The chase is about to begin. It looks a stroll on face value but T20 feeds on unpredictability. Players from England jog out and the South African openers follow them closely behind. Would want it to be the other way down with the chase..AB is opening by the way. Hope your seat belt is in place!
Tahir: I am really pleased. They had a good start, but the way we pulled it back, it was great to see. We are really pleased with our performance. Practice makes one perfect and that's what I do in the nets. I thought I had him (talking about the hat-trick ball). I am really pleased with the way I bowled. A hat-trick would have been even better. This is for my son. He can't really talk as yet, but he told me I will take 4 wickets (smiles). I think we can chase this down easily.
England end with 134/8 - The lowest total set by any team at this venue. The track was a bit slow but none of the England batters could apply themselves to get to a big score. Roy and Hales, who both blazed off to a dream start were sent back by Rabada and Tahir respectively. Imran Tahir had a day to remember at the office as he registered his career best figures in this format of the game. Buttler tried to change gears towards the end but the South African bowlers didn't let him do so. Overall, it was a complete performance from the Proteas and they should fancy their chances to chase this one down. Be back in about 15 minutes to catch South Africa's chase...
19.6 -
Rabada to Willey, 2 runs, low full toss again and Willey drives it wide of long-off, sprints back for the couple in a hurry
19.5 -
Rabada to Buttler, 1 run, clever shot but straight to the fielder. Pacy full toss at the stumps, Buttler goes for the reverse scoop but ends up hitting it to short third man, just manages a single on that
19.4 -
Rabada to Buttler, 2 runs, yorker aiming for middle and leg, Buttler manages to keep it out, drills it off the toe of the bat towards long-on and hares back for a couple. Good running that!
19.3 -
Rabada to Willey, 1 run, slower length ball outside off, Willey goes deep inside the crease and fetches the pull from there, all along the ground through mid-wicket
19.2 -
Rabada to Buttler, 1 run, too full and straight, Buttler slogs it through mid-wicket sans any timing
19.2 -
Rabada to Buttler, wide, attempted slower ball bumper on the stumps, too short for Buttler who half-ducks and watches it sail over
19.1 -
Rabada to Willey, 1 run, full again, Willey opens the bat face and taps it off the bottom half towards backward point
Kagiso Rabada [3.0-0-20-1] is back into the attack
18.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Willey, 1 run, too full outside off, Willey squirts the drive to the left of a diving backward point
18.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Buttler, 1 run, off-pace delivery on off, Buttler glides it to the right of short third man
18.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Willey, 1 run, fullish on off, Willey stays solid inside the crease and drives modestly down to long-off
18.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Buttler, 1 run, full and just outside off, Buttler drives to sweeper cover
18.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Willey, 1 run, full toss outside off, Willey muscles it past backward point
David Willey, left handed bat, comes to the crease
18.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Adil Rashid, out Caught by Amla!! Another one bites the dust. England are falling apart here. It was full and flung around the wide tramline outside off, Rashid squeezes the drive and could only manage to slice it. Amla at backward point leaps and grabs a simple catch. Adil Rashid c Amla b Kyle Abbott 2(6)
Kyle Abbott to Adil Rashid, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
17.6 -
C Morris to Adil Rashid, 1 run, opens the blade to steer this low full toss ball to third man
17.5 -
C Morris to Adil Rashid, no run, toe-smashing yorker down leg and Rashid fails to tickle that, through his legs and towards ABD
17.4 -
C Morris to Adil Rashid, no run, full and in the outside off channel, Rashid fails to lay bat on that
17.3 -
C Morris to Buttler, 1 run, short and wide, Buttler slaps it past cover
17.2 -
C Morris to Buttler, FOUR, short and on middle, Buttler pulls it past square leg, sublime timing!
17.2 -
C Morris to Buttler, wide, "Ahhhhh, nah" grunts Chris Morris after getting his radar wrong, off-cutter bowled down leg, Buttler lets it be
17.1 -
C Morris to Buttler, 2 runs, yorker on off, Buttler squeezes the open-bat-face drive behind backward point, Rossouw does well to make a diving stop in the deep
17.1 -
C Morris to Buttler, wide, another delivery that's directed down leg and Buttler doesn't bother with it
16.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Adil Rashid, no run, low full toss slipping down leg, Rashid fails to flick it away, wears it on the pad and there was no real appeal from the fielders
16.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Buttler, 1 run, short one, Buttler pulls it through mid-wicket
16.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Adil Rashid, 1 run, whoa! Rashid just gave an impression that he's batting on a different surface. It was timed to perfection, length outside off and he lifts the drive over cover
Adil Rashid, right handed bat, comes to the crease
16.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Jordan, out Caught by D Miller!! Another batsman fails to convert a start. It was a slower ball bumper, Jordan gets forward and pulls powerfully. It nearly took Miller off. He was stationed at mid-wicket and after a series of juggling acts he manages to cling on. Jordan c D Miller b Kyle Abbott 15(15) [4s-2]
Kyle Abbott to Jordan, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
16.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Jordan, no run, bouncer around off, Jordan decides to duck under this one
16.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Jordan, 2 runs, errant stuff from Kyle Abbott. Low full toss darted down leg and Jordan flicks it down to fine leg, Morris does well to get across and slide, nearly saved a run or two there
Kyle Abbott [2.0-0-22-0] is back into the attack
15.6 -
C Morris to Jordan, 1 run, full at the stumps, Jordan digs it out towards cover and keeps the strike
15.5 -
C Morris to Jordan, FOUR, pacy short delivery at the batsman, Jordan wasn't in control of the shot. Was late into the pull and the top-edge flies over ABD and into the fine leg fence. Hurried for pace there!
