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Home » Live Cricket Score » South Africa in England, 3 T20I Series, 2017 » commentary

England vs South Africa Live Commentary, 2nd T20, South Africa in England, 3 T20I Series, 2017, June 23, 2017

SA 174/8 (20)
South Africa beat England by 3 runs
ENG 171/6 (20)
Match over
South Africa Inning England Inning
0.0 : Hello and welcome to the 2nd T20I game between England and South Africa in Taunton. The host took a 1-0 lead by beating the visitors quite convincingly in the first game. English bowlers did not give a lot away and Hales and Bairstow sealed it off quite easily. They look a very balanced outfit and Morgan will hope that they continue their momentum. Mark Wood who was very influential with the ball has been rested for the rest of the series. Tom Curran might make his international debut today.
South Africa on the other hand lacked intent in the first encounter. They were below par in all three departments. AB de Villiers would desperately need a win today and will hope that his teammates step up. The visitors might bring in Chris Morris to add some firepower to their batting and bowling. Will England clinch the series today itself or will the Saffas stay alive with a win?
TOSS - ENGLAND WIN THE TOSS AND OPT TO FIELD! Both the teams have made three changes each. England bring in Liam Livingstone, Tom Curran and Liam Plunkett for Alex Hales, Mark Wood and Mason Crane. For South Africa, Imran Tahir, Dwaine Pretorius and Wayne Parnell make way for Chris Morris, Morne Morkel and Dane Paterson. Tom Curran and Liam Livingstone will make their International debuts for England today.
The players and the umpires are out in the middle. JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks will open the batting for South Africa. David Willey will start the proceedings with the new ball for England. A slip in place. Here we go...
0.1 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Starts off with a fullish delivery outside off, shapes back in and Smuts lets it go through. A brave leave there.
0.2 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Smuts drives it beautifully through the extra cover region and the ball races away to the fence. They are underway. First boundary of the day.
0.3 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, A tad short outside off, Willey gets some extra bounce. Smuts goes for the cut but gets beaten.
0.4 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Lovely stop by Morgan! Short and outside off, Smuts cuts it towards point. Morgan dives to his left and stops it.
0.5 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, FOUR! Poor there by Jordan. Full ball on off, Smuts drives it towards Jordan at mid off who lets it through his legs. The ball races away to the fence.
0.6 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Chris Jordan will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : C Jordan to R Hendricks, Back of a length on off, the batsman pushes it to covers off the back foot.
1.2 : C Jordan to R Hendricks, WIDE! Slips it down the leg side. Hendricks misses the flick and the umpire signals wide.
C Jordan to R Hendricks, Short on the stumps, Hendricks pulls it towards long leg for a couple.
1.3 : C Jordan to R Hendricks, Bowls it around off, Hendricks flicks it on the leg side for a run.
1.4 : C Jordan to JJ Smuts, Slower delivery on a fuller length around off, the batsman drives it to mid off.
1.5 : C Jordan to JJ Smuts, WIDE! What was that? Jordan tries to bowl a slower ball but gets it completely wrong and sprays it wide outside off. The umpire signals a wide.
C Jordan to JJ Smuts, Length ball on off, Smuts punches it off the back foot on the off side.
1.6 : C Jordan to JJ Smuts, WIDE! Almost a replica of the previous wide. Slower ball way outside off and the umpire signals a wide.
C Jordan to JJ Smuts, SIX! BANG! Very full outside off, Smuts just lofts it over mid off for a maximum. 20 off the first 2 overs.
2.1 : D Willey to R Hendricks, Length ball angling away, Hendricks defends it off the front foot.
2.2 : D Willey to R Hendricks, Lands it on a length outside off, Hendricks plays it with soft hands on the off side for a run.
2.3 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, A tad short outside off, Smuts mistimes his slap to mid on for no run.
2.4 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Shorter in length outside off, Smuts goes for the cut but gets beaten.
2.5 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Bowls it on the pads, Smuts flicks it through backward square leg for a run.
2.6 : D Willey to R Hendricks, Back of a length around off, Hendricks nudges it on the leg side for a run.
Tom Curran is introduced into the attack.
3.1 : Tom Curran to R Hendricks, In the air.... but safe. Curran bangs it in short, Hendricks goes for the pull but gets a top edge and it just clears short fine leg. The bastmen run two. He almost got a wicket off his first ball.
3.2 : Tom Curran to R Hendricks, OUT! CURRAN GETS HIS MAIDEN WICKET! A tad short outside off, Hendricks tries to drag it through the leg side but gets a bottom edge onto the stumps. Tom Curran is pumped up, you can see the happiness in his celebration. South Africa lose their first wicket.
Mangaliso Mosehle comes into bat.
3.3 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, Full on the pads, Mosehle flicks it through backward square leg for a run.
3.4 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Length ball on off, jags back in a little, Smuts goes to push it through the off side but gets a bottom edge on it and the ball goes past the stumps.
3.5 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Length ball on leg stump, Smuts goes to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.
