Morkel stars in S.African win over England

CAPE TOWN, Sep 16 (Reuters) Albie Morkel top scored and took two important wickets in South Africa's 19-run win over England in a Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights match in Cape Town today.

Morkel scored 43 in South Africa's total of 154 for eight and claimed two for 12 in England's reply of 135 for seven.

Morkel faced 20 balls and hit three fours and four sixes, three of them consecutively off leg-spinner Chris Schofield.

Number seven batsman Morkel came to the crease in the 15th over after South Africa had slumped to 91 for five, and six balls later they were 94 for six.

Pace bowler Stuart Broad led England's disciplined bowling performance with a haul of three for 37, but they did themselves no favours by dropping five catches.

South Africa reduced England to 27 for three before opener Matt Prior and Owais Shah stood firm with a partnership of 55.

Medium pacer Morkel had Prior caught at deep cover for 32 before bowling Shah for 36 in his next over to halt England's momentum.

England's last real hope of winning was snuffed out in the 19th over when fast bowler Johan van der Wath shattered Andrew Flintoff's stumps for 17.

Reuters RC VP0242