ENG v SA, 3rd ODI, Review: Proteas upset the England winning momentum

The stage was set at the Lord’s for the final ODI of the three match series between England and South Africa. The result would have inconsequential in terms of the series outcome. By registering a narrow 2 run win in the second ODI at the Rose Bowl, the hosts had already claimed an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series. However, both teams had the bigger picture on their minds when the match commenced.

For the hosts, it was about finishing things off on a perfect note before heading into the Champions Trophy. On the contrary, South Africa saw the game as their final opportunity to get their permutations and combinations right ahead of the mega ICC event. Coming into the game, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first. They brought in Morne Morkel in the playing eleven and Farhaan Behardien was asked to sit out.

England made wholesale changes, with Toby Roland-Jones making his debut. Adil Rashid, Jonny Bairstow, and Steven Finn also made it to the playing eleven as Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes, and Mark Wood were rested. The Proteas bowlers had a great time in the game. Opener Jason Roy was sent packing in the very first over of the game by Kagiso Rabada on 4.

Joe Root joined Alex Hales at the crease but only to last 5 balls. Root was dismissed on 2 by Wayne Parnell. Skipper Eoin Morgan, who has been in a stunning run in the season, could muster only 8 runs before becoming Parnell’s second scalp in the 4th over. The wicket of Jos Buttler (4) and Adil Rashid (0) in consecutive balls in the 5th over by Kagiso Rabada saw the innings crash like never before. England were reeling on 20/6 after the end of 5 overs in the game.

Rebuilding after being 20/6

Jonny Bairstow and David Willey then came to the rescue of the hosts and saved their pride on the day. Both players ensured that no more wickets fell in quick succession. Batting sensibly, they added 62 runs for the 7th wicket in 85 balls. The partnership was eventually broken in the 20th over when Willey was dismissed on 26 (39) by Parnell.

Debutant Toby Roland-Jones came in to bat next and he showed great application too. Another 52 run stand beckoned England’s way. In the process, Bairstow reached his fifty. However, he could not add much to it after reaching the landmark. He was dismissed on 51 that came off 67 balls.

He was stumped by Quinton de Kock off the bowling of Keshav Maharaj in the 28th over. Maharaj wrapped up the remaining two wickets as well. In the end, England bundled out for 153 in 31.1 overs with Roland-Jones unbeaten on a run-a-ball 37 with 5 fours and a six to his name. Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with 4/39 to his name, while Parnell and Maharaj bagged 3 wickets each.

And the run chase

In the run chase, South African openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock made a very steady start. It seemed that they were playing on a very different track altogether. They added 95 runs in 90 deliveries for the opening wicket to put the visitors in firm command of the run chase. However, the dismissal of the two players in space of 4 deliveries gave a brief jitter to the Proteas camp.

Amla was the first to be dismissed as Roland-Jones bagged his maiden wicket in the 15th over. Amla scored 55 off 54 balls with 11 fours to his name. Quinton de Kock had to make the long walk back after scoring 34 off 39 as Jake Ball bowled a perfect yorker to clean him up. Faf du Plessis was dismissed on 5 by Ball soon after. The team still needed 53 more runs to win as AB de Villiers and JP Duminy were the two new men at the crease.

The two veteran campaigners completed the proceedings with ease. AB de Villiers remained unbeaten on 27 off 30 balls, and JP Duminy finished with an unbeaten 28 off 42 deliveries.

Brief Scores:

England 153/10 in 31.1 overs (Bairstow 51, Roland-Jones 37*, Rabada 4/39, Maharaj 3/25)

South Africa 156/3 in 28.5 overs (Amla 55, De Kock 34, Ball 2/43, Roland-Jones 1/34)

Check full scorecard here.