3.6 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Liam Plunkett is brought into the attack.
4.1 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Back of a length on off, Smuts defends it off the back foot.
4.2 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Angles it on the pads, JJ Smuts flicks it through square leg for a run.
4.3 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, Bangs it a tad short on leg, Mosehle goes for the flick but gets hit on the thigh pad.
4.4 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, Back of a length on middle, Mosehle tries to flick it but gets hit on the thigh pad and the ball rolls to first slip.
4.5 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, Mosehle pulls the ball on the leg side for a run.
4.6 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, A tad fuller on middle, Smuts pushes it to mid on for a run.
5.1 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, FOUR! SMASHED! Full ball on off, Smuts stands tall and smashes it straight back past the bowler who tries to get a hand on it but does not. The ball hits the stumps and races away to the fence. The umpire was in danger there.
5.2 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
5.3 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Bowls it on the pads, Smuts flicks it through square leg for a run.
5.4 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, SIX! WOW! Length ball on off, Mosehle just pulls it off the front foot over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. That was one hell of a shot.
Change of bat for Mangaliso Mosehle. He seems to have damaged his bat while hitting the bat for a biggie.
5.5 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, FOUR! Straight this time. Length on middle, Mosehle lofts it straight back past the bowler for a boundary. Looks a good player this lad.
5.6 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. That's the end off the powerplay.
Liam Dawson is into the attack.
6.1 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Fuller into the stumps, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
6.2 : L Dawson to M Mosehle, Short and sliding into the pads, nudged towards backward square leg for a single.
6.3 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, SIX! This guy has some power. Bowls it on a middle. Smuts comes down the track and hits way over mid-wicket for a biggie. That was some shot.
6.4 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Fires it in on off, Smuts defends it off the front foot.
6.5 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Smuts comes down the track, Dawson sees him coming and drags his length back. Smuts tries to flick it but gets hit on the pads and the ball rolls on the leg side. They run a leg bye.
6.6 : L Dawson to M Mosehle, Quicker on the stumps, Mosehle flicks it through the leg side for a run.
7.1 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, BOUNCER! A good bouncer on middle, the batsman goes for the pull but gets a top edge which falls short of point.
6.6 : Liam Plunkett comes back into the attack.
7.2 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, Short again, Mosehle this time manages to pull it through square leg for a run.
7.3 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Bangs it short, Smuts goes for the pull but does not hit the middle and goes through square leg for a run.
7.4 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, OUT! Short ball ploy works. Bangs it in short on leg. Mosehle goes for the pull but the ball brushes the glove and Buttler dives forward and takes a good low catch. Mosehle falls after a good cameo. England would want to build on this wicket now.
AB de Villiers is the next man in.
7.5 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, A tad fuller outside off, de Villiers drives it beautifully through covers for a couple.
7.6 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
8.1 : L Dawson to de Villiers, Quicker and fuller in the line of the stumps, AB de Villiers plays the reverse sweep fine past the keeper for a single towards short third man.
8.2 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Fuller outside off, Smuts mistimes his heave back to the bowler.
8.3 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Smuts clips it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
8.4 : L Dawson to de Villiers, Full outside off, de Villiers drives it towards the fielder at covers. No runs taken.
8.5 : L Dawson to de Villiers, Shorter in line of the stumps, AB de Villiers pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
8.6 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Quicker delivery outside off, Smuts tries to cut it past point but fails to make contact. Just 3 runs off it.
9.1 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, FOUR! He hits it with one hand. Short ball on middle. de Villiers stays back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
9.2 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, FOUR! Showing some intent here, de Villiers. Length ball outside off. He comes down the track and tries to hit it over mid off but gets an outside edge and the ball races to the third man fence.
9.3 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, Bowls it on middle, the batsman plays it through leg side for a run. Smart by de Villiers.
9.4 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, WIDE! Fast bouncer down the leg side, Smuts goes for the pull but misses and the umpire signals wide.
L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Slower short ball on the body, Smuts pulls it down to fine leg for a run.
9.5 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, FOUR! third boundary off the over. de Villiers makes room. Plunkett tries a slower one which ends up being a full toss. de Villiers hits it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
9.6 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, SIX! BANG! Over covers, full ball outside off, de Villiers makes room and lofts it over covers for a maximum. 21 off that over. It is a big one for South Africa.
10.1 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Fuller around off, Smuts comes forward and gets an inside edge onto his pads.
10.2 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, FOUR! Smashed! Short outside off, Smuts dances down the track and slaps it through the cover region for a boundary.
10.3 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, SIX! That's gone way into the stands! Floats this one around off, Smuts comes down the track and slogs it over the wide long on region for half a dozen.
10.4 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, Smuts clips it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
10.5 : L Dawson to de Villiers, Shorter into the pads, de Villiers pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
10.6 : L Dawson to JJ Smuts, OUT! Dawson gets a wicket on a poor delivery! How often have we seen that? Full toss down the leg side, Smuts tries to go big again. Gets a top edge on it and the ball flies towards the short fine leg region. Plunkett gets underneath it and takes a simple catch. An entertaining knock from Smuts comes to an end.
