down on one knee and slugged over mid on, Morgan shuffled outside off stump, got down low and hoiked it to long on

45.4
McLaren to Morgan, no run

finds point again, this time a full ball dug out

45.3
McLaren to Morgan, no run

length outside off, blocked towards point

45.2
4
McLaren to Morgan, FOUR runs

step across the stump and a slower ball, which is too short, is helped down to long leg, simple adjustment and sweep around the corner

45.1
McLaren to Morgan, no run

down the wicket and slapped straight to mid off

McLaren replaces Steyn...

end of over 456 runs
ENG: 195/4CRR: 4.33 RRR: 5.20
Craig Kieswetter5 (8b 1x4)
Eoin Morgan24 (30b 2x4)
Wayne Parnell 8-0-39-0
Dale Steyn 9-0-30-2
44.6
Parnell to Kieswetter, no run

wide of off stump, ugly waft without moving the feet misses

44.5
Parnell to Kieswetter, no run

short and goes to pull from outside off, gets it to mid on

44.4
Parnell to Kieswetter, no run

back of a length on off stump, blocked staying in the crease

44.3
1
Parnell to Morgan, 1 run

fine save in the covers, uppish drive but well timed towards Amla who got down well to save with one hand with a dive to his left

44.2
1
Parnell to Kieswetter, 1 run

and now a single down to third man taken off the back foot

44.1
4
Parnell to Kieswetter, FOUR runs

that will get it done quicker, blazing extra cover drive off the front foot, blistering strike and deep cover can't get there, four into the grandstand

Are England going to limp over the line again...

end of over 443 runs • 1 wicket
ENG: 189/4CRR: 4.29 RRR: 5.33
Eoin Morgan23 (29b 2x4)
Craig Kieswetter0 (3b)
Dale Steyn 9-0-30-2
Wayne Parnell 7-0-33-0
43.6
2
Steyn to Morgan, 2 runs

tucked softly into the leg side and they charge back for the second as deep backward square can't get in quickly enough

43.5
1lb
Steyn to Kieswetter, 1 leg bye

fired in towards the pads, it runs to square leg and they take a leg bye

43.4
Steyn to Kieswetter, no run

just outside off, back foot driven to point