SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND

At Bloemfontein, January 11 (day/night). England won by five wickets. Toss: South Africa.

Although Atherton won the match award for a well-paced 85, it was Hick's blazing half-century which set England on the road to a series-levelling win. Both sides used lower-order players - Snell and DeFreitas - to open, in the role becoming known by the baseball term pinch-hitter to try to hit out while the field was restricted in the first 15 overs. But Hick showed what class players could do in the circumstances, hitting Donald's first three balls for four on the way to 50 in just 33 deliveries, and easing the pressure on those who followed. England's task should have been tougher after Hudson and Snell opened with 116 in 23 overs, but containing off-spin from Hick and Smith and a later spell of three for seven from Cork meant they lost their way. In the 24th over, England's innings was halted for 45 minutes due to floodlight failure; when play resumed, Thorpe, who faced 85 balls for 72, saw his side home with ten balls to spare.

Man of the Match: M. A. Atherton. Attendance: 15,700.