David Miller makes his way out to the middle.
Chris Jordan is called in for a bowl.
11.1 : C Jordan to de Villiers, De Villiers clips it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
11.2 : C Jordan to D Miller, Good length delivery outside off, Miller defends it on the off side and scampers across for a quick single.
11.3 : C Jordan to de Villiers, Length delivery outside off, punched through covers for a single.
11.4 : C Jordan to D Miller, Back of a length delivery outside off, Miller tries to cut it on the off side. Fails to make contact and the ball goes through to the keeper.
11.5 : C Jordan to D Miller, Short and wide outside off, Miller steps out of his crease and throws his bat towards it. Cannot reach it and hopes for a wide but nothing given by the umpire.
11.6 : C Jordan to D Miller, Angling into the pads, Miller clips it through the square leg region for a single. A really good over by Jordan, just four runs off the over. 100 up for South Africa!
12.1 : L Dawson to D Miller, Floated around off, Miller comes down the track and lofts it towards long on for a single.
12.2 : L Dawson to de Villiers, SIX! AB de Villiers, on the charge! Shuffles across and Dawson bowls it on the leg stump, AB just kneels down and sweeps it over the backward square leg region for a biggie.
12.3 : L Dawson to de Villiers, De Villiers punches it through the cover region for a single.
12.4 : L Dawson to D Miller, Shorter around off, Miller slaps it through the cover region for a couple.
12.5 : L Dawson to D Miller, Miller camps back and flicks it through the mid-wicket region for a double.
12.6 : L Dawson to D Miller, A bit short and Miller is quick to go back and punch it towards the sweeper cover fielder for a single.
Liam Plunkett is back for his last over.
13.1 : L Plunkett to D Miller, Back of a length delivery into the body, Miller fends it on the leg side.
13.2 : L Plunkett to D Miller, OUT! Plunkett strikes again! Short delivery outside off at a slower pace, Miller tries to cut it on the off side. Gets a feather edge on it and the ball goes through to the keeper. Buttler makes no mistake and he pouches it safely to send the dangerous Miller back to the hut.
Farhaan Behardien is the next man in.
13.3 : L Plunkett to F Behardien, Behardien pushes it towards covers for a single.
13.4 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, Short delivery outside off, AB de Villiers stands in his crease and guides it through the point region for a couple.
13.5 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, FOUR! Beautiful! Fuller outside off, AB pierces this one through the gap between cover and mid off for a boundary. That came straight off the middle.
13.6 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, AB de Villiers goes leg side and Plunkett is smart to follow him this time. Short delivery into the body, de Villiers just manages to defend it back to the bowler.
David Willey is brought back for a bowl.
14.1 : D Willey to F Behardien, Short delivery and Behardien pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
14.2 : D Willey to de Villiers, SIX! Mr. 360 is at his best! AB de Villiers shuffles way across and Willey bowls a good length delivery outside off. De Villiers smacks it over the short fine leg region for a handsome maximum. That went way into the stands.
14.3 : D Willey to de Villiers, OUT! AB departs! Length delivery outside off, de Villiers tries to go over covers for a maximum. Mistimes it and the ball balloons over the fielder at extra cover. Morgan gets underneath it and takes a really fine catch to send his counterpart back.
Chris Morris strides out to the middle.
14.4 : D Willey to F Behardien, Slower delivery outside off, Behardien tries to flick it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The batsmen run a single.
14.5 : D Willey to C Morris, Short outside off, Morris pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
14.6 : D Willey to F Behardien, Behardien clips it on the leg side for a single.
Tom Curran is back into the attack.
15.1 : Tom Curran to F Behardien, Angling into the hips, the batsman clips it through the backward square leg region for a single.
15.2 : Tom Curran to C Morris, Slower delivery around middle and leg, Morris comes down the track and drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
15.3 : Tom Curran to F Behardien, Short into the batsman, Morris pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.
15.4 : Tom Curran to C Morris, Fuller into the stumps, Morris tries to dig it out. Gets it off the inner half through the mid-wicket region for a couple.
15.5 : Tom Curran to C Morris, Slow bouncer and Morris pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
15.6 : Tom Curran to F Behardien, Slower delivery on a back of a length around off, the batsman dabs it towards the fielder at point.
16.1 : D Willey to C Morris, Full toss outside off, Morris drives it straight to the fielder at mid off.
16.2 : D Willey to C Morris, Full into the stumps at a slower pace, Morris somehow digs it out off the inside edge on to his pads and the ball rolls on the off side. The batsmen run for a single .
16.3 : D Willey to F Behardien, Short around off this time, Behardien drags it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
16.4 : D Willey to C Morris, Length delivery around off, Morris goes for a biggie. Gets an inside edge towards backward square leg for a single.
16.5 : D Willey to F Behardien, FOUR! Good shot! Full outside off, Behardien stays in his crease and carves it over the cover region for a boundary.
