England beat South Africa in a high scoring thriller to level the series
It was an amazing game of cricket as England defeated South
Africa in a high scoring thriller played at Kingsmead, Durban on Friday.
South African captain Quinton de Kock won the toss and
decided to field first. The explosive Jason Roy looked in sublime touch with
aggressive strokes before Lungi Ngidi got the breakthrough dismissing Jos
Buttler cheaply. Jonny Bairstow and Roy took on Ngidi putting pressure on South
African team. Roy and Bairstow smashed Beuran Hendricks taking England to 55
for 1 at the end of six overs.
After the power play overs, Bairstow took the liking to
Phehlukawyo putting pressure on South African bowlers. After being smacked for
14 runs, Phehlukawyo got rid of Jonny Bairstow ending a dangerous 52 runs stand
for the 2nd wicket. England captain Eoin Morgan and struggled
initially before taking on Shamsi. Shamsi provided the big breakthrough
dismissing Jason Roy with a catch by David Miller at long on. Dwaine Pretorius
bowled tight overs against Morgan and Ben Stokes before both batsmen hit some
big shots. Pretorius got the big wicket of Morgan to stem the run flow. Stokes
and Morgan added 33 runs for the 4th wicket. Phehlukawyo dismissed
Joe Denly cheaply as England struggled at 125 for 5. Moeen Ali came to the
crease and smashed 21 runs off Beuran Hendricks over which changed the momentum
of innings.
Stokes and Moeen Ali played with positive intent which
created pressure on South African bowlers. After being smashed for big runs,
Ngidi dismissed Ali for a quickfire 39 off 11 balls. Stokes and Ali added 51
runs in 18 balls. Stokes and Chris Jordan did the damage in the last over which
helped England post a competitive total of 204 for 7 in 20 overs.
Chasing 205 runs to win, South African openers Bavuma and
Quinton de Kock started cautiously before South African captain de Kock put
pressure on Moeen Ali taking him for 20 runs. It was just superb display of batting
by de Kock who just did not allow England bowlers to settle. At the end of six
overs, South Africa raced to 69 for 0.
After the power play overs, de Kock reached his fifty off
just 17 balls with a big six off Adil Rashid bowling. In the same over, Bavuma
was given out but on review there was an inside edge. De Kock threatened to
take game away from England but Mark Wood got the breakthrough dismissing the
dangerous de Kock for a superb 65 off 22 balls which included 2 fours and 8
sixes. De Kock and Bavuma added 92 runs in 7.5 overs.
Soon after Mark Wood struck again to dismiss the other
opener Bavuma to stem the flow of runs. David Miller who was promoted at number
3 took on Adil Rashid but struggled against Wood and other England pacers. Ben Stokes
was bought into the attack and got wicket of Miller to put pressure on South
African batsmen.
Jon Jon Smuts struggled against the England bowlers and
could not hit big sixes. With 60 runs required off the final 5 overs, Tom Curran
gave away 10 runs and made sure that South Africa need to hit big shots. Chris
Jordan produced a brilliant 17th over dismissing Smuts and Phehlukawyo
off successive balls which gave England control.
With 45 runs required off last 3 overs, Van der Dussen
produced brilliant display of hitting Mark Wood for 19 runs which changed the
equation to 29 off 12 balls. Pretorius and Van der Dussen hit 11 runs off Chris
Jordan in 19th over.
Dwaine Pretorius hit 12 runs off 3 balls from Tom Curran
bowling. Curran fought back strongly to dismiss Pretorius with a superb yorker
and then Fortuin to give England a thrilling 2 run win. Pretorius and Van der Dussen
added 44 runs in quick time.
England 204 for 7 in 20 overs (Ben Stokes 47*, Moeen Ali 39,
Lungi Ngidi 3/48, Shamsi 1/30) beat South Africa 202 for 7 in 20 overs ( Quinton
de Kock 65, Van der Dussen 43*, Bavuma 31, Chris Jordan 2/31, Mark Wood 2/39) by
2 runs.
England have levelled the 3 matches series at 1-1. The
decider will be played at Super Sports Park, Centurion on 16th February.
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| Tom Curran brilliant last over helps England clinch a thriller by 2 runs |
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