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

England vs South Africa Live Commentary, 3rd T20, South Africa in England, 3 T20I Series, 2017, June 25, 2017

ENG 181/8 (20)
England beat South Africa by 19 runs
SA 162/7 (20)
Match over
England Inning South Africa Inning
0.0 : A warm welcome to everyone for the final T20I between England and South Africa at Sophia Gardens. It's the series decider as both teams have won one game apiece. In the last match too, the hosts' top order gave them a flying start but once they departed things changed. The Proteas came back strongly with the ball and pulled out a superb win to level the series.
The ODI series was won by the English side 2-1 and would look to do the same in this T20I series as well. South Africa, on the other hand, would look to make up for a dismal Champions Trophy and the ODI series before that. Both the sides have young players and this series finale would be a good test for them. It had rained earlier in the day in Cardiff and let's hope it stays away to witness a good game on our hands.
TOSS - SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE TOSS AND OPT TO FIELD.
TEAM NEWS - Eoin Morgan has opted to sit out for this game and in his absence Jos Buttler will lead England. Alex Hales and Mason Crane come back in for Bairstow and Dawson while DAWID MALAN MAKES HIS INTERNATIONAL DEBUT. South Africa have just one change as Imran Tahir replaces Tabraiz Shamsi.
The players are out in the middle and it's the batting pair of Alex Hales and Jason Roy to open for England. Chris Morris to start the proceedings with the new ball. He has a slip in place. The weather is overcast but not much dark clouds hovering over Sophia Gardens. Here we go...
0.1 : C Morris to A Hales, Good length delivery outside off to start with, Roy prods forward and tries to defend it. Gets it towards the point fielder of the outer half.
0.2 : C Morris to J Roy, Back of a length delivery angling into the body, Hales fails to clip it through.
0.3 : C Morris to J Roy, Dropped! Good length delivery into the batsman, Roy comes down the track and tries to heave for a biggie. Does not time it well and the ball balloons towards the short fine leg region. Mosehle the keeper chases it down and dives to catch it but fails to hold onto it.
0.4 : C Morris to J Roy, Back of a length delivery outside off, Roy punches it towards the fielder at covers.
0.5 : C Morris to J Roy, Played to the point region by the batsman.
0.6 : C Morris to J Roy, Short delivery into the body, Roy pulls it through the square leg region for a couple.
Morne Morkel to share the new ball.
1.1 : M Morkel to A Hales, Hales stays deep in his crease and defends it.
1.2 : M Morkel to A Hales, Outside off, Hales tries to heave it on the leg side but fails to make contact.
1.3 : M Morkel to A Hales, FOUR! Edgy! Outside off on a good length, Hales tries to cut it but manages to get an outside edge for a boundary.
1.4 : M Morkel to A Hales, Leg bye! That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad. They pick up a single. The Umpire signals Leg Bye.
1.5 : M Morkel to J Roy, FOUR! Beautiful! Back of a length delivery around off, Roy stays back and just punches it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
1.6 : M Morkel to J Roy, OUT! Roy departs! Back of a length delivery angling into the batsman, Roy stays in his crease and tries to play the ramp shot. Does not time it well and the ball goes straight to the keeper who makes no mistake this time around. Morkel has struck early and the South Africans erupt in joy as they know how dangerous Roy can be.
Dawid Malan is the new man in.
A T20I debut for the youngster. He would look to make the most of it in the opportunity he gets. Can he make his mark tonight?
2.1 : C Morris to A Hales, Low full toss outside off, placed wide of mid on for a run.
2.2 : C Morris to D Malan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
2.3 : C Morris to D Malan, SIX! Hammered! What a way to register first international runs! Slightly back of a length around middle and off. Malan shimmies a touch and latches onto it in a flash. Pulls it hard and flat over square leg for the first maximum of the day.
2.4 : C Morris to D Malan, Low full toss, pushed in the cover region for a single.
2.5 : C Morris to A Hales, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
2.6 : C Morris to A Hales, Banged in short outside off, Hales lets it sail through to the keeper.
3.1 : M Morkel to D Malan, Fuller delivery outside off, Malan shuffles across, leans into the drive and plays it beautifully through the cover region. Beats the diving fielder but the outfield is slow which helps the extra fielder chase it down. Two runs taken.
3.2 : M Morkel to D Malan, Starts with the variation here, bowls an off cutter outside off. Malan is beaten by the lack of pace as he tries to run it down towards third man.
3.3 : M Morkel to D Malan, Banged in short outside off, Malan camps back and pulls it with authority through the mid-wicket region for a couple.
Third man comes in.
3.4 : M Morkel to D Malan, Good length delivery outside, another slower one this time. Malan tries to dab it down but fails to make contact.
3.5 : M Morkel to D Malan, That might have hurt! Another short delivery by Morne but this time at a slower pace. Malan is too early into the shot and he misses it completely. Gets hit on the arm.
3.6 : M Morkel to D Malan, Dawid guides it towards third man for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo is introduced into the attack.
4.1 : A Phehlukwayo to D Malan, FOUR! Malan welcomes Andile in style! Good length delivery outside off, Malan slashes hard through the backward point region. Beats the diving short third man fielder and the ball races away to the boundary.
4.2 : A Phehlukwayo to D Malan, Short delivery around off, DM pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
4.3 : A Phehlukwayo to A Hales, Another short delivery into the body, Hales tries to help it through. Gets it towards the short third man region. Paterson there puts his body in between to block the ball. A single is taken.
