Thursday, September 2, 2010

England skipper Andrew Strauss led from the front with the bat as the tourists continued their winning ways in South Africa.

Strauss cracked an unbeaten century as the tourists won by eight wickets in the 50-overs clash with South Warriors in Kimberley.

Spinner Graeme Swann claimed three wickets but the attack suffered as the hosts put on 254 for five thanks to an unbeaten 83 from Arno Jacobs.

But Strauss’s opening stand of 175 with Joe Denly (82) put England on their way. Alastair Cook, batting at No.3, made 34 before Strauss (117no) and Paul Collingwood (12no) guided the visitors home with 55 balls to spare.

New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris is hoping to steal the limelight against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi today - in a bid to win the series and cement his place in the side.

The veteran Kiwi only scored nine runs as the Black Caps made 303 in Friday’s second one-dayer at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in the UAE capital.

But the medium-pacer then claimed the key wickets of Younus Khan, Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal in quick succession to ensure Pakistan fell well short in their run chase.

The 34-year-old, who had retired from Test duty to concentrate on the shorter forms of the game earlier this year, said: “I want to play as long as I can and improve so I can be in the team and having achieved what I wanted to achieve it’s important to strive.”

While England continued their winning form, hosts South Africa enjoyed a 45-run victory in the first ODI against Zimbabwe.

Hashim Amla scored 80 while AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel both bagged half centuries as the hosts racked up 295 for five.  

Tatenda Taibu hit a century in reply while Stuart Matsikenyeri scored 86 but Zimbabwe’s reply of 250 for six was not enough.