NEW DELHI: With their World Cup hopes hanging in the balance England made a disastrous start against South Africa Sunday as India geared up for their Ireland clash desperate to avoid another giant- killing.
In a game they desperately need to win in their bid to qualify from Group B, England slumped to 15 for three against the Proteas in Chennai, losing skipper Andrew Strauss and key batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell.
England won the toss and chose to bat at the Chidambaram Stadium but soon found themselves in deep trouble as slow left-armer Robin Peterson took all three wickets to fall.Strauss's team have an impressive recent record against South Africa in ODIs but are struggling in fourth place in Group B on just three points after a win against the Netherlands, a tie against co-hosts India and a shock defeat to Ireland.Strauss said he hoped in-form South Africa, who top the group with four points after wins over West Indies and the Netherlands, would take his team lightly following their defeat by minnows Ireland."The great thing about this tournament is you have a chance to get back on the bike straight away," said Strauss."It's something as a side we've been very good at in the past -- bouncing back when we've had a poor performance. Hopefully, South Africa will treat us more lightly, given we've lost to Ireland."
In a game they desperately need to win in their bid to qualify from Group B, England slumped to 15 for three against the Proteas in Chennai, losing skipper Andrew Strauss and key batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell.
England won the toss and chose to bat at the Chidambaram Stadium but soon found themselves in deep trouble as slow left-armer Robin Peterson took all three wickets to fall.Strauss's team have an impressive recent record against South Africa in ODIs but are struggling in fourth place in Group B on just three points after a win against the Netherlands, a tie against co-hosts India and a shock defeat to Ireland.Strauss said he hoped in-form South Africa, who top the group with four points after wins over West Indies and the Netherlands, would take his team lightly following their defeat by minnows Ireland."The great thing about this tournament is you have a chance to get back on the bike straight away," said Strauss."It's something as a side we've been very good at in the past -- bouncing back when we've had a poor performance. Hopefully, South Africa will treat us more lightly, given we've lost to Ireland."
