PAARL. South Africa. Dec 1 1: England captain Mike Atherton. recalled Irom a fishing trip, led his learn to a com fortable 74-run victory over lowly South African pro vince Boland in a one-day game on Sunday, reports Reuter

Atherton's 77 provided the backbone of England's 244 i Her he had chosen to bai Ursi and then watched his Lancashire teammate Peter Martin claim 4 for 35 as Boland slumped to 170 all out.

But Atherton was unsure about Saturday's decision to abandon the scheduled four-day game In Roder to play a one-day fixture.

"I was in the mountains .fishing when the decision was made.'' he said.".It is not a precedent I would like to see followed. The idea of । four-day game is to prepare for the Test."

The two sides agreed on Saturday the lifeless pitch offered no chance of a result with England early into their second innings.

Although Atherton's ope-

niny partnership of 84 in Sunday * one-dsyer was .dominated by John Crawley, who made a brisk 48 on the difficult and slow wicket. Ilie England captain gathered momentum and helped repair the damage of

four quick wickets and a slump to 124 for four.

Graeme Hick and Graham Thorpe both fell cheaply to Boland captain Adrian Kuiper, while Mark . Ramprakash added more anguish to his tour when he was caught and bowled by seamer Billy Stelling for a third ball duck.

Jack Russell continued his South African habit of remaining unbeaten, carving 29 from 28 balls.

Only captain Kuiper threatened to challenge England s total with a typically hard hitting 51 oil 52 ball*.

But Martin maintained splendid control, capturing wickets at regular intervals.

Dominic Cork and Angus Fraser claimed two wickets each and may now be joined by Martin in the third Test if England decide to replace the injured Darren Gough with another seamer.

Atherton commented: We obviously have a psychological advantage going into the third Test but then again. South Africa know they played the better cricket for. four out of five days in Johannesburg. Nobody really holds the upper hand.