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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Emma John

England see their World Cup defence wither in the Mumbai heat

Heinrich Klaasen on his way to a century for South Africa against England
Heinrich Klaasen on his way to a century as he piled on the misery for England. Photograph: Rajanish Kakade/AP

The Wankhede Stadium witnessed some of the bravest batting seen in a one-day international. Unfortunately for England, it wasn’t by them. Their innings lasted 22 overs and just under two hours. Heinrich Klaasen was at the crease for longer than all their batters combined.

If anything could make England’s third and worst batting collapse of this tournament look more abject than it was it was the comparison with Klaasen’s heroic hundred. Fighting two separate foes – England’s bowling and the oppressive weather – he scored a double victory.

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