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London: Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott shared a second-wicket partnership of 141 to lift England to a comfortable six-wicket win over South Africa in the fourth one-day International at Lord’s on Sunday.
South Africa were restricted to 220 for eight but when England captain Alastair Cook was bowled lbw by Dale Steyn for just two that total looked a long way off for England.
However, Bell and Trott, who was struggling with a hand injury, recorded their fourth century partnership to set England on their way to reach their target with 20 balls to spare and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
South Africa’s Dean Elgar broke the partnership when he trapped Trott lbw on 48. The original appeal was turned down but South Africa reviewed it and were vindicated.
Ravi Bopara only survived 14 balls, scoring six, before he was sent back to the pavilion after edging behind off the bowling of Ryan McLaren.
The Essex batsman has only scored a total of 22 runs in three innings this series.
Bell survived a dropped catch when his attempt to hit Lonwabo Tsotsobe over the top went all wrong but fortunately for the batsman Robin Petersen was off balance and the ball slipped through his fingers.
Bell went on to make 88, his 23rd one-day half century, before falling to Steyn, edging behind, with England needing 35 off 40 to win.
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