Spin starts the clatter of wickets, seam seals it
The Plays of the Day from a thrilling encounter between England and South Africa in Chennai
Firdose Moonda at Chennai
06-Mar-2011
Stuart Broad stunned South Africa with two late strikes • Getty Images
The gamble
After Johan Botha successfully opened the bowling against West Indies, Graeme Smith decided he would roll the dice in that direction again. This time, it was with Robin Peterson. There was some logic to having Peterson open given the other Pietersen - Kevin - has such a renowned weakness against left-arm spin, but the plan worked better than Smith could ever have hoped. With his third ball, he lured England's captain into a carefully created trap. Andrew Strauss launched it high, long-on galloped, plucked and Peterson erupted. It was the start of a magic spell for him.
After Johan Botha successfully opened the bowling against West Indies, Graeme Smith decided he would roll the dice in that direction again. This time, it was with Robin Peterson. There was some logic to having Peterson open given the other Pietersen - Kevin - has such a renowned weakness against left-arm spin, but the plan worked better than Smith could ever have hoped. With his third ball, he lured England's captain into a carefully created trap. Andrew Strauss launched it high, long-on galloped, plucked and Peterson erupted. It was the start of a magic spell for him.
The bobbling ball
Imran Tahir was without a wicket and returned for his second spell - which has proved to be his wicket-taking one throughout this tournament. He unleashed the googly immediately and when that didn't work he went for the full toss. Trott gave it everything, only to watch Dale Steyn make good ground in the deep. He had the ball in his grasp, but only until his forearms hit the ground. As they made contact, the ball spilled out on the grass and the chance was lost.
Imran Tahir was without a wicket and returned for his second spell - which has proved to be his wicket-taking one throughout this tournament. He unleashed the googly immediately and when that didn't work he went for the full toss. Trott gave it everything, only to watch Dale Steyn make good ground in the deep. He had the ball in his grasp, but only until his forearms hit the ground. As they made contact, the ball spilled out on the grass and the chance was lost.
The wonder-delivery
Imran Tahir has so many different balls in his repertoire, it's tough to pick a favourite but in this match it must surely have been his googly. Not just any googly, but the one that got Stuart Broad. It took some courage to bowl it at the length he did to a left-hander. Tahir pitched it on leg stump and replays showed it was hitting the top of off.
Imran Tahir has so many different balls in his repertoire, it's tough to pick a favourite but in this match it must surely have been his googly. Not just any googly, but the one that got Stuart Broad. It took some courage to bowl it at the length he did to a left-hander. Tahir pitched it on leg stump and replays showed it was hitting the top of off.
The walker
Jacques Kallis added a touch of good old-fashioned sportsmanship when he relied on Matt Prior's honesty to see if he was out. Kallis chased a Broad delivery that he should have left alone and got a small nick. It died on Prior who took the catch low down and there was some doubt if it carried. While Broad was pointing wildly at the floor and Prior, Kallis simply asked Prior if he had caught it cleanly. When the wicket-keeper said yes, Kallis walked off the field, the second time he has done so at this World Cup.
Jacques Kallis added a touch of good old-fashioned sportsmanship when he relied on Matt Prior's honesty to see if he was out. Kallis chased a Broad delivery that he should have left alone and got a small nick. It died on Prior who took the catch low down and there was some doubt if it carried. While Broad was pointing wildly at the floor and Prior, Kallis simply asked Prior if he had caught it cleanly. When the wicket-keeper said yes, Kallis walked off the field, the second time he has done so at this World Cup.
The incredible end
As the advantage changed hands quicker than black-market money, it was Broad who made the difference. Back to top form after the stomach ailment that interrupted his campaign, Broad removed South African's two quicks, Steyn and Morne Morkel. Both went to full balls, Steyn struck flush on the pad and Morkel nicked off while attempting a booming drive. Two bowlers had been undone by one of their own.
As the advantage changed hands quicker than black-market money, it was Broad who made the difference. Back to top form after the stomach ailment that interrupted his campaign, Broad removed South African's two quicks, Steyn and Morne Morkel. Both went to full balls, Steyn struck flush on the pad and Morkel nicked off while attempting a booming drive. Two bowlers had been undone by one of their own.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent