Tabraiz Shamsi took a career-best 3/19 which included the wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, as England sealed a series-winning 4-wicket victory at Boland Park, writes Khalid Mohidin.
An underwhelming batting performance from the Proteas saw them scrape together 146/6.
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Shamsi was spectacular. He took out three of England’s most dangerous batsmen with exquisite wrist spin variations.
His wicket of Jos Buttler, in particular, was marvellous to see. He tossed it up to the right-hander, and the sharp turn bamboozled the batter who came down the track looking for a big shot but instead was clean bowled. He finished with 3/19 beating his previous best figures of 2/16.
Dawid Malan played “smartly” throughout the innings. Playing off the front foot, and finding the gaps with clever stroke play and a more gentle approach. His approach showed the “smart” part of England’s playing philosophy, adapting to the conditions as the Proteas batsmen should have.
Malan scored 55 off 40 balls before he was dismissed thanks to a beautiful piece of fielding from Reeza Hendricks who tossed it up on the long-off boundary to take the catch infield.
Eoin Morgan mimicked Malan with an excellent cameo, 17-ball 26.
Lungi Ngidi bowled well too, taking 2/51 and Rabada took a wicket in the final over, to give the Proteas a glimmer of hope. But England managed to seal the win with 1 ball to spare.
Simply put, England know how to win.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
