Essex star Darren Gough claimed three wickets but it was not enough to prevent England sliding to defeat against South Africa.
The tourists went down by seven runs in last night's fifth One-Day International - giving the hosts a 3-1 lead.
Gough snared AB de Villiers, big-hitter Justin Kemp - who rattled a quick-fire 80 - and Mark Boucher as South Africa finished on 311 for seven.
In reply, Kevin Pietersen continued his remarkable start to international cricket with a brilliant unbeaten hundred but fell just short of helping his side snatch an unlikely victory at Buffalo Park.
Pietersen rocketed the tourists to within a respectable distance of the hosts with another astonishing assault - England's fastest-ever One-Day International century.
But his side fell just short on 304 for eight. The last two matches take place tomorrow and Sunday.
Published Thursday, February 10, 2005
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