Protease thrash England by 112 runs

NEWLANDS: South Africa batsman AB De Villiers hit a brilliant century as South Africa beat England by 112 runs in the third one-day international at Newlands.

De Villiers showed skill and great control as he reached a hundred in just 75 balls. It was the second fastest by a South African and the batsman reached 121.

South Africa won the toss and openers Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla made a flying start.

England bowler Stuart Broad claimed four wickets for England but the home side smashed 354 runs for the loss of six wickets.

England openers Andrew Strauss and Luke Wright played some excellent shots but fast bowlers Wayne Parnell and Morne Morkel took valuable wickets.

Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood gave England some hope with a 84-run partnership until part-time off-spinner JP Duminy took the wicket of Pietersen. England were all out for 242 in the 42nd over.

The series is now level at 1-1 with the home side favourites to win the series with two matches left.

South Africa next play England in Port Elizabeth on Sunday and the final match is in Durban in a week. The first game of the five-match series was washed out.