16.6 : D Willey to F Behardien, Dropped! Fuller delivery outside off, Behardien smacks it powerfully to the fielder at mid off. Jordan cannot hold onto it as it came like a rocket towards him. The ball bounces off his hands, then hits hit jaws and then falls down. The batsmen run a single in the process.
17.1 : C Jordan to F Behardien, FOUR! Powerful! Fuller outside off, Behardien stays in his crease and hammers it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary.
17.2 : C Jordan to F Behardien, Eased towards long on for a single.
17.3 : C Jordan to C Morris, FOUR! Lucky runs! Short delivery around off, Morris goes for the pull, gets a top edge on it and the ball flies over the keeper's head. The keeper, the fine leg and the third man fielders chase it down but none cannot reach it. Willey puts in a dive after running in from third man but to no advantage as the ball reaces away to the fence.
17.4 : C Jordan to C Morris, Wide outside off, Morris fails to make contact with it.
17.5 : C Jordan to C Morris, Wide! The batsman goes after a wide one and misses. Wide signalled by the umpire.
C Jordan to C Morris, Liam Livingstone drops a sitter! Full toss in the line of the stumps, Morris stays in his crease and slogs it over the mid-wicket region. Cannot find the distance on it as the ball goes straight to the fielder. Livingstone in the deep gets under it but cannot hold onto it. Morris survives and the batsmen run a single.
17.6 : C Jordan to F Behardien, Driven through mid off for a single.
18.1 : Tom Curran to F Behardien, Low full toss, Behardien drives it towards long on for a single.
18.2 : Tom Curran to C Morris, OUT! Slower delivery lands Curran his second! Back of a length around off, Morris goes for a biggie but he cannot time it well. Gets it towards the wide long on region and Jason Roy runs to his right from long on to take a fine running catch. Livingstone will be happy that Morris could not make the most of the life he got in the last over.
Andile Phelukwayo comes out to bat.
18.3 : Tom Curran to F Behardien, SIX! Another slower delivery but this goes the distance! Short delivery at a slower pace, Behardien stays deep in his crease and pulls it over the mid-wicket region for a maximum.
18.4 : Tom Curran to F Behardien, Yorker right on the money, Behardien digs it out on the off side for a single.
18.5 : Tom Curran to A Phehlukwayo, OUT! Curran takes a 3-fer on debut! Fuller around off, Phehlukwayo tries to jam it out but cannot make contact. The ball goes through and rattles the stumps. Curran is having a debut to remember.
Morne Morkel strides out to the middle.
18.6 : Tom Curran to M Morkel, Morkel clips it towards deep mid-wicket. No runs taken. Curran ends with figures of 4-0-33-3.
19.1 : C Jordan to F Behardien, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
19.2 : C Jordan to F Behardien, SIX! Huge! Full toss on the pads, Behardien stays in his crease and sends that loosener way into the square leg stands for half a dozen.
19.3 : C Jordan to F Behardien, Fuller around off, Behardien drives it straight to the fielder at covers. No runs taken.
19.4 : C Jordan to F Behardien, Full toss outside off, Behardien tries to go over the cover region but fails to make contact. So another dot ball.
19.5 : C Jordan to F Behardien, OUT! That's plumb! Full into the stumps, Behardien shuffles a bit and tries to go for the slog but misses it completely. Gets rapped flush on the pads and the players appeal. The umpire is quick to raise his finger. Jordan gets his first wicket of the day.
Dane Peterson will face the final ball of the innings.
19.6 : C Jordan to D Paterson, FOUR! What a way to get off the mark! Fuller around off, Paterson drives it uppishly over the cover region for a boundary. SOUTH AFRICA FINISH ON 174/8.
England will be happy to restrict South Africa to 174. The visitors came out all guns blazing. They were off to a flier. JJ Smuts scored a quickfire 45 off 35 balls. Skipper AB de Villiers hit the bowlers to all parts of the ground but after his wicket the Proteas lost their way. None of them except Farhaan Behardien contributed after that which meant they could not finish off the innings in the way they wanted.
The hosts on the other hand, were excellent in the death overs. They chipped in with timely wickets which stopped the run flow of the Saffas. Tom Curran had a dream debut and was the pick of the bowlers and he was well supported by the rest of the bowlers. It seems to be a under par total. The Englishmen should fancy themselves to chase this off. Join us back in a while for the chase.
0.0 : Welcome back for the chase! Jason Roy and Sam Billings will open the batting for England. While Morne Morkel will start the proceedings with the new ball for South Africa. A slip in place for him. Here we go...
0.1 : M Morkel to J Roy, Good length delivery into the pads to start off with, Roy clips it towards fine leg for a single.
0.2 : M Morkel to Sam Billings, Good length delivery, the ball bounces a bit more off the deck. Billings gets behind it and defends it back to the bowler.
0.3 : M Morkel to Sam Billings, Short delivery into the body, Billings hops and fends it towards square leg for a single.
