England humble SA, Kiwis win thriller

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):

Kevin Pietersen struck 53 off 33 balls and England's bowlers followed with a stifling display to set up a convincing 39-run over South Africa in the World Twenty20 Super Eights at Kensington Oval yesterday.

Pietersen, who blasted eight fours and a six, set up England's challenging total of 168-7 off 20 overs.

The tall right-hander shared a crucial second-wicket stand of 94 with opener Craig Kieswetter, who struck 41 off 42 balls.

South Africa failed to mount a realistic challenge, slumping to 129 all out off 19 overs.

Spinners Graeme Swann (3-24) and Michael Yardy (2-31) did most of the early damage. Seamers Ryan Sidebottom (3-23) and Stuart Broad (2-26) sealed the victory.

J.P. Duminy top-scored for the Proteas with 39 off 25 balls.

Pietersen will miss England's final Super Eight match against New Zealand in St Lucia tomorrow.

First child

He is set to fly back to England to be with his wife, Jessica, for the birth of their first child.

Pietersen confirmed he is due to be back for the semi-finals should England make it that far.

Earlier, Pietersen and Kieswetter, two South Africa-born batsmen, rode their luck as England bounced back from the loss of Michael Lumb for three in the first over.

Kieswetter was caught off a Morne Morkel no-ball on 8 and Pietersen, at 12, edged between wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and first slip Jacques Kallis in that same over.

Kieswetter was also dropped on 29 by Duminy at deep midwicket off Johan Botha.

Pietersen played some brilliant strokes as England blasted 65 runs off the six power-play overs.

He raced to his half-century off 30 balls but Botha returned to cut him short at a crucial time.

Pietersen top-edged a sweep and was caught at short fine leg.

Kieswetter, who hit three fours and two sixes, followed soon afterwards, lofting the part-time off-spin of Duminy to long on.

Eoin Morgan hit 21 off 14 balls towards the end.

South Africa's reply was stalled by England's pacers as openers Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis struggled to get going.

England top the group with four points after two matches while South Africa and New Zealand both have two points. Defending champions Pakistan were at the bottom without a win or a point.

In the opening match at the same venue, fast bowler Ian Butler took a wicket off the final ball to give New Zealand a one-run win over defending champions Pakistan.New Zealand's first win in the Super Eights kept the Black Caps in contention for the semi-finals.

Pakistan struggle

However, Pakistan, after winning this competition last June in England, have lost both of their Super Eight matches and will struggle to make the semis.

Butler claimed 3-19 including Abdur Rehman, who holed out to deep square leg with Pakistan needing two runs for victory off the final delivery.

Left-handed opener Salman Butt anchored Pakistan with an unbeaten 67 off 54 balls but the defending champions were left agonisingly short at 132-7 off 20 overs.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq supplied three sixes in a run-a-ball 29.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori top-scored with 38 off 34 balls as the Kiwis totalled 133-7 off 20 overs.

Left-arm spinner Rehman (2-19), pacer Mohammad Sami (2-25) and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi (2-29) led the Pakistan attack.

Today's matches

West Indies vs India at 8:30 a.m.

Sri Lanka vs Australia at 12:30 p.m.