15.4 -
C Morris to Buttler, 1 run, no pace on this one, shortish just outside off, Buttler dabs it wide of backward point
15.3 -
C Morris to Buttler, FOUR, that's pierced between the fielders, at backward point and short third man. Very full and wide, Buttler bends low and squeezes the drive between the fieldsmen
15.2 -
C Morris to Buttler, no run, off-speed full delivery on the pads, wristed straight to square leg
15.1 -
C Morris to Buttler, 2 runs, slower fullish delivery on off, Buttler chips the drive over extra cover and Duminy from long-off was quick to get to the ball, saved a certain boundary there
Chris Morris [2.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack
14.6 -
Tahir to Buttler, 1 run, flighted outside off, Buttler drags the sweep wide of long-on
14.5 -
Tahir to Buttler, no run, wrong 'un just outside off, Buttler drops it with soft hands towards point and looks for a quick single, sent back
14.5 -
Tahir to Buttler, wide, spinning down leg, the googly, Buttler misses on the leg-glance
14.4 -
Tahir to Jordan, 1 run, clipped behind square on the leg-side
14.3 -
Tahir to Jordan, no run, floty delivery around off, Jordan pushes with soft hands towards cover
14.2 -
Tahir to Buttler, 1 run, run-out chance missed! Buttler works this through mid-wicket and thinks of a double. The fielder though failed to pick the ball as he slipped, Buttler too slipped and was nearly half-way down the pitch, but that fimble from the fielder allowed him to get back
14.1 -
Tahir to Jordan, 1 run, googly on middle and leg, Jordan hops inside the crease and tucks it off his pads past square leg
13.6 -
Wiese to Jordan, 1 run, full again, driven to long-off
13.5 -
Wiese to Jordan, FOUR, top-edge but safe! Lifter on the stumps, Jordan goes for the pull and the edge flies over short fine, streaky but a boundary nevertheless
13.4 -
Wiese to Buttler, 1 run, slower full ball from Wiese, nudged to mid-wicket
13.3 -
Wiese to Jordan, 1 run, helps him with some width and Jordan cuts it square on the off-side
13.2 -
Wiese to Jordan, no run, full and just outside off, Jordan defends awkwardly, yanks his bottom hand as he completes the stroke
13.1 -
Wiese to Buttler, 1 run, full and around fifth stump channel, driven to long-off
12.6 -
Tahir to Jordan, no run, leg-spinner outside off, Jordan looks to block off the front foot but is beaten by the turn
12.5 -
Tahir to Jordan, no run, flatter on off-stump, punched back to the bowler
12.4 -
Tahir to Jordan, no run, whew! Very nearly. It was another wrong 'un from Tahir and Jordan didn't pick it one bit. Ends up playing all around it as he tries to defend from the crease, the ball spins in and hits him high on the thigh pad, almost shaves the stumps en route to the keeper. Hands-on-head moment for Imran Tahir!
Chris Jordan, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Will he get the hat-trick?
12.3 -
Tahir to Moeen Ali, out Caught by du Plessis!! Two in Two for Imran Tahir and he is on a hat-trick now. It was a dipping full delivery on off-stump, Ali drives sans any conviction. It was tamely stroked to the left of Faf at short cover who dives full length to pluck a blinder. Moeen Ali c du Plessis b Tahir 0(1)
Tahir to Moeen Ali, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
Moeen Ali, left handed bat, comes to the crease
12.2 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, out Caught by Wiese!! Another googly and another wicket for Imran Tahir. England struggled to pick his googlies in the fourth ODI and the googly-struggle-saga continues. It was floated well wide of off and Morgan looks to smash it over cover. He was deep inside the crease and the top-edge flies towards Wiese who settles under a sitter. Eoin Morgan c Wiese b Tahir 10(12) [4s-1]
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
12.1 -
Tahir to Buttler, 1 run, cut through cover
Imran Tahir [2.0-0-15-2] is back into the attack
11.6 -
Wiese to Eoin Morgan, no run, ends his over with yet another slower delivery, Morgan looks to steer it to third man but there was no pace, ends up rolling it off the splice towards ABD
11.5 -
Wiese to Eoin Morgan, no run, slower, short and wide, Morgan sits deep inside the crease and cuts it straight to backward point
11.4 -
Wiese to Buttler, 1 run, slower ball, full on the stumps, Buttler biffs it down to long-on
11.3 -
Wiese to Buttler, no run, cross-seam full delivery aiming for off, Buttler drills the drive, but straight to cover
11.2 -
Wiese to Buttler, no run, Buttler walks across the stumps and drives this slower full delivery towards mid-off
11.1 -
Wiese to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, an easy single to long-off
10.6 -
C Morris to Buttler, no run, low full toss on off, Buttler throws his hands on the drive but did well to controll his stroke at the last instant, ended up digging it into the pitch before it flew to Miller at cover. Miller celebrates momentarily, all that to bamboozle the crowd
10.5 -
C Morris to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, very full outside off, Morgan drives with hard hands and the outside edge races away towards third man
10.4 -
C Morris to Buttler, 1 run, short ball at a friendly height for Buttler who rolls his wrists on the pull, through mid-wicket
10.3 -
C Morris to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, off-cutter just outside off, Morgan stays leg-side of the delivery and drives past mid-off for an easy single
10.2 -
C Morris to Eoin Morgan, no run, good length on middle and leg, Morgan closes the bat face on the flick, stroked straight towards mid-on
10.1 -
C Morris to Buttler, 1 run, length ball at the stumps, Buttler opens his bat face slightly and gently pushes it in front of cover
Chris Morris [1.0-0-6-0] is back into the attack
9.6 -
Wiese to Buttler, 1 run, slighly short and outside off, Buttler chops it to point and runs across for a quick single
9.5 -
Wiese to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, slower length delivery angled across, just outside off. Morgan stays deep inside the crease and attempts to guide it down to third man, the ball grazes the bat face and dies down in front of ABD
9.4 -
Wiese to Buttler, 1 run, gets forward slightly and push-drives this length delivery to cover
9.3 -
Wiese to Buttler, no run, slower short ball just outside off, Buttler bunts it onto the pitch
9.2 -
Wiese to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, well outside off and Morgan runs it down to third man
9.1 -
Wiese to Eoin Morgan, no run, back of a length outside off, Morgan chops it to the off-side and yells out a loud "no"
8.6 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, loads of air on this delivery, wide of off and Morgan drives to deep cover
8.5 -
Tahir to Buttler, 1 run, another leg-sidish delivery and Buttler gets the leg-glance fine this time
8.4 -
Tahir to Buttler, no run, flighted on leg-stump, Buttler tucks to short fine
Jos Buttler, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8.3 -
Tahir to Stokes, out Stumped!! Third wicket in as many overs and England are in a spot of bother now. This was a googly and turned the other way. He was on the walk trying to manufacture some big stroke. The ball beats him on the flight and ABD doesn't miss many behind the stumps. Stokes st de Villiers b Tahir 11(7) [4s-1 6s-1]
Tahir to Stokes, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!