0.4 : M Morkel to J Roy, Short delivery at 85 mph, Roy makes room on the leg side and tries to hit over the cover region. Fails to make contact.
0.5 : M Morkel to J Roy, Another short delivery around off, Roy camps back and mistimes his pull over the mid on region for a couple.
Slip has been taken out. A mid-wicket is in place.
0.6 : M Morkel to J Roy, Short outside off, Roy slaps it through the cover region for a single.
Chris Morris will share the new ball from the other end.
1.1 : C Morris to J Roy, Length delivery outside off, Roy flashes hard at it but cannot make contact.
1.2 : C Morris to J Roy, Short delivery into the body, Roy pulls it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
1.3 : C Morris to J Roy, Wide! Full toss down the leg side, Roy shuffles across and tries to play it fine. The umpire signals it as a wide.
C Morris to J Roy, FOUR! Powerful! Fuller delivery and Roy heaves it through the backward square leg region for a boundary.
1.4 : C Morris to J Roy, Short delivery around off, Roy pulls it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
1.5 : C Morris to Sam Billings, Full toss into the pads, Billings tucks it through the backward square leg region for a couple.
1.6 : C Morris to Sam Billings, OUT! Morris strikes early! Short delivery outside off, extracts some extra bounce off the surface. Billings tries to flat bat it over the infield on the off side. But gets a top edge on it and the ball balloons towards short mid off. Miller comes running in from extra cover to take a fine catch.
Jonny Bairstow comes out to bat.
2.1 : M Morkel to J Roy, FOUR! Lucky runs! Fuller around off, Roy goes hard at it. Gets an inside edge to it and the ball goes through the short fine leg region for a boundary.
2.2 : M Morkel to J Roy, FOUR! Successive lucky boundaries! Good length delivery outside off, Roy goes for the pull. Gets an bottom edge to it and the ball flies past the diving keeper for a boundary.
2.3 : M Morkel to J Roy, Roy gets behind the line of the ball and defends it.
2.4 : M Morkel to J Roy, Dug in short outside off, Roy sways away from the line of the ball and lets it through to the keeper.
2.5 : M Morkel to J Roy, FOUR! Beautiful! Fuller into the pads, Roy clips it beautifully through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
2.6 : M Morkel to J Roy, FOUR! Great shot! Short and wide outside off, Roy cuts it hard through the backward point region for a boundary.
3.1 : C Morris to J Bairstow, Good length delivery outside off, Bairstow defends it on the off side.
3.2 : C Morris to J Bairstow, That's a peach of a delivery! Back of a length delivery around middle and off, the ball nips away after pitching. Bairstow tries to poke at it but gets beaten.
3.3 : C Morris to J Bairstow, Fuller around off, Bairstow drives it back to the bowler.
3.4 : C Morris to J Bairstow, Length delivery around middle, Bairstow tries to clip it on the leg side but gets a leading edge towards covers.
3.5 : C Morris to J Bairstow, Back of a length delivery around middle and off, Bairstow tries to defend in line but gets beaten by the away movement.
3.6 : C Morris to J Bairstow, FOUR! Glorius! Fuller outside off, Bairstow leans into the drive and plays it through the extra cover region for a boundary. He is off the mark with it.
Dane Paterson is introduced into the attack.
4.1 : D Paterson to J Roy, Wide! Sprays it wide down the leg side, the batsman lets it through.
D Paterson to J Roy, FOUR! Freebies! Short delivery into the batsman, Roy pulls it through the short fine leg region for a boundary.
4.2 : D Paterson to J Roy, Back of a length delivery outside off, Roy punches it straight to the fielder at covers.
4.3 : D Paterson to J Roy, Leg bye! Angling into the pads, Roy fails to clip it through. Gets rapped on the pads and the ball goes on the leg side. The batsmen scamper across for a leg bye.
4.4 : D Paterson to J Bairstow, FOUR! Easy pickings! Angling into the hips, Bairstow just helps it over the short fine leg region for a boundary.
4.5 : D Paterson to J Bairstow, Back of a length delivery outside off, Bairstow cuts it straight to the fielder at backward point.
4.6 : D Paterson to J Bairstow, Full into the stumps, Bairstow digs it out.
Andile Phehlukwayo is brought into the attack.
5.1 : A Phehlukwayo to J Roy, Short delivery outside off, Roy pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
5.2 : A Phehlukwayo to J Bairstow, Length delivery around middle and off, Bairstow drives it straight to the fielder at covers.
5.3 : A Phehlukwayo to J Bairstow, Leg bye! Angling into the hips, Bairstow tries to clip it away on the leg side. Misses it completely and the batsman gets hit on his body. Goes towards point and the batsmen run a leg bye.
5.4 : A Phehlukwayo to J Roy, Slower delivery at a shorter pace, Roy drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple. Hendricks does well in the deep.