4.4 : A Phehlukwayo to D Malan, FOUR! Malan, you beauty! Back of a length slower one and Dawid stays deep in his crease to pull this one through the backward square leg region for a boundary.
4.5 : A Phehlukwayo to D Malan, Another short one and Malan is back to his pull. Gets it straight towards the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single.
4.6 : A Phehlukwayo to A Hales, Wide! Short and wide down the leg side, Hales sways away from the line of the ball to let it through.
A Phehlukwayo to A Hales, Another short delivery at a slower pace, Hales pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 13 runs off the over.
Dane Paterson is called into the attack.
5.1 : D Paterson to A Hales, Very full into the stumps, Hales manages to block it away towards backward square leg for a single.
5.2 : D Paterson to D Malan, Good length delivery outside off, Malan mistimes his punch towards long off for a single.
5.3 : D Paterson to A Hales, That's nasty! Length delivery around off, Hales backs away and goes for the heave. Gets a thick inside edge and the ball goes on to hit him on his left knee. Malan calls for the run but he goes back to his crease as Hales is down in pain. We can just hope that it is not serious because it looked really bad to the naked eye.
Hales has hurt his left knee real bad and he is undergoing some treatment in the middle. The physio is having a look at it and Hales now seems fine to continue.
5.4 : D Paterson to A Hales, Good length delivery around middle and leg, Hales backs away and tries to clear the infield on the off side but he fails to make contact.
5.5 : D Paterson to A Hales, A good yorker around leg, Hales digs it out towards mid on for a single.
5.6 : D Paterson to D Malan, FOUR! Beautiful! Fuller outside off, Malan shuffles way across and just flicks it over the mid-wicket region for a boundary. He seems to be toying with the South African bowling attack.
Chris Morris is back for a bowl.
6.1 : C Morris to A Hales, Short outside off, Hales pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
6.2 : C Morris to D Malan, Length delivery outside off, Dawid Malan shuffles and punches it towards the fielder at extra cover.
6.3 : C Morris to D Malan, Slower delivery on a good length around off, Malan stays in his crease and defends it back to the bowler.
6.4 : C Morris to D Malan, Wide! Dug in really short this time, Dawid kneels a touch and tries to swing his bat at it but he fails to make contact.
C Morris to D Malan, Fuller outside off, Malan drives it towards long off for a single.
6.5 : C Morris to A Hales, Dropped! What have you done Phehlukwayo? A bit shortish around off, Hales comes down the track and tries to go downtown. Gets it off the splice off his bat and the ball balloons towards the mid on region. He starts walking off as Phehlukwayo sits under the sitter. But wait, he has dropped it and Hales has managed to complete the run. How costly will that turn out to be?
6.6 : C Morris to D Malan, FOUR! Easy pickings! Angling into the pads, Malan shuffles across and works it fine past the keeper for a boundary.
Imran Tahir is introduced into the attack.
7.1 : I Tahir to A Hales, Full toss around off, Hales slog sweeps it towards long on for a single.
0.0 : It's gone a touch dark out there now.
7.2 : I Tahir to D Malan, FOUR! Powerful! Short delivery around off, Malan camps back and pulls it with authority through the long on region for a boundary.
7.3 : I Tahir to D Malan, Malan stays in his crease and defends it.
7.4 : I Tahir to D Malan, FOUR! Edged! Quicker outside off, Malan throws his bat to it. Gets an inside edge past the keeper, through the third man region for a boundary. 50-run stand between Dawid Malan and Alex Hales.
7.5 : I Tahir to D Malan, Punched towards long on for a single.
7.6 : I Tahir to A Hales, Hales pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Morne Morkel is back on.
8.1 : M Morkel to A Hales, Hales stays in his crease and clips it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
8.2 : M Morkel to D Malan, Fuller outside off, Malan drives it towards the fielder at covers.
8.3 : M Morkel to D Malan, Length delivery outside off, Malan swings his bat but he fails to make contact.
8.4 : M Morkel to D Malan, SIX! Great shot! Fuller delivery outside off, Malan stays deep in his crease and lofts that powerfully over the long off region for half a dozen. This is also the highest score by an Englishmen on a T20I debut. What a feat to be part of!
8.5 : M Morkel to D Malan, Wide! Short delivery way down the leg side, Malan still goes to pull it but he fails to make contact. The umpire signals it as a wide.
M Morkel to D Malan, Length delivery outside off, Malan punches it straight to the point fielder.
8.6 : M Morkel to D Malan, Short delivery into the body, Malan goes for the pull but only manages to find an inside edge onto his body. No runs taken.
9.1 : I Tahir to A Hales, SIX! That's a freebie! Full toss in the line of the stumps, Hales stays in his crease and just sends it deep into mid-wicket stands for half a dozen.
9.2 : I Tahir to A Hales, Hales slogs it towards long on for a single.
9.3 : I Tahir to D Malan, Malan plays the reverse weep this time but straight to the fielder at point.
9.4 : I Tahir to D Malan, Malan stays in his crease and punches it towards the fielder at covers.
9.5 : I Tahir to D Malan, FOUR! Fifty for Malan! Fuller into the stumps, Malan just shuffles across and paddles it over the fine leg region. Morkel tries to reach it but gets beaten and the ball races away to the boundary. Dawid will be hoping to continue with his entertaining knock.
