South Africa clinched the ODI series 2-0 in the second one-day international in Bloemfontein yesterday, chasing England’s target of 343 runs by 5 wickets with 5 balls to spare.
South African captain Themba Bouma scored 109 runs off 102 balls, followed by Aiden Markram’s 49 runs and Miller’s 58 off 37 balls.
This is the first time they have chased down the maximum target to win at this Bloemfontein ground, having previously chased down 274 runs here. It is also South Africa’s 3rd highest run chase in ODI cricket. This leaves South Africa in 9th place with 10 World Cup Super League points, just outside of automatic qualification, with 4 ODIs remaining for South Africa. South Africa will qualify for the World Cup if they win both the 2 ODIs against the Netherlands.
It was at this stage that Bauma’s century came at a crucial moment. This is his 3rd century. Bouma scored a century after 33 international innings.
England were 28/2 yesterday with captain Jos Buttler (94), Harry Brook (80) and Moeen Ali (51)
The action saw a top score of 342/7 in 50 overs. It is noteworthy that the England team had previously won 5 ODIs in a row.
Yesterday’s pitch favored the fastball early on. Parnell (1/54) and Lungi Ingidi (1/66) bowled brilliantly early to reduce England to 28/2. Jason Roy, who scored an action-packed century in the first match, was clean bowled by an inswinger from Ingdi for a single-digit score this time. David Malan became Plumb LP in Parnell Ball.
Ben Duckett and Harry Brooke faced terrible bowling and were stumped. But Ben Duckett didn’t like it Kesav Maharaj tossed the ball and was caught at long off. England stumbled to 82/3. But Harry Brooke played some scintillating class shots and scored a 46-ball fifty. Hitting 80 off 75 balls, he and Buttler would take the score past 300 as the game turned. But Bouma then produced some smart captaincy when Brooke was caught and out to call part-time spinner Aiden Markram.
After Brook’s dismissal, Buttler hit his share of sixes and fours to reach his half-century in 49 balls. Moeen Ali also batted brilliantly as he smashed Henrich Narkia in one over to complete his half-century. England reached 200 runs in 36 overs. But Moeen Ali took the ball with the bat and left it on the stumps after scoring 51 runs off 45 balls.
Chris Woakes came down and forgot to bat as Audi scored 14 runs off 16 balls to frustrate Buttler. But Sam Karan stepped in and smashed 28 runs off 17 balls, including a straight six off the back foot for a magnificent six. Together they scored 60 runs in the last 4 overs. Had Buttler got out on 94, it would have been his 11th century.
Bouma, Markram, Miller brilliant chase!