5.5 : A Phehlukwayo to J Roy, Short outside off, Roy pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
5.6 : A Phehlukwayo to J Bairstow, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
6.1 : D Paterson to J Bairstow, Bairstow pushes it through the cover region for a single.
6.2 : D Paterson to J Roy, Dug in short outside off, Roy dances down the track and throws his bat to it. Fails to make contact and the ball goes through to the keeper.
6.3 : D Paterson to J Roy, Good length delivery around off, Roy punches it towards long on for a single.
6.4 : D Paterson to J Bairstow, Good length delivery outside off, Bairstow tries to cut it but cannot find bat to ball.
6.5 : D Paterson to J Bairstow, Length delivery outside off, Bairstow guides it towards third man for a single.
6.6 : D Paterson to J Roy, Length delivery, Bairstow punches it towards wide mid off for a single.
7.1 : A Phehlukwayo to J Roy, FOUR! Brutal! Short delivery outside off, Roy pulls it powerfully through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
7.2 : A Phehlukwayo to J Roy, Fuller outside off, Roy drives it towards sweeper cover for a single.
7.3 : A Phehlukwayo to J Bairstow, FOUR! Hard and effective! Fuller length outside off, Bairstow stays deep in his crease and drives it powerfully straight down the ground for a boundary.
7.4 : A Phehlukwayo to J Bairstow, FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Short delivery around off, Bairstow hammers that pull straight over the umpire's head for a boundary.
7.5 : A Phehlukwayo to J Bairstow, Angles it into the pads, Bairstow shuffles across and tries to play the paddle. Misses it and gets rapped on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire says no. Seems like it was surely going down leg.
7.6 : A Phehlukwayo to J Bairstow, Bairstow gets behind the line of the ball and drives it towards mid off.
JJ Smuts comes into the attack.
8.1 : JJ Smuts to J Roy, Into the stumps, Roy goes to play the reverse sweep. Gets a top edge over the keeper for a single.
8.2 : JJ Smuts to J Bairstow, Fuller around off, driven towards long off for a single.
8.3 : JJ Smuts to J Roy, Short into the stumps, Roy camps back and smacks that powerfully towars long on for a single where Behardien is quick to reach it.
8.4 : JJ Smuts to J Bairstow, FOUR! Bairstow hits hard! Fuller in the line of the stumps, Bairstow camps back and hammers that over the bowler's head for a boundary. Behardien cannot cut it off this time.
8.5 : JJ Smuts to J Bairstow, FOUR! Short and punished! Again a bit short this time, Bairstow pulls it over the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
8.6 : JJ Smuts to J Bairstow, Leg bye! Fuller into the pads, Bairstow cannot flick it away. Gets it off his pads for a leg bye towards square leg.
Morne Morkel is back for a bowl.
9.1 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, Bowls it on a length on off, Bairstow goes to heave it but does not connect.
9.2 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, FOUR BYES! UNLUCKY MORKEL! Bowls a fast bouncer and gets some extra bounce. Bairstow goes to pull it but is beaten for pace. The ball bounces over the keeper for a boundary.
9.3 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, SIX! FLAT ONE! Short ball on the stumps, Bairstow pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Brilliant shot from Bairstow.
9.4 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, Good comeback. Yorker on middle, the batsman digs it out for a run.
9.5 : M Morkel to J Roy, Length ball outside off, Roy shuffles across and tries to hit it out of England but does not connect.
9.6 : M Morkel to J Roy, Full toss on leg stump, Roy flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi is into the attack.
10.1 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Flatter ball on middle, Roy goes for the pull but gets an inside edge just past the leg stump onto the boot of the keeper.
10.2 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Bowls it outside off, Roy flat-bats it to covers.
10.3 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Drags his length back on off, Roy punches it down to long off for a run.
10.4 : T Shamsi to J Bairstow, Fires it in on middle, Bairstow punches it off the back foot through covers for a run.
10.5 : T Shamsi to J Roy, SIX! That is huge! He is back in form. Tosses it up Roy comes down the track and lofts it over long on for a maximum.
2nd T20I fifty for Jason Roy!
10.6 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Short ball on middle, Roy pulls it through mid-wicket. Miller runs to his left and makes a good diving stop. The batsmen run two.
11.1 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, YORKER! On middle, Bairstow digs it out.
11.2 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, NO BALL! He has hit the stumps while delivering the ball. Bowls a well directed bouncer. Bairstow tries to duck under it but falls to the ground.
Free Hit coming up....
M Morkel to J Bairstow, FOUR! Full ball on off, Bairstow drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. He makes full use of the Free Hit.
11.3 : M Morkel to J Bairstow, A tad shorter on the stumps, Bairstow pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
11.4 : M Morkel to J Roy, Good length outside off, Roy heaves at it but misses.
11.5 : M Morkel to J Roy, FOUR! LOVELY SHOT! Length outside off, Roy cuts it late past the short third man fielder for a boundary. This is too easy for England.
11.6 : M Morkel to J Roy, FOUR! Pierces the gap with precision. Doles it short on middle, Roy pulls it powerfully between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. 59 required off 48 balls.
