Parnell swings it as England give slip practice
Plays of the day from the third ODI between England and South Africa
George Dobell at Lord's
29-May-2017
England were caught driving without due care and attention • Getty Images
Ball of the day
There has not been much evidence of swing from the white ball in English domestic cricket this season. But Wayne Parnell proved that, if the conditions are right, movement can still be found by a skilful bowler with a new white ball. He produced a beauty to account for Joe Root: full and swinging in late, it beat Root's attempted flick to midwicket and trapped him leg before. Perhaps Root might have survived had he played it straighter but it was, by any standards, a fine ball. Eoin Morgan, who received one that demanded a stroke and left him to take the outside edge, was similarly dealt with.
There has not been much evidence of swing from the white ball in English domestic cricket this season. But Wayne Parnell proved that, if the conditions are right, movement can still be found by a skilful bowler with a new white ball. He produced a beauty to account for Joe Root: full and swinging in late, it beat Root's attempted flick to midwicket and trapped him leg before. Perhaps Root might have survived had he played it straighter but it was, by any standards, a fine ball. Eoin Morgan, who received one that demanded a stroke and left him to take the outside edge, was similarly dealt with.
Catch of the day
South Africa's catching has not, by their high standards, been at its best this series. So they will have been delighted by the reliability of the slip cordon here, with several sharp chances taken. Best of them all arguably was Faf du Plessis' head-high take at second slip to account for Jos Buttler. The batsman, perhaps attempting to hit the ball too hard, managed a thick edge as the ball left him, meaning it flew to du Plessis' left at great pace. But he clung on and England slipped to 20 for 5.
South Africa's catching has not, by their high standards, been at its best this series. So they will have been delighted by the reliability of the slip cordon here, with several sharp chances taken. Best of them all arguably was Faf du Plessis' head-high take at second slip to account for Jos Buttler. The batsman, perhaps attempting to hit the ball too hard, managed a thick edge as the ball left him, meaning it flew to du Plessis' left at great pace. But he clung on and England slipped to 20 for 5.
Deja-vu moment of the day
Having seen Alex Hales and Buttler fall in the same manner - attempting lavish drives at deliveries that left them just a touch down the slope - you might have thought that Adil Rashid would take a slightly more cautious approach. But no, Rashid attempted an equally ambitious drive to his first delivery and, once again, was defeated by a fraction of movement and edged to the slip cordon. It left Kagiso Rabada on a hat-trick and England on 20 for 6 - the only time in the history of ODI cricket a side has lost six wickets within the first five overs. With England committed to an aggressive approach, which has served them well in recent times, it was probably the sort of incident that was bound to occur sooner or later. But it was a reminder that, when the ball moves, England remain a little vulnerable.
Having seen Alex Hales and Buttler fall in the same manner - attempting lavish drives at deliveries that left them just a touch down the slope - you might have thought that Adil Rashid would take a slightly more cautious approach. But no, Rashid attempted an equally ambitious drive to his first delivery and, once again, was defeated by a fraction of movement and edged to the slip cordon. It left Kagiso Rabada on a hat-trick and England on 20 for 6 - the only time in the history of ODI cricket a side has lost six wickets within the first five overs. With England committed to an aggressive approach, which has served them well in recent times, it was probably the sort of incident that was bound to occur sooner or later. But it was a reminder that, when the ball moves, England remain a little vulnerable.
Shot of the day
With both sides making a host of changes ahead of more important battles looming in the near future, Toby Roland-Jones won a maiden international cap for England. He had relatively little opportunity to impress with the ball - by the time he came on, South Africa had this game all but won, though he showed good pace, beat the bat a few times and claimed a memorable maiden wicket in Hashim Amla - but he impressed most with the bat. Scoring an unbeaten 37 - the second-highest of the England innings - he played one shot in particular that hinted at real class with the bat. It was not the pulled six off Chris Morris, impressive though that was, but an on-driven four off the same bowler that would have pleased any of the great batsmen who have played at this ground over the years. It was especially impressive coming from a No. 9 on debut. He was also the first man with a hyphen in his name to make an England debut since Mandy Mitchell-Innes in 1935.
With both sides making a host of changes ahead of more important battles looming in the near future, Toby Roland-Jones won a maiden international cap for England. He had relatively little opportunity to impress with the ball - by the time he came on, South Africa had this game all but won, though he showed good pace, beat the bat a few times and claimed a memorable maiden wicket in Hashim Amla - but he impressed most with the bat. Scoring an unbeaten 37 - the second-highest of the England innings - he played one shot in particular that hinted at real class with the bat. It was not the pulled six off Chris Morris, impressive though that was, but an on-driven four off the same bowler that would have pleased any of the great batsmen who have played at this ground over the years. It was especially impressive coming from a No. 9 on debut. He was also the first man with a hyphen in his name to make an England debut since Mandy Mitchell-Innes in 1935.
Record of the day
When Amla reached 23, he became the fastest man in the history of ODI cricket to achieve 7000 runs in terms of innings played. Amla reached the landmark in his 150th innings, beating the previous record of Virat Kohli, who took 161 innings. AB de Villiers is third in the table, having taken 166 innings. Amla is also the fastest man in ODI history to the landmarks of 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 runs.
When Amla reached 23, he became the fastest man in the history of ODI cricket to achieve 7000 runs in terms of innings played. Amla reached the landmark in his 150th innings, beating the previous record of Virat Kohli, who took 161 innings. AB de Villiers is third in the table, having taken 166 innings. Amla is also the fastest man in ODI history to the landmarks of 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 runs.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo