England level the series with a thrilling 2 wicket win

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Picture Courtsey: Hindustan Times

Despite losing flurry of wickets at the end, England levelled the 3-match series with a 2 wicket win in the 3rd and final ODI played at Wanders Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday.

England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and decided to field first. It was a good start for England as Sam Curran and other bowlers created pressure on de Kock and Reeza Hendricks. Saqib Mahmood playing his first ODI got the wicket of Reeza Hendricks.  South African openers added 23 runs in 7.5 overs. De Kock and Bavuma looked cautious with their approach. At the end of 10 overs, South Africa were 36 for 1.

After the power play overs, de Kock and Bavuma looked composed with their stroke play. Adil Rashid who was included in the XI got the breakthrough dismissing Bavuma for 29. Bavuma and De Kock added 66 runs for the 2nd wicket. Moeen Ali produced the wicket dismissing Rassie Van der Dussen to put South Africa under pressure at 94 for 3. De Kock played with confidence and reached his fifty off 62 balls. Adil Rashid struck to get the wicket of South African captain de Kock for well made 69. Jon Jon Smuts also showed his intent and put on 46 runs for the 4th wicket. With wickets falling at other hand, from 204 for 7 in 45th over, David Miller took charge and reached his fifty off 45 balls. Miller and Siplama added unbeaten 52 runs for the 8th wicket out of which Miller contributed 10 runs. South Africa posted 256 for 7 in 50 overs.

The England openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy took the attack to South African opening bowling pair. Both took the pressure off adding 61 runs in just 6.2 overs. Siplama produced the breakthrough dismissing Bairstow for 43 off 23 balls. Soon after Beuran Hendricks got wicket of other opener Jason Roy to lead South Africa comeback. At the end of 10 overs, England raced to 77 for 2.

After the power play overs, England captain Eoin Morgan was dismissed cheaply for 9 by Hendricks. Joe Root and Joe Denly steadied the innings with attacking stroke play and rotating the strike easily. Shamsi got the big wicket of Joe Root short of his fifty ending a dangerous 76 runs for 4th wicket. Tim Banton and Denly continued their positive approach making the England job easy. Denly reached his fifty off 72 balls. Beuran Hendricks dismissed the Tom Banton for run a ball 32. Banton and Denly added 70 runs for the 6th wicket.

Lungi Ngidi dismissed Tom Curran and Adil Rashid to give South Africa hopes of winning the match. Moeen Ali kept his calm to help hit the winning runs. England won the match by 2 wickets with 40 balls to spare.

England 257 for 8 in 43.2 overs ( Denly 66, Joe Root 49, Beuran Hendricks 3/59, Lungi Ngidi 3/63) beat South Africa 256 for 7 in 50 overs ( Quinton de Kock 69, David Miller 69*, Adil Rashid 3/51) by 2 wickets.

 

 

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