Fifty on debut for Dawid Malan!
9.6 : I Tahir to D Malan, FOUR! Shot! Fuller outside off, Malan cuts it through the backward point region for a boundary.
10.1 : M Morkel to A Hales, Back of a length delivery around off, worked in the long leg region for a single.
10.2 : M Morkel to D Malan, Length delivery, angling across the southpaw, who throws his bat at it but gets it off the toe end to sweeper cover for a single.
10.3 : M Morkel to A Hales, FOUR! Almost a wide yorker, Hales looks to squeeze it on the off side. Gets it finer than he intends to and the ball races past the diving keeper to the fence behind.
10.4 : M Morkel to A Hales, Hales dances down, making room. Morkel spots that and bowls a slow short delivery outside off. Hales mistimes his pull to mid on and takes a quick single.
10.5 : M Morkel to D Malan, Malan too dances down the track leg sidish, Morkel bowls short to him as well, angling across. Malan looks to put bat on it but misses.
10.6 : M Morkel to D Malan, FOUR! The ball has raced away! Malan this time walks across, forcing Morkel to alter his line, who follows him with a full delivery. Dawid drills it past mid off for a boundary.
Dane Paterson is brought back into the attack.
11.1 : D Paterson to A Hales, Angling into the batsman, Hales dances down, looks to heave it but gets an inside edge onto the left pad. The ball rolls on the leg side and a single is taken.
11.2 : D Paterson to D Malan, Full on middle, Malan clears his front leg and carves it over cover-point for a single.
11.3 : D Paterson to A Hales, SIX! Just over! On a length around off, Hales clears his front leg and slams it over long on. Behardien at the fence, jumps full stretch but the ball evades his fingers and sails into the stands.
11.4 : D Paterson to A Hales, Run out chance! Back of a length around off, Hales stays leg sidish and looks to muscle it down the ground but mistimes it on the off side. De Villiers from extra cover, runs to his right, picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Hales who dives to get in, crashes into the stumps. The replays suggest that had ball hit the stumps, Hales was a goner.
11.5 : D Paterson to D Malan, FOUR! Cheeky! Full on middle and off, Malan moves across and paddle scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary. This guys is just destroying the Protea bowling.
11.6 : D Paterson to D Malan, FOUR! Easy pickings! This is poor line from Paterson. He bowls it on the shorter side outside leg, Malan just pulls it fine past the keeper for back-to-back boundaries.
100-run stand between Alex Hales and Dawid Malan!
Andile Phehlukwayo is called back for a bowl.
12.1 : A Phehlukwayo to A Hales, Shortish delivery, flat-batted to long on for a single.
12.2 : A Phehlukwayo to D Malan, Length delivery, angling away, Malan looks to drive it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls on the off side and a run is taken.
12.3 : A Phehlukwayo to A Hales, OUT! Hales departs! Phehlukwayo the man to provide the breakthrough! Back of a length delivery, angling in, Hales dances down the track, giving some room. Looks to muscle his pull over mid-wicket but finds Miller in the deep, who takes a good low catch. End of the 105-run stand. A much-needed wicket for South Africa. Can they make further inroads?
Jos Buttler walks out to bat next.
12.4 : A Phehlukwayo to D Malan, Back of a length delivery, angling away, Malan slashes it through backward point. Paterson from third man, runs to his left, covers good ground and puts in a dive to stop. The ball, however, looks to be rolling towards the fence. Luckily, it hits Dane's boots and stops. Three runs taken.
12.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, Buttler shimmies across and tucks it in the wide mid on region for a single.
12.6 : A Phehlukwayo to D Malan, Length ball on middle and leg, defended in the point region for a single.
13.1 : I Tahir to D Malan, FOUR! Tossed up around off, Malan gives himself room and goes inside out over extra cover. There's a huge gap there and the fielder in the deep puts in a desperate dive to stop it but misses and concedes a boundary.
13.2 : I Tahir to D Malan, Full toss on the stumps, reverse swept straight to short third man.
13.3 : I Tahir to D Malan, OUT! Huge wicket, this! Tossed up delivery, Malan makes room and looks to go big downtown. However, fails to connect it cleanly and the ball balloons high in the air. Paterson at long on, gets under it and completes the catch. End of the innings for the debutant but after thoroughly entertaining the crowd. Two new batsman in, now.
Sam Billings walks out to the middle.
13.4 : I Tahir to Jos Buttler, Four Byes! Full toss outside off, Buttler looks to reverse sweep but misses. So does the keeper and the ball races away to the fence.
13.5 : I Tahir to Jos Buttler, Bye! Once again Buttler looks to reverse sweep but misses. This time the ball goes past the leg stump and keeper fails to collect it once again. Another bye taken.
13.6 : I Tahir to Sam Billings, Full in the line of the stumps, swept fine down the leg side for a brace.
Chris Morris to bowl his last over.
14.1 : C Morris to Jos Buttler, 1 run.
14.2 : C Morris to Sam Billings, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.
14.3 : C Morris to Jos Buttler, Leg bye! Angling down leg, Buttler shuffles across, looks to play across the line but misses. The ball brushes the thigh pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is taken.
14.4 : C Morris to Sam Billings, Outside off, guided to third man for a single.
14.5 : C Morris to Jos Buttler, Buttler looks to scoop this short delivery but completely misses it.
14.6 : C Morris to Jos Buttler, Punched on the up in the cover region for a single.
