England v South Africa
Wisden's review of the semifinal between South Africa and England
15-Apr-2014
Gently does it: James Tredwell's three wickets helped England into the final • Getty Images
At The Oval, June 19. England won by seven wickets. Toss: England.
England bossed this match from the moment Cook chose to bowl in muggy conditions tailor-made for swing. In 601 previous one-day internationals, England had rarely enjoyed such a dream start: inside two overs Anderson removed Ingram, while Finn claimed the dangerous Amla, athletically caught by Buttler, who later became the seventh wicketkeeper in one-day internationals to make six dismissals in a match. The promoted Peterson rallied briefly, but the South African innings fell into a clear pattern: batsmen were either at sea against Anderson and Tredwell, or at ease against Finn and Broad (Tim Bresnan was attending the birth of his son). The undemonstrative Tredwell gave the ball air, yet retained control - and a rash of nervy strokes encouraged Cook to go for all-out attack in the hope he would have no need of a weaker fifth bowler. It almost worked. At 80 for eight in the 23rd over, it was a legitimate move, but as the ball stopped swinging, Miller and Kleinveldt counter-attacked against some insipid bowling to add 95, a record for South Africa's ninth wicket. England were not immune to nerves themselves, sliding to 41 for two before Trott - in conditions perfect for his steady if slightly dour approach - and the jollier Root bustled England to within touching distance of an emphatic victory.
Man of the Match: J. C. Tredwell. Attendance: 19,238.
England bossed this match from the moment Cook chose to bowl in muggy conditions tailor-made for swing. In 601 previous one-day internationals, England had rarely enjoyed such a dream start: inside two overs Anderson removed Ingram, while Finn claimed the dangerous Amla, athletically caught by Buttler, who later became the seventh wicketkeeper in one-day internationals to make six dismissals in a match. The promoted Peterson rallied briefly, but the South African innings fell into a clear pattern: batsmen were either at sea against Anderson and Tredwell, or at ease against Finn and Broad (Tim Bresnan was attending the birth of his son). The undemonstrative Tredwell gave the ball air, yet retained control - and a rash of nervy strokes encouraged Cook to go for all-out attack in the hope he would have no need of a weaker fifth bowler. It almost worked. At 80 for eight in the 23rd over, it was a legitimate move, but as the ball stopped swinging, Miller and Kleinveldt counter-attacked against some insipid bowling to add 95, a record for South Africa's ninth wicket. England were not immune to nerves themselves, sliding to 41 for two before Trott - in conditions perfect for his steady if slightly dour approach - and the jollier Root bustled England to within touching distance of an emphatic victory.
Man of the Match: J. C. Tredwell. Attendance: 19,238.