England overcome SA to reach semis

Sep 27, 2009

Andrew Strauss won the toss and opted to bat•Getty Images

The pair added 48 in ten overs•AFP

Strauss followed soon after, caught brilliantly by Mark Boucher•AFP

The pair added 163 for the third wicket•AFP

Collingwood accelerated further in the batting Powerplay...•Getty Images

South Africa started in positive fashion, Gibbs taking the initiative early but he fell to James Anderson with the score on 42•Getty Images

AB de Villiers contributed 36, but more was required of the middle order•Getty Images

There was little support from the other end, Anderson dismissed Mark Boucher•Getty Images

Shah hung on to the catch at mid-on to get rid of Smith•AFP

He then started positively along with Joe Denly•AFP

Denly pulled one into the deep...•Getty Images

Owais Shah set about steadying England's innings•AFP

Shah was ruthless after reaching his half-century, striking six sixes in his 98•Getty Images

...before he was bowled by Wayne Parnell for 82•AFP

Graeme Smith anchored the chase from there on•Getty Images

JP Duminy, too, got a start but didn't push on•AFP

When Albie Morkel was run out, with the run-rate creeping up, there was too much pressure on Smith•AFP

...Broad knew the importance of that scalp•Associated Press

...and was caught by JP Duminy•AFP

Paul Collingwood supported him, putting together a century stand•Getty Images

He fell agonizingly short of his century when he was caught by Boucher•AFP

But the caning continued, as Eoin Morgan scored a quick fire half-century to take England to an imposing 323•AFP

There were moments of frustration for Stuart Broad, but he eventually got rid of Jacques Kallis•AFP

Smith, amid the wickets, motored along and reached his eighth ODI century•Getty Images

Smith fought off cramps, was denied a runner and walked off to a standing ovation when he went fot 141. •Getty Images

The pre-tournament underdogs England made their entry into the semi-finals•Getty Images