8.2 -
Tahir to Stokes, SIX, Stokes is on fire! Doesn't let Tahir settle in as he smokes a flatter delivery into the deep mid-wicket stands
8.1 -
Tahir to Stokes, FOUR, full toss outside off, that's a dolly to Stokes who biffs the drive through cover
7.6 -
Wiese to Eoin Morgan, FOUR, just wide of a leaping backward point! Short and Morgan had enough width to free his arms, cuts aerially and it tantalizingly eludes the fielder
7.5 -
Wiese to Stokes, 1 run, full on off, Stokes drives to long-off and is off the mark with a single
7.4 -
Wiese to Stokes, no run, slower delivery on off, Stokes punchily defend it to cover
7.3 -
Wiese to Stokes, no run, back of a length on middle, Stokes jumps on the back foot and flicks to mid-wicket
7.2 -
Wiese to Stokes, no run, back of a length just outside off, Stokes chops it towards point
Ben Stokes, left handed bat, comes to the crease
7.1 -
Wiese to Root, out Caught by Rossouw!! Another one! Two wickets in three balls for South Africa. Root didn't look comfortable at the crease and he perishes in quest for quick runs. Short and ample width on offer, Root backs away and cuts it straight towards the man at backward point. A simple catch and Rossouw ain't dropping that. Root c Rossouw b Wiese 8(12) [4s-1]
Wiese to Root, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
David Wiese, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
6.6 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, loopy delivery outside off, Root keeps the strike with a drive through cover
6.5 -
Tahir to Root, no run, tossed up just outside off, Root drives gently to the off-side
Eoin Morgan, left handed bat, comes to the crease
6.4 -
Tahir to Hales, out Caught by Duminy!! Crikey! That was a stunner. Reminded of the Steve Waugh-Jason Gillespie collision in one of the Test matches against Sri Lanka. Floated full and on leg-stump, Hales crouches a bit low and hoicks it behind square on the leg-side. Duminy was placed at long leg and he looked in ease while he was trying to dive forward to clasp the catch. Rabada from short fine too ran in and ended up ramming into Duminy. All ends well as Duminy was in total control while taking the catch. Rabada screams in pain but Duminy looks all fine. Hales c Duminy b Tahir 27(21) [4s-5]
Tahir to Hales, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
6.3 -
Tahir to Hales, no run, slower through the air and wide of off, Hales stoops low and fetches the drive, squeezes it towards the off-side
6.2 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, full on middle, Root uses his rubber-wrists to flick it through mid-wicket
6.1 -
Tahir to Hales, 1 run, flatter one on the stumps, eased down to long-on
Imran Tahir, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
5.6 -
Rabada to Root, FOUR, slower short delivery wide of off, Root makes room and punches it through cover, sweet timing!
5.5 -
Rabada to Root, no run, low full toss down leg, Root clips to mid-wicket
5.4 -
Rabada to Root, no run, very full and just outside off, Root toe-ends the drive this time, rolled away towards the keeper
5.3 -
Rabada to Root, no run, high full toss outside off, Root goes hard on the drive, splices it straight towards cover-point
5.2 -
Rabada to Hales, 1 run, fullish delivery from Rabada, Hales drives to mid-off
5.1 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, ooohhh! That must have hurt. Pacy short delivery around off, Hales swivels and is beaten for pace, gets hit around the ribcage and he immediately sports a woory look on his face
4.6 -
C Morris to Hales, 1 run, Did that carry? I don't think so. Looked like a slower delivery. Hales makes room slightly and pulls, got it high off the bat and Duminy at deep mid-wicket was interested for a while, just for a fleeting moment. He dived forward full length but the ball died down well in front of him. Lucky Hales!
4.5 -
C Morris to Hales, no run, full and straight, Hales shuffles a tad and wrists it to mid-wicket
4.4 -
C Morris to Hales, FOUR, full at the toes, easy peasy for Hales who tickles, raced away to the fine leg fence
4.3 -
C Morris to Root, 1 run, shortish and it's been pulled to deep backward square
4.2 -
C Morris to Root, no run, no feet from Root! Just stays still and throws the kitchen sink at a length delivery, Morris extracts healthy bounce and beats Root neck and crop
4.1 -
C Morris to Root, no run, ill-directed bouncer from Morris, sliding down leg and Root splices the pull to short fine leg. It nearly carried to Rabada who was coming forward in an attempt to catch that. He dived forward but the ball fell well in front of him
Chris Morris, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
3.6 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, mild appeal for lbw but that was never going to hit the stumps. Full and might have missed leg, Hales was hit in front of leg-stump as he missed the flick. Nothing from the umpire
3.5 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, short of length outside off, steered down to third man
Joe Root, right handed bat, comes to the crease
3.4 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, out Caught by Amla!! Someone needed to slow the pace of the game and Rabada does that cleverly - By sending a slower ball to Roy. He was early into the pull and was tempted by the length. Ends up mistiming it (hit high on the bat) completely and Amla at mid-wicket moves to his left to take a tumbling catch. Jason Roy c Amla b Rabada 15(10) [4s-1 6s-1]
Rabada to Jason Roy, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
3.3 -
Rabada to Hales, 1 run, Rabada continues to keep it full and on the stumps, Hales drives straight and to the left of mid-on
3.2 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, 1 run, full delivery on leg-stump, this time he finds a single wide of mid-on
3.1 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, no run, full on middle and leg, Roy flicks but finds mid-wicket
2.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, 1 run, a bit too straight from Abbott and Roy is content with a single behind square leg
2.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, no run, slower delivery just outside off, Roy backs away and strokes it to cover
2.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, 2 runs, full delivery and it's drilled through mid-wicket
2.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, no run, this time Kyle Abbott anticipates well! Saw Roy coming down the pitch and banged it in on the stumps, Roy makes room and could only meet with thin air, he was trying to clear the off-side
2.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, wide, down leg, please reload that again Kyle Abbott
2.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, FOUR, ah! He does it again. The hip-tickler from Kyle Abbott and Roy dispatches it to the deep mid-wicket fence, with a timely pull. It was more of a short-arm-jab I reckon, nevertheless a boundary
2.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, SIX, well! Roy joins the party now. A typical Jason Roy stroke I would say. A shimmy and a mow over the cow corner fence
1.6 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, yorker on the stumps, Hales digs it out towards mid-on
1.5 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, a relatively similar delivery and a similar stroke from the man who is in red-hot-form, but this time Rabada's boot does the business, sticks his right boot just when it mattered
1.4 -
Rabada to Hales, FOUR, woof! That's the best of the lot. Full and straight, Hales drives and it goes gun-barrel straight escaping his partner at the other end, simply superb!
1.3 -
Rabada to Hales, FOUR, that's just helped! On a length and drifting down leg, Hales says "Thank you" as he whips it behind square on the leg-side. He seems to be in the mood today!
1.2 -
Rabada to Hales, no run, short of length and just outside off, Hales bunts it down the ground
1.1 -
Rabada to Hales, FOUR, Rabada too starts off with a short delivery and Hales hammers it out of his sight. Fetches it over his right shoulder and jeez! That was right off the middle. The fielder at deep backward square had no chance
Kagiso Rabada, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, 1 run, full delivery threatening to kiss the off-pole, Hales hangs back to steer it with an open bat face to third man
0.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, 2 runs, short and this one sat up nicely for Hales who pulls over mid-wicket and slow outfield meant he could only nab a couple of runs
0.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, no run, shortish on leg-stump, Hales is a tad early into the pull stroke, drags it off the inside half towards mid-wicket
0.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, leg byes, 2 runs, Abbott isn't getting the lines right here, slips one down leg and Hales misses on the tickle, rolled off the pads to fine leg and the duo squeeze a double
0.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, FOUR, short and that's murdered! With utter nonchalance as Hales swivels and pulls, raced away like a tracer bullet - To the deep square fence - Ravi Shaz-esque
0.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, 1 run, gentle full delivery on the pads and Roy gets off the mark with a flick to mid-wicket, a slight fumble from the fielder and Roy ain't missing any there
Jason Roy and Hales are at the crease. Jason Roy is on strike. Kyle Abbott will open the attack
So, Wanderers on February 21 will see the culmination of a tour that's turning sour at pace for England. Managed to win the Test series 2-1, then led the ODI series 2-0 only to be blanked 3-2 later. They came close to pulling off a win tonight but South Africa, feeding on England's mediocre day and the Newlands' cheers, have taken a 1-0 lead. Winning at the "Bullring" to wrap off this long summer would be a cherry on the cake. Do join us for that game. For today, it's cheers and goodbye from Pratyush Sinha on behalf of Ramakrishnan, Raju Peethala and our very own scorer Sreenivas. Ta-ta.
Tahir: I knew that I started the ODI series a bit low but I wanted to bowl well. I finished the last series well. The team had the faith in me and that's what you need. As long as I am winning the games for my team, I am happy. I work hard in the nets and I am very clear with my plan. The captain can call me in the Powerplay too. I don't mind getting hit for sixes. I stick to my plans. If you believe in yourself and stick to your skills, you will do well. This is for my son who wanted me to get 4 wickets tonight.
Imran Tahir is the Man of the Match for his figures of 4/21
du Plessis: That's a massive win. I think both teams didn't play good cricket. Smile on my face because we won the first game. We didn't start well. T20 is about executing the plan. They got off to a quick start but the bowlers brought us back. They went too hard on a wicket that wasn't your ideal T20 wicket. The million-dollar man (Morris) saved us. On this wicket, two-paced with sticky spin, that was a par score. We have a long batting line-up and our long batting line-up managed to get us over the line.
