Hall undermines England hopes

England were facing an uphill battle to reach the World Cup semi-finals after their hopes of setting a competitive total were ripped apart by South African all-rounder Andrew Hall.

Deciding to bat first at the Kensington Oval knowing victory would almost certainly ensure their first last four spot since 1992, England slumped to 154 all out in 48 overs with Hall claiming five for 18.

Hall, Worcestershire's former overseas player, tore through England's middle order by grabbing four wickets in nine deliveries to end any hope of England even reaching a respectable total.

Their innings got off to a shaky start with openers Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan struggling to score any runs during impressive new ball spells from Shaun Pollock and Charl Langeveldt.

They were only able to score nine runs in the first seven overs with captain Vaughan taking 20 deliveries before he even got off the mark.

It was Bell's frustration which finally got the better of him, attempting to pull a ball from outside off-stump off Langeveldt which was caught at mid-wicket.

Vaughan struggled for another seven overs to reach 17 off 38 balls before his scratchy innings, which continued a dismal run of form during this tournament, was brought to an end by Andre Nel's second ball which was slanted in and trapped him lbw.

Once again, England's hopes of setting a decent total rested on Kevin Pietersen but as it was Pietersen only lasted 15 balls before he gave a leading edge to Smith, inevitably, at mid-off trying to guide Nel through midwicket and leave England reeling on 53 for three.

Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood at least stopped the collapse with a determined 58-run stand, but such was England's situation that boundaries dried up almost completely with the pair going 44 balls without clearing the rope. When they did try and lash out the inevitable happened with Jacques Kallis tempted Strauss into a forceful cut shot which nestled straight into Smith's hands.

Smith then turned to Hall, who had impressed earlier in the innings with an opening spell of five overs for 10 runs and effectively ended the contest with his next spell.