SA keep CT semis hopes alive with big win over Pakistan Birmingham: South Africa's weakened bowling attack revived the team's Champions Trophy hopes on Monday, running through Pakistan for 167 to clinch a 67-run win at Edgbaston on Monday.

The Pakistanis' second straight loss in Group B leaves them on the brink of elimination, with their flimsy batting lineup collapsing despite South Africa being without injured strike bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and protecting a meager 234 for 9 on a good pitch.

In front of raucous support from the large Pakistani community in Birmingham, Misbah-ul-Haq (55) was the only batsman to provide any resistance as Ryan McLaren grabbed 4 for 19 and Chris Morris took 2 for 25 on his ODI debut. Pakistan must now beat fierce rival India on Saturday to have any chance of making the semi-finals.

Opener Hashim Amla led the scoring with a measured 81 for South Africa. The Proteas' chances suddenly look much rosier than they did a few days ago - particularly with Steyn back in the nets and potentially returning from a side strain in time for Friday's make-or-break match against the West Indies....more    
01:18 AM, Jun 11, 2013

Shane Watson is coming off a strong IPL season in which he was voted Player of the Series, and in a country where he has struggled to do well (he averages 30 in ODIs in England), expect the burly allrounder to try and correct that record.Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a strong start to his international limited-overs career and a lot is expected of him in seam-friendly conditions in England. India will rely on his incisive bowling in England.The hugely talented and highly-rated Joe Root is averaging 81.50 in ODIs, and if he extends his rich vein of form from first-class and Test cricket into the 50-over format, England will not be pushovers.
05:28 PM, May 30, 2013

Cricket's Wisden warns of 'Ashes overkill'
by AFP
London: The 150th edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack published on Wednesday warned that the Ashes will be "stretched to their limit" as a result of numerous upcoming series between England and Australia. Cricket's oldest rivals - who played the first cricket Test in 1877 - meet 10 times in the now five-day format from July 2013, with a series in England, to January 2014, by which time they will be...  
04:22 PM, Apr 10, 2013

3rd ODI: South Africa beat Pakistan in high-scoring contest to lead 2-1 Needing 344 to win at Johannesburg, the tourists (309) managed to make a match of it, thanks to Shahid Afridi's blistering 48-ball 88. ...  
10:11 PM, Mar 17, 2013

As it happened: South Africa v Pakistan, 3rd ODI Needing 344 to win, Pakistan (309) managed to make a match of it, thanks to Shahid Afridi's 48-ball 88 at Johannesburg. ...  
12:14 PM, Mar 17, 2013

AB de Villiers played another brilliant knock to help South Africa to be on the driving seat; He was at 98 and Philander on 45 when South Africa went to stumps on 334 for 6 at the end of 1st day. (AFP Photo)Hashim Amla scored 92 runs as South Africa recovered from precarious positions of 107 for 3 and 196 for 5. (Getty Images) Rahat Ali in his second test match, was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers as he collected three for 95. (AP Photo)
11:19 PM, Feb 22, 2013

Robin Peterson was adjudged Man of the Match for his superlative all-round performance. (AFP)Azhar Ali scored a fine half-century in Pakistan's second innings as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. (Getty Images)Mohammad Irfan troubled Alviro Petersen with steep bounce and sharp pace. (AFP)
10:51 PM, Feb 17, 2013

2nd Test: South Africa pip Pakistan by four wickets to clinch series South Africa chased down the target of 182 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series against Pakistan. ...  
09:59 PM, Feb 17, 2013

Saeed Ajmal chalked up a five-wicket haul to wreck South Africa's top order. (Getty Images)Vernon Philander snapped up his ninth five-wicket haul in Test matches to restrict Pakistan to 338. (Getty Images)Tanvir Ahmed struck 44 and compiled a 64-run partnership with Saeed Ajmal for the ninth wicket. (Getty Images)
11:09 PM, Feb 15, 2013

South Africa cricketers rule ICC Test rankings
by AFP
Not only are South Africa on top of the Test team rankings, they dominate the individual categories too. ...  
11:13 PM, Feb 05, 2013

Amla doesn't think he is best in South African team "It's been a great year for our squad, and to be honest I still don't think that I am the best batsman in our team," the world number one in both Tests and ODIs said. ...  
04:10 PM, Feb 05, 2013

Amla takes over as No. 1 ranked Test batsman Amla became the first batsman since Ponting to head both Test and ODI rankings at the same time in the latest ICC charts. ...  
10:40 PM, Feb 04, 2013

AB de Villiers blasted his 15th Test century as South Africa declared their second innings for 275-3. (AP Photo)Hashim Amla plays a gorgeous straight drive during his unbeaten innings of 74. (AP Photo)Mohammad Hafeez walks back to the pavilion after being dismissed by Vernon Philander. (AP Photo)
07:11 PM, Feb 03, 2013

1st Test: Clinical SA dominate Pakistan on Day 2
by AFP
Smith, De Villiers and Amla cracked half-centuries as South Africa extended their lead to 411 after rolling Pakistan over for their lowest-ever total in Test matches. ...  
01:44 PM, Feb 02, 2013

Grant Elliott scored 54 as he helped to hold together New Zealand's innings after the Black Caps were 68-4. Elliot combined with Colin Munro to compile a 61-run stand. (Getty Images)Colin Munro scored 57 as he first combined with Grant Elliot to rescue the Kiwis and later joined hands with James Franklin with a 67-run stand to propel New Zealand to a healthy total of 260. (Getty Images)James Franklin once again proved his worth in the lower middle-order battering a crucial 53 off 52 deliveries as New Zealand finished at 260 for 9 in their quota of 50 overs. (Getty Images)
02:15 AM, Jan 26, 2013

Injured Amla withdrawn from final ODI CSA has withdrawn the right-hander from the game because of a right thigh strain. ...  
04:24 PM, Jan 23, 2013

SA vs NZ, 2nd ODI: New Zealand register historic series win over South Africa
by AFP
From 167 for 1, South Africa capitulated for 252 all out in chase of 280 losing the match by 27 runs. ...  
05:48 PM, Jan 22, 2013

Miller replaces suspended de Villiers in ODI squad Miller has won 16 one-day caps since making his debut in 2010. ...  
06:42 PM, Jan 20, 2013

SA v NZ, 1st ODI: Dominant South Africa start as favourites Both teams have a crop of players yet to make their ODI debuts and this series offers a chance to assess whether their prospects are also looking positive ahead of the Champions Trophy. ...  
02:44 PM, Jan 18, 2013

2nd Test, SA vs NZ: du Plessis, Elgar take hosts for 500 Du Plessis reached his second Test century and Elgar followed up with 91* to lead the hosts to 505 for 7 at tea on the second day. ...  
03:08 PM, Jan 12, 2013