15.1 : I Tahir to Jos Buttler, Shout for lbw! Googly outside off, Buttler dances down the track and gets beaten by the wrong one. Gets rapped on the pads and the ball runs past the keeper. Morkel from short third man tries chasing it down, even puts in a dive but the ball beats him. As that ball hit the pads, Tahir appeals but the umpire turns it down. The Hawk Eye shows that the impact was in line and would have gone on to hit the stumps.
15.2 : I Tahir to Jos Buttler, Served around off, punched to extra cover.
15.3 : I Tahir to Jos Buttler, Punched to extra cover again. This time the fielder there makes a hash of it and concedes a couple.
15.4 : I Tahir to Jos Buttler, Tahir bowls it on the shorter side, Buttler punches it through covers. Gets it in the gap there and takes an easy two.
15.5 : I Tahir to Jos Buttler, Served fuller in the line of the stumps, eased down to long on for a single.
15.6 : I Tahir to Sam Billings, Billings dances down the track and bunts it down to long on for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo is back for a bowl.
16.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Sam Billings, Appeal for caught behind! Very full outside off, Billings looks to sweep it but misses. There's some sound as the ball passes him. Hence the players appeal but umpire stays put. The replay shows that the sound was of the ball hitting the pads.
16.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Sam Billings, Wide yorker, Billings fails to squeeze it out.
16.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Sam Billings, Very full outside off, dragged to long on for a single.
16.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, SIX! Sheer power! Full outside off, Buttler with strong bottom hand tonks it flat over mid off. Has got so much power on it that the ball travels all the way for a maximum.
16.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, FOUR! In the gap! Phehlukwayo alters his length, goes short. Buttler picks the length early and pulls it in the cow corner region for a boundary. Finally, he has got going!
Third man comes inside the circle.
16.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, Slower delivery on the shorter side, Buttler is beaten by the lack of pace on it but does well to block it down the track.
Dane Paterson is brought back into the attack.
17.1 : D Paterson to Sam Billings, Full outside off, Billings gets across and kneels down to sweep but misses. Gets rapped on the pads and the ball lobs on the deck.
17.2 : D Paterson to Sam Billings, SIX! Innovative! Full toss around off, Sam once again kneels down to sweep. Connects it well this time and the ball sails over the square leg fence for half a dozen.
17.3 : D Paterson to Sam Billings, Once again Billings sweeps but finds the man at square leg.
17.4 : D Paterson to Sam Billings, OUT! Billings departs! Paterson bowls it slowish on a length outside off, Billings looks to go after the width and flashes his bat at it. The lack of pace does him in and the ball lobs off the toe end to de Villiers at extra cover, who doesn't make any mistake. A scratchy knock from Sam comes to an end.
Liam Livingstone strides out to the middle.
17.5 : D Paterson to L Livingstone, OUT! Two-in-two! Livingstone bags a golden duck! That is poor from the youngster. He looks to scoop the full toss by getting a long way across. However, he misses and sees his stumps rattled. All he need to do was just rotate the strike and give strike to his skipper.
Liam Plunkett walks out to face the hat-trick ball.
17.6 : D Paterson to L Plunkett, Almost a yorker on middle and off, dug out by Plunkett to see off the hat-trick ball.
18.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, Full outside off, Buttler looks to go big on the off side but mistimes it. The ball lands safely in the wide mid off region and the batsmen take a brace.
18.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, Very full on off, dug out through wide mid off for a brace.
18.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, Another brace from Buttler. He pushes the full delivery through wide mid off for a couple.
18.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, SIX! Incredible! Full outside off, Buttler makes room and with a strong bottom hand bunts it over cover-point for a maximum. It's just unbelievable. Phehlukwayo hadn't given much room there but Buttler still managed to dispatch it into the stands.
18.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Jos Buttler, Short delivery, angling in, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.
18.6 : A Phehlukwayo to L Plunkett, OUT! Another duck for an Englishman! Andile bowls it slower and shorter around off, angling in. Plunkett pulls it over mid-wicket. Miller in the deep, comes running in and takes a really good sliding catch to send Plunkett back to the pavilion.
David Willey is the next man in.
19.1 : D Paterson to D Willey, Yorker on middle and leg, dug out on the leg side for a single.
19.2 : D Paterson to Jos Buttler, Full outside off, driven to extra cover. Buttler opts against the single.
19.3 : D Paterson to Jos Buttler, OUT! Back of a length delivery outside off on the slower side. Buttler looks to muscle it but gets a top edge. The ball balloons in the point region and Smuts there takes the sitter to send the English skipper back in the dressing room. 3-fer for Paterson.
Chris Jordan makes his way out to the middle.
19.4 : D Paterson to D Willey, OUT! Two-in-two again from Paterson! Bowls a perfect yorker on middle and leg. Willey, who is standing leg sidish, fails to squeeze it out and sees his stumps shattered. Paterson is having a gala time out there. Can he make it a 5-fer?
Tom Curran walks out to face another hat-trick ball!
19.5 : D Paterson to Tom Curran, Curran looks to scoop the length delivery but misses.
19.6 : D Paterson to Tom Curran, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single. ENGLAND END ON 181/8!
Dawid Malan's impressive knock on debut has helped England put on a par score. Roy departed early but the debutant came in and took the South African bowling apart from the word go. He smashed them to all parts of the ground with Alex Hales playing the second fiddle. But, both of them departed in quick succession. Buttler then played a cameo to post a total in excess of 180.
