Spirited England up against South African might

High on confidence after upstaging Sri Lanka, England are bracing up for another tough encounter, against hosts South Africa, in the ICC Champions Trophy here tomorrow.

The South Africans had lost their rain-marred opening match to Sri Lanka but bounced back well to beat New Zealand in their second game.

The English, drubbed 1-6 by Australia in a just-concluded home series, meanwhile, opened their campaign in style by beating one of the tournament favourites to spice up the race to the semifinals.

But even with a morale-boosting win to start with, Andrew Strauss' men have quite a task at hand against the South Africans.

Proteas batting line-up is in good touch and the likes of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers have done well, but skipper Graeme Smith remains crucial alongwith opener Herschelle Gibbs and star all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

On the bowling front, teen sensation Wayne Parnell has taken some of the limelight away from his more accomplished fellow pacer Dale Steyn.

Parnell starred with a five-wicket haul in the win over New Zealand, which resurrected South Africa's campaign after a disappointing opener.