Morgan: We nearly got out of jail. After a poor batting display, our bowlers brought us back. Our bowlers put SA under pressure, something we didn't do in the ODI series. The new ball skidded on, but the old ball was difficult to hit. Cutters etc. were difficult to hit. This is the brand of cricket we want to play and we are in reasonably good form. We should have won today but didn't deserve to. The more our players play, the more they will take up the responsibility. Jordan was excellent and it's unfortunate not to get over the line.
How close was that? What looked like an easy chase turned into a forked-tongued cobra that almost took South Africa down. de Villiers continued to open the innings but looked rusty and couldn't camp at the crease enough to wreak havoc. Amla then perished soon to a Willey stunner and the spin-twins then took over. Runs dried and consequently, wickets were handed away. Chase kept getting closer, more so with Jordan taking ultimately a 3-for to ramp up the required run rate. After the Miller cameo, 15 runs were needed off the last over. A six and a four followed a rip run-choker of a ball from Topley and South Africa just about reached home riding on the brace-vehicle.
19.6 -
Topley to C Morris, 2 runs, South Africa sneak a 3-wicket win! We were so, so close to a Super Over. As close as I was to clearing my GREs. Topley is utterly disappointed. Thrashes the stumps with his hands as he fumbles on a run out that would have seen a knockout. The ball was a low full toss, Morris didn't time the loft well. Perhaps not intended either. Wanted to get it to the deep and run a brace. The throw from long-off was quick and straight to Topley who panicked, perhaps, and failed to collect the ball cleanly. But for that, Kyle Abbott would have been short. Oh cricket, why cricket!
2 runs off the last ball. What's in store?
19.5 -
Topley to C Morris, 2 runs, dipping full toss on off, Morris bends low and tamely lofts to down the ground. Bounces in front of a rightward running long-off. A sharp throw but Kyle Abbott was back in by the time Topley took the bails off
A boundary away! Or should they do it with two braces? Newlands is buzzing like the Sunday market adjacent to my place. Fielder moving hither-tither in urgency..There's a short fine leg in now
19.4 -
Topley to C Morris, no run, length and cramped him for room, Morris thrashes it back to Topley with a 45-degree bat
4 from 3 balls
19.3 -
Topley to C Morris, SIX, and a maximum! Dear, oh dear! If you are on pills, get away. Gets a low full toss, Morris bends low and clouts to over long-on with a monstrous "million-dollar" slog
19.2 -
Topley to C Morris, FOUR, thrashed away! What a poor follow up. A full toss would have been acceptable but it's wide too. Morris reaches out and scythes it over the extra cover fielder, one bounce over the ropes
Mid-off and mid-on are back
19.1 -
Topley to Kyle Abbott, 1 run, gorgeous. Rivals a cover drive in efficacy. Low dipping full toss, Abbott can do nothing but drive it to a deepish mid-off
Reece Topley [2.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack
More delay as Morgan runs in and has a few words for Topley. It's the latter doing the talking and the captain is just lending his ears
15 runs off the last over! How things get close. Topley will have the ball. Super Over, please?
18.6 -
Jordan to Kyle Abbott, 1 run, gets taller in his crease and airily heaves this ball over mid-on
Kyle Abbott, right handed bat, comes to the crease
18.5 -
Jordan to Wiese, out Bowled!! That's gone. Had made room to free his arms but that move of his has all but defeated him. Jordan saw him backing away and bowled it wider, Wiese had to protract the arms to fetch it. An under-edge, an ugly-looking under-edge, was found and the ball backspun to take the wood down. Wiese b Jordan 2(2)
Jordan to Wiese, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
18.4 -
Jordan to Wiese, 2 runs, short ball, Wiese swivels into a pull to fine leg. The fielder there is a nanosecond late and Wiese pushes back for a couple. Makes a diving swooping entry back at the crease
18.3 -
Jordan to C Morris, 1 run, the yorker and Morris just about managed to keep it out. Eked out an inside edge onto his pad and runs through
18.2 -
Jordan to C Morris, 2 runs, just short. This attempted brutal forehand, aimed to go down the ground, eked out a top-edge. Such was the force that it carries to Topley at third man..well almost! He came running in, dived in front of him but the ball just fell short
Chris Morris, right handed bat, comes to the crease
18.1 -
Jordan to D Miller, out Caught by Root!! And he's found Root at long-on! Talk about ebbs and flows. And about nerves. Full delivery from Jordan, Miller can't get right under it to buy the distance. To make it worse, the bat turns while he goes for the mighty swing and could get the ball only as far as Root who pouches it in front of his chest and lets out a roar. D Miller c Root b Jordan 13(9) [4s-1 6s-1]
Jordan to D Miller, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
17.6 -
Moeen Ali to D Miller, 1 run, has this over changed the game? Miller gets low and sweeps it to backward square leg to keep the strike. Newlands is buzzing by the way
17.5 -
Moeen Ali to D Miller, FOUR, this is mediocred with width and Miller has all the time in the world to thrash it away. Cut in front of the square and the ball scoots away
17.4 -
Moeen Ali to D Miller, SIX, Hales did look interested for a second at long-off but that sailed over him. Miller backed away, put all the gymnasium and energy drinks into this loft and clears the fence
17.3 -
Moeen Ali to D Miller, no run, very slow through the air, Miller was quick to bend and sweep, missed it completely and was rapped on the pads. Looked high but straight
17.2 -
Moeen Ali to D Miller, no run, is rapped on the pads as he misses his sweep but that was going down leg
David Wiese, right handed bat, comes to the crease
17.1 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, out Caught by Adil Rashid!! That looked easy. Rossouw stretched forward but couldn't manage to keep the sweep along the ground. A top-edge was eked out and Rashid, guilty of dropping one earlier, just backpedaled, stayed put and slanted to his right to reverse-cup it over his head at short fine leg. Rossouw c Adil Rashid b Moeen Ali 18(18) [6s-1]
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
16.6 -
Jordan to Rossouw, 1 run, Roy put in a dive at extra cover and only managed to palm it further away. Looked like a slowish delivery from Jordan, Rossouw went hard on the drive but couldn't pierce the off-side bubble
16.5 -
Jordan to D Miller, 1 run, short of length delivery, Miller stays put and pulls it uppishly over mid-wicket
16.4 -
Jordan to D Miller, no run, fullish delivery on leg-stump, Miller fails to clip it away. Lets the ball rap his pad and then loses balance to fall on his knees. All happening!