The Protea bowling after suffering blows in the first 10 overs, came back hard and strong in the next ten. They didn't allow the English batsmen to let loose in the fag end with Paterson being the tormentor in chief. They gave away just 21 runs in the last 5 overs and also picked up 5 wickets in those. Chase coming up shortly!
0.0 : Welcome back for the chase! JJ Smuts and Hendricks will open the batting for South Africa. David Willey will start the proceedings with the new ball for England. With a slip in place. Here we go...
0.1 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Wide! That's some movement to start with. Swinging down the leg side, Smuts still goes after it but fails to make contact. The umpire signals it as a wide.
D Willey to JJ Smuts, Four Leg Byes! Again sprayed down the leg side and the ball swings in. The batsman tries to clip it but fails to hit it. Brushes the pads and the ball races away past the keeper for a boundary.
0.2 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Smuts stays in his crease and punches it towards the fielder at mid on.
0.3 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Back of a length delivery outside off, Smuts punches it through covers. Sam Billings gives it a chase and saves a run for his team.
0.4 : D Willey to R Hendricks, Yorker outside off, Hendricks defends it well.
0.5 : D Willey to R Hendricks, Fuller outside off, Hendricks drives it towards the fielder at covers.
0.6 : D Willey to R Hendricks, Length delivery outside off, Smuts tries to play it on the off side. Gets it towards mid-wicket off the inner half.
Tom Curran will share the new ball from the other end.
1.1 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Angling in from a fuller length around off, Smuts clips it towards mid-wicket for a single.
1.2 : Tom Curran to R Hendricks, Leg bye! Back of a length delivery outside off, Hendricks goes for the pull. Fails to make any contact and the ball goes on to hit him on his body. The ball flies over the point region and the batsmen shuffle across.
1.3 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Smuts stays in his crease and defends it really well.
1.4 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Good length delivery into the batsman, Smuts clips it towards the fielder at mid-wicket.
1.5 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Short delivery into the batsman, Smuts mistimes his pull through square leg for a single.
1.6 : Tom Curran to R Hendricks, OUT! Curran strikes in his very first over! Soft dismissal! Good length delivery outside off, Hendricks tries to loft it over the mid off fielder. Gets it off the toe end and the ball goes straight to Plunkett on the edge of the ring, who obliges with holding onto it. Curran has drawn first blood and he is enjoying his outing in this series.
Chris Morris walks out next. That's some surprise.
2.1 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Smuts gets square up but still manages to push it back to the bowler.
2.2 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Good length delivery outside off, Smuts drives it towards the fielder at mid off.
2.3 : D Willey to JJ Smuts, Length delivery outside off, JJ guides it towards third man for a single.
2.4 : D Willey to C Morris, Back of a length delivery outside off, Morris stays deep in his crease and punches it towards the fielder at mid-wicket.
2.5 : D Willey to C Morris, Length delivery outside off, Morris swings his bat across but cannot make contact.
2.6 : D Willey to C Morris, Back of a length delivery around off, Morris tries to punch it on the off side. Gets it towards backward square leg off the inner half.
3.1 : Tom Curran to C Morris, Angling into the batsman, Smuts pushes it back to the bowler.
3.2 : Tom Curran to C Morris, Short delivery angling into the batsman, Morris backs away a bit and hits it over the cover region for a triple.
3.3 : Tom Curran to JJ Smuts, Leg bye! Angling into the batsman, Smuts tries to flick it through but fails to make contact. Gets rapped on the pads and the ball goes towards the point region. The batsman scamper across.
3.4 : Tom Curran to C Morris, FOUR! Smart batting Morris! Short delivery into the body, Chris first thinks of the ramp shot but later adjusts and slaps it over the point region for a boundary.
Mid on goes back and third man comes in.
3.5 : Tom Curran to C Morris, Good length delivery outside off, Morris punches this one straight to the fielder at covers.
3.6 : Tom Curran to C Morris, Slower delivery at a shorter length, Morris goes for the pull but he only manages to find the fielder at short fine leg.
Chris Jordan has been handed the ball.
4.1 : C Jordan to JJ Smuts, Almost dragged on! Length delivery outside off, Smuts tries to push it on the off side. Gets an inside edge and the ball goes just past the stumps towards the backward square leg region for a single.
4.2 : C Jordan to C Morris, OUT! The experiment of promoting Morris has failed! Short delivery into the batsman, Chris goes for the pull. Does not middle it and the ball flies towards the deep square leg boundary. Alex Hales the man there takes it on the boundary line. Makes a really tough catch look really easy. The umpire checks if Jordan has overstepped but he is fine. A struggling innings comes to an end.
AB de Villiers is the next man in.
4.3 : C Jordan to JJ Smuts, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
4.4 : C Jordan to JJ Smuts, Back of a length delivery outside off, Smuts goes for the pull. Gets it towards third man off the bottom edge.
4.5 : C Jordan to JJ Smuts, Another short delivery, this time JJ Smuts pulls but straight towards Hales who makes a good stop. A single is taken.
4.6 : C Jordan to de Villiers, Short delivery outside off, AB de Villiers stays in his crease, sways back a bit and cuts it through the point region. Livingstone gives it a chase and dives to save a run for his team. The umpire checks and Livingstone has done that very well.
Liam Plunkett to bowl the next over.