100-run stand between Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow!
12.1 : T Shamsi to J Bairstow, Bowls it on middle. Bairstow punches it through the off side for a run.
12.2 : T Shamsi to J Roy, The batsman picked it early and slog swept it through the leg side. They pick up a single.
12.3 : T Shamsi to J Bairstow, Comes down the track, Shamsi drags his length back. Bairstow goes to flick but gets a leading edge to covers.
12.4 : T Shamsi to J Bairstow, Full ball, Bairstow hits it to long on for a run.
12.5 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Roy comes down the track and hits it to long on for a run.
12.6 : T Shamsi to J Bairstow, FOUR! Flatter on middle, Bairstow sweeps it past short fine leg for a boundary.
Chris Morris into the attack.
13.1 : C Morris to J Roy, Full ball on leg stump, Roy drives it to mid on.
13.2 : C Morris to J Roy, Bowls a well directed bouncer. Roy goes for the pull but misses it.
13.3 : C Morris to J Roy, Back of a length ball on middle, Roy pulls it to deep square leg for a run.
13.4 : C Morris to J Bairstow, OUT! Morris provides the breakthrough. Bairstow is the man who has to go. Full ball on middle, Bairstow tries to go over mid on but does not get the elevation he wante. Ends up hitting it straight towards Farhaan Behardien who takes a simple catch. England need another 50 off 38 balls. Game on?
Liam Livingstone strides out to the middle.
13.5 : C Morris to L Livingstone, Bowls a shorter one on the body of the batsman. Livingstone tries to flick it but is hit on the pads.
Chris Morris gives Liam Livingstone some piece of advice.
13.6 : C Morris to L Livingstone, Full on the pads, Livinstone flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. He is off the mark. First runs for him in T20I.
14.1 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Wrong one on off, Roy hits it to long off for a run.
14.2 : T Shamsi to L Livingstone, CHEEKY! Tosses it up, Livingstone goes down on one knee and paddles it for a couple.
14.3 : T Shamsi to L Livingstone, Wide outside off, the batsman cuts it to deep covers for a run.
14.4 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Darts it outside off, Roy flat-bats it down to long off for a run.
14.5 : T Shamsi to L Livingstone, Slower through the air on middle, Livingstone flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
14.6 : T Shamsi to J Roy, Goes for the reverse sweep and does not connect. Two good overs here for South Africa. They are fighting their way back into the game.
The umpires have gone upstairs to check if Roy was trying to obstruct the field! It will surely be a tough call for the third umpire.
15.1 : C Morris to L Livingstone, OUT! Bowls it on a length outside off, Livingstone defends it to point. Roy sets off for a run but Livingstone refuses the run. The fielder has a shy at the non striker's end and the ball hits the batsman. The South Africans appeal for obstruction of field. The umpire first calls it a dead ball and then goes to the square leg umpire and they both decide to go upstairs. The replays show that Roy did change his path and does come in way off the throw and decides to
0.0 : Jos Buttler makes his way out to the middle.
15.2 : C Morris to L Livingstone, Bowls it on a length outside off, Livingstone gets it off the outside edge down to third man for a run.
15.3 : C Morris to Jos Buttler, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
15.4 : C Morris to Jos Buttler, Full on the pads, Buttler misses the flick and is struck on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side and they run a leg bye.
15.5 : C Morris to L Livingstone, BOUNCER! The batsman ducks under it.
15.6 : C Morris to L Livingstone, HUGE APPEAL! But it is not given. Morris bangs it fast and short. Livingstone comes down the track and tries to pull it. He gets it off his shoulder and it lobs to slip. Ultra edge detects an edge there. Morris was not happy after the decision. He has finished off here and bowled an excellent spell.
Dane Paterson is called into the attack.
16.1 : D Paterson to Jos Buttler, Strays it down leg side and the umpire calls wide.
D Paterson to Jos Buttler, Fuller delivery on off, Buttler punches it through covers for a couple.
16.2 : D Paterson to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Lovely stuff from Buttler. Walks across to a full ball on off and flicks it past fine leg for a boundary where Shamsi dives but can't stop it.
16.3 : D Paterson to Jos Buttler, Full ball on the pads, Buttler flicks it through square leg for a couple.
16.4 : D Paterson to Jos Buttler, BIG APPEAL! Full ball outside off, Buttler walks across and tries to flick but is hit on the toe. Paterson makes a huge appeal but the umpire gives it not out. The bowler is not happy. Replays show it was hitting him outside off.
16.5 : D Paterson to L Livingstone, Yorker outside off, Livingstone tries to put bat on it but misses.
16.6 : D Paterson to L Livingstone, Shorter in length, Livingstone goes for a pull but gets a top edge to long on for a run.
Andile Phehlukwayo is back for a bowl.
17.1 : A Phehlukwayo to L Livingstone, FOUR! TIMELY BOUNDARY! Short ball, Livingstone gets it over square leg for a boundary. 25 needed now from 17.