16.3 -
Jordan to Rossouw, 1 run, skips out, tries to heave it across the line and mistimes it to backward square leg. A push for another run was sanely aborted
16.2 -
Jordan to D Miller, 1 run, banged in and this bounds off the pitch. Miller rides high, opens the blade, takes his bottom hand off and fends it in front of point. And that circus brings up the 100-figure mark for the Proteas
16.1 -
Jordan to Rossouw, 1 run, fullish and wide, Rossouw cuts it with full swing of the bat and a single to deep backward point is effected
Chris Jordan [2.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack
David Miller, left handed bat, comes to the crease
15.6 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, out Caught by Stokes!! This is getting trickier. Captain departs. Had his front knee bent and his back pad kissing the turf, stretched as far as he could and slog-swept. Couldn't wood the ball as he would have liked and Stokes runs across from long-on to snaffle it at cow corner. du Plessis c Stokes b Moeen Ali 25(30) [4s-1]
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
15.5 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, 1 run, shortish and Rossouw cuts it to backward point for a quick single
15.4 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, walks across and turns this delivery round the corner for a single
15.3 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 2 runs, top edge and it evades short fine leg! Was very wide in fact. Sweeps and the top-edge runs wide of the keeper and towards fine leg
15.2 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, 1 run, attempts a similar shot, no bat and it lobs off the shoulder to short third man. Umpire thought otherwise and gave it as a run
15.1 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, 2 runs, just too much effort for a brace but that's T20 for you. Reverses the bat in his hand while swiveling with a bent front knee and laps it to third man
14.6 -
Adil Rashid to Rossouw, 1 run, dragged down delivery, Rossouw lets out a cramped cut shot to sweeper cover
14.5 -
Adil Rashid to Rossouw, no run, kneels down and looks to slog-sweep, the delivery's quick and Rossouw early. Misses and is hit on the back thigh
14.4 -
Adil Rashid to Rossouw, no run, shimmies out and goes hard on the loft, mistimes it back to the bowler
14.3 -
Adil Rashid to Rossouw, SIX, this was the quicker one from Adil Rashid and Rossouw had his right glasses on. Backs away, gets behind this delivery on leg-stump and thumps it over Adil Rashid's head. Sailed away!
14.2 -
Adil Rashid to Rossouw, no run, backs away and tamely taps it to mid-on, not a run there
14.1 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, uses his feet and works this straighter delivery to mid-wicket
13.6 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, turns it round the corner to backward square leg
13.5 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, 1 run, this was guided past backward point and Rossouw hurried across. The throw from Roy was quick and Ali was perhaps a little late and awkwardly placed to flick the bails away. After a mid-pitch stutter, Rossouw hurried back in with a drag-your-bat dive
Run out sent upstairs. Looks okay on the first glance. Yes, alright. Drags his bat in
13.4 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, lets this flighted delivery come into him, slides deep and then works it to backward square leg
13.3 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, 1 run, allows the ball to rip away and then helps it with a reverse-lap to short third man
13.2 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, no run, reverse-sweeps this but can't beat backward point
13.1 -
Moeen Ali to Rossouw, no run, wait, what? Flighted in with the angle, pitches and just straightens. Just enough to let Rossouw's down-the-ground loft look silly. Bounces just over
Moeen Ali, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
12.6 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, no run, had the width to pounce, du Plessis cuts it but mistimes it. Ball goes nowhere, rolls near the boot and du Plessis is robbed off the single and the strike
12.5 -
Adil Rashid to Rossouw, 1 run, shuffles deep into his crease and allows the ball to turn, works it to deep mid-wicket
12.4 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, gets forward and across to bunt this ball to long-on
12.3 -
Adil Rashid to Rossouw, 1 run, looked like a quickish delivery outside off, Rossouw made room and punched it through point
Rilee Rossouw, left handed bat, comes to the crease
This looks like run-a-ball but it's far, far trickier
12.2 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, out Caught by Root!! Who said this is a stroll? Rashid bowled it flat and full, Duminy tamely attempted a loft down the ground. Nowhere under the ball and it only goes as far as Root at long-on. Sits and comfortably digests the ball into his palms. Duminy c Root b Adil Rashid 23(21) [4s-2]
Adil Rashid to Duminy, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
12.1 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 2 runs, skates out, takes the ball on the full and whips it through mid-wicket
11.6 -
Stokes to du Plessis, 2 runs, ah, another missed chance. The ball's teasing Willey at the moment. Goes to him, lets him pull out a stunning effort and then just, and I said just, evades him. Bouncer, du Plessis went hard on the cross-batted slog. Willey ran back, slid and could only tip the ball away. Jordan was backing him up, had lost the ball for a moment but then recovered quick to rifle the throw back
11.5 -
Stokes to du Plessis, no run, back of a length delivery speared down the leg-side, du Plessis turns around and helps it with a lap. Bounces in front of Rashid at short fine leg who is arguably too deep
11.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, slower short ball down leg, Duminy turns around and swivel-pulls it to fine leg
11.3 -
Stokes to du Plessis, 1 run, stands taller, takes on the short ball and rolls his wrists on the pull through mid-wicket
11.2 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, uses his wrists to tweak this delivery off the pads through square leg
11.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, FOUR, "take that, bowler" Backs away while making room, gets under this fullish delivery and lofts it over mid-off. Clears the man, bounces in front of the ropes and catapults away
10.6 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, no run, another one stuffed with lots of air, du Plessis walks out and drills it hard into the pitch. The ball back-spins towards Rashid
10.5 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 1 run, slow and flighted, the sort of balls that don't go for boundaries. Duminy gets out of his crease and nurdles it to long-on
10.4 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, rocks back, opens the face of the bat and punches it to point
10.3 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 1 run, hanger ball that stays in the air forever. On leg-stump, a half-turned Duminy waits and then works it to long-on
10.2 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, no run, slower through the air, Duminy bends low and nudges it into the leg-side
10.1 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, tossed up on the stumps, du Plessis slides deeper and works it through mid-wicket. Adil Rashid has a collision, mini collision of sorts, as he looks to run across to stop the ball
Okay, so spin shall continue..
