9 May 2010

Pietersen stars against his native South Africa at T20 Cup

9:36 am on 9 May 2010

South Africa has beaten England by 39 runs to all but seal a semi-final place in the Twenty20 cricket World Cup.

Kevin Pietersen laid the platform for a commanding victory over his country of birth with a man-of-the-match 53 that was at the heart of England's 168 for seven in Barbados.

South Africa, in reply, suffered a dramatic top-order collapse against England spinners Graeme Swann, who took three for 24, and Michael Yardy, who took two for 26.

It's possible for three of the four sides in the pool that also features New Zealand to end the second round with two wins each.

If that's the case, net run-rate will decide which two teams go through to the last four.

But if Pakistan beat South Africa, England will be in the semi-finals before their match against New Zealand.

Group E concludes in St Lucia on Tuesday.