England and South Africa had not met in a most important match in ICC semi-final since the World Cup in Sydney in 1992, a match which AB de Villiers admitted previous to the start of play ended with him "crying myself to sleep." Grown man now or not, later than the mess South Africa made of this tie, he could be forgiven for repeating the incident.
De Villiers is no longer an in the clear child, he is captain of a South Africa one-day side which during his lifetime has frequently privileged to mislead in ICC tournaments. So it proved once more. England rampaged from side to side the top order as eight wickets fell for 80. It was a humid morning at Kennington Oval, England won a favorable toss, and for once the white Kookaburra swung, but South Africa contributed immensely to their downfall.
David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt did at least recuperate calculate of morality. An evidence ninth-wicket partnership for South Africa of 95 in 16 overs took them to 175. But all that did was provide Jonathan Trott with a protracted chance to bat much as he wished, apparently unmindful to the force of a Champions Trophy semi-final. He ended with a spritely 82 not out from 84 balls, a seven-wicket win done and dusted with more than 12 overs to standby.