17.2 : A Phehlukwayo to L Livingstone, Fullish outside off, the batsman drives it through covers for a run.
17.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, Slower ball on off, Buttler smashes it back past the bowler who gets a hand to it. Long on cuts it off and the batsmen run two.
17.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! What a delivery to bowl at this time. A perfect yorker on off. Buttler tries to dig it out but it just dips on him and rattles his off stump. The danger man has to depart. Phehlukwayo is all pumped. 22 required of 14.
Skipper Eoin Morgan is the next man in.
17.5 : A Phehlukwayo to E Morgan, Bowls it on a length on middle, Morgan flicks it on the leg side for a run.
17.6 : A Phehlukwayo to L Livingstone, Innovation but does not pay off. Bowls a high full toss. Livingstone comes across and goes to scope it over short fine leg but does not connect and goes just over the stump.
18.1 : D Paterson to E Morgan, Morgan skips down the track, Paterson bowls it on a length and cramps him for room. Eoin plays it on the off side for a run.
18.2 : D Paterson to L Livingstone, Full and wide outside off, Livingstone slashes at it but misses. Precious dot ball.
18.3 : D Paterson to L Livingstone, WIDE! Short and wide outside off, Livingstone swings but does not connect and the umpire calls a wide.
D Paterson to L Livingstone, WIDE AGAIN! Full this time outside off, the batsman comes down the track and misses it and the umpire signals a wide. A bit harsh on the bowler there.
D Paterson to L Livingstone, Yorker outside off, Livingstone digs it out on the leg side for a run.
Change of bat for Liam Livingstone who broke it in the previous delivery while digging out the yorker.
18.4 : D Paterson to E Morgan, FOUR! SHOT! Full on leg stump, Morgan thumps it past mid on for a boundary. 13 now from 8.
18.5 : D Paterson to E Morgan, OUT! The captain has to depart. Big wicket and the game turns in South Africa's favor. Full toss on leg stump, Morgan hits it straight into the hands of de Villiers who takes the catch and gives a strange reaction. He might not have got proper sight of the ball.
Liam Dawson strides out to the middle.
18.6 : D Paterson to L Dawson, Low full toss on leg stump, Dawson hits it down the ground for a run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to bowl the last over for South Africa. Can he defend 11 runs?
19.1 : A Phehlukwayo to L Dawson, Fuller outside off, Dawson drives it through covers for a single.
19.2 : A Phehlukwayo to L Livingstone, Full and wide outside off, Livingstone drills it towards the cover region for a single. 10 needed off 4 balls. They needed a couple of boundaries.
19.3 : A Phehlukwayo to L Dawson, Another full delivery outside off, Dawson carves it away off the outer half towards the deep backward point region for a single.
19.4 : A Phehlukwayo to L Livingstone, OUT! Miscommunication costs them another wicket! Full toss outside off, Livingstone shuffles across and plays the scoop. Gets it towards fine leg for a single. He sees the fielder taking time and Livingstone runs the second but Dawson does not respond and the keeper collects the ball and throws it to the non-striker's end. The bowler dislodges the bails and the debutant has to depart.
Liam Plunkett strides out to the middle.
19.5 : A Phehlukwayo to L Dawson, FOUR! What a contest! Fuller outside off, Dawson lofts it over mid off for a boundary. 4 runs needed of the last ball.
19.6 : A Phehlukwayo to L Dawson, Phehlukwayo has won it for his team! Fires this one outside off, Dawson throws his bat at it but fails to make contact. The ball goes through the keeper and the South Africans are delighted as they have pulled out a spectacular win. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 3 RUNS AND LEVEL THE T20I SERIES 1-1!
What a sensational game of cricket we have witnessed. Andile Phehlukwayo held his nerves to guide his team to a fantastic victory. The hosts started off in a sensational manner where Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow stitched in an important partnership of 110 runs to set the game in their favour. The former scored his second T20I fifty while the latter missed out by mere 3 runs. It looked like a walk in the park for them at the 13-over mark where they were sitting comfortably at 124/1.
Jason Roy departed in a horrific manner which changed the tide for them as he was looking really sublime in the middle. None of the other batsmen could score freely since then and the Protea attack made the most of it. Chris Morris, was the pick of the bowlers who ended with fantastic figures of 4-0-18-2. Dane Paterson and Phehlukwayo also bowled brilliantly in the death to seal the deal for South Africa.
Man of the Match, Chris Morris says that he is really happy with the performance today. Reckons that it has been a really good performance by the guys as they fought hard for it. Mentions that they knew they were a bit short at the halfway mark as the boundaries are really short in Taunton. Adds that he enjoyed bowling today. Credits the other bowlers for bowling well. Ends by saying that they will try not to lose the final game.
That's all from us for this game. A one-sided affair followed by a nail-biting victory. South Africa held their nerves and have managed to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. We will now head to Cardiff for the final T20I. It will take place on the 25th of June at 1430 local (1330 GMT). Until then, cheers and take care!