Cricket: South Africa A thump England despite Vaughan century

POTCHEFSTROOM, SOUTH AFRICA - A Michael Vaughan century could not save England as South Africa A thumped them by seven wickets in a three-day tour match at Sedgars Park on Monday.

Another poor batting performance by England -- they were dismissed for 190 in their second innings after resuming on 154 for seven on Monday -- left the hosts needing just 134 to win.

England's last hope came from the weather but the sun returned despite an hour-and-a-half's play being lost to rain just after lunch on the final day.

Without Vaughan, England's humiliation would have been complete.

His century took three and three-quarter hours and came off 149 balls with 13 fours and two sixes but, two balls after reaching three figures, Vaughan slashed off the back foot and edged behind to Mark Boucher off impressive left-armer Charl Willoughby.

Steve Harmison hit two boundaries in eight balls to finish on 13 not out, but Simon Jones was the last man to fall, hitting a comfortable catch to extra cover.

Seamer Matthew Hoggard got rid of first-innings top-scorer Martin van Jaarsveld for a duck in the first over of the South Africa A second innings but by lunch the hosts were cruising on 63 for one.

Lighting caused a short delay after the break and England, who made just 225 in their first innings, seemed to benefit as two wickets fell for four runs.

Andrew Puttick added just one run, reaching 45 before he edged a good delivery from Simon Jones to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, and Justin Ontong was out in the next over, top-edging Harmison to fine-leg where Ashley Giles reacted late but completed a good catch.

South Africa A were 76 for three, but Ashwell Prince (23 not out) and Jean-Paul Duminy (25 not out) overcame the 80-minute delay to steer the hosts to victory with a feast of boundaries.

- REUTERS