Strauss tips hat to South Africa

AB de Villiers frees his arms on the way to a splendid century. "He played exceptionally well," said Andrew Strauss

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England captain Andrew Strauss refused to blame a lost toss at Newlands for his team’s 112-run defeat against South Africa.

All the statistics for day-night fixtures at this venue pointed to a series-levelling win for the hosts, from the moment the coin landed the right way up for captain Graeme Smith.

So it proved, with AB de Villiers hitting his fourth one-day international hundred - 121 off 85 balls - in a ground record-equalling 354 for six.

Despite in-form Paul Collingwood’s 86 in England’s reply, a close finish never threatened - and in the end Strauss and company were all out for 242, with 8.3 overs unused.

“It was a lovely wicket to bat on first, I must admit, but just to blame the toss takes a lot of credit away from South Africa,” said Strauss.

“I thought AB de Villiers played exceptionally well, and we struggled to build any pressure.

“It’s a shame and a disappointment. But, chasing 350, you need a lot of things to go your way. We lost too many wickets at regular intervals.”

There were only brief moments when England appeared to have any chance under lights, with fast bowlers Wayne Parnell (5-48) and Morne Morkel (3-39) doing most damage.

“Our run-rate was looking okay for a while, but it was always getting a little bit further and further away from us,” added Strauss.

As for England’s own toil with the ball under the sun, the skipper knew they were up against it from the very early stages on a near perfect pitch for batting.

“You can tell when the bowlers are bowling cutters and varying their pace and yet the batsmen are still finding it very easy to get singles that it’s a good wicket to bat on,” he explained.

“Inconsistency is always frustrating - that’s something we need to eradicate.

“But us trying to improve in one-day cricket is a long-term thing, which is not going to happen overnight. We’re going to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes.

Kevin Pietersen's gloved sweep onto the stumps ended a stand of 84 with Paul Collingwood, England's highest of the innings

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“But I wouldn’t want to admonish the players too much today. I think you have to give credit where it is due - South Africa took the game to us.”

Strauss’ opposite number was one of three batsmen, in addition to de Villiers, to pass 50. He made a fluent 54, Hashim Amla 86 and Alviro Petersen an unbeaten 51.

But Smith insisted: “I don’t think the wicket had anything to do with the win tonight; I just think we played really good cricket.

“Getting 350 was terrific, and then for 90% of the innings we bowled really well.

“This will really make a statement if we can build on it tomorrow and play to our potential again.

“Our challenge as a team is to create this consistency. This is what we are capable of doing. If we can maintain this level, we will make things tough for England.”

De Villiers reached his hundred from only 75 balls but was modest in his assessment.

“Hashim and our captain set us up nicely, so I could come out and play with some freedom,” he said, referring to an opening stand of 107.

“Then I had a very good time out there, and things went my way today.”

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn left the field after bowling only six overs, because of a hamstring injury, and Smith admitted he will be reassessed in Port Elizabeth.