England defeated South Africa by 59 runs in the 3rd ODI in Kimberley yesterday. Although England lost the series 1-2, Zobra Archer, who made a strong comeback after 2 years of exile by taking the wickets of 6 South African players in this match, has challenged without saying that he is ready for the Ashes Test series against Australia. In addition, Archer has also given the threat of the World Cup.
Captain Themba Bouma, who won the toss in the 3rd match after chasing down an effortless 343 in the 2nd ODI, opted to field first. England will also be appropriate. Lungi Ingiti bowled brilliantly and took 3 wickets. Jason Roy (1), Ben Duckett (0) and Harry Brooke (6) were out, and the England team was down by 14 runs for the loss of 3 wickets.
But it was only after that that David Malan (131) and captain Jos Buttler (118) added 232 runs. Moeen Ali scored 41 runs off 23 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes. The tail-enders contributed as England reached 346 for the loss of 7 wickets. Ingdi took 4 wickets. Jansen took 2 wickets. The England team hit a total of 19 sixes and 16 fours.
The South African team continued to chase the target well. But after Zobra Archer rediscovered his old aggressive bowling style, South Africa were bowled out for 287 runs for 6 wickets, conceding only 40 runs.
Archer first took the wicket of van der Dusen. He slashed the ball and handed it to Jason Roy at point. The next ball was the one where he showed the old Panneer Selvam coming through. The first ball off Markram’s 146kmph, the ball skimmed over his shoulder.
But Markram would not be idle and hit the next ball for a straight boundary and Panneer Selvam warmed up the archer. Earlier, Themba Bouma was brilliant yesterday too after his series-winning century. He scored a quick 22 off 16 balls. It included Chris Woakes’ short-pitched six over midwicket for a brilliant shot. But Bauma scored 35 runs off 27 balls with 5 fours and 1 six before being caught in Woakes’ slower one.
Reesa Henriques was 4 off 23 balls and scored 52 off 61 balls. He was bowled by Rashid. Aidan Markram scored 39 off 35 balls before being caught by Moeen Ali to a leg-cutter short pitch from Archer. David Miller comes down and hits Moeen Ali’s first ball at cover for a boundary. Then he went down and hit Ali for six. But, as Archer tried to flick it towards leg to lift the ball, Miller’s bat fell on the inside edge and was caught by Buttler.
Clausen (80) fought brilliantly. He smashed Moeen Ali for 14 runs in one over. Parnell (34) gave a stand at the other end. Archer flagged off Clausen’s 80 off 62 balls. Ben Duckett took the catch. This is also a short pitch, slightly raised ball. This catch is awesome. Wayne Parnell Archer tried to hit the ball slightly away from round the wicket and missed the middle stump. Archer then moved Tabriz Shamsi’s bat to take 6 wickets and was the first to take 5+ wickets in ODI cricket. The win ended England’s 5-match losing streak. That’s because of Archer.
Earlier, when England batted in the first innings, they scored only 20 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 10 overs. Butler also fumbled first. First run off 14 balls. Should have dropped him right then and there. Bouma is not such a subtle captain. But Buttler was encouraged by hitting Markram for a six as soon as he came on. He scored his fifty off 64 balls. It has to be said that it was a slow innings by Buttler. Malan scored his half century in just 79 balls.
But, after that, Malan turned white. The next 50 runs came off 27 balls and brought up his 3rd century in ODI cricket. At one point both men began to settle down, with Jansen blasting 18 runs in the over. Only Malan scored 17 runs. Buttler then scored his 11th ODI century with a 42-ball 50. With Moeen Ali playing freely, England went from 20 for 3 in 10 overs to amass 346 for 7. That means they scored 326 runs in 40 overs. Butler is both man of the match and man of the series.
South Africa’s World Cup Problem: South Africa’s automatic qualification for the World Cup is further complicated by a loss in this match. Must win both matches against Netherlands. Along with this, South Africa will have to wait for New Zealand to win at least one match in the New Zealand-Sri Lanka ODI series for their qualification. West Indies are currently ranked 8th in ODI rankings. South Africa is ranked 9th.
