England Wrap Up NatWest Series In Style

England wrapped up theNatWest ODI Series with a crushing 126-run defeat of South Africa at the Brit Oval yesterday, in the third of a five-match series.

Andrew Flintoff and Samit Patel were instrumental in England's fantastic victory, as the new-look England side have gone from strength to strength under new captain Kevin Pietersen.

All-rounder Flintoff hit 78 not out to help England post a great total of 296-7. But the Lancastrian was not going to stop there, and took 2-33 as England crushed the Proteas by dismissing them all-out for just 170 in the only the 43rd over.

However, it was Samit Patel who was the most impressive in the bowling department, as the spinner claimed fantastic figures of 5-41 to wrap up the series, and give captain KP another great win since his appointment.

Another player impressive with the bat was Ian Bell. The Warwickshire batsman made 73 runs, as England made stand-in South Africa skipper Jacques Kallis regret his decision to bowl first after winning the toss.

The appointment of Kallis as stand-in skipper for the injured Graeme Smith is most likely because of the Proteas' drubbing at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, where they were bowled all-out for only 83.

They faired little better with Kallis, however, as once again the Proteas lost early wickets to an in-form England bowling attack.

James Anderson led the way this time, after Stuart Broad's fantastic 5-23 last Tuesday, and the Lancashire man was impressive as he dismissed Herschelle Gibbs for just 12 runs, and only conceded 17 from seven overs.

Defeat was looking inevitable for the South Africans when Steve Harmison claimed the wicket of Hashim Amla. He provided some hope for the Proteas with a score of 46, but his dismissal left South Africa's score at just 67.

Flintoff got into the bowling action after a great batting performance, and claimed the wickets of Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers. The latter gave his wicket away after attempting a rather suicidal second run to fine leg.

Samit Patel also wanted in on the action, and the spinner took the wicket of Mark Boucher, dismissing him for just 19 runs. He then went down low to catch a return to his right off Albie Morkel. He then claimed three more wickets to claim figures of 5-41, and wrap up the game for England.

His figures made him the first England bowler to take a five-wicket haul since Ashley Giles back in 2002.

In the end it was another great performance by the new-look England side, who have so far only got better and better under their new captain Kevin Pietersen.

What do you think? Will England get much better?  Or will they go back to the slump like they were under Vaughan? Are England playing well or are South Africa just playing rubbish? As always, please feel free to leave a comment.