INDIA: In a high-scoring match filled with drama and excitement, South Africa secured a famous five-wicket win against England, ensuring an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Temba Bavuma led his team from the front with an inspired 102-ball 109 and was supported by his fellow batters as South Africa chased down a massive target of 343. With this victory, South Africa has kept their hopes alive for direct qualification to the 50-over World Cup.
England Inning
Jos Buttler cracked an imposing 94 not out while Harry Brook and Moeen Ali made respective half-centuries to take England well past the 300-run mark.
The visitors made an ordinary start after losing the toss and being put into bat. England lost both Dawid Malan and Jason Roy inside seven overs.
Harry Brook and Ben Duckett steadied the English innings with a third-wicket stand of 49. Duckett lost his wicket in the 17th over, with Keshav Maharaj picking up the scalp.
Brook and Buttler then joined forces and shared a timely 73-run partnership. After Aiden Markram dismissed Brook, Moeen Ali and Buttler stitched together partnership of 105 before Sam Curran’s cameo took England to 342/7 in 50 overs.
Moeen, who has endured a prolonged rough patch in ODIs, played freely and notched up his fifty.
South African Inning
The hosts needed a solid start, and Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma provided just that. The South African skipper looked in sublime touch while facing Topley and Woakes.
De Kock put on a fine exhibition of batting, hitting Woakes for two boundaries and a six in the seventh over. Olly Stone dismissed De Kock in the 12th over against the run of play, with Ben Duckett pouching a fine catch.
Bavuma continued to play his strokes from the other end and shared a 97-run partnership with Van der Dussen for the second wicket.
Bavuma lost his concentration and fell to Sam Curran in what can be described as a soft dismissal. England were dealt another blow when Adil Rashid dismissed well-set Van der Dussen in the 29th over.
Klaasen and Aiden Markram strung together a stand of 55 in just over six overs as the duo kept the asking rate in check. After Klaasen departed, Markram added a 49-run partnership with David Miller as South Africa inched closer to an epic victory.
The experienced duo of Miller and Marco Jansen landed the big shots with the lofts and slog-sweeps to keep the scorecard ticking after Markram’s dismissal.
Miller smashed Woakes for a six off the first ball of the last over to provide the finishing touches.
Also Read: India Clinch Series-levelling Victory against New Zealand in Last Over Thriller