5.1 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, Back of a length delivery, Smuts defends it on the leg side for a single.
5.2 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, A cross seam back of a length delivery, bounces a bit more off the deck. Takes Smuts by surprise as he tries to defend it.
5.3 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Smuts is lucky to survive! Short delivery around off, Smuts throws the kitchen sinks at it. Gets a thin edge and the ball goes straight to the keeper. The players appeal but the umpire does not feel that there was an edge. Replays show that there was one.
5.4 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, SIX! That's into orbit! Fuller length delivery outside off, Smuts makes room on the leg side and whacks it over the long on region for half a dozen.
5.5 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, FOUR! Good length delivery outside off, Smuts goes a bit leg side and smashes it over the cover region for a boundary.
5.6 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Mason Crane is into the attack.
6.1 : M Crane to JJ Smuts, FOUR! Freebie! Full toss on the stumps, Smuts does not miss out on those as he sweeps it through the square leg region for a boundary.
6.2 : M Crane to JJ Smuts, Smuts stays in his crease and cuts it straight to the fielder at point.
6.3 : M Crane to JJ Smuts, Smuts punches it through covers for a single.
6.4 : M Crane to de Villiers, Bowls this down the leg side, de Villiers adjusts and works it through the mid-wicket region for a couple.
6.5 : M Crane to de Villiers, Driven towards mid off for a single.
6.6 : M Crane to JJ Smuts, Short delivery into the batsman, Smuts pulls it towards long on for a single.
7.1 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Angling into the batsman, AB de Villiers clips it through the mid-wicket region for a single.
7.2 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, On a good length, the ball stops a bit on the pitch. AB de Villiers is a bit early into the shot and he manages to just push it past the bowler for a single.
7.3 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Short delivery outside off, Smuts goes for the pull but he fails to make contact.
7.4 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, Clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
7.5 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, Back of a length delivery into the pads, AB de Villiers fails to flick it through and gets rapped high on the thigh pads.
7.6 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, AB de Villiers goes leg side and Plunkett sees that and follows him with a very full ball. AB cannot put that away.
8.1 : M Crane to JJ Smuts, Tossed up outside off, Smuts goes for the sweep. Gets an inside edge past the keeper and AB is quick to call him for the single. Buttler has a shy at the striker's end but he misses.
8.2 : M Crane to de Villiers, Driven through the extra cover region for a single.
8.3 : M Crane to JJ Smuts, Smuts sweeps but straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket for a single.
8.4 : M Crane to de Villiers, FOUR! Beautiful! Fuller outside off, AB de Villiers carves that over the extra cover region for a boundary.
8.5 : M Crane to de Villiers, Fuller outside off, AB tries to go for the biggie but he misses it completely.
8.6 : M Crane to de Villiers, Short in the line of the stumps, AB de Villiers goes for the slog sweep but cannot time it well. Gets it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
9.1 : L Plunkett to JJ Smuts, OUT! Plunkett strikes! Short delivery into the batsman, Smuts was throwing his bat at everything. Does that again here and gets a top edge on it. The ball flies towards the fine leg region. Malan settles underneath it and takes a safe catch. Smuts was not able to get going and he departs.
0.0 : David Miller walks out to bat.
9.2 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, AB de Villiers clips it on the leg side for a single.
9.3 : L Plunkett to D Miller, Fuller around leg, Miller tucks it through the square leg region for a single.
9.4 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, Back of a length delivery outside off, Miller punches it through the cover region for a single.
9.5 : L Plunkett to D Miller, Fuller outside off, Miller shuffles across and clips it towards mid on for a single.
9.6 : L Plunkett to de Villiers, Fuller in the line of the stumps, AB de Villiers whips it through the backward square leg region for a single.
10.1 : M Crane to de Villiers, FOUR! In the gap! Crane tosses it up, de Villiers sweeps it on the full. Gets it in the gap in the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
10.2 : M Crane to de Villiers, SIX! Boom! Into the stands! Full on middle, de Villiers kneels down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. That's huge hit and the ball sails a long way back in the stands.
10.3 : M Crane to de Villiers, SIX! Another one! Crane not shy of tossing it up, serves it fuller on the stumps. It's in AB's arc and he goes down on one knee and sweeps it over square leg for half a dozen. 16 off the over already!
10.4 : M Crane to de Villiers, Crane bowls it quicker this time in the blockhole. De Villiers squeezes it out through covers for a single.
10.5 : M Crane to D Miller, Miller works it down the leg side for a single.
10.6 : M Crane to de Villiers, OUT! Against the run of play! Crane gets his reward for being brave. Tosses it up on middle and leg again. De Villiers once more sweeps it over square leg. Fails to have middled it and Alex Hales takes another well-composed catch at the ropes just like his previous one. Crane is delighted and why won't he be. AB de Villiers is his first international wicket. Huge wicket this.
Farhaan Behardien is the new man in.
Chris Jordan is back on.
11.1 : C Jordan to D Miller, Back of a length delivery, pulled through backward square leg for a couple.
11.2 : C Jordan to D Miller, Straying on the pads, tickled fine down the leg side. The fielder at fine leg does superbly well to keep the ball in play. He covers good ground to his left and dives to make a a stop. The umpire still goes upstairs to check. The replays suggest that it's just a brace.
