EOIN Morgan top-scored with 63 from 62 balls to revive England after a dramatic top-order collapse, as they secured a morale-boosting five-wicket victory over South Africa with three balls to spare at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. (Scores: England 126 for 5 (Morgan 63) beat South Africa 125 for 5 by five wickets). England were set 126 for victory, following a disciplined bowling performance led once again by Michael Yardy, who starred with 2 for 25 in four overs.
But after 14 balls of their reply, they were in disarray at 9 for 3, with Michael Lumb failing for the second innings in succession and Kevin Pietersen falling for a first-ball duck in his first innings back in England colours since the tour of Bangladesh.
But Morgan maintained his composure in another tricky situation, cracking six fours and two sixes to turn the tide of the innings, with his captain, Paul Collingwood (23 from 26 balls) providing sterling support in a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Collingwood eventually holed out to AB de Villiers at midwicket, leaving England needing 46 runs from 36 balls, and though Morgan struck a vast six to reduce the pressure, he then picked out Johan Botha at deep extra cover off Juan Theron, to leave England in some strife on 105 for 5. But Tim Bresnan and Luke Wright ensured against further mishaps.
South Africa had earlier struggled to assert themselves after winning the toss and batting, with their captain, Graeme Smith, needing 13 balls to get off the mark.
With Loots Bosman pulling Stuart Broad to midwicket for 10 and Herschelle Gibbs running himself out for 1, South Africa mustered an insubstantial 27 for 2 in their six Powerplay overs.
JP Duminy and Albie Morkel applied some late impetus with 30 and 32 not out respectively, from 21 balls, as South Africa hauled their total from 66 for 5 in the 15th over to 125 for 5 after 20. But thanks to Morgan’s solidity, it was an insubstantial total. (Cricinfo)