England level the 3 match series with an emphatic Pink Day ODI win. The number one side in the world claimed a truly nail biting win over there southern rivals as they overpower the Protea’s in a packed Imperial Wanderers stadium this past Sunday. The English claimed the win with just 2 wickets and 40 balls remaining.
The Pink Day ODI
This years Pink Day ODI had everything to play for as the Protea’s went into the fixture leading the series 1-0, with the 2nd of the 3 match ODI series in Durban being rained out. England’s victory was set up by their two spinners, Adil Rashid, who was later named Man of the Match and Moeen Ali, who both made their respective series debuts. The pair did not disappoint as they took a combined 4/93 in their 20 overs.
The iconic occasion had more than just the rivalry of the ODI series to play for, with the event a 9th edition of the Pink day fixture aiming to build awareness around breast cancer. The funds raised from the ODI would go towards the Breast Care Unit at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg.
“It’s a big day for the team and its one of the games that we look forward to at this time of the year. We are representing quite a big thing and we’re itching to get out on the park and do our bit for the day,”
Protea’s captain Quinton De Kock
The 3rd and final ODI was almost not to be, as parts of the country where hit with heavy rainfall days leading up to Sunday’s fixture. Come match day however the weather god’s had spoken and too many fans relief a crisp, beautiful summers day hit the Johannesburg area, allowing for great playing conditions all round. The state of the art Imperial Wanderers stadium drainage flexing its muscle as the field remained in impeccable condition.
England won the toss with Skipper Eoin Morgan electing to field first on what looked like a bowlers favoured wicket, Tom Curran and debutant Saqib Mahmood took advantage of the call as their opening spells kept South Africa to slow 36 runs in the opening Powerplay period, Mahmood claiming his maiden wicket as he bowled Reeza Hendricks. South Africa’s hopes of possible recovery came in the form of newly appointed captain Quinton de Kock and on form Temba Bavuma, the pair injecting great energy into the innings. Their partnership reaching a steady 53 off 58 balls.
The Controversy
In true form the day was not without its controversy, this time it was technology that failed to provide the much needed answers, an LBW decision was controversially over ruled as Temba Bavuma was given his marching orders, this despite replays clearly showing an obvious gap between Bavuma’s bat and pad, the ultraedge technology failing to confirm that he hadn’t hit the ball. As a result, South Africa retained their review, which was used on the next ball when Rassie van der Dussen was given out to a Rashid googly and informed he could refer the decision. Van der Dussen survived, but only for a brief over as he was later bowled by Moeen. South Africa at this stage sitting on a very worrying 94 for 3 after 22 overs.
De Kock was proving to be the deciding force of South Africa’s innings as he brought up his 25th ODI 50 just before the half way mark. Recently introduced Jon Jon Smuts and de Kock set about stabilizing the innings once again and put on a healthy 46 before Rashid claimed his second wicket of the match through a clean bowl of De Kock’s wicket.
Smuts was next to go as he fell victim to some sharp english fielding, a needless run out leaving smuts packing at 31. South Africa looking worrying close to posting a total which would be subsequently easier to reach than not. It was Miller who eventually went on the aggressive and ended the innings on 69* having struck 4 fours and 4 sixes in the final innings.
Rashid was the stand out bowler, taking 3/51 in his 10 overs. South Africa ending matters on 256 after 50 overs.
England to Chase
England had all to play for as they looked to quickly close in on South Africa’s total of 256. Opening batsman Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow came in with all attempts to level matters as the pair scored an impressive 61 runs off the first six overs. Bairstows run eventually coming to an end as he was caught by Phehlukwayo off the bowling of Sipamla.
England then lost a further 3 wickets in the space of 4 overs, as Jason Roy top edged a short and wide delivery off the bowling of Hendricks to be dismissed for 21, followed by Eoin Morgan after his shot was taken by Hendricks off his own bowling.
Root was joined at the crease by Joe Denly and together the pair put on an impressive 76 for the 4th wicket. A breakthrough was needed and it took something special to deliver. Shamsi finding the inside of Root’s bat and Bavuma taking a good low catch at leg slip. England 162/4 but still in firm control of the match.
Denly and Banton continued to assert England’s dominance and brought up a 3rd partnership of more than 50 for the English.
Having brought up his 50, Denly was later dismissed off the bowling of Ngidi for 66. Banton followed him back to the hut in the next over after he was caught behind off the bowling of Hendricks for his 3rd of the match.
England needing just 25 to win at this stage.
Going down fighting
The Protea’s did not give up without a fight however as shortly after Curran was caught off the bowling of Ngidi and suddenly England were 7 down.
It would prove to be a nervy ending for all inside the Bullring as Ngidi took his 3rd to leave England 8 down with 5 runs to win. England eventually getting over the line with 2 wickets to spare and levelling the ODI series 1-1
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