Smith, Bosman batter England

Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman went on a six-hitting spree as they battered England's bowlers in a world record opening partnership in the second and final Twenty20 international against England at SuperSport Park on Sunday.

South Africa made 241 for six, the second-highest total in Twenty20 internationals, after Smith and Bosman put on 170 for the first wicket in 13 overs.

Stand-in England captain Alastair Cook had a baptism of fire as sixes flew into the crowd. A total of 17 sixes and 19 fours were hit in the innings.

Smith hit six sixes and eight fours as he made 88 off 44 balls, while Bosman cleared the boundary nine times and hit four fours in making 94 off 45 deliveries.

Only 14 runs were scored off the first three overs before Smith and Bosman went on the rampage, with 21 runs hit off Sajid Mahmood's first over.

Ironically, Smith was bowled off a free hit delivery after a no-ball, while Bosman was caught at mid-off in the same over off a second no-ball. Another 72 runs were scored off the next four overs as Cook rotated his bowlers without success.

With his regular bowlers taking a hammering, Cook turned to part-time spinner Joe Denly who had Smith caught at long-on off his first ball.

Three more batsmen, including Bosman, fell to catches in the deep as South Africa tried to maintain the momentum of the opening partnership.

Cook was leading England because Paul Collingwood was ruled out because of a back injury.

Collingwood's injury meant an earlier-than-planned return to action for star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who had not been expected to play before a 50-overs match against South Africa A after joining the touring party late following heel surgery.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann had a side injury and was replaced by leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

South Africa made three changes in line with a planned rotation policy. Wicketkeeper-batsman Heino Kuhn gained a first cap in place of Mark Boucher, while Jacques Kallis and Yusuf Abdulla played in place of Johan Botha and Charl Langeveldt.

England won the first match by one run according to the Duckworth/Lewis method after rain stopped play in Johannesburg on Friday. There was again a possibility of thunderstorms on Sunday.