Proteas flourish early against England

A lively opening stand between Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla put South Africa on course for a sizeable total in the second one-day international against England at the Ageas Bowl.

After surviving an awkward five-over spell at the start of the afternoon, the opening pair enjoyed a mixture of good fortune and aggressive strokeplay to set a solid base at the top of the order.

Tim Bresnan had Smith caught top-edging for 52 off 76 balls, with Amla 42 not out in a 20-over total of 95 for one.

It took until the sixth over for the first boundary of the day, Smith pushing Steven Finn back down the ground with a straight bat.

The second boundary arrived in less classical fashion, Amla aiming a big flourish at James Anderson only to send a thick inside edge to fine-leg.

Amla and Smith began to get going, South Africa moving from 11 after five overs to 49 after 10.

England turned to spin after 11 overs, sending on both Graeme Swann and Samit Patel.

Patel found himself struck through the covers for four by Amla but responded by beating the bat with a turning delivery.

As the field spread, Amla and Smith began to milk the singles, the latter bringing up his half-century from 70 balls.

The bowling powerplay brought the wicket, Smith mis-timing a pull against Bresnan and Craig Kieswetter haring backwards to take the catch.