SLAUGHTER by seven wickets highlighted why England's bowling resources are not good enough for World Cup success. England manager Ray Illingworth almost admitted as much on Saturday after the first of two weekend defeats by South Africa which leaves his side 3-1 down in the seven-match one-day series.
Illingworth blasted England's players for not showing enough professionalism during the three-wicket defeat in Johannesburg on Saturday.
And yesterday, even with Dominic Cork and Richard Illingworth back in what is likely to be England's starting World Cup line-up, similar inconsistencies of line and length added to the problems caused by a perfect batting pitch at Pretoria's Centurian Park.
England's 272 for eight was a competitive total, kick-started by acting captain Alec Stewart's 77-ball 64 and topped off by a superbly inventive 39 not out by wicketkeeper Jack Russell that took him just 19 deliveries.
But South Africa's batsmen simply pulverised England in reply, openers Gary Kirsten (116) and Andrew Hudson (72) piling up 156.
The rest of the top order simply carried on where they left off and victory eventually arrived with two overs to spare.
Illingworth was critical of his team's ragged bowling with the new ball on Saturday. Yesterday, it was the same story - after 10 overs England were just 28 without loss after 10 overs of their innings, South Africa were 47 for no wicket.
Only Darren Gough and Phil DeFreitas escaped heavy punishment - while South Africa's magnificent fielding was another difference between the two sides. Jonty Rhodes' athleticism is already legendary, but most of the rest of the South Africans are also world class - especially Daryll Cullinan, Jacques Kallis, Hudsop and Kirsten.
England are good - but South Africa kept at least 30 runs off England's total by the sheer brilliance and speed of their ground fielding and throwing.
England, however, can work at their fielding before next month's World Cup - but a far more serious problem is the lack of quality in the bowling attack.
Cork's new ball stand was erratic and, as a fourth seamer, Craig White is far too easily hit. Spinner Illingworth, in his first match since the Christmas Test at Port Elizabeth, was perhaps understandably ring rusty, but his counterpart, South African offspinner Pat Symcox, was far steadier.
Illingworth said afterwards: "I am not happy. We still made mistakes, and we gave them too many four balls again. We didn't bowl as many no balls and wides as we did in Johannesburg but we have to get these four balls out of our system. We still have a lot of work to do in that area.
"In fact I think we have to up our bowling by 10 to 15 per cent. We have a few things to talk about with the bowlers before our next match."
Stewart added: "The frustrating thing is that we seem to give away too many boundaries off the last ball of the over or near the end of it. Also, if you're hit for four you expect it to be in the right areas - in other words where you have set your field.
"These things are easier said than done, but if we are going to be successful we have to tighten up in certain areas."
Stewart, back at the head of the order in the absence of the rested Mike Atherton, was in superb form - while Robin Smith also boosted his previously fading World Cup hopes with 63.
