(Reuters) – Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers shared an unbroken stand of 172 to steer South Africa to comfortable seven-wicket win over England in the fifth and final one-day international in Nottingham yesterday.
England were bowled out for just 182 but opening bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Jade Dernbach gave their side hope of defending the meagre total by ripping out the top order to leave South Africa reeling at 14 for three in the fourth over.
However, De Villiers and Amla, the standout batsman of the series, put together a South African record fourth-wicket partnership against England to lead the Proteas to victory and level the series at 2-2 after the first match in Cardiff was abandoned.
Amla hit the winning runs to leave himself stranded on 97 off 107 balls and captain De Villiers, who has had a quiet series, finished on 75 off 79.
It looked as if the chase would be a struggle after a strong start by the English attack left the South Africans in trouble.
