England v South Africa, 2nd ODI Review: Mark Wood's final over heroics hands England series victory

Wood and ball are the quintessential components that form the game of cricket, along with a neat cover of grass on an expanse of land. Who knew that two human beings with the names Wood and Ball would prove to be heroes for England – surprisingly playing the game of cricket again – against South Africa in the second ODI at Southampton! Mark Wood and Jake Ball tightened things up in the dying stages of an exciting chase, so much so that batsmen of David Miller and Chris Morris’ caliber failed to get 10 off 10 balls for a win. The pendulum swung both ways in the course of a heart-stopping game at the Rose Bowl, but the visitors eventually fell short by a mere 2 runs. South Africa had their faces buried in their hands, while England were busy lapping up the applause for cleverly defending a total of 330.

While the kickoff of the Champions Trophy overshadowed the 2nd ODI between England and South Africa at the Rose Bowl, weather in the host nation was pretty much in character. Although the skies were expected to clear out through the course of the day, AB de Villiers rightfully put the hosts into bat in bowl-first conditions.

South Africa treated the series like a warm-up in a prelude to the Champions Trophy and were hence not afraid to give all of their squad a run-off before the big tournament got underway. Unlike the Proteas’ three changes, England stuck to their cards, making the only forced change as Chris Woakes was ruled out with a quad niggle.

Looking to extend an unassailable lead in the three-match series, the English openers walked out to face Kagiso Rabada’s music. The lean South African was right on the money with his first couple of overs. Chris Morris piled up on the pressure from the other end. England’s shell final cracked in the opening ball of the 4th over. A frustrated Jason Roy, who left the IPL disgruntled, still couldn’t find an innings that would soothe his dry run with the bat. Beaten for pace, Roy lost his off stump to a straight yorker from Rabada.

Rabada had an opportunity to remove Alex Hales as well, but as a fielder patrolling the boundary ropes. To his utter dismay, his goal-keeping skills flared up as he tipped the ball over an imaginary bar. Hales, on the other hand, had given up but was instead awarded 6 runs. Keshav Maharaj had to play the waiting game for his maiden wicket.

As it turned out, the drop cost South Africa just those 6 runs, as Dwaine Pretorius came in to remove Hales in the following over. Joe Root’s innings came to a calamitous end. Pretorius got his fingertips to an Eoin Morgan straight drive which then smashed into the stumps.

Meanwhile, debutant Keshav Maharaj was going through a test of patience for his first ODI wicket. Two drops off two consecutive deliveries summed up the youngster’s luck at Southampton. The drops became a rare trend for an otherwise brilliant fielding unit that South Africa is. Skipper Morgan’s patient 45 came to an end against the run of play. However, IPL MVP Ben Stokes was yet to work his magic.

The wobbly knee was out of sight as Stokes powered his way towards a fine hundred. Stokes hadn’t yet shaken off the IPL germs as he got his 2nd ODI century off just 77 balls. Buttler cut loose once Stokes departed for an authoritative 101. His valuable 66 along with a quick-fire 33 from Moeen Ali meant the visitors were once again staring at a daunting total well in excess of 300.

Two of South Africa’s most dependable batsmen began the 331-chase with their routine stability. Centurion Ben Stokes then jumped into the act with the ball, putting an end to Hashim Amla’s classy-looking start. Du Plessis wasn’t of much help as he perished for a mere 16. Quinton de Kock, on the other hand, looked good to tee off when AB de Villiers joined in. As expected, the duo brought South Africa right back into the game with a sturdy 96-run stand.

Liam Plunkett’s brilliant piece of fast bowling came in the nick of time for England. His victim, a de Villiers well set on 52, was done in by a short and sharp bouncer from Plunkett. While the traditional South Africa collapse was on the cards, a rusty David Miller walked in to play an unexpected blinder. Even after Quinton de Kock walked back agonizingly short of a steadfast century, Miller carried on his onslaught. The boundaries came thick and fast for South Africa, and suddenly 331 looked within striking distance.

The final six overs of the game witnessed some clean hitting from David Miller and Chris Morris, the latter having recently shown the damage he can inflict with the bat lower down the order. Morris was in a similar destructive mood at the Rose Bowl. The big-hitting duo had no qualms finding the boundary ropes on multiple occasions in a given over. From 60 needed off the last 6 overs, Miller and Morris brought it down to 7 needed off the 50th.

To a rational follower of the game, especially with T20 filters in place, it was South Africa’s game without a doubt. Mark Wood, however, bowled an over that contradicted those rational followers. Singles and a couple of dot balls off the first 5 balls and lo and behold, the match had swung in England’s favor! Needing 4 off 1, Morris’ big heave resulted in a single.

South Africa will obviously wonder how they failed to get over the line when two of their most powerful batsmen were at the crease, more so when they were striking the ball with such ease. As for England, they’ll be a happy bunch having already taken the series. The hosts of the Champions Trophy just extended a friendly reminder to all other contesting nations that they must not be underestimated whatsoever.

Brief scores: England won by 2 runs

England – 330/6 (50) | Ben Stokes – 101(79), Kagiso Rabada – 2/50

SA – 328/5 (50) | Quinton de Kock – 98(103), Liam Plunkett – 3/64