England suffer heavy defeat

The hosts began their ICC World Twenty20 Super Eights campaign with a dire batting performance, in which only Owais Shah and Kevin Pietersen ever put the impressive opposition bowlers and fielders under any semblance of pressure.

It was a near formality for South Africa to knock off an inadequate total on an increasingly slow surface, after England had chosen to bat first on a sunny evening - and Jacques Kallis (57no) ensured the job was done with minimum fuss and 10 balls to spare.

England's innings was in almost immediate trouble, Ravi Bopara out in the first over - and the total was still only four when his opening partner Luke Wright followed in the next.

Pietersen drove his first two balls for four but was to fall victim to Albie Morkel, who bowled the first maiden over of this tournament - and was not required again.

Instead, it was Wayne Parnell (three for 14) who was to prove statistically the pick of the South Africa attack - returning to knock over the last two wickets.

Before then, five middle-order wickets fell for only 14 runs in 20 balls - and by the time England descended to their favourite bogey total, there were only three double-figure scores in their entire batting card.