11.3 : C Jordan to D Miller, OUT! Edged and gone! England are chipping in at the wicket at the right moment. Miller dances down the track. Seeing that Jordan angles it across from short of a length. Miller flashes at it, gets an outside edge and the English skipper behind the stumps collects the ball to complete the proceedings. South Africa in huge trouble now.
Mangaliso Mosehle strides out to the middle.
11.4 : C Jordan to M Mosehle, Angling into the batsman, Mosehle fails to tuck it away and the ball lobs off the thigh pad on the leg side.
11.5 : C Jordan to M Mosehle, Shortish delivery outside off, Mosehle hangs his bat in the air. Gets a bottom edge to the keeper.
11.6 : C Jordan to M Mosehle, Back of a length delivery, angling in, defended off the back foot.
12.1 : M Crane to F Behardien, Behardien turns it in front of square on the leg side. Hales comes running in from the deep but fumbles. This allows the batsmen to pick up a brace.
12.2 : M Crane to F Behardien, Tossed up outside off, Farhaan looks to sweep but misses.
12.3 : M Crane to F Behardien, Tossed up outside off, Behardien looks to cut it away but misses.
12.4 : M Crane to F Behardien, Once again Farhaan goes for the sweep but the same result. He misses and it's another dot.
12.5 : M Crane to F Behardien, Pressure, pressure! Leg break outside off and FB is beaten on his outside edge.
12.6 : M Crane to F Behardien, Googly around off, Behardien works it off the inner half to short fine leg. Just a couple from the over. Pressure building on the Proteas.
13.1 : C Jordan to M Mosehle, Shortish delivery, angling in, pulled in the long leg region for a single.
13.2 : C Jordan to F Behardien, Back of a length delivery outside off, Farhaan pulls it to mid on, where the fielder dives to make a crucial stop. A single is taken.
13.3 : C Jordan to M Mosehle, Angling down leg, worked behind square on the leg side for a single.
13.4 : C Jordan to F Behardien, OUT! In the air... gone! Short and angling in, Behardien looks to pull but gets a top edge. The ball flies a long way in the air but fails to get distance on it. Billings at deep backward square leg, gets under the ball and cups it. End of a struggling knock from Behardien. England need 4 wickets more to win.
Andile Phehlukwayo walks out to bat.
13.5 : C Jordan to M Mosehle, Shortish delivery, angling in, pulled on the leg side for a single.
A slip and a leg gully is in place.
13.6 : C Jordan to A Phehlukwayo, Wide! Down the leg side, Andile looks to work it on the leg side but misses.
C Jordan to A Phehlukwayo, Back of a length delivery, chopped to point.
David Willey is called back for a bowl.
14.1 : D Willey to M Mosehle, SIX! A much-needed one! Back of a length delivery on leg, Mosehle shimmies across a touch and helps it with the wind over long leg for a biggie. He had timed it superbly well.
14.2 : D Willey to M Mosehle, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
14.3 : D Willey to A Phehlukwayo, Phehlukwayo punches it on the up through covers. Billings in the deep, covers good ground to his left and makes a sliding stop near the ropes. Keeps it down to a brace.
14.4 : D Willey to A Phehlukwayo, FOUR! Shot! Back of a length delivery, Phehlukwayo dances down, giving himself room and smashes it down the ground through mid on for a boundary.
14.5 : D Willey to A Phehlukwayo, FOUR! This is turning out to be a good over for South Africa. Phehlukwayo dances down and lofts the length delivery over mid off for a boundary.
14.6 : D Willey to A Phehlukwayo, Full on the stumps, drilled to long on for a single. 18 runs from the over.
Liam Plunkett is back on.
15.1 : L Plunkett to A Phehlukwayo, Banged in short, Andile dances down at first but then duck under the bumper.
15.2 : L Plunkett to A Phehlukwayo, Length delivery, Phehlukwayo looks to scoop but gets an inside edge onto the body and on the off side. A run is taken.
15.3 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, Tow Leg Byes! Moshele dances down by giving himself room. Plunkett cleverly follows him and cramps him for room. Mosehle looks to tickle it but misses and the ball brushes the thigh pad and goes towards the fine leg region. A couple of leg byes taken.
15.4 : L Plunkett to M Mosehle, Cutter on the shorter side, pulled to deep backward square leg for a single.
15.5 : L Plunkett to A Phehlukwayo, Andile gives himself room, Plunkett bowls it wide outside off. Phehlukwayo can't do anything about it. Good dot ball, this!
15.6 : L Plunkett to A Phehlukwayo, Banged in short, Phehlukwayo goes for the pull but misses.
Tom Curran is back into the attack.
16.1 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, Slower one outside off, Mosehle is surprised and defends it on the off side.
16.2 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, Another slower one outside off, MM this time fails to put bat on ball.
16.3 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, Yorker on the stumps, dug out on the off side.
16.4 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, SIX! Back of a length delivery, angling in, Mosehle shimmies across and pulls it with the wind over backward square leg for a maximum. Release shot, this!
16.5 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, Low full toss outside off, sliced to third man for a single.
16.6 : Tom Curran to A Phehlukwayo, Phehlukwayo looks to sweep but misses. 7 runs off the over. 60 required off 18 balls.
Change of ends for David Willey.
17.1 : D Willey to M Mosehle, SIX! Flat-bat maximum! Shortish delivery to start off, Mosehle clears his front leg and pulls hard and flat over long on for a biggie.