9.6 -
Stokes to du Plessis, 1 run, ah, ever so close! Back of a length, du Plessis meets it with soft hands, ekes out an inside edge that scoots to short mid-wicket. That could have gone anywhere..
9.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, full and just outside the leg-stump, Duminy was more shuffled towards leg this time and clips it to fine leg for a single
9.4 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, fullish and down the leg-side, Duminy turns around for the glance, misses and the ball takes the pads en route to the keeper. A wide saved there
9.3 -
Stokes to du Plessis, 1 run, back of a length, du Plessis gets higher in his crease, taps it with dough-soft hands to the vacant FSL abd steals a quick single
9.2 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, looks like Moeen Ali was strolling towards the ball at fine leg. This top-edged pull, eked off a pacy bumper, dropped just in front of an in-rushing Moeen who could have been a little more urgent
9.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, no run, just back of a length and around the fourth stump, Duminy crashes it but only as far as backward point
8.6 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, no run, swerving away in the air and dips inside the tramline, du Plessis lifts his bat and lets it go
8.5 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, no run, flatter delivery, du Plessis drops it in front of him and tries to steal the single. Aborted seeing Adil Rashid rushing towards the ball
8.4 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 1 run, slowish and turning into Duminy to cramp him for room. The batsman dogs deeper, lets the ball come to him and ticks it away into the leg-side
8.3 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, flat and it's turning away, du Plessis stoops, slashes his bat in the air and pulls it to mid-wicket
8.2 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 1 run, turning into the pads, Duminy nudges it to mid-wicket
8.1 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, FOUR, dragged down first ball, Duminy swipes it through mid-wicket and welcomes Adil Rashid with a boundary
Adil Rashid, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
7.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, leg byes, 1 run, full toss is flicked to mid-wicket
7.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, 2 runs, that would have been Willey's night had he taken it. Runs back from mid-on, sprints, sticks his right hand out but the ball was always going away. Duminy on this occasion had mistimed his shimmied tonk down the ground and it needed a stunner to send him back
7.4 -
Stokes to du Plessis, 1 run, on a length and just outside off, du Plessis stays put, stabs it to cover and whistles to the other end
7.3 -
Stokes to du Plessis, no run, fullish delivery, Plessis plonks his front leg forward and drives open-batted only to find backward point
7.3 -
Stokes to du Plessis, wide, that's an ideal delivery to Raina. Short and pacy, but down the leg-side for du Plessis. He turns around, holds his bat and lets the ball through
7.2 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, had the room outside off and he did straighten his elbows on the cut. Couldn't time it that well and it rolls to backward point
7.1 -
Stokes to du Plessis, 1 run, this delivery on the pad is nudged down to short fine leg for an urgent single
6.6 -
Jordan to Duminy, no run, loud, loud appeal. Pitched on a length on leg or perhaps just outside to straighten. Duminy failed to connect the clip shot. Looked like going down leg
6.5 -
Jordan to du Plessis, 1 run, on a good length, du Plessis gets higher in his crease and punches the bal through the off-side ring to the sweeper in the deep
6.4 -
Jordan to Duminy, 1 run, can't call it a cut. Devoid of all the thrust. Shortish ball, Duminy straightens his knees and lets otu a horizontal-batted dab to squarish third man
6.3 -
Jordan to du Plessis, 1 run, short ball outside off but no pace, du Plessis has enough time to ride the bounce and slap it away to the sweeper
6.2 -
Jordan to du Plessis, FOUR, fabulous shot! Fuller outside off, du Plessis gets forward, gets behind it and bullets the drive wide of extra cover
6.1 -
Jordan to Duminy, 1 run, on a length, Duminy holds his bat close to his pad and steers it to third man to get off the mark
5.6 -
Stokes to du Plessis, no run, full toss dipping, du Plessis extends his arms and eases it to cover
5.5 -
Stokes to du Plessis, no run, short of length delivery nipping away, du Plessis is lured into it, pokes at it all flat-footed and sees the ball whizzle past
5.4 -
Stokes to du Plessis, no run, back of a length outside off, du Plessis crashes it to the cover-point fielder
Jean-Paul Duminy, left handed bat, comes to the crease
5.3 -
Stokes to Amla, out Caught by Willey!! What a scorcher! Sprints forward from mid-on, slides and grabs it inches over the ground. Replay that clip when you feel down. The ball was full and Amla edgy. Goes hard on the clip to this full ball on the pads, closes the face of the bat far too early and the leading edge spoons in front of mid-on who pulls off a stunner. Amla c Willey b Stokes 22(21) [4s-3]
Stokes to Amla, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
Amla's been given out! Fair catch? Replays are on. Looks like Willey has his fingers rolled over it. Low catches and the more the angles, the more the delay, the more Amla can breath easy. OUT!
