MANCHESTER, 5 July 2003 — Jacques Kallis and Jacques Rudolph’s unbroken stand of 145 guided South Africa to a seven wicket win over England in the triangular series day-night one-day international at Old Trafford here Thursday. Kallis was 82 not out off 105 balls including one six and five fours with left-hander Rudolph 71 not out off 102 balls with six fours. The duo were together for one ball short of 30 overs.
The result meant South Africa topped the table by a point from England, having played one game less and were two clear of Zimbabwe who they play in Cardiff today.
England’s modest total of 223 for seven and Rudolph’s fine innings effectively ended 27-year-old Kallis’ bid to become only the fourth player in history to make hundreds in three successive one-day internationals.
Kallis, who made 107 in the six wicket defeat by England at The Oval on Sunday and followed that up 24 hours later with an unbeaten 125 in the 46-run win over Zimbabwe at Canterbury, was left with a tournament average of 314.
South Africa’s reply began badly when Herschelle Gibbs was run out for one, his third single figure score in as many triangular matches. Proteas’ captain Graeme Smith dropped the ball at his feet and set off. But his fellow opener Gibbs was beaten by Vikram Solanki’s underarm direct hit from backward point. Left-handed batsman Smith had made 22 when he was clean bowled by James Anderson’s late inswinger.
It was the perfect response by the fast bowler after Smith, doubtful for this match after sustaining a shoulder injury during South Africa’s 46-run win over Zimbabwe at Canterbury on Sunday, had barged him out of the way while completing a single two overs earlier. Andrew Hall, extending his promotion up the order, made a 39-ball 29, adding 45 in 59 balls with Kallis before he was bowled middle and leg stump by Flintoff, South Africa 82 for three in the 18th over. But Kallis and Rudolph were untroubled as they compiled a fifty partnership in 74 balls. They were particularly severe on Ashley Giles, the spinner’s first three overs going for 18 runs with Kallis lofting him for six.
Kallis’ fifty came off 73 balls including one six and two fours. Left-hander Rudolph, 22, also made his half-century in the same number of deliveries, with four fours.
South Africa vice-captain Mark Boucher said yesterday out-of-form opener Gibbs was “due a big score.” Gibbs has managed just 11 runs in South Africa’s three triangular series one-day international matches — a sharp contrast to his form in October when he became only the third player in history to make three successive One-Day International hundreds.
Thank You Aussies, Says Lara
West Indies captain Brian Lara conceded in Madras yesterday that world champions Australia had played a key role in the recent improvement in his young cricket team’s performances.
“Playing against Australia has improved our players’ performances,” said Lara, who arrived amid tight security in the southern Indian city to promote the sport of go-karting. “We lost both the Test and one-day series against Australia, but we learned a lot from them. They are a champion side,” said Lara, who has scored 8,404 runs with 21 centuries in 96 Tests. Lara will launch a go-karting event here tomorrow along with Australian Test skipper Steve Waugh and Indian batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar. All of them endorse the Indian tire company MRF on their cricket bats.
