Records And Sixes Smashed As England And South Africa Tie 20/20 Series

November 16, 2009 10:09 a.m. EST

Johannesburg, South Africa (AHN) - Fresh from their triumph over old-foes Australia in this summers Ashes, England's tour of South Africa is eagerly anticipated by fans around the world.

A tour which, if first impressions are to be believed, looks set to live up to its expectant billing.

It began on Friday with a thrilling day-nighter at Johannesburg, where England clinched a dramatic 1 run win in a rain-affected match.

South Africa won the toss and elected to make England bat.

It looked a wise decision when Joe Denly fell LBW first ball.

However England rallied and an exquisite 85 not out from Eoin Morgan saw the tourists post an impressive 202 from their 20 overs.

South Africa got their run chase off to a promising start as Loots Bosman and Greame Smith fired 97 from the first 9 overs.

England needed wickets and 3 quick ones followed as rain began to drift in.

The hosts still led on the Duckworth/Lewis method which looked set to decide the game, then with the rain getting steadier Paul Collingwood brought on James Anderson.

His tight over restricted South Africa to only 8 runs and saw England move ahead on D/L by 1 run.

It proved an inspired, matchwinning, decision as the thunderstorms settled in for the night, giving England a 1 run D/L win and a 1-0 lead in the two match series.

Next up was Centurion Sunday.

Again the hosts captain, Smith, won the toss, this time choosing to make England chase.

And chase they would have to.

Smith and Bosman followed up their impressive opening stand, with a world-record breaking one as they walloped a mammoth 170 off only 13 overs.

England faced the prospect of chasing an unprecedented 250 but its bowlers kept going to limit the hosts to, only, 241.

Faced with an openign run-rate of well over 10 an over, and England win looked almost impossible from the off, and so it proved with Jonathon Trott's 51 the best they could offer in reply falling 84 runs short.

The result left the series tied at 1-1 and has served to whet an already massive appetite for the upcoming one-day and test series.