17.2 : D Willey to M Mosehle, SIX! Back-to-back! Willey bangs it further short, angling across. Mosehle clears his front leg and slaps it over wide long off. It's a huge hit and the ball clears the ground as well. A new ball is needed!
17.3 : D Willey to M Mosehle, Willey comes from around the wicket, spears it in. Pushed in the cover region for a single.
17.4 : D Willey to A Phehlukwayo, Wide outside off, slashed over backward point for a brace.
17.5 : D Willey to A Phehlukwayo, Full and wide outside off, Andile goes after it again. Gets a top edge and the ball goes on the bounce to third man. A single is taken.
17.6 : D Willey to M Mosehle, Beautiful ball to end the over! Fires in a very full ball, dug out back to the bowler.
18.1 : Tom Curran to A Phehlukwayo, Full and angling in, driven against the angle to mid off.
18.2 : Tom Curran to A Phehlukwayo, Leg bye! Curran once again angles it in, Phehlukwayo fails to play it across the line but misses and the ball goes off the thigh pad on the leg side. A leg bye is taken.
18.3 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, Almost a yorker on the stumps, dug out through mid on for a single.
18.4 : Tom Curran to A Phehlukwayo, Angling into the batsman, Phehlukwayo makes room and flat-bats it to long on for a single.
18.5 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, FOUR! Low full toss outside off, Mosehle bends his knees and lofts it over covers. The fielder in the deep is way inside as it's a long boundary there and so has to run back. Can't get to it and the ball goes on the bounce across the ropes for a boundary.
18.6 : Tom Curran to M Mosehle, OUT! High full toss, Moshele looks to heave it across but mistimes it in the deep mid-wicket region. Billings there catches it safely. Moshele looks to square leg umpire as soon as he hits it, asking for a waist high full toss. The umpires checks upstairs and it's a fair delivery. Mosehle's cameo comes to an end.
Morne Morkel walks out to bat next.
Chris Jordan to bowl the last over. 37 needed off it. South Africa need a miracle.
19.1 : C Jordan to M Morkel, Length delivery, angling in, Morkel makes room and punches it to mid off for a single.
19.2 : C Jordan to A Phehlukwayo, FOUR! A touch ahead of a length, angling away, Andile looks to sweep but gets a top edge. The ball goes over the short fine leg fielder and across the ropes.
19.3 : C Jordan to A Phehlukwayo, FOUR! Another one. This time it's a clean hit. Fuller length delivery, drilled hard over mid on for a boundary.
19.4 : C Jordan to A Phehlukwayo, Angling into the batsman, heaved across the line to deep mid-wicket. A wild throw at the bowler's end helps the batsmen complete a brace.
19.5 : C Jordan to A Phehlukwayo, No ball! Very high full toss, helped over backward square leg. However, the batsmen don't run. A no ball is signaled for height.
Free Hit coming up...
C Jordan to A Phehlukwayo, Wide outside off, run down to third man for a single.
19.6 : C Jordan to M Morkel, FOUR! But, in vain as ENGLAND WIN BY 19 RUNS. Length delivery outside off, Morkel lofts it over mid off and picks up a boundary. THE HOSTS ALSO CLINCH THE SERIES 2-1!
A brilliant win for England and they have comfortably won the T20I series. After being put into bat first, the hosts started off in a flourish. Alex Hales and the debutant Dawid Malan gave the home side the perfect start any team would have wanted. Though they failed to capitalise on the death, they surely had a more than competitive total on the board looking at the firepower they posses with the ball.
The English bowlers came charged up and hardly gave anything away. JJ Smuts kept battling out in the middle but never looked comfortable. AB de Villiers was the only one who looked good as he hammered the bowlers out of the park. But even his stay did not last much similar to his teammates. Tom Curran was the pick of the bowlers and he returned with figures of 4-0-22-2. While all the other bowlers gave him good company and bagged wickets except David Willey. Jos Buttler will be really happy with
Player of the Match, Dawid Malan, the only second Englishman to bag the award on debut says that it was worth waiting for his debut. Reckons that he never thought he would get it, but is really happy to play for his country. Mentions that a guy like Jonny Bairstow gives you confidence and that just proves how tough it is to get into the team. Informs that he was not comfortable for the first couple of balls. Adds that it was tough to score on the variations bowled by the South Africans. Ends by
South Africa skipper, AB de Villiers says that England played better cricket in both the limited-overs series. Mentions that today they gave away 20 odd runs extra in the field and it cost them as they lost by 19. Informs that they bowled too much short stuff in the first 10 but did well to come back, courtesy of Dane Paterson. Applauds English pacers for bowling good, probing lines and lengths. Adds that he had made up his mind of going after Mason Crane but the leggie stuck to his guns and got
England skipper, Jos Buttler says that they had a very good score on board. Informs that it looked like Dawid Malan batted on a different wicket and was fluent where others struggled. Credits his bowlers, saying that they captained themselves and knew exactly where to bowl. Mentions that the pitch had a little bit of variations and they didn't want to overdo slower balls. Applauds the youngsters, Mason Crane and Dawid Malan, conveying that it shows the depth of the squad and that players can ste
So that's it from us for this game. England have again shown how powerful they are at their home. Firstly, they successfully clinched the ODI series, then the T20Is. It will be interesting to see if they can continue their same form in the longer format and win the 4-match Test series as well or if the Proteas bounce back in this format. The first Test begins on 6th July at Lord's at 1100 local (1000 GMT). See you all for that. Until then, goodbye and take care!