England produced a clinical performance when it mattered most as they beat the Proteas in the 2nd ODI at Old Trafford in Manchester. With rain delaying the start of proceedings for close to three hours, the match was reduced to 29 overs per side.
After the game finally began, England batted first and were dismissed for 201 runs in 28.1 overs. None of the batsmen reached a fifty but useful contributions from Bairstow at the top and Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran lower down the order gave Jos Butter’s side a fighting total.
The Proteas, led by Keshav Maharaj in the series in the absence of Temba Bavuma, were bundled out for just 83 runs in 20.4 overs. Only Heinrich Klaasen managed to cross 20 as South Africa were dismissed for their lowest ever total in an ODI against England.
TEAM NEWS:
The home side made three changes to the side that lost their first ODI at Chester-le-Street. With Ben Stokes retiring from the ODI side, Philip Salt was named as the all-rounder’s replacement. Salt was also given the No.3 spot with Joe Root dropping down to No.4. The two fast bowlers Brydon Carse and Matty Potts, made way for regulars David Willey and the in-form Reece Topley.
South Africa had to make a forced change in Andile Phehlukwayo, who suffered a concussion in the first ODI. His replacement in the first game, Dwaine Pretorius, was picked in this game as well.
1st innings – England manage 201 in their innings
With the match reduced to 29 overs per side, the side batting second will have a clear advantage. Hence after winning the toss, South Africa skipper Keshav Maharaj put England into bat first on a gloomy evening at Old Trafford. There was an air of uncertainty around both sides as the game can neither be treated as a T20I nor a one-day.
The skipper bowled the first over and Jason Roy started off with an audacious reverse-sweep over point for four. Roy was in no mood to slow down as he hit a couple of boundaries off Anrich Nortje before charging down the pitch and being caught at mid-wicket in the 3rd over.
England is on top of the game against SA
Bairstow looked scrathy at the other end as he struggled against the swing of Nortje and Ngidi. Philip Salt, given a chance at No.3, hit a hat-trick of boundaries off Ngidi to finish the powerplay as the home side raced to 49/1. The introduction of Pretorius in the 7th over changed the complexion of the game. He dismissed Salt on his fourth delivery, caught at mid-wicket.
He inflicted a double-blow on England, removing both Root and Bairstow in his next over to leave England reeling at 62/4. Moeen Ali didn’t last long either as the all-rounder was caught at deep-square off Maharaj. Buttler, after getting a start, threw it away as his troubles against leg-spin continued, this time in the form of Shamsi.
Curran and Livingstone joined in the middle and combined to form a vital partnership for England. Curran made his intentions very clear when he hit a six straight past Maharaj before hitting another six off Shamsi over long-off. Livingstone, having survived through a clever review, teed off in the 21st over, hitting three sixes and a four off Nortje before getting out the very next ball.
In a similar manner, Curran hit two fours and a six off Shamsi before slicing one to long-off. England were all out for their fifth successive game for 201, with 5 balls to spare.
2nd innings – England blow away SA
South Africa’s innings got off to the worst possible start as they were reduced to 6 for 4 inside the first four overs. Janneman Malan was the first to go, caught at mid-on off Reece Topley for a duck. Topley’s incredible summer continued as he removed the centurion from the previous game Van der Dussen in the same over.
In every part of the game, English players showcased their talent
Willey got in on the act in the next over as he dismissed de Kock and Markram was run out in the same over. The game was as good as done with three of the Proteas’ top four batters gone for a duck. Miller hit a couple of boundaries but couldn’t keep out Sam Curran’s off-cutter, which reduced South Africa to 27/5.
With England on top, rain returned once again but the umpires decided to continue the game. Klaasen tried to delay proceedings by complaining about the hoardings at the boundary, which caused a brief delay. With more than 20 overs needed to be bowled to declare a result, Buttler introduced spin at both ends.
Rashid and Moeen Ali did not disappoint as they combined to pick up the last five South African wickets to win the game for England.
Brief Scores: England 201 in 28.1 overs (Liam Livingstone 38, Sam Curran 35; Dwaine Pretorius 4-36) beat South Africa 83 in 20.4 overs (Klaasen 33; Rashid 3-29, Topley 2-17) by 118 runs (DLS)
