England secured a consolation 6-wicket victory against South Africa in the Oval. The series stand remains almost unchanged with South Africa still the winner. England were a depressed bunch after losing the series 2-0 to the visitors and it is funny to see how confident they are claiming to be after losing the series 2-1.

Kevin Pietersen, the new England captain overwhelmed by this victory has gone ahead to claim that England can nail Australia in the Ashes next summer if they play the way they did in this test. Pietersen’s exhilaration is understood. He is the fourth man in 30 years for England who won their first test match as a captain. But before he forgets, this match hasn’t won England anything more than its pride after being ground in the preceding matches.

England seems spirited after this humble victory. Sure they couldn’t win the series but they are planning a bit too ahead banking alone on this match’s credentials. Rookie skipper Pietersen wants his team to continue playing this way. He appears sure of the policy of picking 5 bowlers and Andrew Flintoff as an all-rounder. Pietersen’s unfinished centurion knock in the first innings boosted by Collingwood’s half-century gave England a 122-run lead over the Proteas.

South Africa in reply mounted 318 powered by a 97 from De Villiers and 76 from Hashim Amla thus giving England 196 to chase. England galloped to reach 123 for no loss when they lost three wickets in succession for mere 20 runs. Two half-century innings by Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss had given enough propulsion to the morally-down team to reach a measly target by then. Andrew Flintoff hit a six off Paul Harris that took England to victory.

Pietersen was announced the Man of the Match for his valuable century. He was jointly adjudged the Man of the Series with the South African captain Graeme Smith. England have some tough competitions lined ahead, the ODI series against India being one of them. Pietersen should focus more on the game than hyperventilating about this victory. As for South Africa, they didn’t really lose anything if we see the bigger picture. After investing all their energy in the previous two games, they performed reasonably well for a tired team.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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