5.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, fuller length delivery, Amla leans into a drive but can't get it past cover
5.1 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, back of a length delivery, Amla looks to go hard on the tonk over mid-on but drags it to the man there
Ben Stokes, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
4.6 -
Jordan to Amla, 1 run, short ball, du Plessis pulls out a Gordon Greenidge one-legged pull through square leg
4.5 -
Jordan to du Plessis, 1 run, steered to third man for a single
4.4 -
Jordan to du Plessis, 1 run, that was a good, good shout. Scissored in from a length, rapped on the pads and it looked high and going down leg. Faf looked to rush back for two leg byes but forgot to ground his bat inside the guide line. Stretched but ended up being short. Umpire hawks it and signals a run short
4.3 -
Jordan to Amla, 1 run, short of length delivery, Amla hauls his front leg in air and tucks it to backward square leg for a quick single
Faf du Plessis, right handed bat, comes to the crease
4.2 -
Jordan to de Villiers, out Caught by Hales!! He looked rusty and he has perished. Take off your seat belts, relax and sip your coffee. Back of a length ball veering down, de Villiers backs away and looks to pull. Not enough room, ekes out a top-edge and Hales settles under it with a squat and gobbles it up at fine leg. de Villiers c Hales b Jordan 7(10)
Jordan to de Villiers, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
4.1 -
Jordan to de Villiers, no run, shortish ball, de Villiers looks to go for the cut, is cramped and chops it into the pitch
Chris Jordan, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
3.6 -
Topley to Amla, 2 runs, and a leading edge! All happening. Was early into his closed-bal whip and the leading edge, empowered with all the heavy wood, runs over backward point. A life, another one
3.5 -
Topley to Amla, FOUR, should I call it a drop? Almost, I think. Short and wide ball, riding high. Amla goes on his toes, throws his bat on the upper cut. Buttler leaped to his right, one-handed and stretching as much as he could but tipped the ball away. Off she runs away for a couple
ABD wasn't happy with some plastic in front of the black sightscreen
3.4 -
Topley to de Villiers, 1 run, this time goes fuller to see AB steer it to deep backward point with an open blade
3.3 -
Topley to Amla, 1 run, slower delivery ballooning off the pitch, Amla waits, swivels and rolls his wrists on this pull to fine leg
3.2 -
Topley to Amla, no run, Amla is the enforcer here. Shortish ball, Amla goes hard at the pull. Thrashes it but finds mid-wicket
3.1 -
Topley to de Villiers, 1 run, on a length but way too straight. The leg-stump line allows de Villiers to tuck it to backward square leg
2.6 -
Willey to Amla, FOUR, oh my! That wasn't a whip. That was a batter whip. Fullish delivery, Amla put his all in this, tweaks his wrists and sends the ball over mid-wicket, one bounce over the ropes
2.5 -
Willey to de Villiers, 1 run, rocks back and works this back of a length delivery to mid-wicket for a quick single
2.4 -
Willey to de Villiers, 2 runs, touch-and-go from Topley. Top effort regardless of anything. And replays suggest that he ran across from third man and dives to save a couple. The ball was wide and de Villiers threw his hands at it, got it off the top-edge and the ball was hurled just inside the ropes at deep point
2.3 -
Willey to de Villiers, no run, fullish delivery, de Villiers lets out a flowy punch down the ground but finds mid-on
2.2 -
Willey to Amla, 1 run, a sharp single to mid-off as Amla punches this ball and runs through. AB has the strike, finally!
2.1 -
Willey to Amla, no run, fullish and going across Amla who mistimes the drive to mid-on
1.6 -
Topley to Amla, 1 run, no room whatsoever. On a good length and on the pad, Amla bends low and clips it off to backward square leg to keep the strike
1.5 -
Topley to Amla, no run, length ball outside off, Amla goes hard on the whip and drags it towards square leg
1.4 -
Topley to Amla, no run, have to put it as brilliant. Angled across on a very full length, and it just about bounced inside the tramline. Amla reached out but then aborted the shot
1.3 -
Topley to Amla, 2 runs, short of length but too straight, Amla tucks it off his hips with a half-turn and gets a couple to fine leg
1.2 -
Topley to Amla, no run, this is back of a length, Amla gets on his toes to ride it and taps it with an open face to point
1.1 -
Topley to Amla, no run, fullish and disciplined on off, Amla lets out a baby stride and bunts it into the pitch
Reece Topley, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Willey to de Villiers, 2 runs, straighter line, de Villiers slides deep in the crease and gives himself the room to whip it away through mid-wicket for a brace
0.5 -
Willey to de Villiers, no run, goes fuller and wider, de Villiers gets a leading-edge that rolls to cover as he looked to work it into the leg-side
0.4 -
Willey to de Villiers, no run, length ball angled across, de Villiers protracts arms and almost crashes it past cover. The fielder dived and sprawled to half-stop the ball
Just a slip
0.3 -
Willey to Amla, 1 run, low full toss on middle, a backed-away Amla bends to the off-side and clips it through square leg for a single
0.2 -
Willey to Amla, FOUR, and this time he connects. Swings into the pads, Amla stays put, meets it with Warney's wrists and twirls it away to the fine leg fence
0.1 -
Willey to Amla, leg byes, FOUR, curl in straightaway but the line's too leg-stumpish, he fails to tickle it away and the ball pads away to the fine-leg fence
Amla and de Villiers are at the crease. Amla is on strike. Willey will open the attack