LAST week, Wigan Athletic were thrashed 9-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. The Wigan players got together and offered to refund their supporters at their own expense.

It is unlikely that the Proteas will follow suit, but after their dismal performance in a seven-wicket loss against England at Axxess DSL St George’s yesterday, you would think their conscience would get the better of them.

England went 2-1 up in the MTN one- day international series with only one game to play, in Durban on Friday, thanks mainly to a career- best five wickets for 23 runs from fast bowler Jimmy Anderson and some pathetic batting by the home side.

Yes, there were leg before wicket decisions against Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers that could have gone either way, but to be bowled out for 119 in just 36.5 overs is downright scandalous.

This from a team who had managed a record-equalling 354 for six against the same opposition a mere 24 hours earlier in Cape Town.

This time around there was another record for South Africa – not one that would stir the loins – mind you. It was their lowest total ever on home soil and also the second worst total by any team at St George’s – the lowest being 112 by New Zealand against Australia.

England did lose three wickets en route to their easy target, but they eventually cruised home in 31.2 overs with South African-born Jonathan Trott leading the way with an unbeaten 52. Johan Botha claimed the wickets of Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen for 22 runs in eight overs.

Earlier, Graeme Smith won the toss and elected to bat under overcast skies. Some doubt was cast on Smith’s decision when England captain Andrew Strauss said he might have been tempted to bowl first.

He was proved correct as England struck as early as the eighth ball of the morning when Stuart Broad appealed successfully for a leg-before- wicket against Smith.

Hashim Amla, riding on the back of consecutive half-centuries, got to 11 before he played a wristy stroke off Anderson only to be easily caught by Graeme Swann in a trap set at short mid-wicket.

JP Duminy (6) was next in the procession of top-order wickets when he attempted a hook shot off Anderson and gloved the ball through to wicket-keeper Matt Prior.

AB de Villiers was joined by Alviro Petersen and the two set about restoring some order. But wickets continued to fall at a rapid rate and South Africa finished on a paltry 119.

Anderson, who bettered his previous best of 4/23, dismissed Petersen for a well-played 51 off 79 balls.

To add to their woes, South Africa had to undergo the embarrassment of having to bowl at England for 30 minutes before the lunch break.

See scoreboard on Page 21.