woo-hoo! Down the ground and into the stands! South Africa gallop to a nine-wicket win with a massive 21.2 overs to spare! At least, that's what the scorecard will say at any rate...
Afghanistan vs South Africa, 21st match at Cardiff, Jun 15 2019 - Match Result
South Africa won by 9 wickets (with 116 balls remaining) (D/L method)
8.10pm That's it from Andrew Miller, Hemant Brar and Thilak Rama. Don't forget to tune in bright and early tomorrow. I hear there's something brewing up at Old Trafford ...
And don't forget if you are in India, you can get stuck into the highlights of this contest by tuning into our Hotstar links, right here
8pm So, there's not a lot left to see here. South Africa have a win at last, but I'm afraid to say that whatever is eating Afghanistan is looking pretty terminal. A match-up between two hugely flawed teams today, and it made for some attritional viewing.
Ravi: "With this win, SA are in exactly same position as Pak in 1992 World Cup after 5 matches. 3 losses, 1 NR and 1 win." This is very, very true. And if they can somehow find their way past New Zealand at Edgbaston later this week, they've got, in theory, winnable games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka to come. But they've got to find some inspiration with the bat ... I'm not holding my breath
Faf du Plessis, South Africa's captain, is simply relieved to be up and running. "Today was a good day for us. It was important to get a good start, the wicket was not conducive to spin. Morris and Tahir were fantastic in the middle overs, and Tahir singlehandedly made us a strong team in the last two years with his ability to take wickets in the middle overs."
On the tedious run-chase, he adds: "Quinton plays quite freely but it was important for him to see off the new ball. We needed a 60 or 70-run stand and we could work on the run rate later. It was important for Amla to get among the runs, in the next four games, net run-rate is not going to play a massive role if you win those games. We need Hashim to score runs for us, so he needed a not-out innings today.
Gulbadin Naib, Afghanistan's captain: "We repeated the same mistake again. We did well against the fast bowlers but the batsmen didn't take responsibility in the middle overs. We have a lot of batsmen with Rashid Khan coming at 9. Asghar is a senior player that's why we gave him a chance. Najib is an outstanding batsman, we'll have him in the team in the upcoming matches. We need to play better cricket."
Imran Tahir is Man of the Match for his 4 for 29 "I really enjoyed that, the way it came out, it was more important for me to play my role for the team, nice to have a first victory in our pocket. We were really up for it, we can't control the weather, but we wanted the intensity to stay in the game. All in all a very pleasing performance."
7.57pm And draw breath... the tension nearly killed me there... Amla finishes with 41 not out from 83 balls, a nice leisurely net that ought to set him up for better things. But seriously, I know getting a win at all costs was all that mattered today, but this South Africa side will be roadkill with that attitude for the rest of the tournament ...
Sones: "This win won't help SA. Actually it will have a negative effect on their confidence. Nobody will appreciate them for this approach. "
solid front-foot forward defence! Impeccable!
Anshit : "Wasn't Andile sent to finish things in hurry?" Err ... yeah
flicked to leg ...
nope, no contact.
Good grief this is desperate. As miserable an experience as covering England's dismal post-elimination victory over Afghanistan at the 2015 World Cup ... and that's saying something!
there's the ambitious swing! But he completely loses his shape as the ball dribbles to midwicket.
full and straight, and pushed to mid-off ... for the love of God ... won't someone have a swing!
fired down the leg side ... very delayed from the umpire, who was perhaps wondering if the ball had clipped the pad
Still time to win it with a nice round 20 overs to spare...
yorker! Well bowled, right into the toes, dug out with no idea where the ball has ended up. Right at his feet is the answer ...
Anshul: "Understand the style of play by Amla today but it is painfully slow. Everyone including the ground staff would be hoping a quick finish to this game especially after Afghanistan's low score. But Hash is here!"
short once more, too short this time as Phehlukwayo doesn't even think of a stroke
bouncer, and Andile sways inside the line
Smiles on the balcony for South Africa. That's nice to see ...
cheeky ... a slower-ball bouncer, loops into Amla's arc, so he opens the face to run a single to third man
driven with no footwork, into the off side
Right, Aftab returns. Can Amla finish it off in style finish it off will do!
Whatever it is that's on at the cinema in Cardiff tonight, it's either not very compelling, or it starts stupidly late ...
on the legs, can't get this one away
cracked down the ground to long-off once more... I think even the rain would be getting bored now
lots of air, launched down to long-off ... there's fielder lurking but it falls just short!
clipped off the pads to square leg
go on Hash, treat yourself ... nope, another watchful nudge
solidly into line. Red ink or bust
So... nearly... there...
hurrah, he's nailed another one! Back of a length, banged through cover with a scything cut
reverses the hands for the sweep, misses
3W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | |
Toss | South Africa, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2019 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match number | ODI no. 4160 |
Hours of play (local time) | 13.30 start, First Session 13.30-17.00 Interval 17.00-17.30, Second Session 17.30-21.00 |
Match days | 15 June 2019 - daynight (50-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | South Africa 2, Afghanistan 0 |