Andre Nel traps Michael Vaughan lbw in his first over © AFP Enlarge

Double death, nearly

Everybody knows about the slow death at Steve Bucknor's hands. But Michael Vaughan, the long-suffering one-day batsman, very nearly died twice. Andre Nel struck him on the pads with his second ball just when Vaughan seemed to be getting into his stride. Nel was sure he had nailed his man but, as Bucknor contemplated, Vaughan charged off the blocks for a non-existent run. It was only after the throw missed the mark with Vaughan stranded in the middle that Bucknor raised his finger.

The ball

Andrew Hall to Andrew Flintoff. It started way outside off, dipped back in the air, and cut sharply in off the pitch to snake through the prodding bat and the pad. It wasn't quite in the class of Waqar Younis in terms of pace, but for the rest, it was the perfect demonstration of reverse swing.

KP Nelled

It was always going to be the most interesting contest within the contest, Kevin Pietersen v Andre Nel, and a pity it was that it ended before it even started. Nel's second ball to Pietersen was a screamer at the throat that forced an awkward evasive action. Nel charged down the wicket with his customary stare but Pietersen, as most batsmen have learnt to do with Nel, just looked away. The next one was short again and Pietersen managed only a bottom edge to cover as he swiveled to pull, prompting a similar routine from Nel. After managing an unconvincing single in the next over, Pieterson obviously decided that he had enough and gave the charge. But as he looked to whip it to leg, the ball squared him up, found the leading edge, and scooped to mid off. Graeme Smith would have caught it even if he had to dive underground.

The loudest cheer...

... was reserved for Makhaya Ntini, who waltzed on to the field with a couple of bottles for his teammates when Andrew Strauss fell in the 33rd over. Even though Ntini has not distinguished himself in this World Cup, tongues got wagging this morning when his name was found missing from the team sheet. It was a wicket that would have suited Ntini, so the question was whether the decision had anything do with the late-night shenanigans. Or perhaps not, because, even though he enjoys his time out, Ntini isn't much of a drinker. Dropped or not, though, the fans love him. And then of course, there was Monty when he batted.

The shot

Over 3.4. Sajid Mahmood, pitches it fractionally short and A B de Villers latches on to it like lightning. It's not an extravagant stroke - there is no room for that - but a shot played with the speed of the hand and positive intent. It sums up the difference in approach: England were tentative and unsure, and South Africa were in for the kill.

The banner

A bunch of English fans, and there plenty at the ground today, started the day with 'God Save the Queen'. By the end of the day however, 'Queen' had been crossed out. It had been replaced by "Our Team".

The quote

"Today we demolished it". Graeme Smith, in response to a question if South Africa had left the chokers' tag behind with today's win.